How fast can you go with a Pop-Up safely without Damaging TV?

[edwardr132]

I read in the Honda Odyssey owners manual that they don't want you going over 55 mph when towing anything.  I was wondering because I did go with my 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager between 65mph and 75mpg on the highways.  The RPM's were around 3.5 on the dial at 75mpg.  What is the optimal speed that has no impact on trans and engine?

I guess I am also asking how fast do people go and how fast should they go?

[flyfisherman]

I guess I am also asking how fast do people go and how fast should they go?

Obviously, the faster the TV roars down the road, the more the miles per gallon  drops and in this day & time of high gas prices, a real big consideration. My TV is a full size GMC pick'em-up with a small V-8, automatic, 2-whl drive, regular cab (not the extented version) and it's capable of getting a decent gas mileage as far as a pick-up goes. It will do pretty decent keeping the cruising speed at 65 MPH - just going to 70 drops it a full mile per gallon and drops like a rock after that.

Then, there's the matter of the camper and what size tires it has. The smaller the tire, the more revolutions it has to make to keep up with the TV's larger (usually) tires and that can lead to heat build-up which then can lead to a tire failure. I pull a small Starcraft with the 12" tires and both Starcraft and the tire manufacturer say that 65 is tops for that size tire. Since the truck can handle the small camper with ease.  on level country I'll set the speed control at 65. As I get into the rolling hill country, off goes the cruise and I'm subject to pick-up a little extra speed going down hill (like maybe to 70) to help with climbing the next hill coming up. I have, without being aware of it, increased my speed to excess ... like 80!   Especially prone to do this after dark and have to keep an eye on my driving habits.

Also, there's the matter of saftey.  At 65 there's a little more time to react to whatever is going on along the way; and should something go amiss like a tire blow-out.

Bottom line ... I like 65.


Fly

[4campinfoxes]

Personally for us we have found that going over 65 produces sway.  When we keep the camper below 65 we generally do not have any sway issues.  Perhaps that is the line of reasoning that Honda used, I doubt it had anything to do with mileage or tire heating.

Sharon

[wavery]

The issue is more about, "how far it takes for you to stop", more than it is about, "how fast you can drive".

I think that Honda is telling you that if you drive over 55mph (while towing), your vehicle may not be able to stop within the legal limits. It's called "Disclaimer". Pretty soon you will have to sign a disclaimer in order to buy a McDonalds hamburger. I'm not sure that I even disagree with that. The only problem is, disclaimers are becoming so common place that very few people take them seriously until something bad happens. When it does, the manuf can say, "I told you so".

We just purchased a property in Fallbrook. We had to sign 47 pages of disclaimers and disclosures. I'm not the type to take that sorta stuff lightly, so it took about 3 hours to read and sign these papers. The real-estate agents almost came unglued because I wanted to take the time to "READ" :yikes: what I was signing. They alloted 1 hour for the singing of about 75  pages of documents.

BTW, as an added note............I agree with 55 on your Honda. They have very thin disk brake rotors and may be susceptible to premature brake fading when over-loaded (JMHO)

[mountainrev]

As wavery said, Honda's 55 mph tow limit is legal disclaimer.  I suppose they are trying to cover their posteriors lest someone sue them who was towing a two ton TT at 90 mph and crashed.

You're likely not going to do any damage to your TV by driving 70 or 75 mph on a nice, flat highway.  Your gas mileage may or may not suffer, either.  I've noticed with my Durango and current popup, the gas mileage remains the same whether I'm going 65 or 75 mph in the flatlands.

Sway might be a concern.  If your camper starts swaying, slow down.  Perhaps consider getting a wdh.

Braking is the real concern, as wavery said.  If you have brakes on your camper, though, that's not really an issue, either.  

My bottom line:  Drive speed limit if you like.  Most of us do, I'm pretty sure.  I promise not to tell Honda!

[AustinBoston]

Braking is the real concern, as wavery said.  If you have brakes on your camper, though, that's not really an issue, either.

I don't believe that is universally true.  Our van, a 2000 Chevy Astro, weighs about 900 lbs per wheel normally, and about 1150 lbs per wheel when fully loaded for a trip.  Our pop-up weighs over 1600 lbs per wheel, and the 10" drum brakes are not as good as the Astro's at raw braking power.  That's a lot to ask of pop-up brakes to not have an impact on stopping distance, especially in a panic stop.  

Braking is always a concern with any trailer.  It's just a matter of degrees.

Austin

[SteffinMI]

Hi all
  I am a School Bus Driver with a federal license. leagally any vehicle towing anything must follow the 55mph as it is not safe for braking and other drivers as well. Just some info for ya.
Steff

Remember your not the only one on the road.
Safety First

[zamboni]

Aside from Steffin's correct reply...



With my Explorer V8, we originally had a small (lightweight) popup.  No brakes.  It towed OK, but at about 65, showed signs of sway, and was the upper limit of what I would normally drive.

Next was a much heaver Coleman Niagara... but it had brakes and a sway bar.  It was far easier to tow, and I was comfortable cruising at 75 - or higher, but that really was pushing "the law".  Stopping was good with trailer brakes (generic brake controller).

Now, I tow a Jayco 23B Hybrid.  Much bigger & heaver.  A big "cross-section" behind me to catch the wind.  However, I also now have an Equal-i-zer hitch.  Honestly?  It is easily far more rock solid and stable behind me than my Niagara - due to the Equal-i-zer hitch.  I recently upgraded from generic to a Prodigy brake controller (my wife was dumbfounded by me spending over $100 to replace "something that worked").  Now, if my Explorer could handle it, I'd probably be comfortable at 90mph.  Note, my camper has dual axles, and good brakes that can easily drag my Explorer to a fighting stop if I apply the "emergency" on the Prodigy.  Sadly, due to the wind seriously affecting my MPG, I usually tow at about 60-65 (ie, in California, quite a bit slower than traffic).


So, what is the best answer for you?  Well, since you are using a lighterweight tow vehicle, and your PUP may have smaller tires (does it have brakes?), I'd honestly suggest you give a lot of weight to the manufacturer's suggestion.  From there, it is a personal evaluation of your ability to control your TV & camper "beyond normal standards" (ie, skill and practice).

MPG:
Bare: 18
Light Starcraft PUP: 16
Heavier Niagara: 14
Bigger/Heavier Hybrid: 11mpg
(towing uphill, V8 can still do 60 mph, but I drop to like 6-7 mpg!)

[mountainrev]

any vehicle towing anything must follow the 55mph

This is true in Michigan, but not necessarily in other states.  In Colorado, the maximum speed limit for towing is 75 mph.  Here's a link which lists the towing speed limits in all states:  http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/laws.asp

I'm not advocating that everyone ought to tow at 75 mph, by any means.  Be safe and prudent!  But 55 mph across Nebraska?  Not this camper!

[AustinBoston]

Hi all
  I am a School Bus Driver with a federal license. leagally any vehicle towing anything must follow the 55mph as it is not safe for braking and other drivers as well. Just some info for ya.
Steff

Remember your not the only one on the road.
Safety First

Definitely a state-by-state restriction.

Austin

[Brantime]

This is true in Michigan, but not necessarily in other states.  In Colorado, the maximum speed limit for towing is 75 mph.  Here's a link which lists the towing speed limits in all states:  http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/laws.asp

I'm not advocating that everyone ought to tow at 75 mph, but any means.  be safe and prudent!  But 55 mph across Nebraska?  Not this camper!

Howdy!

I was sent the page below as a guide to all the towing laws from a Colorado RV dealer...none of the States here list any speeds above 65, and most below this!

It is also a good idea to check your specific owners manuel to see if a recommended maximum speed is listed!

Also be aware that on most trailer tires, there is a speed rating for the specific sizes...

Remember my favorite saying..."Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!"

http://www.recvehicle.com/laws.html

[zamboni]

THere's a link which lists the towing speed limits in all states:  http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/laws.asp

I am not sure where (or when?) they got their information... but that page lists California as requiring brakes on trailers over 3,000 lbs -- however, CA is 1500 lbs... so, if possible, check with each state's own Motor Vehicle department.

Granted, 10 minutes of looking hasn't revealed Colorado's laws - but this page contradicts the above link and says Colorado is 65 mph for trailers:
http://www.rvcentral.com/towusa.htm

Confusion abounds...

[mountainrev]

Confusion abounds...

You said it!  Lots of contradictory info on the websites.  Most have disclaimers saying you should contact your local enforcement agency.  

This is a fairly major issue, since many of us tow our campers through many different states.  I'm going to try to contact the Colo. Highway Patrol and see if they have an answer, but the CHP and CDOT websites don't seem to have any info on laws regarding trailers.  Frustrating and confusing!

[GeneF]

Mountainrev

Thanks for the link to the site.

I about choked when I checked NH and Maine.  If I tow at their limit of 45 mph I will get run off of the road.  I generally tow at about 60 to 65 and it is rare that I pass anything but a dead bird.  I feel comfortable at these speeds and I wonder if I wouldn't be more of a hazard to others if I was doing 45.

Minimum highway speed is 45 mph and max is 65 mph in NH.  Below 45 and I need to turn on my flashers.

[mountainrev]

I searched and searched on the 'net for info about towing speed limits from official (i.e., dep't of transportation and highway patrol) websites for western states, esp. Colorado.  Nill.  I put in a call to the Colorado State Patrol.  They haven't returned it.

I have driven in Illinois, and I believe they actually post the limit for towing vehicles on their Interstates.  But beyond that, I've never seen any sign indicating that there is a different speed limit for towing campers.  I've always driven at the posted speed limit (or below if I feel it's too fast).  I've passed many a state patrol with radar gun.  And I've never been pulled over.

I'm starting to wonder if these towing speed limits are kind of like "no spitting on the sidewalk on Sunday" laws.  Sure, they're on the books (at least in some states), but most people (including law enforcement) are ignorant of them, and they are widely ignored and unenforced.