View Full Version : How fast do you typically tow on a highway?
Dave in Mpls
12-06-2001, 03:00 PM
Hawgeye
12-06-2001, 03:45 PM
This is an interesting poll. I am a 63-67 guy on good interstate roads but tend to be nervous to pull too fast. It is hard on transmissions, equipment in and on the boat not to mention the rocks and bugs that like to damage the finish. I try to force myself to keep it around 60 when I think of it.
I also agree this is a very interesting poll. I voted for 55 to 60. This is fast enough for anyone pulling a trailer.Besides I don't need any speeding ticket and putting myself and someone elses life in danger because of my stupidity. I would rather spend the money on fishing not on some foolish speeding ticket. Guess who's going to get the last laugh out of you the insurance co. Up goes your ins. rates. Ray
Magic
12-06-2001, 05:49 PM
I live in MT and there's lots of miles between home and any walleye water. I voted 75+, that Dodge Cummins pulling the Ranger 619 has no problems doing that, even up MT mountains. Made it to Green Bay RCL with the boat from here in 16 hrs, 1250 miles.
CJHughes@Norstan.com
12-06-2001, 05:56 PM
72 mph with or without the boat . The Ohio State Highway will not stop you for 72 pretty much ,anything over and you are asking for a ticket. I have never had a tire on anything blow .
firebird
12-06-2001, 07:23 PM
Around here it makes a difference what the highway is. 4 lane vs 2 lane. I've seen both on all road types.
Bad Finger
12-06-2001, 07:45 PM
I run hwy 35 north from St Paul to "Up North" spots all summer. The speed limit is 70. (2 lane hiway in each direction) I keep it at 70...period! Fast enough for me. Never had a problem with tires. Neither Titans or Goodyear.
voted for 70-75
I too keep it no more than 70. I run a pretty light load in the boat and have Load C tires. The heavier the load, the more heat. The lower the tire pressure, the more the sidewall will be riding the pavement. Talk about tough on tires...It's amazing how much a tire flexes out when at full speed.
Safety is key out there, but if you are going slower than all of the other traffic, YOU are the hazard. I would say, if you don't keep up with traffic and travel well below the pace, you need to get off the highway and take back roads.
On the interstate, I usually set the cruise at 73 MPH, the speed limit being 75. On regular highways, I usually do 62-65 MPH, speed limit being 55-65, depending what state I'm in.
RANGER
12-07-2001, 08:01 AM
I voted for the 65 to 70 range. That is the speed limit (65) on our Interstates here and if you travel at a lesser speed there are a lot of people that think your IQ is "1"!
The only exception is when I go to Canada. Going around Toronto, on the by-pass QEW, 427/401/400, If you ain't doing 80+ mph (not km), bumper to bumper, 6 to 8 lanes wide your DEAD!! That is one of the scariest places to pull a boat I have ever been in!!
Smitty
12-07-2001, 02:32 PM
I voted in the 65-70 range, assuming on Interstate highways. On State/County highways it's 55-60.. I might run up to 71-72 if on an interstate where the limit is 70, but that's about it.
Den (MI)
12-07-2001, 04:39 PM
All this talk of towing speed reminded me, in Michigan, the speed limit for all cars/trucks towing a trailer is 55 mph, unless you have
ELECTRIC brakes. I did'nt believe this either untill a state trooper showed it to me in his rule book. Still I tow at about 65, I'm afraid the tranny in my Dodge wont take much more.