What Speed Do You Tow Your Trailer?

[John_Barks]

A while back I sold my 19 ft Searay Seville and got a 26 ft Wellcraft. At the time I was the proud owner of a 97 F-150 4x4. Towing the Searay was a breeze, it was a preaty lite boat, but when I hooked up to the Wellcraft, man, I would be goin down the road and that boat would start makin that Ford go from side to side so bad I would have to get on the brakes. Best I could do was about 60 (without gettin the little women stirred up). Now, with the CTD I have'nt come close to being uncomfortable with the boat on. But I don't go over 65 (unless I'm close to a Ford with a load on) cause that stirs up the little woman up too.

 

[rich m]

Like Sammy Hagar says....

I can't drive 55!



The $50 trailer only weighs about 1600lb, and I've sailed it uphill at 90mph!

that's not the habit, just an occasional thrill to clean carbon out of combustion chamber. . Usually run about 1800-2000 rpm, which, in O/D w/3. 55's and 10% oversize tires puts me between 68 and 77mph roadspeed. (that's on the interstate, BTW, not thru town)

I know I shouldn't, but I also don't like to obstruct traffic. Westerners seem to always like these breakneck speeds!

 

[RATTLINRAM]

SPEEDING??

I normaly run about 2-3mph faster than the posted speed limit. This still puts me about 7-8mph slower than the rest of the traffic on the road.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Future retirement plans?

Originally posted by DBR

... . Once the odometer clicks to 36,000 mile I’m going with the power up grades.

However, you'll probably regret not starting sooner and more important, you'll have more smiles per mile in the meantime.....

 

[DBR]

Well, I have already began the performance path, just haven't installed them yet. I do have the basic gauges installed, left-overs from previous upgrades on my 97. I have acquired the 275 injectors, EZ and Piers new HX35. I removed my Hx40 from my 97 and installed Piers Hx35 to break it in so to speak before putting it on the 2001. I still need to pick up a valve body and torque converter before I'll increase the power on the 2001. I'm just not sure what vendor to go with. I favor Bill K's converter but have some questions in regards to the lock-up clutch, Suncoast seems to be a viable option as well. 36,000 is not that far away



Did install a Kelderman Air Ride suspension which has provided an excellent improvement to the overall ride quality and height of the truck.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

trailer speed

Like my old cardiology instructor used to say to every question - it depends...

when trailering cargo or the tractors I take it easy. When one of your horses goes critical in the middle of the night and you're outbound for the vet school that's not an option. Its nice to know that the cummins can get you there before the Dormo-sedan and analgesics wear off (the horse!!).

 

[Doc Tinker]

I thought I'd throw this in hear, seeing as it's on topic.



This is for the State of Michigan, taken from the MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE that I found online.



"(5) A person driving a passenger vehicle drawing another vehicle or trailer shall not exceed a speed of 55 miles per hour, unless the vehicle or trailer has 2 wheels or less and does not exceed the combined weight of 750 pounds for the vehicle or trailer and load, or a trailer coach of not more than 26 feet in length with brakes on each wheel and attached to the passenger vehicle with an equalizing or stabilizing coupling unit. "



It appears that my trailer qualifies me to drive the posted speed limit, which is 70, since it is less than 26 feet, with brakes and equalizer.



Doc

 

[Doc Tinker]

I located the above information through the following site:



http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/laws.html

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Gauges, gauges, gauges!!!

Originally posted by DBR

... . 36,000 is not that far away

An impressive kit list. How are you benchmarking the "before and after?" I don't see any reference to gauges anywhere, or did I miss something along the way... ?

 

[Scott Lowe]

I pull my fifth wheel no faster than 60 to 63... usually try to get about 600 miles per day. My wife and three teenage girls can't last any longer than that in the available seating.

 

[Archive]

What about RPM's?



Most of you guys must be running manual transmissions.



My Auto/3. 55 towing 6500lbs sounds as if it might explode when towing 70mph.



I now tow at around 60, and ignore all the dirty looks...

 

[QRTRHRS]

Re: SPEEDING??

Originally posted by RATTLINRAM

I normaly run about 2-3mph faster than the posted speed limit. This still puts me about 7-8mph slower than the rest of the traffic on the road.

I use to run through Virginia a lot, generally behaving myself as those Virgina state troopers were a tough lot. Guess they still are? Around here, 2-3mph over the limit would be 20-30 under the average, especially on the Northest PA Turnpike Extention.

 

[klenger]

Re: Michigan towing laws.



Is the Dodge truck considered a passenger vehicle? Obvisously at some point a vehicle is not considered a passenger vehicle or the semis could not tow over 55 MPH. I have truck plates on mine, not passenger plates (Colorado).

 

[Doc Tinker]

klenger - you make a good point. What is a pickup truck, a passenger vehicle or a truck?



I believe the manufacturing standards of a pickup or van is different of the automobile, but does that mean it isn't a passenger vehicle?



A semi, is normally designed to do specific line of work (haul). A pickup is designed as an all around vehicle and most modern pickups can transport several passengers.



You know... that Michigan Law is not written well. It says that a Honda Civic or a Pinto (both are passenger vehilces) can haul a trailer less than 26', with the proper equipement, at the posted speed limit. Now isn't that a scary prospect?



I don't know if it's still in the books, but a few years ago, I read the laws concerning child restraints. In Michigan Law, they say that it's legal to carry an infant in the bed of a pickup as long as the child is in the proper seat and properly secured.



This takes us back to the old discussions about WHAT DO OUR LAW MAKERS DO ALL DAY!??



Doc