Travel Speed

[Alfa]

I plan on buying a travel trailer soon. In general, I like to drive slowly in order to get good gas mileage. I just drove a new tow vehicle home on 400 miles of interstates. I insisted on driving 55MPH the whole way. Most trucks did not seem to mind passing me. There was one trucker, however, who got really mad at me (because he was unable to pass right away).
What are people's opinions on driving 55-60 on Interstates? I would like to keep it at those speeds, especially when towing.

 

[Boat Bum]

Stay in the right lane and try not to go lower than 5 miles under the limit.

 

[wiscampsin]

After towing 6 pull behinds over many years I've always tried to travel/tow between 60 & 65. Same with the motor home towing our Jeep. Of course this is always weather and traffic dependent.

 

[team bradfield]

After towing 6 pull behinds over many years I've always tried to travel/tow between 60 & 65. Same with the motor home towing our Jeep. Of course this is always weather and traffic dependent.

Same

 

[Rollin Ollen]

We also like to travel between 60 and 65 if possible. However, if we are on a busy, or a two lane, highway we
"go with the flow". It isn't worth being an obstruction. Frustrated drivers sometimes make rash decisions and we don't want to risk our safety to save a few bucks.

 

[SGilbert]

Drive the limit!..Anything slower will create problems for others and potentially cause an accident! Is that worth saving a buck or two?

 

[Alfa]

Drive the limit!..Anything slower will create problems for others and potentially cause an accident! Is that worth saving a buck or two?

If everyone drove slower, we would all save money, be safer, and conserve fuel.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Drive what feels safe to you.
If you are too far under the speed limit it can cause safety issues. In some states in rural areas the speed limit can be as high as 80/85.
Typically we drive around 62 but have hit 70 for brief periods.
In areas with higher speed limits such as Texas (where speed limits can hit 85, IIRC) we have driven state roads where speed limits are lower and typically have much less traffic too.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I drive around 55mpg.

45 pretty much eliminates the wag the dog scenario, but really is to slow.

It is not my job to help people pay attention to their driving! Therefore I won't take responsibility for their actions.

What driving safely does for you and those on the road:

Makes passing easier for those behind you! Your blocking their view just by being on the road. That means they will try and get around you no matter the speed you travel. Going slower offers them a chance they would need to get around without speeding.

Don't care about being the leader of the pack! Put bluntly! I don't give a d##n! The sooner they with their unsafe practices, while driving, get around me, the safer I will be.

 

[SGilbert]

If everyone drove slower, we would all save money, be safer, and conserve fuel.

And, how's that working for you?

 

[Diesel Pusher]

The sweet spot for my DP towing a Jeep JK or Cherokee Trailhawk is about 63 mph so I'll generally keep it between 60 and 65. If you follow me and don't like my speed.... too bad, you can pass me or go pound sand!

 

[Alfa]

And, how's that working for you?

I am finding out that I can't change the world.

 

[dave54]

After towing 6 pull behinds over many years I've always tried to travel/tow between 60 & 65. Same with the motor home towing our Jeep. Of course this is always weather and traffic dependent.

Same here. Above that speed I can visibly see my fuel gauge drop.

 

[Boat Bum]

I drive around 55mpg.

You must have one heck of a fuel flow meter installed.

 

[vermontcc]

I plan on buying a travel trailer soon. In general, I like to drive slowly in order to get good gas mileage. I just drove a new tow vehicle home on 400 miles of interstates. I insisted on driving 55MPH the whole way. Most trucks did not seem to mind passing me. There was one trucker, however, who got really mad at me (because he was unable to pass right away).
What are people's opinions on driving 55-60 on Interstates? I would like to keep it at those speeds, especially when towing.

Right lane should be no issue. I cap it at 65 for our ClassA towing. The increase in gas mileage between 55 and 65 with our rig is negligible as we have an Overdrive transmission.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

You must have one heck of a fuel flow meter installed.

Oops

 

[GTS225]

If everyone drove slower, we would all save money, be safer, and conserve fuel.

That may have been true during the national 55 speed limit, when autos and trucks were geared to the "sweet spot" of fuel economy at 55-60 mph, but today, they're geared for higher speeds, with overdrive transmissions, full lock-up torque converters and computer-controlled shift points. That all equals out to "best" fuel economy at almost any speed you might drive.

Not so sure about the "safer" part, what with a big wind-catching wall back there to get blown over, or start whipping around to jack-knife you, but that's another issue.

That being said, YOU are still the operator, and may drive any legal speed you feel safe at. I have a mental saying when overtaken by somebody that seems to be in one heck of a hurry......"Speed on....hell's only half full"

Roger

 

[Boat Bum]

Drive like hell, you'll get there!

 

[DennisT]

We run 60 to 65 in the right lane.

Coach is happy running that speed and much more comfortable than driving 70+.

 

[vermontcc]

65 max for us. This is a sweet spot for the Ford V10 with overdrive transmission.