New Rv'er - Normal Driving Speed?

[gklehner]

Recently purchased an '97 21' Gulfstream. Had new tires put on, full inspection and maintenance at a reputable dealer ($$$) then out for the first trip. Never driven one of these before. First trip started out through Phoenix trying to keep up with traffic (70 mph) which was spooky to say the least. Front end seemed "light" and a bit squirrely. Ended up setting to 65 for the rest of the trip. After getting home checked the tire pressure, dealer had only put 50 psi in the front tires vs. the recommended 65 psi. All said and done, what is a normal, safe and comfortable speed for these beasties??

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Greg, Karen and the "kids" (Atticus and Clementine - Lab and Golden Retriever).

[RickO]

I think you'll find that somewhere around 65 or lower is the most common driving speed. Don't worry about trying to keep up with traffic... and get your rig weighed and then go to the tire mfgr web site to see what the proper inflation should be for your weight.... and do it before the trip. High speeds on under inflated tires is a recipe for disaster.

good luck...

rick

[frankdamp]

My rig is an 11-ton truck underneath all the fancy stuff, so I follow the truck speed limits.

[Frantz]

I like 55-58 mph. Still have the ability to go faster if needed. I too try to stay close to trucker speed limit. The extra 5-10 minutes doesn't make a bit of difference on arrival
Marilyn

[Brave-r]

I've only had a motorhome for a few months but quickly settled into a comfort zone around 60, sometimes a bit faster but never over 65. I feel much better control at those speeds and feel I still have some power if I need to accelerate.

[ctcamper]

I drive 50 to 60 range, mostly 55. I learned long ago to cruise in the right lane and do my own thing and ignore the rude people who want me go go faster just because they want to break the law and I am in their way.

You don't really gain anything going fast. Case in point... I passed an old scamp trailer one time being pulled by an old pickup truck and the driver was doing 50 in the right hand lane. I buzzed by him in the car at just over the speed limit at 69 mph, then I stopped to use the restroom at the next rest area about 15 minutes down the road. I got back on the highway and sure enough I passed him again ten minutes later. What you save in time going fast is not worth the trouble or the extra cash.

[jackrobinryan]

I've found that getting into the right lane and setting it to 56-58mph yields the following rewards.....

I feel like I have the road to myself, since most people are blowing by me.
My rig handles nicely at that speed.
I feel more relaxed, less stressed upon arrival.
My rig gets it's best MPG in that range, saving me $$ for "cold ones" on arrival.


I'm just not in a hurry anymore.

safe travels, at your speed.
jack

[mikron]

Ditto with jackeobinryan, diesels go faster cause the have to to keep things clean. Us gassers can go slower.

[1ciderdog]

I read several years ago many major truck lines set the governor on company semi's somewhere between 58 & 62. It seems like in CA, OR & WA they do seem to be in that range but WOW do they blow by me in AZ, NM & TX. I still hold to about 60 or so and keep in the slow lane.
I'd be curious to here comments from the real truckers about governed speed.

[wildtoad]

As you can see I have a much older unit and have found that 60 - 65 is about the MAX I want to take this thing. On country roads 50 - 55 allows for a nice ride. I try to keep things slow to see the countryside and keep me calm. When the wind picks up slower is better.

[bluepill]

My DP cruises so smoothly at 70MPH (feels like I'm doing 50) that I have to really watch myself. On flat open roads with little traffic low 60's seem to be a good speed for decent milage. Because of stopping distance I'll drop down lower in traffic.

[SteveLevin]

I generally cruise at around 62 or so... whatever speed fits me in with most semi traffic. That way I am neither passing nor being passed by most rigs, and still get decent mileage.

that said, my rig (30' F53) will cruise quite happily at much higher speeds. But my mpg drops through the floor. So I only do it when I really need to shorten the trip (for example, trying to drive Portland to Sunnyvale overnight).

Steve

[Luckiest Dre]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gklehner Recently purchased an '97 21' Gulfstream. Had new tires put on, full inspection and maintenance at a reputable dealer ($$$) then out for the first trip. Never driven one of these before. First trip started out through Phoenix trying to keep up with traffic (70 mph) which was spooky to say the least. Front end seemed "light" and a bit squirrely. Ended up setting to 65 for the rest of the trip. After getting home checked the tire pressure, dealer had only put 50 psi in the front tires vs. the recommended 65 psi. All said and done, what is a normal, safe and comfortable speed for these beasties?? Any advice will be greatly appreciated! Greg, Karen and the "kids" (Atticus and Clementine - Lab and Golden Retriever).

If it feels squirrely you are driving to fast! What ever your speed is you need to be in control, the heck with what is considered normal. However being slow enough to be a problem for every other driver on the road would not be safe either! If it is set up right you should be able to maintain the speed limit and feel in control

[GG1]

The slower you go the better the mileage gets. If you travel at 55-60 and the more powerful rigs pass you at 75 you can wave to them when you see them in the rest stops as you go by. If I start driving at 9am during the course of a full day the same guy may pass me 3 times and then stop at the same campground in the evening 5 minutes earlier than me.