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J. Morgan · 10-20-2014, 09:59 PM

I go as fast as I feel comfortable, but seldom much over 70.

kscherzi · 10-20-2014, 10:01 PM

Coming home on I-80 in California did 65 to 70. Slowest on the road, never passed anyone. Most others 80 to 90 plus it seemed.

mefly2 · 10-20-2014, 10:36 PM

True 78 in a 70 zone (with or without an AS following behind) would likely get you a second look around here ... 90mph would likely get an invitation to party later.

Msmoto · 10-21-2014, 02:25 AM

Sixty to sixty-five... Lots happens very fast much above this, not necessarily your fault. Road irregularities can put trailers into strange oscillations creating serious issues one cannot always correct if going too fast

Ms Tommie Lauer
Greensboro, NC
2015 Serenity 30 RB / 2008 Dodge Cummins 4 X 4
WBCCI #4165 AIR #31871

jayseejay · 10-21-2014, 04:35 AM

62 MPH on major highways. Regards, Joe

slowmover · 10-21-2014, 05:10 AM

It's about being able to come to full stop. And not have the trailer come around. A matter of when, not if.

Think of travel speed as body memory or training. How things "feel" between 55 & 65-mph so that visual, aural and physical sensations are in groove with one another. The degree of steering wheel input, not just the speed of moving that wheel. Same for brakes regarding pressure and duration. Make the norm something different than in the past.

A manuever using only the wheel which is "do-able" when solo does not account for the trailer (which will travel faster than the tow vehicle) which may lose lateral stability (tire slip; exacerbated by too-low tire pressure, axle age, etc). Over-correction of the steering wheel is a common result. Best to think of this NOT as a matter of skill, but of statistical verity. That, in other words, there are situations where a lower speed would have allowed me to manuever the combined rig safely, but additional speed made impossible.

Trailer drum brakes without anti-lock are the norm. The ability to come to a single full stop degrades so rapidly above 65-mph that it makes for an upper limit when conditions allow.

Best fuel economy is always at or below 60-mph (air resistance climbs like a rocket from this point). Due to gearing on my truck I use 58-mph to a [rare] high of 66-mph when solo. Doesn't change travel time in any way that matters versus running much faster. 58 works well for towing.

Following distance is the better question. More depth, with broader perspective.

.

beatrix1 · 10-21-2014, 08:09 AM

Great information and considerations. Much appreciated. I feel really comfortable towing at 65, just will set my "reminder" to do just that if I edge much higher.

PaulnGina · 10-21-2014, 10:08 PM

In the 60-65 mph range.... you might think faster is ok, but IF something out of the ordinary happens, you will appreciate the slower speed.

ukulele2010 · 10-22-2014, 04:41 PM

I like to drive between 60-65 mph. My wife would like me to drive 75 mph and be about two car lengths behind the nearest auto, and have me pull out in front of traffic so we do not get delayed by my more patient self. I am only half-joking...

Panama Red · 10-22-2014, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukulele2010

I like to drive between 60-65 mph. My wife would like me to drive 75 mph and be about two car lengths behind the nearest auto, and have me pull out in front of traffic so we do not get delayed by my more patient self. I am only half-joking...

Does she want you to do this when she's in the TV, or only when you're alone? Because if it's only when you're alone, I think I detect a whole 'nother problem...

-Red, picking up on the subtle clues...

r carl · 10-22-2014, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panama Red

Does she want you to do this when she's in the TV, or only when you're alone? Because if it's only when you're alone, I think I detect a whole 'nother problem...

-Red, picking up on the subtle clues...

She may want to be talking to you on the cell too so your not lonely.

Panama Red · 10-22-2014, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r carl

She may want to be talking to you on the cell too so your not lonely.

Texting is better...

-Red, helping wives collect on insurance policies...

ukulele2010 · 10-22-2014, 05:07 PM

Thanks all for the chuckle - so far we have traveled together with the Airstream. My wife often claims that I would never be able to drive in Boston because I would just constantly get cut off, would wait patiently for traffic to slow before entering the roadway which would be never, get rammed from behind by impatient drivers (in particular if I stop at a just changing red light...), etc. I tell her the brain is fairly plastic, and I could learn how to operate in new environments - she remains unconvinced.

Panama Red · 10-22-2014, 05:15 PM

That just tells me I never need to take The LoveStream (tm) to Boston...

-Red, aka "Pokey Joe"...

jimmini · 10-22-2014, 05:31 PM

To me it is all about ST tires most makes only good for 65 MPH.On hot highways like AZ all types of tires come apart and on Airstream trailer at high speeds it takes a long distance to stop when a tire blowes and it does lots of damage to the wheel well and trailer.

And with a Squarestream where do you get the part to fix it,let alone the BIG $$$.

Yep 60 MPH area is good for me

YOU DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE FIRST.BUT BEING BEST IS A WHOLE LOT BETTER.

Goal15 · 10-22-2014, 06:34 PM

Tundra sweet spot on the flat is 1600 rpm which equates to about 62-65. Only time I go above 65 is when I get behind a semi that is doing 60 and I get tired of keeping his mirrors in view by yo-yo ing between 55 and 58

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Msmoto · 10-22-2014, 06:41 PM

Having nearly 100,000 miles pulling with an RV, half with a moho and flat towing a car, over 43,000 towing an Airstream with my RAM 2500, I can share this. I will generally pull for 12 - 14 hours. I stop frequently, maybe 4 or more times in a day, fuel once, naps, eating etc., the other times. On every trip, I find I am passed by folks driving faster, many in RV set ups. And, they are going in a similar direction as I am, e.g., the shortest road from my house to the upper midwest, via Chicago is only one route, and I find the same rig passes me as many as three times in one day. Most of these folks are going 5 - 10 mph faster than I am, yet for reasons I do not understand they seem to get behind me. And, as stated, I take lots of time to rest, nap, eat, yet by steadily pulling at 60-65 mph, I seem to get to my destination and average overall, about 50 - 53 mph. I will pull up to 750 miles in one 14 day.

OK, now that I have said that, when I try to pull faster, I find the level of exhaustion I experience is much higher. At 60-65, I find I am relaxed, able to maintain good concentration, am not worrying about who is ahead of me, who is passing me, or spending any energy in competition, oh, one exception…..up long hills (5 - 7%), I always pull at 65 just to pass the moho's going about 50 - 55 or if it is a Prevost… I almost always will try to pass….LOL too funny…

But, one factor above 65 mph is fatigue and below 65 far less….IMHO

Thank you,

Goal15 · 10-22-2014, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Msmoto

Having nearly 100,000 miles pulling with an RV, half with a moho and flat towing a car, over 43,000 towing an Airstream with my RAM 2500, I can share this. I will generally pull for 12 - 14 hours. I stop frequently, maybe 4 or more times in a day, fuel once, naps, eating etc., the other times. On every trip, I find I am passed by folks driving faster, many in RV set ups. And, they are going in a similar direction as I am, e.g., the shortest road from my house to the upper midwest, via Chicago is only one route, and I find the same rig passes me as many as three times in one day. Most of these folks are going 5 - 10 mph faster than I am, yet for reasons I do not understand they seem to get behind me. And, as stated, I take lots of time to rest, nap, eat, yet by steadily pulling at 60-65 mph, I seem to get to my destination and average overall, about 50 - 53 mph. I will pull up to 750 miles in one 14 day.

OK, now that I have said that, when I try to pull faster, I find the level of exhaustion I experience is much higher. At 60-65, I find I am relaxed, able to maintain good concentration, am not worrying about who is ahead of me, who is passing me, or spending any energy in competition, oh, one exception…..up long hills (5 - 7%), I always pull at 65 just to pass the moho's going about 50 - 55 or if it is a Prevost… I almost always will try to pass….LOL too funny…

But, one factor above 65 mph is fatigue and below 65 far less….IMHO

Thank you,

I might be jealous. After 400 miles even with 3 or 4 stops I'm tired

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PharmGeek · 10-22-2014, 07:06 PM

I had not thought about fatigue - that's an interesting perspective

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Piggy Bank · 10-22-2014, 07:15 PM

Agree with MsMoto in general about speed and fatigue. Between Kansas City and St. Louis, I-70 is very congested and has a lot of truck traffic as well.

DH used to travel that route quite a bit to watch our daughter when she was a competitive golfer in college. (Not towing, and usually driving a nimble Mustang V6). He remarked that it was so much less taxing on his energy to set the cruise at 62. Speedy McSpeedsters would safely see that they needed to pass him, and do so, and he still made good time and got great mileage. And he still had the energy to walk along the 18 holes of golf once he arrived.