Poll: Average speed you tow at?

[biggerbadbrad]

Head and cross winds tend to govern my speeds more than any other factor on open, flat terrain. This can vary my average speed from 55 to 70+ mph. By maintaining equal pressure on the accelerator pedal (about 1/2 way on my current tow vehicle) you will realize maximum fuel economy. Cruise control costs money because it is constantly changing the pressure on the accelerator pedal to maintain a constant speed when fighting winds.

Because most roads are not completely flat though, I accelerate to gain speed while descending a hill so as to take advantage of gravity (pedal is at about 3/4) I usually let off before I reach 80 mph though. Then when I begin ascending the next hill I keep the accelerator pedal at 3/4 and allow the momentum from my weight and speed to get me to the top. I will increase acceleration only if I drop to less than 50 mph. This is how experienced truckers drive. Cruise control costs money by decelerating down hills and accelerating up them.

Speed limits are a matter of common sense. If you drive too fast for the conditions that Janet’s husband has mentioned, then you are a dangerous driver. Period. But there is another side to this story.
A pet peeve of mine is to approach a vehicle from behind while going through very hilly terrain on a 2 lane highway who is maintaining the posted speed limit to the letter. 55 mph uphill. 55 mph downhill. This is also dangerous driving that lacks common sense! And they are usually oblivious to the fact that the grill of an 18 wheeler is staring at them in their rear view mirror, 2 inches off their back bumper. If this is how you drive, then please pull over to let others pass because you are driving downhill too SLOW!!!

bbb

[montanaandy]

Generally tow at 60-65 on both hwy and secondary roads. Don't feel comfortable towing above that speed (esp. when hauling water). Found it difficult towing on the interstate this past weekend when large semi's passed by. Don't know if it was because I was hauling a full tank of water (normally only have tank 1/2 full) or the new (cheap) brake controller that was installed as a temp (the other failed) but there were times that I felt that the trailer was in control or lack of control that is. Haul with a V-10 Excursion and have a beefy anti-sway + stabilizer bar setup. Montanandy

[hhuber]

Although conditions govern my speed, I always look down and find I'm going faster than I want to be. I'd like to stick to 65 on a good road (even though there aren't too many of those around here.) I must be anxious to get where I'm going or something. After reading everyones posts I'm going to be even more careful. I tend to go 70. Probably too fast if you get a flat.
Heidi

[LowellN]

Depends on the conditions. Never as slow as 55 mph. And have has the truck/AS to around 80 mph. If you can get into a "convoy" of trucks, it's great. It's the safest place to be, and no problem to run a steady 75mph. IF a group of trucks are running 75 mph and suddenly slow to 65 mph then you know something is wrong. Slow down also. Truckers are usually the safest drivers on the road, even though a lot of people think otherwise. It's a proven fact that over 80% of all accidents that involve a tractor trailer, a car was at fault for the cause. Truckers drive many thousands of miles a year, and know what they are doing, well most of them anyway. My dad has logged close to 3 million "Safe Driving" miles over the last 27 years, a lot of them at 80+ mph.


Lowell

[Tarheel]

I like to pull at or just below the speed limit. I have found that for the most part I can stay in the right hand lane and I am not running up of other cars. I don't hold up traffic and car and tractor trailers can easily pass.

[Silvertwinky]

Thought I had already signed this one, guess not.

Anyway, I travel as best I can whatever the posted speed limit is. I try and maintain that pace but get caught sometimes behind slower moving vehicles.

I would rather be slightly slower than the flow of traffic to avoid the necessity to pass a lot. Whenever I get a chance I try and anticipate the hills to maintain my speed.

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by Wayne F

Daplumber

Your story does demonstrate the capabilities of the slippery shape of the A/s design. It does inspire confidence when towing at run of the mill speeds.

I am aware that there has been A/S / tow vehicle testing done at a test track. Slalom & Lane change. Wonder if anyone has tried towing a bullet on the Bonneville Salt flats.

Check out the photos starting at this location:
http://www.airforums.com/photo...cat/3108/page/

After you select a photo, click on it to enlarge it and each subsequent photo will be enlarged. You will be able to read the text of the article if your monitor is large enough. You might need a magnifying glass otherwise. If you don't want to read the entire article, look at the caption for the photo at the bottom of page 3. The article was facinating, BTW.

[Happycampers]

I tow at 60 mile per hour, I think that is a good speed as far as safety, mileage, travel time. I agree with you Forrest, (speed kills) if you haven't experienced it first hand you might not understand, if it hadn't been for a speeder my daughter might be alive today. I hope Eric or anyone else on this forum never has to experience that. Marvin

[Pahaska]

I made a 150-mile round trip with my passenger car last weekend and had a chance to observe some fair sized SOB trailers, both on the road and in parking lots.

I looked at 8 white box trailers in the 27-30' range. Only one had both sway control and equalizing hitch installed. Only 4 had equalizing hitches. The remaining were pulled by 3/4 or 1 ton pickups using load carrying hitches and no sway controls.

The worst example was a 30 white box that passed me at at least 75 mph on a non-divided 4-lane. He was swaying visibly as he passed. A few hundred yards ahead of me, he moved to the right lane just as the car in front of him put on a right turn signal. He abruptly swung back to the left lane and almost lost it. He swayed all over 3 lanes. Only the fact that no one was approaching at the moment prevented a head on crash. He was so shaken that he reduced his speed to under 60 and pulled off shortly afterwards. He was driving a F350 with a load-carrying hitch and no visible sway control.

[Action]

Kinda backs up that old saying ....

"Speed Kills"

With or with out sway and equalizing, speed can get you.

My personal target speed is 60 and 66 is off limits for me.

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[62 Overlander]

I see the same thing all the time. And the bigger and more powerful these pickups get, the worse the problem becomes. I think that the max legal speed for towing a travel trailer in Texas is 60 and if that is the case I wish they would do a better job of advertising that fact.

[crispyboy]

I think one of the most dangerous "traffic laws" we have are the two tiered speed limits as in Ohio. They have a 65 for automobiles and 55 for trucks. I have traveled Ohio interstates many times and I have seen countless near misses. I think everyone should have the same speed limit. I like 60 mph for towing - that's fast enough, too many things that can go wrong.

[redeagle313]

My usual speed is 60 mph, as even with a diesel the mpg really heads south after your speed increases past 60 mph. On the diesel forums there a lot complaints about "poor fuel mileage " from people pulling 11,000 pound fifth wheels @ 75 mph?!

[Action]

Originally Posted by redeagle313

On the diesel forums there a lot complaints about "poor fuel mileage " from people pulling 11,000 pound fifth wheels @ 75 mph?!

I feel for them!!!!!!!!!!!

And I have a fix, hand over the keys to the truck.

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