Blazing down the interstate?

[ducksface]

Two miles after getting on the freeway from a long custom ramp made especially for a new truck stop, the diesel pusher was going this fast on the 75mph i40.

 

[dkoldman]

Two miles after getting on the freeway from a long custom ramp made especially for a new truck stop, the diesel pusher was going this fast on the 75mph i40.

Yup, he is probably sitting there drinking coffee, switching channels on his TV, listening to his CB while talking to his next hub wandering why is everybody in a hurry.

I had a idiot slowpoke pull out in front of me twice yesterday. He/She was making a right turn and I was on a highway far right of 3 lines South bound doing 65mph in a 65mph zone. So Slowpoke pulled right in front of me doing 20mph tops. I saw from about 400 feet. So I pulled over to center lane to avoid said Slowpoke and then he pulled in front of me again doing about 25mph, my vehicle slammed to stop itself so I stayed in center as the far fast lane had cars doing 70+mph.

Nothing I could do, my SUV auto braking does not allow me to ram them in the rear like the good ole days

 

[ArcticGPS]

I set the peg at 60 mph and enjoy the ride. If I was in a hurry, I wouldn't have taken the motor home! Last summer I took a 5,000 mile trip, kept to the scenic backroads rather than divided highways. A lot of nice country and very few billboards. I track my mileage closely and I get 11-12 mpg at 60 mph, 9.5-10 mpg at 65 mph (in a 2023 Axis 24.1).

So, here's the breakdown. Over 2 /12 weeks I spent an extra 6 1/2 hours more drive time, about 30 extra minutes/drive day. I burned about 100 fewer gallons of gas.

It's all your own personal preference I guess.

Here are some of my mileage numbers
Real mpg last 3 mpg average Conditions

 

[JimC-THOR]

Although I've driven my Class C as fast as 75 for a short while, My self imposed speed limit is 65-67. I get about a half a mpg mileage better if I stay below about 67. I never go more than 4mph faster than the speed limit. If in high wind [headwind or crosswind] I may slow down accordingly to be less stressful and safer. On the KS Turnpike I have had headwinds and crosswinds up to 55mph. NOT FUN! In a high winds, a drop of 5mph [or more]not only makes the driving [ and ride for passengers] more comfortable, but it will significantly help gas mileage. [I know there are RVrs here that say if you need to worry about mileage, you shouldn't have an RV. I disagree! Travel expense is a legitimate concern.].

 

[ducksface]

I set the peg at 60 mph and enjoy the ride. If I was in a hurry, I wouldn't have taken the motor home! Last summer I took a 5,000 mile trip, kept to the scenic backroads rather than divided highways. A lot of nice country and very few billboards. I track my mileage closely and I get 11-12 mpg at 60 mph, 9.5-10 mpg at 65 mph (in a 2023 Axis 24.1).

So, here's the breakdown. Over 2 /12 weeks I spent an extra 6 1/2 hours more drive time, about 30 extra minutes/drive day. I burned about 100 fewer gallons of gas.

It's all your own personal preference I guess.

Here are some of my mileage numbers
Real mpg last 3 mpg average Conditions
View attachment 1303447

You've missed that it's not about you.
It's about those who are being inconvenienced by you and the courtesy of causing the least adjustments thrust upon the thousands of folks your driving style impacts.

I'll sacrifice my need to see carhenge at 50mph for the thousands who don't want me rubbrrknecking at 15 under the speed limit.
(Joan Jett for president)

 

[ipburnout]

I usually do 65 to 70 as my sweet spot. Word of caution though - see what your tires are rated for. You do not want to exceed speed and load ratings.

 

[ipburnout]

For you guys in a hurry, if the speed limit sign says 65, how much do you feel you can safely exceed that and not get a speeding ticket?

Considering that I am a huge target. I set cruise control at the speed limit on a flat road.

 

[ducksface]

Considering that I am a huge target. I set cruise control at the speed limit on a flat road.

Perfect.

 

[ghnl]

You've missed that it's not about you.

Nor is it about you. We're all in this together, we have to learn to be tolerant. If I am slower than the general population on a two lane road I will pull off and let those behind go by. On a multi-lane highway I stay to the right and let the rabbits have the left lane. 10 mph faster over the course of a few hours shortens the travel time by minutes.

 

[GeorgePal]

I set the peg at 60 mph and enjoy the ride. If I was in a hurry, I wouldn't have taken the motor home! Last summer I took a 5,000 mile trip, kept to the scenic backroads rather than divided highways. A lot of nice country and very few billboards. I track my mileage closely and I get 11-12 mpg at 60 mph, 9.5-10 mpg at 65 mph (in a 2023 Axis 24.1).

So, here's the breakdown. Over 2 /12 weeks I spent an extra 6 1/2 hours more drive time, about 30 extra minutes/drive day. I burned about 100 fewer gallons of gas.

It's all your own personal preference I guess.

Here are some of my mileage numbers
Real mpg last 3 mpg average Conditions
View attachment 1303447

I am with you. My rig never sees over 60. I live in Northeast Pennsylvania. If you don't know what that means, you don't know. No comparison with what goes on our west!

 

[ducksface]

Nor is it about you. We're all in this together, we have to learn to be tolerant. If I am slower than the general population on a two lane road I will pull off and let those behind go by. On a multi-lane highway I stay to the right and let the rabbits have the left lane. 10 mph faster over the course of a few hours shortens the travel time by minutes.

The
nor you
You speak of is 99.99 % of the populace NOT doing 10 under as a solely self considereaction.
It defies logic that all must bow to so few as those who can't or won't.

Is that 47 in a 75 good for you all because of tolerance?
How far would you all follow him at 30 under before you weren't tolerant?


In what other aspect of life do we casually expect all persons to be hindered by so few due to those few's self?
What of those who say they have the ability but would rather hinder?

 

[Lt Keefer]

The
nor you
You speak of is 99.99 % of the populace NOT doing 10 under as a solely self considereaction.
It defies logic that all must bow to so few as those who can't or won't.


In what other aspect of life do we casually expect all persons to be hindered by few due to those few's self?

But that's the new American way. Haven't you been paying attention? The 99% is supposed to bow to the 1%.

 

[Dognme]

I am also new to the RV life, but drove truck for 26 years. I drag race for 6 months of the year split between March - May and Sept-Nov.
I left out from near Chicago on May 1st for a race at Kentucky Dragway hauling my J Gladiator behind a 2016 Thor MC Citation Sprinter SS. It has a Mercedes Bluetec 3.0 L diesel in it.
Got rained out in Ky. and so I continued on to Alpharetta, Ga., where base operations are. Stayed for 2 days and left out again to visit friends in NC.
Now, if you're still with me, driving an RV is like driving a Cow Barn on wheels. It takes some getting used to and there are several hard fast safety consideration that you must follow.
I try to just travel in the right lane as much as possible, except when traveling through big cities, where I move to the center lane to avoid merging traffic. Always maintain a safe following distance and never travel at speeds that are past your capabilities. Going slower in rainy and windy conditions.
Mountain driving can be challenging and you can pretty much count on some weather. Six -seven degree grades with many curves on a mountain I find it's best to just fall in line with the rest of the Semis with their 4 - ways on. Plus if you do lose your brakes going down a MTN., that trailer ahead of you looks like a way better back stop than the runaway roads.
Towing the Jeep I can maintain 65 mph on a grade, but the turbo is screaming for mercy. It's easier to just take it easy and survive the fight.
In summary start slow and the longer you drive and the farther you go, you will acclimate to driving a big cow barn on wheels. That's how I think of it in all situations. Don't be a driver hero and you can never go wrong.

 

[RetiredTorng]

I usually follow whatever the flow goes in the city highway, but not faster than 70mph. I may follow the max speed limit which could be 80mph in the rural area. I usually keep a good distance from the previous truck and let other cars cutting in front if they want to. Usually they don't like to stay in between two trucks anyway. I use cruise control all the time, with acceleration and deceleration.

One time in Del Rio TX I missed a highway entrace and entered a residential area. I was driving slowly looking around for signs to get back on highway. I was stopped by a police car telling me I was driving 45 in a 30 mile zone. I didn't argue with him but he only gave me a warning of 40 miles in a 30 mile zone. Not sure if he saw my dashcam recording. But he told me it's just a warning, no fine, no need to go to court. So I didn't argue with him.

When going through local highway passing through towns, the speed may drop to 55mph then 45 then 35. I usually just turn off the cruise control and let it coast all the way, that seems to match the speed limit very well.

I like local highways. There are usually historical markers along the road telling local histories. That's the kind of American knowledge I'd like to see and learn. But I only stop when the marker is on the right hand side.

 

[dkoldman]

I really don't think the issue is what speed limit one cares to drive, but how you drive that speed limit. In general RVs are not going to go over 75 because they simply don't have that much power. A RV driving 60 as a chosen speed in and of itself is not an issue. Bt if you are on a Interstate with speed limit of 70 or 75 mph but you think you can drive 60 mph at a constant speed you are a danger / menace to the roadway and that is what I see as the issue.

Example. Speed limit 70 mph, you are on cruise or maintaining 60 mph. You approach another driver that thinks they are being safe and saving gas as you may that is fluctuating from 55 - 60 mph. So naturally because YOU don't want to break your speed you pass this slow moving car as you may see it. Problem is it may take you 5 minutes or longer to overtake the vehicle and in the meantime traffic is now 1 mile long behind you. As you pull over you take issues as all of the cars zoom by and you justify to yourself that they are in a hurry In most cases they are just pissed off. It can be a lot longer than 5 minutes to get buy as you approach cities.

So I say drive whatever speed limit you like, just don't impede the damn highway. Lead, follow, or get the **** out of the way. You don't have drive fast to get out of the way, but you may have to break that cruise or drive even slower to really be the safe driver that you think you are.

Beep Beep

 

[txc2936@yahoo.com]

After 20K on the odometer, the THOR Ace with that 7.3L engine likes 2300-2400 RPM, set the cruise control and i get a smooth ride, 82 PSI all around. This yields 70-73 mph.

 

[Peter J 5]

We are new to the motor home experience and taking our first 500 mile trip in our 2020 Thor Windsport 29M. What kind of highway speed should I realistically expect on the interstate towing and not towing?

We have a thor magnitude ga 24, 2022 vehicle, 24" lg ford E-350. Somewhere between 53 and 58 mph.
The RV always has had "spongie" steering. But always very controllable.
500 miles is a long drive in one leg but doable. Most importantly take a break every couple of hours. Driving gets anxious and uncomfortable after 6 hours.
All the best.

 

[rudyhehn]

I'll skip the philosophical stuff. We've had our 33 ft class A for 10 years and we usually tow a car. On a freeway with decent pavement and not much wind we're comfortable at 65 mph. Most motorhomes are sensitive to crosswinds or badly rutted pavement and we slow down depending. Drive the speed that you're comfortable with. If we're on two lane roads we watch the traffic and pull over if needed and it's safe to do so.

 

[Lt Keefer]

If everyone is expected to drive so fast, why do most states have minimum speed limits? In reality, if you are paying attention to your driving, you'll be prepared for the odd vehicle going slower than others.

 

[ricky5924]

65 is my target speed. Any faster and you can’t hardly enjoy scenery plus probably won’t get to. Your destination 20 minutes faster.