Towing speed?

[kenmyfam]

Re: Towing speed?

I assume KPH not MPH ????

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Towing speed?

I go the posted limits. Any faster really won't get you there any sooner most of the time. I sometimes feel the need to go faster, but the knot in my stomach this creates isn't worth the time saved.

Oh yea, when you see signs indicating road work ahead, slow way, way, down. You never know what they may be doing or what the road will look like. Lanes can narrow down to as little as 9.5ft wide sometimes. Try watching the tail lights of the car in front of the car you are behind. Advanced notice of changing traffic patterns can prevent alot of the foolishness we all see too frequently on the highway. Oh yea, if someone wants to tailgate someone pulling a boat, they do so at their own risk. Nothing like an alpha drive to the skull to mess up someones day.

 

[anthony115merc]

Re: Towing speed?

yes it is mph just joking kph didnt wanna write it to see if you thought it was mph lol

 

[NathanY]

Re: Towing speed?

Well, when Im pulling a trackhoe or a dozer on my lowboy, I tend to stay around 65-70 on the interstate, but when Im pulling my boat with my pickup, I usually run 75-80 if traffic will allow me to. It does not bother me at all to drive that fast, guess I just got use to it.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Towing speed?

Well, when Im pulling a trackhoe or a dozer on my lowboy, I tend to stay around 65-70 on the interstate, but when Im pulling my boat with my pickup, I usually run 75-80 if traffic will allow me to. It does not bother me at all to drive that fast, guess I just got use to it.

Like was stated in above posts it depends on the tow vehicle / trailer combination as to what is a suitable speed. Small tow vehicle and large trailer = slower speed.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Towing speed?

I'll tow my 18ft Glastron @70-75 mph on I-35 here in IA (w/ my Ram 1500). Keep in mind, traffic is pretty light to very light compared to other areas, and the terrain is very flat. Once I hit traffic in MPLS/St.Paul, it drops considerably, and I stick to the right lane as much as possible.

I was towing my boat last Saturday evening (9pm) on I 90 in Southern MN, and couldn't see another car for miles in either direction...so 75 was the norm.

Conditions definitely dictate appropriate speed for me.

 

[Rob454]

Re: Towing speed?

I usually tow about 65 MPH. No reason to go faster IMO. I see jackasses going to the river blasting 90 MPH. the nice thing is a few miles down the road I see the same guy with either a busted trailer tire ( the truck and trailer are jack knifed) or they got pulled over by the highway patrol. That usually makes me smile simply because not only are they loosing any time they saved speeding but they have a nice fat ticket to look forward to and usually pretty much ruins the weekend IMO. but I guess if youre towing a 60 000$ boat you have $$ to burn I dont know
Rob

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Towing speed?

I usually tow about 65 MPH. No reason to go faster IMO. I see jackasses going to the river blasting 90 MPH. the nice thing is a few miles down the road I see the same guy with either a busted trailer tire ( the truck and trailer are jack knifed) or they got pulled over by the highway patrol. That usually makes me smile simply because not only are they loosing any time they saved speeding but they have a nice fat ticket to look forward to and usually pretty much ruins the weekend IMO. but I guess if youre towing a 60 000$ boat you have $$ to burn I dont know
Rob

Have to emphasise the "comfortable speed" for the outfit thing again. The speeds that some people go with trailers on is just plain stupid. This is not a knock on anyone that said they tow faster than me or anyone that passes me while towing. I have my comfortable speed for my outfit and that is that. Other people have theirs. I have a good friend in the local Provincial Police that is a boater. he looks for the "idiot" with the trailer that. goes too fast, tailgates the vehicle ahead, pulls back over way too soon as they dont fully realise the length of the outfit to stop rather than the guy who is doing a few miles over but driving the outfit safely.

 

[puddle jumper]

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?

Just do the speed limet and you will be a happy camper.Ive seen to many people with all kinds of trailers going way to fast and in and out of trafic.
These people scare the crap out of me becouse i dont know there driving skills and a crash with a trailer is 10 times worst than just a car crash.Just think of the trailer coming through the back of the car/truck.

 

[fondafj]

Re: Towing speed?

Many factors are involved:
- Trailer condition - tires, brakes, springs, setup
- Traffic conditions
- Road conditions
- Rig dynamics
- Tow vehicle sweet spot

We tow heavy for a boat, and due to the truck gearing 65-72 mph is the sweet spot. Any slower and the tranny hunts between overdrive and drive which creates speed changes. Faster - feels good but limits stopping distance. We have also towed trailers for friends that I would not go over 50mph based on the tires and/or functioning brakes. Road conditions make a huge difference... an empty road and no hills with truck "culverts" worn in it will limit speed quicker than traffic conditions. Oh, and traffic conditions --- in the northeast you have to play the game of fast enough to prevent the people from darting in front of you and slow enough to keep the stopping distance.

 

[yorkserv]

Re: Towing speed?

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.

I agree this has to be the best one on this thread I remember when i first got my boat i was leaving the sellers home i got on I-95 south and snap went one axle luckly i was doing 55 knowing that the trailer needed some tlc so from that day on 60 tops for me it is and if someone tries to sideswipe me i think i am the bigger boy on the block it will demolish most of the jap cars out there wouldnt you say

 

[jdt]

Re: Towing speed?

I have a 2005 dodge ram 1500 4 dr with a hemi. I pull a 14.5ft fiberglass crestliner. I have looked down and saw I was going 75mph and couldn't even feel the boat. I have found that the ram pulls it good at any spead I have been at. I generally like to save gas money so I TRY to keep it at about 60mph.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Towing speed?

I do the speed limits, usually 55-60 while towing. I'm not in a hurry to get to my destination and it saves gas.

I have a 07 Tundra with a Maxum 2300 SC.

 

[SwampNut]

Re: Towing speed?

For me it depends on the location. We have towed cross-country with the cruise control at 85 on the long straight interstates. Around the local highways typically I do 70.

The answer for you depends on factors like your tow vehicle's ability to maintain control, the road quality where you are, etc.