Speed and distance traveled

[Skilletface]

In March I posed a question “ Who actually pulls there RV at 70 mph.”
Naturally the responses where mixed. Using some average numbers used in training Safety Specialist Nationally, I would invite everyone to take some time to consider the distance being covered at 70 mph.

feet per second = miles per hour × 1.466667
70 mph. X 1.466667 = 102.66669 feet

Again using a Nationally accepted reaction time of 3 seconds for human reaction and vehicle variables (weight,resistance,balance), our rig traveled 308 feet from the time a hazard was recognized and all the braking components began to work.

Hold the “I’m just trying to keep up with the flow of traffic” who’s in control, you or folks around you that are not operating the same piece of equipment?

We have a lot of new to towing people reading these threads, should you consider yourself a skilled driver please debate this subject constructively.

Nothing good happens when towing one of these things above 70.

[NB Canada]

Agree wholeheartedly

I will never go over 62 mph no matter how much HP is under the hood

The extra 30 minutes maybe gained on a normal driving day isn’t worth it
Plus the mpg saving is like hitting a switch it is that noticeable

I will almost guarantee every tire failure is due to driving 70 plus. Don’t care what the speed rating is


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[USA in a Chevrolet]

Agree wholeheartedly

I will never go over 62 mph no matter how much HP is under the hood

The extra 30 minutes maybe gained on a normal driving day isn’t worth it
Plus the mpg saving is like hitting a switch it is that noticeable

I will almost guarantee every tire failure is due to driving 70 plus. Don’t care what the speed rating is


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

I appreciate your feelings regarding speed. We have traveled the Atlantic Provinces of Canada. Your drivers are much nicer than the ones in some parts of the US. I was amazed at their courtesy towards me as a fifth wheel driver. One other advantage of driving around 65 mph is that there is much less stress One thing I disagree about is that most tire failures are a result of driving fast. Many failures are from under inflation or old tires. If your tires are the Cooper H tires they are rated for 75 mph. Your comments regarding fuel economy are spot on. Saving 1 mpg really adds up on a 10,000 mile trip. We look forward to traveling in Canada again!

[Second Chance]

I'll echo the "spot on" sentiments. Not to sound like one of the Monty Python sketches on the Spanish Inquisition, I have three main reasons for a maximum of 65 MPH while driving the rig:

1) Safety (I'm not getting any younger... as evidenced by my humor references and the fact that I know and remember how and when the "Keep on truckin'" meme in @Skilletface's avatar was popularized in 1968)

2) Fuel mileage

3) Stress on the driver

Rob

[jleonard]

I'm another who likes to keep it under 65. I have found that 62/63 is the sweet spot where my truck just feels comfy.

It was the same for my 17 Ram 1500 Hemi, and also for my 05 1500 V-6 when I was towing a small enclosed cargo trailer.

[xrated]

Mostly, I try to stay between 65- 67 MPH, with occasional passes made at a bit more than that. To me, it will also depend on where I'm at, the amount of traffic on the road, as well as road conditions. I've been know to drive a little slower than the 65 range, but overall, I feel pretty comfortable at that speed. I'm a firm believer in maintaining my tow vehicle as well as my trailer, but even good maint. cannot overcome bad driving or bad roads, so it's a take it one day at a time thing for me.

[Hoopy Frood]

I guess I'll have to be the odd man out. I figure 14 feet won't make that much difference. And IME many accidents are caused by the speed differential between
vehicles. When one is traveling at 70 mph with surrounding traffic and one comes upon a vehicle traveling 8-10 mph slower than surrounding traffic, bad things
can happen. Personally I feel traveling near to the speed as surrounding traffic, is a wiser choice. But I have noticed that old people tend to drive slow, just the
way things are. Well, I was the odd man out until someone got there first.

However, full disclosure is that when towing the toyhauler, I tend to drive around 65-67 mph. The motorcycle I tend to travel 5-10 mph over the speed of
surrounding traffic. That keeps me out of clots of vehicles where accidents tend to occur.

But IMO 65 mph is no "safer" than 70 mph, but a person would probably be best to travel at the speed they find most comfortable. But also IMO 60 mph and
below is unsafe on a busy interstate.

[NB Canada]

I guess I'll have to be the odd man out. I figure 14 feet won't make that much difference. And IME many accidents are caused by the speed differential between
vehicles. When one is traveling at 70 mph with surrounding traffic and one comes upon a vehicle traveling 8-10 mph slower than surrounding traffic, bad things
can happen. Personally I feel traveling near to the speed as surrounding traffic, is a wiser choice. But I have noticed that old people tend to drive slow, just the
way things are. Well, I was the odd man out until someone got there first.

However, full disclosure is that when towing the toyhauler, I tend to drive around 65-67 mph. The motorcycle I tend to travel 5-10 mph over the speed of
surrounding traffic. That keeps me out of clots of vehicles where accidents tend to occur.

But IMO 65 mph is no "safer" than 70 mph, but a person would probably be best to travel at the speed they find most comfortable. But also IMO 60 mph and
below is unsafe on a busy interstate.

For me it has nothing to do with “safety”
I feel comfortable at any speed but less things will break and I will get better fuel economy at 62-63 and get there at almost the same time


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[OurNewEra]

My speed varies with the amount of traffic. Generally , the sweet spot for my truck is 68 to 70. At 65 I am turning 2,500 rpm. At 68 to 70 mph I am turning 2,300 rpm. So I try to keep it at 2,300 rpm.

Also, if I am in the high 60's or 70 I experience less push/suck from semis that are passing. When your speed is closer to the passing semi they have a lesser affect on me. IMO

In closing, I always maintain a very safe distance with the vehicle in front of me, which is usually a semi. If I don't, my co-pilot/ navigator is there to remind me.

[xrated]

My speed varies with the amount of traffic. Generally , the sweet spot for my truck is 68 to 70. At 65 I am turning 2,500 rpm. At 68 to 70 mph I am turning 2,300 rpm. So I try to keep it at 2,300 rpm.

Also, if I am in the high 60's or 70 I experience less push/suck from semis that are passing. When your speed is closer to the passing semi they have a lesser affect on me. IMO

In closing, I always maintain a very safe distance with the vehicle in front of me, which is usually a semi. If I don't, my co-pilot/ navigator is there to remind me.

Uhh, that is probably a typo I'm guessing.