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Trip Report and other tidbits.

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B&W Turnoverball Gooseneck - Companion 5th Wheel Hitch

Is Bigger Better ??? 16K or 20K

Well the dust has settled after my trip out west. It was cut short by week as the spouse was called back to work early. But some interesting info for those of you who want to know.

The truck had apprx 11,800 miles on her when we left, 3000 miles later we returned home. The bed of the truck was full of firewood, and was pulling the 5ver (which has been modified in height). This trip, no matter what direction I traveled I had strong head or quartering winds to put up with. The following is some statistics for you:

CGVW: 17,156 lbs

Avg MPG: 10. 7

Worst MPG: 8. 8

Best MPG: 12. 3

(The more miles traveled, the better the mileage. )

Avg MPH: 67 (Note, I never saw any of you who state 75+ mph as your towing speeds, all the Strokers, Dmaxes, and Cummins were running the same sane speeds as I. )

I take that back, had a Stroker pulling a travel trailer pass me like a bat out of h#ll outside of Rapid City, SD, when I signaled him to come back in the wind caught him and took him down onto the shoulder of the road, almost ditching it. He saved himself and hauled her back up onto the interstate and drove a sane speed that I could tell until I turned off for the Badlands.

Had another fellow Rammer struggle to pass me for 150 miles I could see him behind me. When we pulled the grades I would increase my lead, come down the hill he would gain some back. When he finally got in a position to pass, I slowed to let him by for safety reasons. He had I suspect a 98. 5 with Cummins pulling a 30 ft+ Layton 5ver. The 5ver looked to have a list of at least 25*. When a gust of wind would blow, he was all over the road, taking both lanes of the east bound interstate just to control the rig. Running Oregon plates, that wasn't one of you Oregon TDR members, was it? I was sure hoping not to witness this young family going across the SD prairie unexpectantly.

Anyway, the truck performed flawlessly, but I didn't use any oil. Fuel mileage was lower than expected, but increased the whole trip, so I suspect this will keep increasing with more mile that are put on. I keep remebering the "99" and it didn't start to get consistent mileage until it had over 50K on her. With just 15K on this one it keeps increasing. An engine that is suppose to go 400K before an over haul can't be expected to be broke in in such a short amount of miles, my opinion of course.

Well, off on my next appointed round.



Vince
 
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Nice report. I never see those 75mph towing guys, either... I hope they are just kidding, cause it sure doesn't sound safe to me.



I loaned out my flatbed trailer, the guy never said anything to me, but later posted about doing 75mph up a particular grade. Did he? Don't know, and don't care. But he will never tow my trailer again... just in case. :mad:
 
On our trip to Arkansas, I did see a few miles of 70 mph, but most of the way was 65. At 70 and 12,000 gvw things are happening too fast!!! This trailer handles real well at 65 and the mileage is great to what I use to get. . At 4850 miles average 15. 78, with a low of 11. 2 and high of 17.

This truck has 165,970 miles and I do use a wing to deflect the wind. .



Rick
 
How unsafe is 75 MPH?

I have towed at 75 MPH and wondered how unsafe it is?



I have a 5400# 21' Terry towable w dual axles. I normally drive 65 MPH, but on 'safe' stretches on I-15 where it is flat, very little traffic, low wind, I cruise at 75 MPH. :rolleyes: My trailer tires are inflated to max pressure.



I usually stay at 65 because of gas milage, but on longer trips go faster if possible (2 young kids. )



http://www.rvsafety.com/state.htm says Utah's max speed towing is 65 MPH? I'm assuming this is correct and is the reason I usually stay at 65.



So what's the verdict? Am I stupid or what? :rolleyes:



Pat
 
Re: How unsafe is 75 MPH?

Originally posted by Pat_in_Utah



So what's the verdict? Am I stupid or what? :rolleyes:



Pat



Stupid? No. Taking a greater chance for something to go wrong? Yes.



Higher speeds always involve quicker decisions with less time to react. Ever have a blowout or anything at high speed? Think of how this would be exasperated with a heavy trailer behind you.



I also try to remember that my wife and daughter are with me, not to mention other innocent people on the roads. :eek:



We can limit the chances we take as drivers... what are the road conditions, what is the traffic density, etc. Drive safe!
 
Re: How unsafe is 75 MPH?

Am I stupid or what? No, not stupid, but having had a left rear tire on the truck blow out on one trip and two left side tires on the TT blowout on different trips in my towing life I can vouch for how quickly things get out of hand.



These days I tow a 30'TT at 65 mph. The Cummins is purring, life is good and we enjoy the journey.



All who wander, are not lost.



Pat [/B][/QUOTE]
 
Thanks for the feedback (and being nice!)

I do have a great equalizer hitch - the drive is very smooth at 75 MPH if that helps. My trailer tires are on their sencond year, new truck tires also give me more confidense. All weight limits are well within bounderies.



With alll the above opinions being said, I agree with "TDR" (kinda like "they" :) ) The difference between 75 and 65 MPH is negligable on time - even on a 5 hour drive. And true, almost all I hold dear to me is in this truck.



Off to the Uintah mountains in Utah tomorrow for 4 days (July 24 is Utah's pioneer days, and get the day off. ) and I get to take my KLR250 enduro for the first time - cool!



Thanks again,

Pat
 
I do a lot of fiver towing, some 100,000 miles in the past few years, and am growing more cautious as time goes on. Guess old dogs can learn, eh? Anyway, here's my thoughts.



1. A couple of years ago coming out of Texas into New Mexico, hit that NM speed limit of 75 (coming from 55 in Texas) and tried drafting on an 18 wheeler I'd been following and talking to on CB... and just got left in his dust. No problems that trip, but have had two bearing failures on the fiver, one following a period of faster than usual towing. Pack bearingsmyself every spring and every 5000 miles or so thereafter, so failure was not due to forgotten lubrication. Find that 65 mph is comfortable max for me, may run up to 70 on a down grade for short distances though.



2. Latest trip was from Northern Virginia to the western Michingan Upper Peninsula, some 1300 miles. Pulling a new fiver, an used Avion some 10,000 pounds heavy and had two trailer tire blowouts. First I've ever experienced. Both times on an interstate, pulling at around 65. Heard a pop and pulled over to check. First time the tire was still intact, the second it was shredded with the tread all gone and the casing in shreds. Tires that failed where Goodyear ST225/75R15s, load range D. Tires that failed had looked like new. No weathering, good tread. Tire shop in Midland, Michigan advised me that my batch of tires had a failure tendency like that of the Firetones we've all heard about. On these Goodyears, if the tire doesn't have a circled (s) following the brand, then you've the questionable tire. I ended up replacing three tires. (The tire guy explained the problem as onehaving to do with a nylon ply that when heated either shrunk or expanded in an unplanned way leading to separation under hot road conditions. )



Something to think about. Be safe.
 
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