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Topic ClosedTowing Speed
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Poll Question: I normally like to tow at
Poll Choice Votes Poll Statistics
0 [0.00%]
0 [0.00%]
5 [10.42%]
33 [68.75%]
10 [20.83%]
0 [0.00%]
0 [0.00%]
0 [0.00%]
0 [0.00%]
This topic is closed, no new votes accepted

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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2587 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Towing Speed
    Posted: 09 Apr 2020 at 1:12pm
After distracted driving, speeding is the most common cause of accidents according to the National Safety Council.  They are followed by drunk driving. 

Though driving significantly below the flow of traffic also poses a danger, the accidents are generally the result of faster drivers' inattention and failure to take appropriate action.  One of the most basic rules of safe driving is drive no faster than your ability to avoid an accident.  Granted, some people do not have the physical reaction ability to drive appropriately and they shouldn't be given licenses.  But, driving faster than one's ability to manage an emergency maneuver is dangerous, especially with a trailer.  Who is to blame, the person driving within the speed limit or the person breaking the law?  In all the cases I ever defended, the one driving within the rules won.  
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Apr 2020 at 11:05am
Unfortunately some of those speed limits are pretty laughable. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone tow at 55 in VA for example. I prefer saving fuel and towing at 60-62 but I’ll choose safety over economy. If I’m holding up traffic that is more stressful and unsafe than just driving at 65-67 closer to the normal flow of traffic in the right lane. Frequently there is no good alternative route, uncontrolled access two lane highways are much less safe than the interstates if there is significant traffic.
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2587 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Apr 2020 at 10:36am
Thanks, StephenH for the link.  Good to see most everyone prefers to drive in the range of the states' speed limits.  
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Fred & Maria Kearney
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Apr 2020 at 10:03am
Okay, I misunderstood. With two lanes in each direction, I still drive 60. If I felt it was unsafe, I would take an alternate route. It is also best to check each state's laws regarding towing. You would be surprised to see that the Interstate speed limit is well above the legal towing speed for a number of states.
StephenH
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2587 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Apr 2020 at 9:51am
In congested traffic on a freeway with 2 lanes in each direction, 70 -75 is simply too fast for conditions.  If something happened requiring an evasive maneuver, such as a dangerous object falling from a truck, you'd be SOL.  Unfortunately, big rig drivers, often under pressure to arrive on a schedule or being paid by the mile, drive way, way too fast.  I have represented many truckers in accident cases and uniformly there are issues of impaired driving on their part; either distracted driving, drugs like amphetamines, lack of sleep (cheating the tattletale), or excessive speed for conditions.  

Offgrid's suggestion that taking a different route or traveling out of peak hours is a good idea.  The other thing we can all do, is try to give the big rigs lots of room and to help them with lane changes by making space for them to get by.
Never leave footprints behind.
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Apr 2020 at 8:36am
To be clear, by 4 lanes I meant two in each direction. On I81 that can lead to a long backup of trucks in the slow lane trying to pass me. I like to avoid that by either taking a different route or by travelling early in the morning but it's not always possible. 
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Apr 2020 at 8:24am
I still tow at 60 mph. With 4 lanes, there is plenty of room for the faster traffic to get by. Of course, I am in the right lane unless there is an uphill and the semi's are running even slower than I am. That is one of the few times I pass anyone.
StephenH
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Apr 2020 at 7:29am
I'm noticing that folks' preferred towing speeds are lower that I expected. 

Just curious if actual towing speeds on the interstates are higher. I like 60 when I can do it safely but when I tow on I81 (the main 4 lane freeway through my area), the traffic on which is frequently wall to wall semis running at 70-75+, I pick up my speed to the high 60's. Being a road boulder on a congested interstate can be dangerous for everyone.
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Posts: 62 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Apr 2020 at 11:03am
Drag increases with the square of the velocity. If you increase your speed from 60 mph to 66 mph (i.e., 10%), your drag increases 21% (going from 60 to 66 mph is a 10% increase or 1.1 times your original speed; and 1.1 squared is 1.21 which means your drag is 1.21 times what it was at 60 mph). The greater your speed the bigger the parachute you are towing.

So,tow slow amigo.
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Posts: 85 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 2020 at 2:16pm
Because of all the knowledge I have gleaned from here I try to keep it at 65 and it will creep up from there to about 70 so I put my vote in there. 
However if I set the cruise control at 65 I know I am just a tad under so I shoot for just under and accept just a bit over 65.
I plan on upgrading tires before any long trips. 
Tearless Tom
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