Towing speeds?

[padlin]

63-73, I seem to speed up the longer the drive.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Thane

Which tires are rated to 81 MPH?

Carlisle for one. Most others, I think.

[padlin]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Carlisle for one. Most others, I think.

Endurance are rated N, 87 mph.

[UncleTim]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

Years ago my brother worked in either Washington or Oregon on a summer job. I can’t remember which because he later worked in both. However, I remember him telling me that if you had 5 cars behind you, the law was that you had to pull over.
Iowa Dave

It's the law in Colorado. Five cars, but most people still don't do it. I do!

[Thane]

I checked the Carlisle page, the Sport Trail LH is rated up to 87 MPH for most sizes. All others for my 17b, size ST205/75D14 are rated for 62 MPH. I have 65 MPH Commodores now. Maybe I’ll get Sport Trails next time I change tires.

[gbaglo]

I have Carlisle ST ( special trailer ) radials.
ST205/75R15 ( 15 inch wheels ).

[gbaglo]

The chart I found rates almost all of the Special Trailer tires at 81 mph ( including your 14" )
https://www.carlislebrandtires.com/o...dial-trail-hd/

[padlin]

Here's the Carlisle Sport Trail web page, all sizes are 87mph. Many are ST's.

https://www.carlislebrandtires.com/o...port-trail-lh/

[John in Santa Cruz]

the "Mastertrack" UN203 tires my locally owned tire shop recommended are speed rated M which is 81.

[salmo7000]

Hmmm, I tow a 19 with a mid-size pickup. I rarely exceed 65 mph on interstates and keep it at 55 - 65 on rural 2 lane highways. Since the speed limit is 80 mph on the interstates where I often travel, I get passed like I'm standing still. Hence, I usually avoid interstates. As others have suggested, I too pull over when people are behind me on a 2-lane. It keeps everyone happier, and safer.

Along those lines, it's a good idea to drive defensively when towing (actually it's a good idea to drive defensively when not towing!). What you will find is no matter how fast you're going, people will want to get around you, and they'll do really stupid stuff trying to do so. The other thing is, I don't care how good your trailer brakes are or how well you've set your brake controller, you simply cannot stop as fast with a 4,500-lb trailer behind you as you can without it. Can you go 70-80 mph towing this much weight?? Yes you can, and lots of folks do. But should you?? I guess the answer to that question depends on how much risk a driver is willing to take. In my opinion, any speed past 70 is foolish. But, my opinion.

I've also adopted the following attitude when towing... it's much better to go slow, take the scenic route, and take lots of time getting to one's destination. Although I've done a couple of 14-hour towing days, usually I keep them around 6 hours and plan the trip accordingly. I plan arrival to the campsite by mid-afternoon at the latest, to ensure a leisurely, stress-free set-up and happy hour starting right at 5:00 (or even sooner!). That means I often take 2 days to get to a spot that would have otherwise taken me a day. But it makes for a much more pleasant and stress-free journey. If you have the luxury of time, this is a good way to go!

[UncleTim]

Lot of good common sense here. I for one will be thinking about this thread as I drive to the next great spot. Thanks for all the good suggestions.

[Rossue]

Drove from Bishop to Ely today. 65 feels great out there on two lane hwy 6 & 93. 70 definitely different and wasn't worth saving 5-6 minutes per hour, even with a solid tow, new Endurance trailer tires and new trailer brakes. When we get to I-80 maybe 70 will feel better, yet I don't like to rush.

Btw, Alabama Hills was almost empty last night and plenty of spots in Ward Mountain C.G. Hopefully a good harbinger for the rest of our trip.

[BigSwede]

I think the answer to this question will depend on whether you are retired or not. When precious PTO days are at stake, I am willing to exchange poorer fuel mileage for time. I look forward to the day I don't have to do that.

[Bill and Earline]

With all this talk about the newer tires having higher speed ratings, owners need to remember that before about 3 to 4 years ago, very few trailer tires had the higher speed ratings.

Everyone should check the tire manufacture date on the tires. Just because your trailer is only two years old doesn't mean your tires are that new.

Everyone has an opinion about how old to let them get before replacing, but at least you should know what you have. Google "how to check a tire's age."

[felix2]

Originally Posted by BigSwede

I think the answer to this question will depend on whether you are retired or not. When precious PTO days are at stake, I am willing to exchange poorer fuel mileage for time. I look forward to the day I don't have to do that.

Ditto this!

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Bill and Earline

With all this talk about the newer tires having higher speed ratings, owners need to remember that before about 3 to 4 years ago, very few trailer tires had the higher speed ratings.

Everyone should check the tire manufacture date on the tires. Just because your trailer is only two years old doesn't mean your tires are that new.

Good point about tires changing. You don't actually have to check the age to know the speed rating, and knowing the age will not (by itself) tell you the speed rating. If the speed rating is anything other than the ST default value of 65 miles per hour, it will be shown on the sidewall, either as a speed or as a speed rating (a letter). "M" (81 mph or 130 km/h) has become a common speed rating for trailer tires.