Community Forums

justafordguy · 01-07-2016, 12:08 PM

I go the speed limit, 10 to 11 MPG towing 14k with 05 F250.

cashmore · 01-07-2016, 06:25 PM

Speed limit

Mopar1973Man · 01-09-2016, 08:20 AM

With GCW of roughly 17,000 pounds scaled...

55 MPH 13-14 MPG
60 MPH 11-12 MPG

I will NOT tow at 65 MPH my ST tires will not allow. That another thing you all that are towing at speeds above 60 MPH what is the speed rating of your tires? Do you even know the speed rating of your tires? If a tire is rated for 65 MPH doesn't mean you can travel at its RED LINE without a blow out. Just like you can't tow running the engine at red line. The engine will blow. So some other food to toss on the table to chew on.

timetogo · 01-09-2016, 01:17 PM

Today, there are ST tires "rated" (speed symbols) at 87 mph (N), some at 75 mph (L), some at 65 mph (J: ST tires) and some at 62 mph (J: non-metric tires).

1bigmess · 01-09-2016, 02:12 PM

Mine are rated for 75 (L).

That fact has nothing to do with my selecting the speed I want to travel, only a hard maximum speed for that piece of equipment.

drdarrin · 01-10-2016, 03:01 PM

I just pulled our Montana from Sacramento to Quartzite over the Grapevine. We averaged 10.2 mpg, with speeds between 55 and 65. I love that exhaust brake

scout4eagles · 01-11-2016, 07:34 PM

I tow a 2010 DRV 36TKSB that weights in at around 17500lbs with a pin weight of around 4500lbs with the weights certified on a CAT Scale. I tow it with a 2015 Chevy 3500HD Crew Cab Dually. I have found that I get the best overall performance between 55-63mph. While I could tow faster I like to feel and be safe. The less stress I have the better.
I was quite an experience jumping from a 3/4 ton diesel and a 5th wheel weighing about 8k ton to what we have now. We bought it used from a dealer in Elkhart Indiana and we live in central Wisconsin. I got most of the jitters out by the time we got home. Safety is my top priority when driving all if it takes me longer so be it but when I get where we are going I am not stressed out to the max. When traveling with other RV'ers I am usually the last in line but that is OK with us.

birddog2you · 01-14-2016, 01:52 AM

Wow! After reading the entire thread that's all I can say. Enjoy life.... you only have one.

Wilber1 · 01-15-2016, 01:09 PM

Tire speed ratings are for sustained speeds but of course tire age, condition and improper inflation can be factors which affect that rating.

oldeguy · 01-16-2016, 11:25 PM

My first trip pulling the 5ver...Cleveland Ohio to Mobile, AL, with a 2003 RAM 3500 towing around 63 mph average speed...no more then 70 mph on flat, little more down the slopes. Got an average of 10.5 MPG calculated pulling a 15,000 pound 5ver. First 3 fill-up with the BullyDog set on tow mode. lots of power and very aggressive with cruise set on up hill pulls. Still more testing on with and without BullyDog on tow. It does seem if I can keep it below 60 MPH and not be so agressive on up hill speed retention...could do much better!

Rolfsted · 01-18-2016, 07:38 AM

Is this the German version forum? Autobahn speeds are as fast as you want.

JBurg · 01-19-2016, 10:10 AM

Little update after a trip that had extended mileage at both 65 and 75 mph.

In the interest of seeing the difference on the tires at these different speeds, I paid significantly more attention to the feedback provided on-screen from the tpms. Starting pressure with cold tires was the recommended 125 psi, verified by tpms and manual gauge. Ambient temp was around 45 degrees.

At 65 mph, the pressure increased to 155-156 psi in each tire, and the temp showed around 77 degrees. Stopping before the interstate, a temp gun was used to get a temp of ~96 degrees on the sidewall and ~113 in-between the treads.

It had warmed up to around 61 degrees by the time we got onto the interstate. Cruising at the 75 mph speed limit, the pressure of the tires once again increased to 155-156 psi. The temperature on the shady side of the rig was around 77 again, and the sunny side increased to 82 or so. Sidewall and tread temperatures after stopping were also the same as before.

This information, to me, confirms one of the earlier posts made stating that these tires are rated for sustained use at their maximum load at 75 mph. But since I'm not a tire guy and this information doesn't necessarily mean the tires are safe to run like this, I called Goodyear. The customer service rep I spoke with verified these ratings, and that the tires will be fine for many miles as long as they are taken care of and properly inflated. I guess that should be expected considering how much these G114 tires cost.

Side note on fuel economy-we clicked past the 10,000 mile mark on our truck this trip and averaged around 9.0-9.2 mpg according to the EVIC.

Everyone has already stated their opinions on their perception of what is concerned a safe velocity while towing, and I'm not interested in restarting that debate. This is simply an attempt to bring more useful information to the table.

Have a great day everyone!

1bigmess · 01-19-2016, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBurg

This information, to me, confirms one of the earlier posts made stating that these tires are rated for sustained use at their maximum load at 75 mph.

Yup. *Your* tires. Every vehicle owner should know what their tires are rated for and not exceed these ratings. Not ever, according to a well known authority on tires, especially RVs.
RV Tire Safety

Quote:

Side note on fuel economy- ... averaged around 9.0-9.2 mpg according to the EVIC.

I'm convinced that EVIC lies. I've also stopped caring that it does lie about fuel economy.

Quote:

Have a great day everyone!

If it gets much better, they're gonna pass a law or sumthin.

JBurg · 01-19-2016, 10:52 AM

[QUOTE=1bigmess;2906504]Yup. *Your* tires. Every vehicle owner should know what their tires are rated for and not exceed these ratings. Not ever, according to a well known authority on tires, especially RVs.
RV Tire Safety

Very good to clarify, thanks. I won't tow our camping-camper faster than 65 due to what they're rated to.

[QUOTE=1bigmess;2906504]I'm convinced that EVIC lies. I've also stopped caring that it does lie about fuel economy.

Past experiences when I took the time to hand-calculate would usually prove that the EVIC was a bit optimistic, but I too have stopped caring to track it. If it's higher than it previously was I assume my mileage has slightly improved.