Towing speed record

[richinny]

Diesel Power sets land speed towing record at 141.998 mph

[Lance M]

Wow!

[shivtik]

I agree with the "WOW" - But you would be surprised at the type of speed records being set for those that will be attending this years 4CUnit-New Years Eve Rally at Pichaco Peak Az. Now this is a rally worth putting the pedal to the metal for.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Some 40 plus years ago, as part of a research program, I towed a loaded 31 foot Airstream with a properly out fitted Buick, at 115 MPH.

This was recorded on film that also showed the calibrated speedometer and air speed indicator readings.

Of course I was much younger and a little more foolish back then.

Andy

[AWCHIEF]

That speed with no trailer sway control used, amazing. The package looked very stable and solid during the run. Impressive record for towing a square box. I wonder what would have been the final speed result if they had used a slippery Airstream.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

That speed with no trailer sway control used, amazing. The package looked very stable and solid during the run. Impressive record for towing a square box. I wonder what would have been the final speed result if they had used a slippery Airstream.

Sway control at higher speeds is sort of built in to the flat or near flat fronted trailers, as they offer a lot of wind resistance because of the flat front.

We also tested a 5' X 8' empty "box type" U haul trailer, with the same tow vehicle used with the Airstream tests.

We were surprised to find that the maximum speed was only 85 mph.

Wind resistance is a tremendous force, and has a huge negative effect on fuel consumption.

Andy

[perryg114]

I bet he could have gone alot faster pulling an Airstream. The fastest I have been in a car is about 140 MPH and things happen real fast at those speeds. I expect that many stock pickup trucks won't go over about 120 assuming you can disable the speed limiters. Gearing is another factor. Trucks are geared lower so you reach redline alot quicker. 142 MPH pulling a trailer is impressive considering it was an SOB.

Perry

[slowmover]

The amount of horsepower to overcome that square shape (especially on the TT rear) isn't surprising.

While we discuss that fuel economy doesn't change much in upsizing from, say, a 28' to a 34' (steady state highway), the drag produced by length becomes prodigious after a point.

That's a teeny trailer in the record attempt. An upholstered U-Haul.

Andy, what sized TT did you pull with that Buick? 80% of the record speed, but with about one-quarter the HP.

.

[Road Ruler]

Wow, are they lucky that rig is still in one piece!

[noreen&sal]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Some 40 plus years ago, as part of a research program, I towed a loaded 31 foot Airstream with a properly out fitted Buick, at 115 MPH.

This was recorded on film that also showed the calibrated speedometer and air speed indicator readings.

Of course I was much younger and a little more foolish back then.

Andy

Back when I was a couple of years younger (about 35), I would use Georgia overdrive coming down mountains in an F-Model Mack and a 45' trailer. The speedometer would bottom out at 80 a long time before the bottom of the hill and the whole rig was really quiet. Now I figure I was really lucky, especially considering the bias tires in those days. Sal

[Mike91208]

Originally Posted by Road Ruler

Wow, are they lucky that rig is still in one piece!

We looked at Carson trailers before we bought the Airstream - they're very well-built and solid!

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by Mike91208

We looked at Carson trailers before we bought the Airstream - they're very well-built and solid!

I believe you but.........
the whole deal could have been so much better (to make it safer and probably faster).

Consider a dual axle Airstream, a much better high tech connection, a more suitable TV, and tires with a higher speed rating.

[DanB]

What happens on the way to Metro-Detroit, stays at Metro-Detroit.

Lets just say it involved an exremely hopped-up Durango and a light 1970 single axle Safari.

:0

[purman]

you know, I'm not that impressed with this. Nitrous and 1000 hp ??? I have had my AS up to 85 mph on the flat with my 382 HP Sequoia with a lot left. I'm willing to bet I could get it up over 110 mph on the flat with my 28' AS that weighs double or triple what that trailer does.

If we can raise the money to close highway 92 for a 6 mile stretch for 5 mins Ill give it a try

[field & stream]

Hooray ! A new -- and much more entertaining -- discussion of the perennial question: "How much tow vehicle do I need".

[JimGolden]

Here's one for the "Gassers vs. Diesels" argument.

I get Diesel Power magazine. They have some pretty rad trucks in there. Many of them make over 1000hp and 1200 ft-lbs of torque.

Neat story!