Towing speed for Aerolite Cub

[RoxanneB]

Hi,

I'm new. I thought this would be a good place to ask this question:

We just bought a 1999 Aerolite Cub 16' hybrid. We're pulling it with a 2002 Dodge Dakota truck. When we take this out on the interstate, what should be our top speed? 60? 70? 55mph?

Thanks,

Roxanne

[RoxanneB]

Hi,

I'm new. I thought this would be a good place to ask this question:

We just bought a 1999 Aerolite Cub 16' hybrid. We're pulling it with a 2002 Dodge Dakota truck. When we take this out on the interstate, what should be our top speed? 60? 70? 55mph?

Thanks,

Roxanne

[CD]

Roxanne
I'm sure your TT is within the limits of your TV. IMHO the faster you go, you increase the risk of handling problems exponentially. I think towing over 60 is asking for trouble and more so with a 1/2T PU. Once while towing a poorly loaded trailer it started to sway at 45. When I kept it down to 40 it did alright. Even a properly loaded & equiped trailer can get a sway started by a flat tire , gust of wind, etc and more speed just exgarrerates the chances.

[RustyJC]

First, welcome to iRV2. We're glad to have you on board.

Regarding your question, there's no hard and fast answer, but you may wish to consider the following:

1. ST-type trailer tires are generally speed-rated for 65 MPH.

2. Trailer loading has much to do with stability. More tongue weight is good in terms of keeping the trailer from swaying.

3. The onset and control of sway can also benefit from the use of sway control devices or anti-sway hitch designs between the tow vehicle and trailer.

4. One of the key considerations in towing a trailer is how quickly can I make an avoidance maneuver or how quickly can I stop should an adverse situation develop. In both cases, higher speeds are detrimental.

Especially in today's era of higher fuel prices, those of us pulling trailers don't need to be the fastest folks on the Interstate.

Rusty

[TXiceman]

I'll echo what all Rusty said.

When we were towing a smaller trailer and with a smaller tow vehicle, I found that 60 mph was pretty comfortable and would occassionally run at 65 mph. I think you will find the best deterant to driving fast is the fuel economy wil suffer once you push over about 60 mph.

Ken

[RoxanneB]

Thank you all for taking your time to answer. I really appreciate it.

We're going out for our first "real" trip this Friday. We'll be gone 4 nights as we're off to see the ocean before the winter sets in.

We'll keep it under 60!

Thanks,

Roxanne

[Randy the sly old fox]

Legally you can travel at the posted speed for cars. However, as the others have said anything above 60 causes excessive drag and brings the old MPG down a bit. I believe that your Cub is only a single axle - If so then it is more inclined to sway than a tandem axle TT. I once had a 15' Kit that I towed with an S-10 - anything above 50 and it started to sway by itself. If this is the first time you have towed it, just take it easy and feel out the situation. Gradually increase your speed until it no longer feels comfortable - then back off a bit.

[Superslif]

I take it the cub 16'er is a single axle. I have a 05' Cub (24') with two axles. I use just a sway bar. I will get some sway at speeds above 65, but I never go above that unless approching a hill. I keep it at 58 mph. to get much better gas milage. My best milage is actually on roads with speeds between 45 and 55. If you do have sway, putting a little more weight towards the front of the trailer will help.

[FatDog]

not all States allow a trailer to be pulled at the posted speed for cars,
CA limits trailers to 55mph, i don't know if any other States have similar rules

[Mousephart]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoxanneB Hi, I'm new. I thought this would be a good place to ask this question: We just bought a 1999 Aerolite Cub 16' hybrid. We're pulling it with a 2002 Dodge Dakota truck. When we take this out on the interstate, what should be our top speed? 60? 70? 55mph? Thanks, Roxanne

I have an 18 ft Shamrock hybrid, and I tow it with a 2007 Dodge Dakota. I find I can tow it comfortably up to around 70 mph.

However, a properly adjusted WD hitch and proper weight distribution are important factors with handling at speed.

I have an Equai-I-zer hitch with 600 lb bars on my rig and it keeps it nace and stable, even in heavy crosswinds.

[Ray,IN]

Like Rusty said, all ST tires have a maximum speed rating of 65 mph. Above that they begin to create more heat than can be dissipated, causing tire damage. Reason? ST trailer tires have heavier sidewalls, sidewall flexing creates heat. This is the reason to always run them at maximum sidewall pressure, reduce sidewall flexing. This is so important Carlisle voids the warranty if their trailer tires are operated at less than sidewall maximum.

[TQ 27]

There is some good advise in the above posts. I believe that traveling an Interstate at 45 mph would be more of a hazard than traveling at 70 m.p.h. Having said that the best advise I can give is, "find a speed you feel comfortable at, then slow down 5 m.p.h. "

[Superslif]

Quote:

"find a speed you feel comfortable at, then slow down 5 m.p.h. "

. I find traveling 57-60 MPH on the interstates I get much better fuel milage. If I push it closer to 65 I loss about 1 to 1-1/2 MPG. Ohio just changed the speed limit for trucks from 55 to 65. So that means now they will be blowing by you at 70+ .... I do get some whiplash when a semi blows by me, especially if he sneaks up on ya....

[Vette Racer]

I normally pull around 65 MPH due to the fact that the Chevy doesn't shift into 5th gear until over 61 MPH while in Tow haul mode and if your speed drops below 60 it will downshift so I try and keep it up into the power band so it doesn't downshift. I really wish Chevy would put a 4:10 rear under these trucks. With the 3:70 it really needs to run around 70 to keep it in the maximum power/torque range. Bottom line I think is that you need to tow where your truck is the most happy.