Legal Speed Limit When Towing

[Michaels]

Have a 42' Class A and tow a Suburban. All the freeway signs say "55 miles per hour for all vehicles that are towing" (California). Is it just me?.........because if I went 55mph I'd get blown off the highway. Have traveled the state from top to bottom, kept my speed between 60 - 65 and have been passed by 11 highway patrol cars....no tickets. Does the 55mph not apply in my case because numerous other MH who are also towing are passing me like I'm standing still? My priority is to travel safe but don't want to hold up traffic OR get a ticket.

[LindaH]

Well, if the signs say 55 miles per hour for all vehicles that are towing, and you are towing, I'd say it applies to you. Just because other people aren't obeying the speed limit, doesn't mean they're correct.

We tow a fifth wheel, and when we are in California traveling on the Interstates, we travel 55 MPH. If others want to go faster, they can pass.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The CA law definitely applies to you. You've been lucky so far - I've heard of several occurrences where people have been ticketed in CA for towing over 55 mph.

[Spikester]

Definitely applies to us motorhomers. Seems to be more strictly enforced north of Sacramento for some reason, the majority of the people that I have talked with that have been stopped for this offense were traveling in Northern CA.

Spike

[dieselclacker]

I wouldn't push it too far past the 55 mph limit while towing in California, considering the states dire financial condition.


Dieselclacker

[Finhawk]

I think 55 is a great speed when I'm hauling my Toad. I rarely go over 60 in any other state irregardless of the higher speed limits

[R1Kirby]

The posted speed limits are not the problem, it all those idiots that feel that it does not apply to them. What is lacking is law enforcement and stiff fines. It's a whole new generation that just doesn't give a damn.

[motojavaphil]

Towing and being at a length close to 60' makes me want to be cautious. I do not make my living going over the road but do live on the road. We are all going the same direction so my 55 to 60 is more of a pain to others than a hazard. OTR truckers do not seem to have issues going up hill at 30 mph in a 75 mph zone. It is just part of the public highway and I figure I have every right to be there as the other guy. That said, I stay out of the hammer lane and use every tool in my driving experience to insure others get by me safely. Pressure from other drivers to go faster just does not figure into the equation as law and safety trump all of that. I have seen fatalities from going too slow or too fast. A car full of teens going 30 mph on an interstate were run over by a big rig killing two of six. The kids used really bad judgement. A young motorcyclist plowed into the back of a big rig at high speed and was lodged into the back of the trailer. Speed variance in each case was 40 to 50 mph and not 10 to 15 mph.
Phil

[Craig P.]

Although originally meant for semi's, as a motorcycle officer, I can assure you that the California 55 MPH speed limit law applies to any type of towing configuration. I can also tell you that it is not heavily enforced unless you exceed 65 MPH. Most officers will consider the weight and length of the vehicles involved and use their own judgement, but there are always a few that enforce the letter of the law, so exceed at your own risk.

When towing, I personally keep it around 60 when in suburban areas like L.A. County. When I get out in the boonies I will sometimes kick it up to 65 during daylight hours, depending on traffic.

Craig

[Michaels]

Thanks for all the replies folks.

[BigRedLancer]

While towing my toad up and down California freeways over the years, I have only seen a couple of vehicles, during any given trip, going 55 MPH like me. Most semi's pass me doing 60+ and some vehicles with boats and small trailers in tow are doing close to 70 MPH. I don't think the California highway patrol feels the 55 speed limit for towing is a priority.

[Ray,IN]

Illinois has a 55mph limit for vehicles towing something. Enforcement varies, last week I was following a semi at 65mph while a pickup in the hammer lane was passing verrry slowly. The cop stopped the pickup, and left the semi and I alone.

[Craig P.]

Also keep in mind that in addition to the 55 MPH law for vehicle towing in California, you must also remain in one of the two right hand lanes when on a highway with 3 or more lanes heading in one direction. When on a highway with only 2 lanes in each direction, you can move out into the fast lane to pass, but you must move back into the slow lane when the coast is clear. I've seen RVers towing in the carpool lane from time to time. I've never cited any of them for this, but I'll usually pull them over and warn them. 99% of the time they are from out of state and have never heard of the California towing laws.

Craig