What Speed Do You Tow Your Trailer?

[Doc Tinker]

What speed do you normally drive when towing your trailer. I'm not asking whether you obey the law, but what do you really do?

 

[Paul Somers]

I used to tow my 30' 5er at 72 MPH and got 12. 1-12. 4 MPG. Last summer I followed a friend up the east coast at 65 MPH and got 13. 6-13. 9 MPG. Also seems to be safer speed.

 

[BigMike]

I used to haul my 5er as fast as I could go (70+mph). MPG was around 10. I decided to drop to 60-65. Now get 12-13mpg and feel much safer. I want to live to enjoy my 5er for years to come.

 

[Happy Camper]

I used to put the hammer down but now when I find myself heading for 65mph I ask myself 'What is the big hurrry"? and slow to 55-60 and enjoy the scenery much better and stand a better chance of not taking out rudolph.

 

[FMcClaren]

I use to tow about 62 mph with the 360 gaser ,now it,s

about 65 to70 with CD in OD. If i can,t get in OD i cut back

to about 60. The CD sounds good at 2200 in 3rd.

HAVE A GOOD ONE



Frank

 

[DBR]

I use to tow at speeds above 70+ and the truck would handle it fine, however as time went on I began to realize how dangerous this actually was. I figured all it would take would be one panic stop to ruin any future retirement plans, even thought there 25 years away. My fuel mileage averaged anywhere between 9. 5 and 13. This was with my 97 / 5spd / 3. 54 / 2500.



With the new 3500 / 200. 1 auto 411, the truck in stock form had a very hard time going the speed limit. I was quite disappointed in the power the truck exhibited. Once the odometer clicks to 36,000 mile I’m going with the power up grades.

 

[Cliffman]

I try to stay 5 mph under the speed limit. 37 ft 5er, 22,500 GCVW. Also depends of the driving conditions. For example, on a nice day and not much traffic, driving through Utah on I-80 I'll do 75 mph.

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by DBR

I began to realize how dangerous this actually was. I figured all it would take would be one panic stop

Or one blowout, or a strong gust of wind as you go over an overpass, etc, etc.



Heavy loads and high speeds do not mix. Read the shark story to see how your actions affect others!

 

[Ed Sigman]

Tow Conservatively

Towing a 32ft. fifth wheel weighing 14,000 lbs. , I usually am under the posted speed limits at 65 to 67 mph. Mileage is usually about 12. 5 to 13 mph. I leave it in cruise control and the "the Bull" does it all by itself. I feel that the is a good speed to keep control and react to different situations and still make good time over ground.



regards,



Ed

 

[dewdo]

When I first got my fiver, I had been use to towing a tag along and normally wouldn't exceed the posted speed limit, and towing the fiver I felt I had better control of it.



Driving through Montana one day (no speed limits at the time) with the fiver I was coming to a hill so I floored it, and got it up to 80 as I crested the hill. Just as I topped it there was a herd of cows in the middle of the road.



It was fortunate I had just had the brakes redone on both the trailer and my truck. I must have laid down $100. 00 worth of rubber before stopping less than a foot from the nearest cow.



Now I drive around sixty. Never know what or whom is coming over the next hill.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[Rambling]

Stopping and smelling the roses.

I used to go at least 70-70+mph on the open road. Why? Type A? Braggin' rights on trip time? I dunno! BUT, last fall the quality of the journey has become as important as the destination. Now, it's 65mph or less and lots of stops for refreshments, sights or even a nap or two when we feel like it.



We are more relaxed on the trip and feel rested on arrival. Lack of tension/stress will do that to you, you know.

 

[BPINE]

On flat ground I travel 61. 5 you can verify by asking Cliffman up hill is a different story, the pyro is my limit and smoke is my game you can verify that by looking at the side of my trailer.

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by BPINE

up hill is a different story, the pyro is my limit and smoke is my game you can verify that by looking at the side of my trailer.

Bpine... I have fun on the hlls, too! I saw a post a while back that said you will keep the smoke off of your trailer if you adjust the length of your exhaust tip out further.

 

[C Schomer]

I've slowed down too! Easy pulling roads, I can get 14. 0 at 70. Canada has slow speed limits. I got as much as 16. 7 running 60 or so on easy roads. It gets down to 11. 3 at 80-85 in the hills. Craig

 

[klenger]

I usually pull at about 65 on the interstate. One thing I have found is that if you stay at about the average speed of traffic in the slow lane, you don't have to keep switching lanes to pass and then get out of the way of faster traffic. That seems to take alot of the stress out of towing and is more relaxing.



I actually find myself going faster up the passes in Colorado that I go on the flat lands. I'm not sure why, but I think maybe because I'm in the power range better.

 

[mbrolin]

I see the 60-65 and 65-70 ranges are fairy close. Here in Oregon the freeway speeds are still 65. The lowest in the nation. I think this is supposed to change to 70 January 1st. Regardless,driving safe and according to conditions is the priority.

 

[klenger]

I think that it's interesting how many of these polls produce "normal distribution" curves with the results. I guess my Stats instructor was right.

 

[Doc Tinker]

klenger - care to explain ""normal distribution" curves"?

 

[BPINE]

Hey Rob I just changed my exhaust around a little adding a 90 at the end and that seemed to do the trick. I also took off the turbo mount brake and installed a 4" BD, so far I can't see any difference I was hoping for some EGT reduction. I will dyno it soon to see if there was any gain there.

 

[John Berger]

There is an old(?) NASCAR maxim: To go faster, sometimes you have to slow down. I tend to drive between 65-70 mph when towing, or as road conditions dictate. To many bad things can happen with a heavy load at speeds that are to fast. I want to enjoy my road trips with the TT and live to enjoy the 5'ver I plan on getting someday.