Community Forums

Cumminsfan · 04-20-2015, 09:13 AM

I actually get better mpg's tailgating at 75-80mph than out by myself doing 65mph. Must be the draft thing.

Interesting thing about LT vs ST is that 99% of the time when someone starts a thread about having a blowout it's an ST tire. In the 5 years I've been reading on several RV forums I may have read of only a couple LT tire issues. Could be that the majority of tires on trailers are ST. Non the less of all those that switch, hardly anyone ever comes back and says it was a big mistake.

Timon · 04-20-2015, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caissiel

Quote:

Originally Posted by MnTom

Personally, I don't care what anyone else tows at for speed. I only worry about me and if I am towing faster than you I will pass you and if you are towing faster than I am I will get passed by you. I tow at the speed I am most comfortable at and just stay in the right lane as much as I can.

Right answer
I do drive my speed and let the traffic pass me, including transports and other trailers.
That way I have no one in front and leaves me with plenty of braking space. Of I follow the traffic I need to slow down anyway because cars keep filling my opened space. It's very relaxing driving my own speed with no one in front or running away from me.

On the whole I totally agree.

I really like the idea of traffic always pulling slowly away from me as I have more time to react when they get in trouble

If someone wants to run well above the posted limit then it's their business unless they reach a point where it's unsafe. Unsafe to me is over way over speed on their tires or way above the posted limit. Once past those limits then it's everyones business since they put lives in danger. In fact if I'm running at the posted limit and a rig passes me by more than 20 or 25 mph I'll likely call it in.

I for one will stay at the posted limit, give or take reasonable legal margins plus road conditions, and travel safe. If that's too slow for someone then they can go around.

luckyd · 04-20-2015, 09:26 AM

There are lots of signs saying "vehicles towing" speed is...
This applies to MHs towing a toad.
Trucks towing TTs and fifth wheels.

People tend to think it ONLY applies to semis

MnTom · 04-20-2015, 10:59 AM

I just have to wonder..... Why worry about how fast someone else is going when they are towing? I may shake my head at someone running a bit fast, but you are only responsible for your vehicle.

glennwest · 04-20-2015, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C130

How do you like the XPS Ribs? I've been running them for almost two years and so far very happy with them. I usually tow around 65-70 mph with proper conditions otherwise slower, all depending on roads and traffic. We'll be going East of Nashville an hour or so in June so it'll be a pretty long trip and don't plan on poking around the whole way but not rush either.

I am very sold on the XPS Rib tires. We had 2 year old Marathon by Goodyear on our Teton when we bought it. Looked new but belts broke within 100 miles. Installed XPS Ribs and no more problems

caissiel · 04-20-2015, 02:11 PM

My experience is that any LT tire is far better then an ST tire,
I will apply additional air pressure on an LT tire to replace an ST tire.
All this talk about ST being good on trailers applies to loads at 50% the rated ST capacity.
Most trailers are never loaded to capacity except on trailer application.
I had 2 failures per year for 6 years and then installed LT tires based on cheapest price, after all it was only a trailer, and inflated them above rated capacity by 20%.
Those tires lasted 7 years with no incident.
Traded the unit with the 7 year old cheap tires and over 60k miles on then. I never know how much longer they lasted. I told the dealer not to sell it to someone else doing long miles. They could still be on it.

DMTTRANSPORT · 04-20-2015, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldWing2003

Frank, it seems like everyone has an opinion as to the safe "Towing Limit" I say opinion as I have yet to see somewhere where it say this speed is the only safe speed so do not exceed while towing.

My personal feeling is that if towing a pull behind TT the safe limit is 30 mph as too many of them end up on their side. So I believe we should tell those folks to slow down.

If pulling a 5th wheel it should be 65 mph as they are more stable.

If in a Motorhome well just go ahead and drive 70 mph as you deserve it!

My point is that each person has their own opinion and it is just that an opinion!

I really do not believe that anyone should pull faster than 70 mph, but that's just me.

Really? so 30 in a 80 is being safe, I'm not saying go 80 but if I come up on you doing 30 you will need to pull over and re-think what your doing.....

Franka548 · 04-20-2015, 02:34 PM

DMTTRANSPORT,
I agree with you, too slow compared to traffic speed is just as dangerous as too fast. I do normally drive at 62 to 65 in the right lane, but have sped up when it becomes necessary due to traffic conditions. As far as driving too fast, when you see the trailer wagging like the tail of a happy dog, they are a danger to everyone on the road, and it is too fast.
Frank

caissiel · 04-20-2015, 02:39 PM

He might be right. That's why I have a 15000lbs 5th wheel. I towed enough conventional trailers on the highway to know the difference. Almost lost it towing a 3000 lbs boat and trailer that the owner did not set ot up properly. I like over 20% tongue load on my conventional trailers before getting on the highway

DMTTRANSPORT · 04-20-2015, 02:52 PM

Pull Trailers "WAG" because they are not loaded correctly, 99% of the time due to NOT enough tongue weight!

Franka548 · 04-20-2015, 02:55 PM

They also wag when they are being pulled too fast.
Frank

tuffr2 · 04-20-2015, 04:22 PM

As states increase their speed limits like Ohio from 65mph to 70mph. Utah was xxx now xxx plus, Texas upped their speed limit etc.etc. To me these new higher speed limits makes it more difficult to find a good speed when towing or driving a RV. It is best to go with the flow. Not too slow. I know I do not want cars zooming up on me then zipping around me. That just makes me nervous. Especially in traffic. I try to stay around 72mph. That cuts my mpg by 1 but I am going with the flow better.

The higher speed limits are good for cars but not for us who tow or drive an RV.

DMTTRANSPORT · 04-20-2015, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franka548

They also wag when they are being pulled too fast.
Frank

Never had an issue, all I can say is if your holding up traffic on a 2 lane road, you need to pull over, after all your not in a hurry, right.

GoldWing2003 · 04-20-2015, 07:48 PM

Guys, my point was not that someone should actually drive 30 mph in an 80 zone! My point was that Travel Trailers are not safe at highway speeds! They are inherently unstable and should not be traveling at speed! I believe that the government would hang the auto companies up by the ba*** if they had vehicles rolling over as often at Travel Trailers do.

Wait, they did when a few Ford Explorers rolled over due to tires they raise holly heck with them but they allow travel trailers to continue to be sold when so many roll over ever year killing and injuring people.

I drive a DP now but have had 5th wheels for 20 years and I run with traffic until it get over 70 mph then I let them go!!! I also stay in the right lane unless passing and wish more drivers would learn to do that.