Watch that speed, folks...

[mars00XJ]

After taking out our new Utah on its maiden voyage, I found myself sticking around 65-70 mph thru Wisconsin. Not only did I feel safer, I didnt get a ticket like all the other suckers this past weekend. :p  I think that will be about as fast as I will push it. I would be worried about a blowout going faster. I did get it up to 75 at one point, only because it felt so nice and smooth towing it and I didnt realize it right away :yikes: . As soon as I realized, it was back to 70.  

John

[mike4947]

A couple of comments on the subject.

 
First folks see 8 or 10 inch wheels and assume the tires must be rotating lot's faster than say a 13 inch wheel. Well the wheel size means diddly. It's the diameter of the tire that controls the distance the tire rolls per reveolution and the number of revolutions per mile.
The average size for 8 & 10" tires sizes is between 20 and 22 inches in diameter. For 13 inch tires between 24-26 inches. So at most the smallest diameter tire rotates only apx 25 % faster than the largest.
 
Until about 2 years ago the only speed rating for ST tires was "capable at highway speeds". Recently tire manufacturers have started listing 65 mph or 60 mph as the speed rating for their ST tires. Mainly due to the increased limits that exceed 60 & 65 mph on several states' highways.

[tlhdoc]

As for the pressue - do not use the pressure printed on the tire. That is the max the tire can handle; use the number printed on your car/camper's vehicle tag (eg, my Explorer is 30 lbs front, 35 rear -- but the tires can handle up to 45 lbs).

This is true for the original tires on a vehicle.  For trailer tires you should always tow with them at the max capacity, if you are loading the tires close to their maxims weight capacity.  I changed the tire size on my PU.  My old tires were 50 psi max, my new tires are 65 psi max and I run them filled to 65.  If you don't inflate them all they way and you are towing a heavy load you will run the risk of extra heat build up and loosing a tire.

[Billy Bob]

Did you ever notice anyone who wouldn't get out of  YOUR way is a Idiot and anyone who passes YOU is a Maniac ! ! ! ha ha ha

[AustinBoston]

Did you ever notice anyone who wouldn't get out of  YOUR way is a Idiot and anyone who passes YOU is a Maniac ! ! ! ha ha ha

For me, that depends on which lane they are in (and whether they just had to pass me before slowing down).

Austin

[Billy Bob]

Oh, the pass and slow down folks. It should be mandatory that every vehicle has cruise control.

[tlhdoc]

Oh, the pass and slow down folks. It should be mandatory that every vehicle has cruise control.

Just because a vehicle has it, doesn't mean the drivers will use it.

[Billy Bob]

Or knows how to use it.

[AustinBoston]

Or knows how to use it.

I've seen many cases where people made buying decisions based in part on some product feature.  Then they never used that feature.  Often, it's because they couldn't figure it out in 20 seconds and, although they were willing to part with cash for it, they weren't willing to educate themselves about it.

What a waste.

Austin

[madkatz1]

It's easy for beginners to bite off more than they can chew. A review of your post history makes me think you are fairly new to towing.
 
Those responding that they tow at 60 or 65 have been towing for many years or even decades. They come from all over the country and drive on all kinds of roads. There is wisdom in their experience.
 
I know what my response to a family member making that kind of comment would be..."What you do is up to you, but you have absolutely no business trying to pressure me to put my family's safety at risk like that." If he kept it up, I would tell him where to go.
 
I know when I was new to towing, I got into a situation that could have been fatal for a number fo people, and not just those in my van. It was so dangerous that the story made Pop-Up-Times. I thought I knew what I was doing and what the risks were, but I was wrong - almost dead wrong. I was lucky. We drove away. You many not be.
 
A week in the hospital and months or years paying medical bills will soak up all the time saved by speeding in an entire lifetime several times over. A life lost can not ever be made up. It's not worth it.
 
Austin

You're right, Austin. I will take this into consideration next time I tow my pu and arrive alive!

[Kelly]

I know when I was new to towing, I got into a situation that could have been fatal for a number fo people, and not just those in my van.  It was so dangerous that the story made Pop-Up-Times.  I thought I knew what I was doing and what the risks were, but I was wrong - almost dead wrong.  I was lucky.  We drove away.  You many not be.

For those of you still wondering what happened ~ you can read about it here.
Scared the bejeebers out of me the first time I read it and it's stuck with me ever since!

[Old Goat]

Austin just was'nt driving any faster than his Guardian Angel could fly.......

[AustinBoston]

For those of you still wondering what happened ~ you can read about it here.
Scared the bejeebers out of me the first time I read it and it's stuck with me ever since!

I don't post that link any more when I would have in the past because I think it has scared some people away from towing alltogether.  I don't want to be responsible for scaring people away from a lifetime of fun and enjoyment because I had one really bad (and really stupid) day back six years ago.

Austin

[tlhdoc]

I don't want to be responsible for scaring people away from a lifetime of fun and enjoyment because I had one really bad (and really stupid) day back six years ago.

I didn't look at the link, but I remember what you are talking about.  It is hard to believe it has been that long ago.

[zimou812]

I had a similar experience when I was young and dumb and a newbie at towing.  Coming home from camping on the PA Turnpike, going 80 mph I had to quickly swerve to miss a deep pothole.  My camper started swaying back and forth rapidly.   The camper sways one way which forces the car to swerve in the opposite direction back and forth.  I had no clue what was happening, but I knew it was not good.  I can still see that concrete mediun we were headed for.  Everything was in slow motion.  Someway, somehow we got to the shoulder of the road with no physical damage.   As we sat on the shoulder and saw all of the cars we had passed a few minutes ago slow down and pass us,  I silently thanked them all for realizing I was in trouble and giving me the room to somehow get myself out of the mess I was in.  As I reviewed my situation on the side of the road,  I then realized I could have killed my whole family and it was not worth the extra 20 minutes I may have gained in the end.  Strange thing was that my 3 and 5 yr old slept through the whole thing.

It was also the only time, I did something that stupid, that my wife did not yell at me about it...... well at least for the next 20 minutes.  Not to worry, she's back to normal now!

Take it slow, enjoy the ride and enjoy your life.