How fast do you tow?

65 mph or 105 km/h normally on the freeway. 70 for short bursts if I need to pass somebody.

Most of my towing is on secondary highways at 55 mph 90 km/h.

Risk increases the faster you go. Less time to react, longer stopping distance in a emergency and less inherent stability when towing.

RVing has a culture where many people fret about being 10 pounds over GVWR because of vague liability concerns, then head out and exceed the speed limit without a second thought.
 
60-65 MPH for no more than 6 hours, around 350 miles a day. No more than two days in a row followed by a rest day.
 
I tend to run 60 to 65mph, but depends on road, weather, traffic, etc. Since I still have a day job, I will drive up to 600 miles a day for ‘destination’ travel, i.e. heading from home (NM) to folks (MI). In that case we pretty exclusively stay at KOAs with pull through and don’t even drop the stabilizers, just hook up water and electric.
 
My maximum is 500 miles per day but usually I go about 400. However that is on the interstates...backroads I hold no more than 60 mph and try to drive about 6 hours.
 
We max out at 65-70 in clear conditions on flat roads with little wind. Once conditions or terrain change we dial it back. The truck can easily handle it but we don't like pushing our luck and risking safety, it's not worth it. It's never a matter of capability but of safety.

When it comes to how FAR we go, that's a different story than most. We both work full time and our travel windows are narrow for a few reasons, so when we have somewhere to get to, we want to get there. It's not abnormal for us to put on a 500 mile day. The max we have gone is just shy of 800 miles over 16 hours. We have the benefit of both my wife and I enjoying driving/towing, and we split the responsibility which allows the passenger to rest and nap. We still enjoy the journey but we don't mind putting in hours behind the wheel and it's what allows us to balance our travel with the obligations we have around home.
 
I usually run the truck speed limit, will reduce speed when I feel the need. Life's too short already, no need to hasten my departure. Enjoy the journey and the camping.
 
As an over the road truck driver for 45 years and a 5th wheel camper puller for 22 years please drive at least the speed limit. If you can't do the speed limit safely it is probably time to give it up! Sorry

I'll drive the speed limit on single lane, which in most places is posted at 55 mph. On multilane interstate, some states have posted limits as high as 80 mph, so I don't think so. For states that post a minimum speed, I drive faster than that. I've never seen a posted minimum higher than 55 mph. I can safely drive faster but choose not to. Like all things, the situation and common sense prevail. If I chug along in the right lane and faster traffic can freely pass, that is safe and legal. Even though I am traveling under the limit, I still overtake commercial trucks going even slower than I am. Is it time for them to give it up?
 
While discussing our move from The Ranch (SE NM) to Graham Cave SP (70 miles west of St. Louis) with some of the guys, I was asked how far it was and how long was I going to take. The distance is about 1000 miles, and I said that we would need five travel days for that. One of the more experienced travelers almost laughed at me. He said he would need only two travel days for that distance. Then he asked how fast I travel. I said I set the cruise for about 60. Again, he laughed. He normally drives about 70 with is Airstream.

He's a few years older than me, and has far more miles under his belt than I do, but I still think he goes too fast and too far in one day. What do the rest of you full-timers do? Am I too slow?

Driver whatever speed makes you comfortable. I will echo what others have said that driving too slow can create a hazard, especially on the Interstate. I'm a weekend and summer/holiday warrior and do all the driving. I tow at 65 mph max in the Interstate and adjust downwards depending on speed limits and road/weather conditions. I try to drive no more than 500 miles/day. I usually stop every 2 hours for ~15 minutes to get out stretch, refuel when necessary, etc. I find taking a break every couple hours helps me avoid fatigue, especially later in the day.

For 500 miles, driving 70 mph instead of 65 mpg saves you 0.55 hours (33 minutes). I get about 8 mpg at 70 mph and 9 mpg driving 65 mpg on flat terrain. At $3.00/gallon, I save $20.83 in fuel over the 500 mile trip ($0.63 per minute saved). Not a lot, but adds up over time.
 
This is a popular thread topic and I'm happy to see that more and more people are saying "Do what works for you."

In my case, my professional life has been all about production.... get the load there and pick up the next one... driving trucks, flying helicopters, whatever. When I'm pulling my home, I refuse to rush. It doesn't matter how far I go in a day, because I'm going to sleep in my own bed anyway. On the interstate, I set the cruise at 60ish and relax in the right lane. I plan a maximum of 400 miles and I'll get there when I get there.

My work season will be starting soon and I'll be back in GO GO GO mode, but until then, if you see Buzz Lightyear hanging on my ladder, you'll probably be passing him ?
 
Very interesting posts. There is no “one size fits all” as there are so many variables involved when towing. Trailer size and tow vehicle fit are very important as well as driver ability. One very important fact for all is stopping distance if the rare occasion happens that a driver has to. Increasing speed increases risk but risk can be high at 40mph as well as 70. Some drivers are fine taking great risks but are they putting others in a potential risky situation. For the most part it’s comfort level considering road condition and equipment factors.
 
Trailer size and tow vehicle fit are very important as well as driver ability.
Yep for sure. As we know most people overestimate their ability. It’s important to recognize that none of us are perfect and can improve our driving in some way. 99% of the time people are thinking they’ve great drivers and doing a wonderful job just before they cause a crash (and sometimes they continue to think that way afterward).
 
Thanks to all of you who contributed to this discussion. Someone mentioned that they run closer to 65 because their truck (similar to mine) seems happier there. I tried that on our last travel day, and saw very little change in rpm. I think that there may have been a little less downshifting, but that could also be the road.

I think I'll generally keep the cruise on 60 unless there is a reason to go faster or slower. That makes for fairly easy guessing as to how long it will take to get from here to there.
 
Thanks to all of you who contributed to this discussion. Someone mentioned that they run closer to 65 because their truck (similar to mine) seems happier there. I tried that on our last travel day, and saw very little change in rpm. I think that there may have been a little less downshifting, but that could also be the road.

I think I'll generally keep the cruise on 60 unless there is a reason to go faster or slower. That makes for fairly easy guessing as to how long it will take to get from here to there.

My truck has a sweet spot where it doesn't downshift as much and that seems to be about 62-64mph or 100-104kmh. Of course that's on fairly flat terrain with a normal breeze.
 
We're full time Rv'ers now, fully retired, military, teamsters, County equipment operations trainer, SSA. We're doing alright financially, but to put our 5th wheel toy hauler through the earth quake with the three axle leaf sprung rig, is insanely expensive to restore the wear and tear annually. We're good for 300-400 miles @ 60mph @ <10mpg avg. @ $4.50+ /gal @20,000gvwr RV towed with a diesel .You drive your rig as you see fit.
 
I usually go around 65 for a max of 4 hours. But campground stops control how many hours I drive. Finding a decent spot to stop for an overnight is not that easy to do. I like to do one overnight and the next stop will be for a few nights.
 
I usually go around 65 for a max of 4 hours. But campground stops control how many hours I drive. Finding a decent spot to stop for an overnight is not that easy to do. I like to do one overnight and the next stop will be for a few nights.

Good Morning.
When we're going to be traveling, my wife will usually organize all of our reservations in advance for the very reason you noted. She'll research any areas of interest and adjust our stay accordingly. We've suffered the overnight check-in woes as well.

Bob and Robin
 
Good Morning.
When we're going to be traveling, my wife will usually organize all of our reservations in advance for the very reason you noted. She'll research any areas of interest and adjust our stay accordingly. We've suffered the overnight check-in woes as well.

Bob and Robin

We do the same now. I like to keep it 65 or less now to reduce some of the road damage to the rig. The roads are pretty bad in most places especially over and under pass seams that can beat the stuffing out of your suspension.
 
We just came back from the Albuquerque Balloon fest in NM a few weeks ago and averaged about 81 MPH towing the fiver. It's around 500 miles and an easy tow with the Duramax. My truck's sweet spot is 75-85 MPH all through the mountains. Tow to your comfort level for sure but just remember to use the left lane for passing to keep the traffic flows moving.
 
We just came back from the Albuquerque Balloon fest in NM a few weeks ago and averaged about 81 MPH towing the fiver. It's around 500 miles and an easy tow with the Duramax. My truck's sweet spot is 75-85 MPH all through the mountains. Tow to your comfort level for sure but just remember to use the left lane for passing to keep the traffic flows moving.

Wow, So your that guy. Bad thing can happen reel fast at 85 mph. If you want to endanger yourself that your business but at 85 mph you could be endangering other on the road also.
 

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