so i was asking over on the GM Truck forums about how to better my truck's ability to tow, and stated that i would like to be able to tow at 75mph without problems for which i was almost hung from a tree. it was basically the concensus that i was irresponsible and wreckless for even trying to go that fast. i thought 75mph was pretty reasonable.

how fast do you guys tow? opinions.

truck is a 2001 1/2ton silverado with tow package (bigger brakes and tranny cooler), the biggest motor (5.3L w/315ft/lbs), PF Carbon metallic front pads, new rotors all around, 18' H&H open trailer with dual 5000lb axles with dual electric brakes and a brake controller in the truck. total towing load is probably about 4500lbs, truck is rated for 9000 i believe.

 

Sounds resonable to me. I usually try to keep it right at 70mph.

 

I tow at 75 MPH or 5-10 over, whichever is less. It's pretty comfortable if the trailer is balanced well. My Dad (conservative) tows at 70.

I've "heard" that some people tow at 95 MPH with loose straps....
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1262786


*cough cough*

 

I think 75mph is pretty reasonable if the trailer is loaded correctly. I can tow at 75 (the speed limit between Phx and Tucson) very comfortably with my 4Runner using a sway control bar. I usually keep it at around 70 though, just for the sake of getting a little better gas milage with the overdrive off. Out in CA, I keep it under 65 because they have a 55mph speed limit for cars towing trailers.

- Scott

 

55mph .. its the law..

 

not in KS/OK/NE/IA/MN/WI/MO it's not.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BrianZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">55mph .. its the law.. </TD></TR></TABLE>

HAHA! And that makes it right?


That is why I said 70mph.

Anything more and the cops really take a hard look at you at least in rediculous california...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tnord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">not in KS/OK/NE/IA/MN/WI/MO it's not.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Rather than list the exceptions, it seems like Hawaii is the only 55 MPH holdout.
http://www.motorists.com/issue....html
(Not sure if GVWR or trailered cars will get a different speed limit in those jurisdictions)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BrianZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">55mph .. its the law.. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Gawd 55 MPH is slow. But then again, my gas mileage DOES suck at 75 MPH with a trailer. I think it was less than 13 MPG

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BrianZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">55mph .. its the law.. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Actually, that's kinda funny Brian. You sound like one of those commercials.

 

I tow at 97km/hr... F150 5.4 SCrew, Haulmark Thrifty Hauler 8.5x24'. No point in going any faster, just burns gas at an exponentially higher rate. If I were pulling with a F350 Powerstroke, that would likely be different.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tnord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">not in KS/OK/NE/IA/MN/WI/MO it's not.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Or parts of NY/CT/NH/etc, etc, etc.


I tow between 70 and 75 as well. I've been up to 80 accidentally a few times when coming down long hills but I always correct even though most Semi's are blowing past me like I'm standing still in all sorts of conditions, rain/snow...

 

sorry... in CA when towing it is...

 

70 mph here. That's about 2000 rpms on the P'stroke, right in the sweet spot for good mileage and torque.....

 

Actually, Cali has the 55mph law so they can write more tickets and collect more money. I'm sure other states with higher speed limits don't have a higher accident rate, so what do you think our 55 limit is for?

Hawaii is 55 because no one over there drives faster than 45!

 

Wow, it sounds like I must be the towing scofflaw. Although I have slowed down a bit over the years, under 75 even towing feels like you aren't moving.

With my new Explorer that I try to have a lot of mechanical sympathy for and watch the computer fuel mileage, I try to hold it towing under about 74-75 but on everything else for years I have towed pretty much minimum at 75 and more like 80 most of the time. With the Koni 2wd diesel Superduty and my old V10 Dodge, cruising towing 80-85 has been my norm. I drive the Superduty and 24ft box service trailer out to Kansas for Solo II Nats each year and try to my 78 or so my low average. I can tell you that rig definitely is working harder to pull at 65-70 than it is 75-85 no doubt. I have had it in the high 80s on a regular basis including the mountains in TN and KY to the point that I've wondered what the speed rating capability of an ST trailer tire was.

I am by no means suggesting that one go fast with an ill balanced rig and without a completely legitimate confidence level and excellent awareness of your surroundings but even with my older, less capable tow vehicles I doubt that more than 25% of my cruising towing has been under 75 mph. I am a long time believer that you can "be traffic or work traffic" and I think it is better and safer to work traffic if you are doing it correctly. Flame suit on.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by prkiller &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> so what do you think our 55 limit is for?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Originally it was mass promoted by the feds during the gas crisis supposedly for better mileage/less emissions, not to primarily reduce accidents which is ludicrous in itself. The feds used withholding of highway funding as leverage to force the states to adopt the national double nickel posted limit.

It's archaic. But these days is kept for revenues.

 

Hawaii has a limit of 55 mph on its interstate highways.

Now, if there's any state that really shouldn't have any interstate highways...

 

Right there with you, Lee. There was a time or two on the AA Highway (Ohio?, long lightly travelled two lane) that I recall hitting the governor while in the opposite lane passing. I think the tow rig makes a huge difference, I use a 3/4 ton with E-rated tires, not a 1/2 ton on SUV tires. As long as your setup is correct you really won't find any instability at elevated speeds (IMHO, YMMV, etc).

 

I am with Lee...I must be a heathen

If I am not in a hurry I tow at about 65-70. If I am in a hurry I tow 80-85.

I think it depends on what you are towing and what you are towing with. If you are towing an open trailer with a heavy race car and a lot of gear with something mundane like a Jeep Cherokee I'd understand that doing 70-75 might seem downright dangerous.

I tow with a 2500 HD crew cab, long bed with a 8.1 liter and an enclosed trailer. The truck and trailer is stable all the way to 90 with no problems.

This is on the highway or course.

Regards,

Jon

 

it seems like most of us are in agreement. i just wanted to see if i really was being unreasonable or not.

follow the link here if you would like to read my lynching.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forum...&st=0

 

You post that you want to tow at above posted speed limits and wonder why the guys on the other forum got a little mad.

its funny, the second someone posts that they "canyon" drive their car you just all over them, but when someone post they want to speed towing you tell him its basically ok.

Next time your towing at 75+ mph, slam on your brakes and see how long it really takes to slow down. what if the guy in front of you fell asleep and hits the guard rail then shoots back in front of you.. are you going to be able to control your truck and trailer while you avoid him? I just don't think most of you realize what all the extra weight behind the truck will do, or how much it affects the truck.

BTW I have a 2001 with the 5.3L motor and I get 15 mpg towing and 19 not towing..

 

We have verying speed limits up here in Washington as well. 55mph for populated areas, 70mph for outlying areas but 60mph and no left lane travel for any vehicle towing.

That being said, we routinely tow at 65-80mph with a 10,000lb 24 enclosed trailer behind a full size F250. Now an 6.0l Excursion.

Your towing speeds are not out of line.

Rick

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BrianZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what if the guy in front of you fell asleep and hits the guard rail then shoots back in front of you.. are you going to be able to control your truck and trailer while you avoid him? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Kinda of like the lottery, huh? 65 might be a bit quick as long as we're throwing at "what ifs".

I agree that stopping is the issue. Decent following distances still need to maintained.

Rick

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by turfer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Now an 6.0l Excursion.
Rick</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah congrats! I can't wait to see that badboy!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BrianZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You post that you want to tow at above posted speed limits and wonder why the guys on the other forum got a little mad.

its funny, the second someone posts that they "canyon" drive their car you just all over them, but when someone post they want to speed towing you tell him its basically ok.

...</TD></TR></TABLE>

But not every state has that 55 MPH Towing Speed Limit. Check this page out: http://www.glen-l.com/designs/....html

Out here, the speed limit on I-25 is 75 MPH in most places, and only 65 MPH for towing, but you can find the 18-wheelers doing 90-100. I'll gladly trade that for some guy towing his race car at 75.