How fast? - Page 2

dapperdan · 03-12-2018, 11:53 AM

The last leg of our trip to Navarre was from Amite City LA, the weather started to look "bad" with threatening rain. Sure enough before we got to Slidell it started to rain and by the time we got to Biloxi it was raining pretty hard, traffic had slowed to 50 - 55 MPH. We drove at least 40 to 50 miles at that speed, at trip's end I checked my mileage and we were just over 9 MPG, imagine that.

The company I retired from had bean-counters figure out the "optimum speed" for best fuel mileage, our trucks were set to 62 MPH. For a "brief" 3 or 4 years they allowed the trucks to be turned up to 65 but that didn't last long. We were told with 1500 tractors on the road everyday even a half a mile per gallon would add up

After seeing my mileage drop due to my haste ..... I guess the bean counters were right.

Dan

Bob Denman · 03-12-2018, 12:07 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP6DXoNKITc

axis earl · 03-12-2018, 02:13 PM

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/de.../speed_limits+
The speed limit has been 55 MPH in CA for those towing trailers for as long as I can remember. I also remember when this speed law was enforced on our freeways and it obviously is not now. I see people pulling trailers of all kinds hitting speeds of 80 MPH. Besides the law that is not enforced, I always wonder if the drivers of these rigs really think that they can take proper evasive actions to avoid an accident as a single vehicle can. Then I realize that they are not thinking at all. The important thing in my mind is that you safely get to your destination. You will always get better gas mileage if you drive at slower speeds as well.

Cummins12V98 · 03-12-2018, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rynosback

I was thinking the same thing. And will just say what you will not say, I call BS.

HAAAAA, I will usually just say "Barbra Streisand".

TxTig · 03-12-2018, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MnP

63 to 65 mph towing. Try to stick to about 250 miles per day and to not tow more that 2 days in a row before taking a day or two off.

+1. This is just right for me. 250 is pretty much a max number of miles for me. I like to arrive in time for a cocktail (or two) before dinner.

Metalgator · 03-12-2018, 04:33 PM

We drive our new motorhome around 65mph. When in a hurry I'll drive 70. I wish I was retired and could limit myself to 250 miles a day but if I did that I would rarely get out of the state. When you only have a couple weeks of vacation a year, travel time really cuts into vacation time. Driving only 250 miles a day would take me multiple days to get to some of the locations we like to visit. I would basically have to turn around and come home a day or two after I got to my destination. Traveling in the motorhome is comfortable so I don't mind the long drives.

On the other hand, if the wife would stop picking the wrong lotto numbers I wouldn't have to work and would take my time getting to our destinations!

Burch

Bob Denman · 03-12-2018, 05:01 PM

I'm old, slow, and have seen too much!

55 to 60 mph is about all that I can stand...

GeorgiaHybrid · 03-14-2018, 05:42 PM

I have to admit that when we get started on a trip, we usually run 70 to 75 on cruise. Our normal day will be anywhere from 500 miles to 700 or more. It helps that we have the sleeper to take a break and nap and that both of us can drive though.

Joezilla · 04-09-2018, 07:22 AM

Towing our 43' Atlanta with our 17 Ram 3500, I have occasionally caught myself going 75 mph, as this combo does it seemingly effortlessly. I usually try to set the cruise on 65-70 though. I'm happy with 8 -10 mpg's. Don't get above 9 mpg's unless I keep it below 65 mph though.

Joe

tigwelder · 04-09-2018, 10:54 AM

its all about road condtions and the wind. 63-65 best all around speed in good condtions after that we slow down.

Cummins12V98 · 04-10-2018, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joezilla

Towing our 43' Atlanta with our 17 Ram 3500, I have occasionally caught myself going 75 mph, as this combo does it seemingly effortlessly. I usually try to set the cruise on 65-70 though. I'm happy with 8 -10 mpg's. Don't get above 9 mpg's unless I keep it below 65 mph though.

Joe

HONEST mileage!

Towing 75 in TX recently I would get around 7.8mpg.

saddlesore · 04-10-2018, 07:00 AM

HAH!
Just noticed this is a trailer conversation...so i will keep my big mouth shut
Happy Trails to all.

The Gritz Carlton · 04-10-2018, 11:55 AM

Speed and ability to maintain speed has a lot to do with the torque curve of your engine and drive line setup. But, 63-65 is a good, comfortable speed for me. Best mileage and in the middle of the sweet spot regarding torque management. one issue for TT and Fivers are tire quality and absolute even pressure. If you adhere to the speed maximums on the sidewalls of the tires specific to towing, many of them state 65MAX. I passed 7 trailers on the side of the road changing tires on my way home from Florida to Atlanta. I wondered how many of them were related to uneven pressure, driving overloaded and/or at too high of a speed for the tires. Many OEM tires are basic quality.

WarEagleDan · 04-10-2018, 12:40 PM

I'm retired so there's no place I gotta be and no time I gotta be there. 59 MPH corresponds to about 2,200 RPM and everyone seems to like that.

gentilebrian · 04-10-2018, 05:56 PM

Class C towing a boat. 68-73mph depending on wind. We let the MPG gauge decide. Go Chicago to Florida quite often. We drive nonstop.

Bob Denman · 04-10-2018, 06:28 PM

I find that I can leave earlier, and drive farther; when I take my time.
The stress of driving faster does beat me up!

steve76 · 04-10-2018, 06:54 PM

For me best speed is between 62-65. Hate though when a bunch of big rigs are lined up passing me.

Travelin' Texans · 04-10-2018, 07:30 PM

For my truck the sweet spot is about 1700 rpm which about 68 mph & gets 8.5 to 11.5 depending on wind & terrain.
My Redwood weighs in at 16.5k loaded for fulltime, I have plenty of truck for that, but most all DRVs will weigh that much empty & anywhere from 1-4k more when loaded & that's a lot even for some DRW trucks.
Hauling is not the issue, stopping it is.

clev · 04-13-2018, 12:23 AM

I keep mine between 60 & 65. That gives me good control, plenty of power remaining, not difficult to slow down or stop, and usually about 11 mpg, sometimes 12. My total weight (truck and tlr) for traveling is 26,700 pounds.

DonandPatti · 05-10-2018, 12:41 PM

In our old 5th wheel trailer, several years ago, we had a trailer tire blow out at 70 MPH. That experience will convince you to drive slower.

We now drive 62-63 MPH and have set 400 miles as our limit for the day.

Much more relaxing and certainly easier on the rig.

Enjoy the road. We do.

Don

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