Maintenance & Restoration

camper1887 · 06-02-2012, 05:45 PM

How fast does everyone drive while towing their scamp trailers and such on highways and interstates, what about on gravel roads?

Byron Kinnaman · 06-02-2012, 05:54 PM

Trailer tires are rated at a MAXIMUM 65mph. It's a good idea to keep the speeds well below that. Some states, Oregon and California are two, have a maximum of 55 mph while towing. I generally tow between 55 and 60 mph, even in Texas and Montana where freeway speeds are 80mph.

Gravel roads are a different matter. That all depends on the how rough the road is. A nice smooth gravel road, like found in AZ I might get up to 25mph. Most slower. I'm in no hurry and would prefer to NOT damage my Scamp.

BCDave · 06-02-2012, 06:45 PM

Since I would never, under any circumstances tow a trailer I value on a gravel road, I cannot comment on speeds there. Trailer tires are rated for an absolute max of 65 mph, assuming proper inflation and loading, and are balanced well.

FelixVW · 06-02-2012, 06:56 PM

a couple years ago I got passed by a Boler that was fairly booking it..around 75+. I actually saw said Boler lose a hubcap and couldn't/didn't care to catch up to wave at the driver. Their loss.

I usually go 50-60, sometimes 65 if it's a flat road with good paving. Gravel and dirt, etc. 20-25. I lived on one, my parents still do and sometimes the best scenery is at the end of a gravel road. Dents and dings can be marks of a life well-lived (yeah..I would like to have an immaculate trailer, too someday, though)

Darwin Maring · 06-02-2012, 07:04 PM

I have a sign in the back window of the camper that states our speed is <66 MPH and they can talk to me on the CB 19 or FRS 12.

Robin G · 06-02-2012, 07:55 PM

I won't comment on highway speed

cause it depends if I am in a hurry or not.

But gravel roads, of which I prefer not to travel on. Only been on a couple since I bought the Casita one on the way to the Miracle Mile (whatever, I didn't experience a miracle) anyway, as slow as you can goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Because as slow as I drove that road, I still had dings and pit's on the fiberglass!

floyd · 06-02-2012, 08:46 PM

I drive at the optimum speed for the trailer and Tow Vehicle combo which I am using. Generally speaking. that will be below the posted speed limit on the open highway due, to some extent, to fuel conservation concerns.
Driving slower than traffic in the right lane is much less a problem with a trailer than without one, since most other drivers see the trailer and anticipate the speed difference.
They also tend to be much more accepting and understanding of Slow RVs than of other slow traffic.

It is important to use a greater following distance with a trailer than when driving a sports car also... and try to anticipate traffic and react sooner and slower as well. Remember that the traffic behind you may not be able to see what you see, and must be given a little extra time to stop, slow, or pass whenever possible.
Speed is only one of several driving habits which must be modified when towing Vis-a-vis driving only a car.

RRIZZO · 06-02-2012, 09:56 PM

Currently in California you best not do over the 55, as our state is broke and trying to collect revenue by ticketing more RV's.

floyd · 06-02-2012, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRIZZO

Currently in California you best not do over the 55, as our state is broke and trying to collect revenue by ticketing more RV's.

You will be relieved to know that while California has more than three and a half times the population of Illannoy, it can't match it's debt!

[but Illannoy just recently raised the speed limit on trailers!]

BCDave · 06-02-2012, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRIZZO

Currently in California you best not do over the 55, as our state is broke and trying to collect revenue by ticketing more RV's.

But of course! It is simply good marketing. One does everything in one's power to ensure that tourists have a pleasant stay and will want to return again, and to tell all their friends about the extremely pleasant time they had - word of mouth marketing is one of the most effective systems in the internet age!

But then ....

That would mean ...

So they should ....

Oh, dear....

**Frederick L. Simson** · 06-02-2012, 11:04 PM

I always set the Cruise Control for 55.
Drive55.org

BCDave · 06-02-2012, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frederick L. Simson

I always set the Cruise Control for 55.
Drive55.org

Assuming that your car is geared for 55 mph driving - great. My truck goes into high gear at 62 mph - will not engage the second level of overdrive below that speed.

Many cars are actually geared for best efficiency at speeds much higher than 55.

**Frederick L. Simson** · 06-02-2012, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRIZZO

Currently in California you best not do over the 55, as our state is broke and trying to collect revenue by ticketing more RV's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCDave

But of course! It is simply good marketing....

Let's please not go there.

Donna D. · 06-03-2012, 05:30 AM

I'm cheap... I admit it. I figured out a loooong time ago, that I can't spend the same nickle twice. Fuel is EXPENSIVE on the west coast. Paid over $81 to fill my truck yesterday, and that will get me on the road for six business days. Sigh.

So... when pulling the trailer I travel 55-60mph and have found out that (typically) the truck gets the best MPG at 57 mph. I try to keep as much money in my pocket as I can for transportation costs, so I can spend it on other things.