Generally between 60 and 65 MPH depending on how much of a hurry I'm in. With gas this high, I tend to stay nearer 60 MPH since my mileage is much better there.
I think I have been going too fast.
As I've gotten older I drive much slower ;>}
I am taking your advice to heart. I have regularly been pushing 70.
That really depends on conditions. I generally keep it below 65 MPH (and much slower in traffic), but there are plenty of wide open highways posted at 75 MPH (think flat, straight Arizona desert) where I'm comfortable at 68-70 MPH. I always ditch the Chinese tires and install Goodyear Endurance which have a higher speed rating and are just better constructed based on my anecdotal evidence.
Depends on the roads, two lane roads call for slower speeds than interstates. Interstates I'll run between 65-70 mph.
On open Interstates with clear conditions, 67 MPH is the sweet spot for my weight/drivetrain combination. If road or traffic conditions warrant, I'll slow down - often a lot. On US and state highways, I never exceed the speed limit. I often go slower if there are frequent traffic lights, heavier traffic or tighter curves on these secondary roads.
Speed is the enemy of fuel mileage... and safety.
Another thing to keep in mind is that, if you have the load range E Westlakes on your trailer, they only have a speed rating of 75MPH - and they don't have a very good track record for blowouts.
Rob
Speed is the enemy of fuel mileage... and safety.
Another thing to keep in mind is that, if you have the load range E Westlakes on your trailer, they only have a speed rating of 75MPH - and they don't have a very good track record for blowouts.
Rob
Rob, you are a fountain of knowledge.
Casa_Woody
Senior Member
I recently towed from Illinois to Arizona. Obeyed the speed limit with a max speed of 70 (occasionally 75 when passing). I hit some head winds on the way (25-35mph). Unfortunately that put winds in excess of 100mph going over my roof. When I arrived in AZ the TPO roof was rippled from the edge of the front cap to the front air-conditioner. The Dicor (caulk) was peeled back. The truck towed the trailer just fine. Felt stable. Mileage was 6-7mpg. I was over-confident and paid the price. $2000 to fix the roof. Luckily the TPO was not damaged and just needed to be reglued.
Lesson Learned: Slow Down! 65 is now my top speed. Slower in windy conditions (side winds or head wind). Will even pull over and spend the night until the weather calms down. Cheaper than repairing a damaged trailer.
Lesson Learned: Slow Down! 65 is now my top speed. Slower in windy conditions (side winds or head wind). Will even pull over and spend the night until the weather calms down. Cheaper than repairing a damaged trailer.
I try to tow no faster than 65 mph and never over the speed limit. So if it's 50 mph, I go 50 mph. I know that have a bit of a lead foot, so I have up my GPS (CoPilot) set up so that it gives me an audible alarm if I go faster than the posted speed limit. The noise can be annoying, but it does help me keep the speed down.
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Every time I see these threads most say they top out at 65, maybe 68 MPH. Every time I am on the road towing, I am getting passed by trucks towing trailers at 70+ MPH. Either forum members drive more slowly than average or forum members are not average. 
Would be interesting to know the average age of forum members and RV owners. I would guess we are on the older end of the scale.
Would be interesting to know the average age of forum members and RV owners. I would guess we are on the older end of the scale.
Between 60 and 65 if conditions are good. And I'm below 50 so I tow faster then my age. But I do see younger families fly by.
so I tow faster then my age. But I do see younger families fly by.
TH
The_Lovells
Guest
Every time I see these threads most say they top out at 65, maybe 68 MPH. Every time I am on the road towing, I am getting passed by trucks towing trailers at 70+ MPH. Either forum members drive more slowly than average or forum members are not average.
Would be interesting to know the average age of forum members and RV owners. I would guess we are on the older end of the scale.
I tow at 65, have done for the last ~20 years or so. I am slightly over the age of my towing speed.
67 when possible but I'm guessin' 65 more often than not (Interstate). I like the more comfortable State roads when the pavement is good. 4-6 mph under my age
General rule of thumb, do not out tow your rig. Trailer or tow vehicle. I go as fast as I am comfortable with. Most of the time, that is 67-72 MPH, this gives me room on the throttle to pass, or if I need to stop the tail from wagging to dog (which doesn't happen with a fifth wheel or goose neck). Goodyear Endurance tires on the trailer have a speed rating of 87 MPH. The tires on my truck has a speed rating of 112 MPH. (My truck has a speed governer that throttles my speed at 100 MPH. No I did not find this out while towing. Yes, I found this out on the freeway. That is all I'm going to say about that. )
I try to use cruise control because of my lead foot, also I get better gas mileage with cruise control. I have also found that whether I go 50 MPH or 75 MPH, towing my gas mileage stays at between 8-10 miles per gallon.
Now that we are full timing, I find that my freeway speeds are between 62-67 MPH, just due to the fact that I am towing more weight. It's really going to be a learning process for anyone towing anything. It takes me several hundred miles to get used to the trailer (and tow vehicle) to really get to know how the rig handles. Even then, there are times that I'm surprised at how the rig handles in certain situations that I hadn't encountered within the first several hundred miles.
Also remember that over confidence in your towing ability CAN lead to complacency.
) I try to use cruise control because of my lead foot, also I get better gas mileage with cruise control. I have also found that whether I go 50 MPH or 75 MPH, towing my gas mileage stays at between 8-10 miles per gallon.
Now that we are full timing, I find that my freeway speeds are between 62-67 MPH, just due to the fact that I am towing more weight. It's really going to be a learning process for anyone towing anything. It takes me several hundred miles to get used to the trailer (and tow vehicle) to really get to know how the rig handles. Even then, there are times that I'm surprised at how the rig handles in certain situations that I hadn't encountered within the first several hundred miles.
Also remember that over confidence in your towing ability CAN lead to complacency.
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