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I have a question for you experienced long haul campers.

Jettech1
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nards444 Senior Enthusiast

nards444

Posted
Posted
7 minutes ago, Cnick said:


most we’ve ever driven towing in a day was 1000 miles, and that took about 16 hrs. We had some unexpected delays and were stuck 1000 miles from where we needed to be the next day. We needed to be at my wife’s mom’s wedding… 1000 miles towing in the Northeast is way too much! Out west it’s a lot easier to cover ground, with way less driver fatigue since you’re not dealing with as many distractions on the road. 
 

With some well planned routes 5 hrs on the road is when I “start” to stop having fun, 2 to 3 hrs is perfect. We travel full time though so we technically have the time. With that said even we have to get places sometimes, so 10+ hr days on the road happen a few times a year. 

 

 

Not retired yet, so we typically like to get 700-1000 in a day.  Not hauling we will do 12-15, hauling usually stays around the 8-10hr mark.  when i retire,  most likely will probably shut it down between the 5-7hr mark and have a good time.  

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KARNUT
KARNUT

When I was pre 40 years old 1200 miles one day easy, after 40 two days. After 60 three. That’s not pulling or hauling. You should stop every 2 hours minimum. Preferably a rest area and walk a bit. Sev

the wanderer
the wanderer

I think this is dependent on many things; how stressed you get while towing, the road/conditions, how much time you have available, your experience, how close you are to repair facilities etc.  

asilverblazer
asilverblazer

Yes... Give or take 8-9 hours on the road, slightly situated later in the day. Leaving 9-10 and arriving mid evening (before dark). Roughly four pit stops along the way. One right after we pull out, a

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nards444 Senior Enthusiast

nards444

Posted
Posted

Also think if you cant go 65 on the highway you shouldnt be doing it.  Anything under 65 is a detriment to drivers around you and yourself.  And if you cant handle 65 then you need to either not drive, get a better truck, lighten the load, or hire somebody to do it.  

KARNUT Senior Enthusiast

KARNUT

Posted
Posted
11 minutes ago, nards444 said:

 

Obviously experience matters and helps and a professional driver should be able to handle it more.  I think what also aids at least truck drivers is usually they are going slower and driving in and out and its much more flat lined experience.

 

The reality whether you can handle it or not, and even if you never crashed, everybody fatigues and reflexes dimish, its a proven fact. 

Some people have more drive and determination than others. And they can overcome obstacles. Sometimes it’s the perception of they don’t have a choice. In my case it was that and being OCD. What stopped me at 40 with the straight thought driving was the realization I had no memory of getting where I was. About 3 hours of lost time. 

Grumpy Bear Senior Enthusiast

Grumpy Bear

Posted
Posted
12 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

the realization I had no memory of getting where I was

 

Been there. Done that. :)

 

  • Like 1
Cnick Enthusiast

Cnick

Posted
Posted
19 minutes ago, nards444 said:

 

Not retired yet, so we typically like to get 700-1000 in a day.  Not hauling we will do 12-15, hauling usually stays around the 8-10hr mark.  when i retire,  most likely will probably shut it down between the 5-7hr mark and have a good time.  

We’re not retired yet either, we travel for a living . No idea what we will do when we retire 😳

Major Tom Enthusiast

Major Tom

Posted
Posted
7 hours ago, nards444 said:

Also think if you cant go 65 on the highway you shouldnt be doing it.  Anything under 65 is a detriment to drivers around you and yourself.  And if you cant handle 65 then you need to either not drive, get a better truck, lighten the load, or hire somebody to do it.  

Your opinion is just that, an opinion. 

 

Traveling slower not only yields better fuel mileage, but you put less wear and tear on the equipment and the driver. 

 

Number one cause of tire blowout is heat in the tire, usually caused by under inflation and/or overloading, but the faster you go the hotter the tire gets.

 

Maximum speed while towing is 55 MPH in the following states:

Alaska, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia.

 

Just facts, not an opinion.

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KARNUT Senior Enthusiast

KARNUT

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Major Tom said:

Your opinion is just that, an opinion. 

 

Traveling slower not only yields better fuel mileage, but you put less wear and tear on the equipment and the driver. 

 

Number one cause of tire blowout is heat in the tire, usually caused by under inflation and/or overloading, but the faster you go the hotter the tire gets.

 

Maximum speed while towing is 55 MPH in the following states:

Alaska, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia.

 

Just facts, not an opinion.

As a frequent driver through Mississippi, North and South Carolina I’ve never seen those speed signs. If that’s the case I haven’t observed the speed differential. I actually get passed by trucks and trailers while doing 72 mph. In Texas they used to have different speeds for trucks and cars. They were clearly marked. Later they changed it to one speed. I guess looking up the laws in each state is a good idea. All those years pulling with my one ton through those states I was really lucky. 

  • Like 1
Jettech1 Senior Enthusiast

Jettech1

Posted
  • Author
Posted
3 hours ago, Major Tom said:

Maximum speed while towing is 55 MPH in the following states:

Alaska, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia.

That is excellent information that I had no idea about.  Especially seeing that we will be traveling through a lot of those states on our trip to Maine this August.  Thank you very much!!

XY74 Enthusiast

XY74

Posted
Posted

I can't speak for the other states, but Ohio does NOT have a 55 mph towing speed limit, posted or otherwise.  If they did, I can assure you any number of Ohio troopers I have driven right past would have gladly pulled me over for going 75.   $$$

 

15 MPH UNDER the speed limit is asking for trouble IMO, when I want to go 55 then I do it on roads that are posted at 55.  I much prefer the 2 lane experience anyway, as long as there is no hurry.      

 

 

Cnick Enthusiast

Cnick

Posted
Posted
16 hours ago, Major Tom said:

Your opinion is just that, an opinion. 

 

Traveling slower not only yields better fuel mileage, but you put less wear and tear on the equipment and the driver. 

 

Number one cause of tire blowout is heat in the tire, usually caused by under inflation and/or overloading, but the faster you go the hotter the tire gets.

 

Maximum speed while towing is 55 MPH in the following states:

Alaska, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia.

 

Just facts, not an opinion.

I’m pretty sure the only state limited to 55MPH is California, and even that isn’t enforced. 

  • Like 1
Dr1ft3r Enthusiast

Dr1ft3r

Posted
Posted (edited)
23 hours ago, Major Tom said:

Your opinion is just that, an opinion. 

 

Traveling slower not only yields better fuel mileage, but you put less wear and tear on the equipment and the driver. 

 

Number one cause of tire blowout is heat in the tire, usually caused by under inflation and/or overloading, but the faster you go the hotter the tire gets.

 

Maximum speed while towing is 55 MPH in the following states:

Alaska, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia.

 

Just facts, not an opinion.


Um, no. California is the only state with a 55 mph towing speed limit.

https://rvnerds.com/resources/speed-limits-and-towing/

I also agree with the opinion of the person you responded to. If a person wants to travel much slower than the speed limit, then they should stay off of the interstate and stick to state highways. Impeding the flow of traffic causes accidents.


Edit: Oops, I see the people above me already corrected the speed limit part...

Edited by Dr1ft3r
Major Tom Enthusiast

Major Tom

Posted
Posted

I’ll have to eat some crow and say my reference for maximum tow speeds is dated.  There was a time when the NATIONAL speed limit was 55 mph, during the 70’s fuel embargo.  The only way to be sure is to go to the source, to each states laws, code, or whatever they call them and do your own research.  I did look into Ohio and the towing speed limit was “If combine truck/trailer combo exceeds 8,000 lbs, speed limit is 55 mph.”  That changed in to 70mph in 2013, and the state senate is working on a bill right now to raise it to 75mph.

 

Interstates do have a minimum speed limit.  Some states still have sign posted, but is usually 45 mph exception being Florida at 50 mph.  There are probably more exception to the 45 mph, but I quit looking after Florida.

KARNUT Senior Enthusiast

KARNUT

Posted
Posted
26 minutes ago, Major Tom said:

I’ll have to eat some crow and say my reference for maximum tow speeds is dated.  There was a time when the NATIONAL speed limit was 55 mph, during the 70’s fuel embargo.  The only way to be sure is to go to the source, to each states laws, code, or whatever they call them and do your own research.  I did look into Ohio and the towing speed limit was “If combine truck/trailer combo exceeds 8,000 lbs, speed limit is 55 mph.”  That changed in to 70mph in 2013, and the state senate is working on a bill right now to raise it to 75mph.

 

Interstates do have a minimum speed limit.  Some states still have sign posted, but is usually 45 mph exception being Florida at 50 mph.  There are probably more exception to the 45 mph, but I quit looking after Florida.

I didn’t want to call you out after my research. As far as tires overheating. Proper tires and air pressure will solve that issue. Most campers I encounter have no problem with the speed limit driving on the interstate as long as proper following distance is maintained. 

Jettech1 Senior Enthusiast

Jettech1

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Ok, interesting comments here of late.  LOL..... I already know what my limit is towing and that is 65.  I think it's a safe speed, I've never had a problem impeding traffic.  I stay to the right away from everyone.  No problems at all.  If I don't set my cruise, I look down and I'm going 80.  To me towing, that's too fast when factoring in all the weight of what I'm towing.  But hey, to each their own.  I'm sure I can get away with 75mph.  I just don't want to.  If I have to brake hard, I want to scrub off as much speed as possible in a very short time.  To me, that's called safety.

Edit:  If I was told and guarantied a clear run from Atlanta to Maine, no traffic, no animals, nothing to avoid...no tire blow outs....hey I'm in for 80 plus while towing.  But I haven't been guarantied anything as none of us will ever be.

Edited by Jettech1

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