We’re all probably getting a little stir crazy and spending a lot more time online these days. I for one have spent significant time reading (more than I’d like to count) posts on this forum, as well as a couple of different RV forums.

As only a second year RV’er (with year one spent driving a Class C), I came across a post on another forum where a user was complaining about an RV’er pulling a travel trailer at only 58-60 mph in a 65 zone on the interstate, and how he felt it was a safety hazard. The majority of responses seemed to side with the ‘slow’ driver, but some did agree with the poster, favoring the higher speed.

Personally, I drive at 60-65 mph when towing on the interstate – even those that are marked at 75 mph. I am towing heavy and I know it, and this speed seems to suit my rig just fine. However, even if I was dragging a more moderate load, I tend to believe I’d stick to this speed range on an interstate.

I realize many states have towing speed limits as low as 55 mph on the interstate and that they are routinely ignored by many as they try to keep up with the regular traffic. I am just not comfortable doing that. I stay in the right lane, try to anticipate potential issues like mergers, and maintain a lot of distance from the vehicle in front of me. Although this sounds like it should be standard operating procedure, I constantly get passed by semis, as well as RV’ers doing 70+ mph.

It starts to make me wonder…. am I just inexperienced, overly cautious and as a result, creating a safety hazard myself, or are others just too confident?

Since we could all use some entertainment, let’s pop some corn, melt some butter and have a little discussion on towing speed!

 

Speed limits are the upper limit, not the rate you need to keep. Myself I run 63-64, keeps everything under control, sure there's some suck push when a truck goes by at 70 but that just reminds me to check my mirrors more often.

 

I err to caution and only at max of 65 unless I need to pass someone which requires me to speed up, pass and then back down to 65. IMHO, speed is the common denominator that affects everyone regardless if you're overloaded or not. Your speed will dictate the outcome of your unfortunate crash (note I didn't say accident because generally for the most part crashes are not accidents because it was caused by _______ fill in the blanks). That being said, the posted speed limits on the roads are there for a reason, however it appears more to folks are driving slower than the posted limit so my question is, what is considered 'speed impediment'? I'm at work so I don't have time to lookup/research what dictate a slow moving vehicle to consider speed impediment that may warrant a 'ticket', anyone wants to take a stab? Safe travels all...

 

Whenever you become a hinderance to the normal flow of traffic, you're potentially more dangerous than a speeder. If the normal flow in say all 3 lanes of traffic is (from left to right) 80, 75, 65, and you're in the right lane doing 55, you're a hazard to all 3 lanes depending on the volume. The person doing 65 is going to merge into that middle lane, slowing down someone doing 75, who'll then merge into the left lane slower than the folks doing 80 or better. Maybe one guy merges without fully checking traffic. Maybe all of 'em do. Granted, maybe you're comfortable at 55........but as a hinderance to traffic you're more dangerous to yourself and everybody else doing 55 and causing that kind of issue versus doing 65 to maintain a safe flow in the right lane.

I'll typically follow traffic in the R lane if they're doing 65-70...if not and the speed in the R lane varies at speeds lower than that, I'll cruise in the middle lane behind equivalent traffic. It's rather scary coming up on someone doing 45-50 in the R lane when I'm doing 60-65 and hauling an 8,000lb trailer...either slam the brakes hard or look quick and verify I can merge. Especially if someone in front of me merges and I see last minute. Very dangerous hazard created.

 

I try to keep my max at 65 MPH and factor that speed into my route planning. I may slightly increase past that when passing that slow mover in the right lane but if it's not safe to pass I'll slow it down and stay a safe distance behind the slow mover. When the speed limit drops to 65 I keep it at 65 or reduce speed as required. It takes additional time to stop the rig and I keep the gap to 4 seconds or greater so I have to time to safely stop. Going faster is rarely safer IMO.

Know the speed rating of your trailer tires. If using ST tires and they're not given a speed rating then it is 65. My new tires are rated for 81 MPH but I still keep it at 65 or slower.

When I lived in the People's republic of California the speed limit for ALL Vehicles towing was 55 MPH and I stayed with that speed.
I'm not going to speed because other chuckle heads on the road want to.

Vacation starts when I pull away form the curb so I take my time and don't stress the driving.

 

I stay in the middle lane or to the right if on 2 lane, and keep up with the flow unless passing.

 

Always run with traffic up to the speed limit. Never had an issue going 70 on the highway.

 

I run at 65ish MPH on the interstate for my best compromise between traffic flow, getting where I want to go and far better MPG than going faster. If windy I drop to 60 MPH. I feel no obligation or any pressure to go any faster. My TT tires are rated for 70 MPH. I get better MPG going 55 MPH and less on back roads.

 

In CA the tow speed max is 55 with a trailer in most areas. That said, I just get in behind the semis in the slow lane and tag along on the flats and downhills. They know where the highway patrols are and what are generally safe speeds. They generally run about 59-60 in the 55 zones. In areas with higher speed limits a lot depends on weather factors such as crosswinds and wet conditions and how heavy the traffic is.

 

One should also consider what the max speed on the TT tires are rated for, some are max of 65 mph, some more depending on the brand/size, etc.