Towing speed?

[spiphen]

I realize the slower speed you go the safer you are when towing. What is a relatively safe (fastest possible) towing speed? I've pulled my 17ft glastron at around 65-70mph before and it seemed to handle it okay.

What is your opinion and what is the fastest speed that you've towed your boat?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Towing speed?

This is another question that can be answered only with "it depends". Safe towing speed depends primarily on what the tow vehicle is and what is being towed. A Suburban or Excursion for example towing a lightly loaded trailer can travel safely at faster speeds than the same vehicle towing something that weighs the same as or more than the tow vehicle. When it comes to towing "size matters". Generally speaking though, a properly set up tow vehicle and a properly maintained trailer that is not overloaded and within the tow limits of the vehicle can be safely towed at freeway speeds. Stopping is another matter however.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Towing speed?

Handling at speed is only part of the equation. The more important question is can you swerve to avoid a crash, and can you do a panic stop if needed?

 

[DaveM]

Re: Towing speed?

The easy answer is...it depends on what you tow with and what is being towed. Consider the wheel base of your tow vehicle.

My 1 ton crew pulls my boat at any speed, but the boat can sway at higher speeds with wife's Grand Cherokee V8. My boat + trailer = 3500# and the Jeep is rated for 5000. That doesn't mean I would tow at 75 MPH with the Jeep, however.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Towing speed?

I towed a cargo trailer behind my motorcycle at 95 mph+, all the way across Nebraska and Iowa.

But I didn't much care if I lived back in those days.

Now, its 65 mph out on the open highway, most places I don't go over 55.

 

[atticus3600s]

Re: Towing speed?

I towed a cargo trailer behind my motorcycle at 95 mph+, all the way across Nebraska and Iowa.
55.

WOW thats fast, I would be scared so bad at that speed especially with a trailer.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Towing speed?

Remember, the slower you go, the less gas you use. Ive been up around 70-75 to pass, ( you know! One of those jokers who can't keep a steady speed. Annoying as hell so you have to pass. Then they speed up when you start.) but I like to keep it around 50-60 in the right lane, depending on traffic. Never need to worry about cops at that speed either. Saves money that way too.

 

[Pony]

Re: Towing speed?

I just try to keep with the general flow of traffic. I usually won't go over 70 unless I'm passing someone. Luckily I have a nice light boat.

 

[JB]

Re: Towing speed?

I think a lot has to do with what your tow vehicle is rated for compared to what it is actually towing, how well the tow is rigged and balanced and the conditions at the time like weather, road and traffic.

Ole Blue is rated for 5,000lb. RED SKY on her trailer and ready to launch weighs between 1,000 and 1,200lb. Weight on the tongue is about 90lb.

I generally tow at the speed limit as long as I can keep a safe distance behind whatever is in front of me, +5 on empty Interstates. That means usually 65-70, but some times and places 80. I would do that up to about 2,500lb and good trailer brakes.

If I have a 3,000lb+ load and brakes on the trailer I usually drive the truck limit or -5.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Towing speed?

Depends entirely on what you are towing (weight) and what you are towing with, how the weight is distributed and the bottom line is "what feels right"
I tow my 17ft with 140hp outboard with a Windstar. I cruise at about 60 on the freeway / highway and leave plenty of distance between me and the vehicle ahead. That seems to be my "comfortable" speed.

 

[sabastianunf]

Re: Towing speed?

I was towing my boat down I-95 in Sc where the speed limit is 70. My truck was comforatable at 60-65 mph. The way all the idiots were running up on me and quickly changing into the left lane scared me to death. I was just waiting for one to hit me in the prop or sideswipe people already in the left lane. I ended up speeding up a little but some people insisted on trying to run me off the road. I would say that the safest thing to do is go with the flow of traffic.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Towing speed?

I was towing my boat down I-95 in Sc where the speed limit is 70. My truck was comforatable at 60-65 mph. The way all the idiots were running up on me and quickly changing into the left lane scared me to death. I was just waiting for one to hit me in the prop or sideswipe people already in the left lane. I ended up speeding up a little but some people insisted on trying to run me off the road. I would say that the safest thing to do is go with the flow of traffic.

And if the "flow of traffic" is doing 90 mph ??? as it does in some places.
I get your point and to an extent think it is entirely valid but only so far.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Towing speed?

I realize the slower speed you go the safer you are when towing. What is a relatively safe (fastest possible) towing speed? I've pulled my 17ft glastron at around 65-70mph before and it seemed to handle it okay.

What is your opinion and what is the fastest speed that you've towed your boat?

Every State has towing laws. Read them and heed them if you don't want a ticket! I wouldn't tow any faster than you feel you have complete control no matter what the maximum speed is. Roads conditions and weather as well as traffic all play a role in that.

I never tow faster than 60 and that is on the freeway. I've been towing safely for 40 + years. I'm comfortable at 60 on the freeway but not on two lane roads so I keep it at the posted speed limit or less. If someone else is in a hurry they can pass me.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Towing speed?

I just tow a little tinny on a light trailer. I tend to keep my max speed around 60, and rarely that fast.

Those little 8" wheels are spinning pretty darned fast back there at whatever speed I'm running. Whizzzz!

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Towing speed?

I tow a 25' with a half ton. I usually keep it around 60 on the freeway.

 

[bucky7680]

Re: Towing speed?

The faster you go the more important tire pressure is. High speed builds up tire temps. If your tires are good it is OK to go up to 10# over posted max inflation. Personally I don't exceed 65mph for any length of time. I've been past by people going 80+ pulling big go fasts to the Colorado river from SoCal. Some how they seem to make it OK. I don't have the balls for that kind of speed.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Towing speed?

For me it depends on the rig, but I don't usually push it too hard with a boat. A boat hull has a lot of lift at higher speeds and tends to unload or transfer weight rearward with increased wind resistance which can become increasingly unstable at higher speeds, especially with a lighter tow vehicle.
Not to mention that some smaller wheels are turning at a much higher rate than the larger wheels on the tow vehicle which can be hard on bearings.
Some states have trailering speed limits as well.
I generally take my time, at least until I get a feel for the way the rig is going to handle. Make sure you can safely stop and maneuver your truck and trailer if you have to in a hurry without losing control. On longer trips, I use a set of weight equalizing bars on heavier trailers.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Towing speed?

i actually prefer 60-65, right lane on interstate. my boats are wide, it only leaves one side, for some one to scrape down.

 

[anthony115merc]

Re: Towing speed?

my pops boat is a 22ft 3.5t shark cat(empty tanks) 4.0t full tanks and tows that at 100 with an f-250

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Towing speed?

100 KMH is equal to 62.5 MPH