I punched 'speed limit' into the towing category and read those posts. My thrust is a bit different so I've started a new thread...
This past July, I drove from Anchorage, AK to Clifton, NJ. While I wasn't able to weigh the rig in its final form, I did have full water and gas tanks. I was about 300 lbs under the GVW. I'm guessing I added about 150 lbs after that weigh when I actually did the trip. So, a 150 lbs safety cushion as far as that is concerned.
But the rig was darn slow. Given enough time, I'm sure I could get up to whatever the speed limit was but in the western states, MT, WY, NE & IA particularly, I never did: I had no need to get anywhere fast and the money spent on gas was a bigger concern. I think I probably passed 5 people on the trip (people passing me? zillions!)
But going that slow on the interstates was frequently scary, especially the time when a big rig first started moving into my lane about 20 feet too early and I had to slam the brakes to avoid getting splattered over Nebraska (I think--kinda fuzzy now--maybe Iowa).
Even before that incident, I was driving the US highways but there were some cases when that just wasn't an option for one reason or another.
So what should I do? What I HAVE been doing is not taking the trailer anyplace but that's not a whole lot of fun. I did want to take a trip this fall but I gotta admit, it scares me. It would envolve the NY Thruway where people seem to be maniacal on general principal.
I was thinking of putting some kind of message on the back of the trailer but couldn't figure out what would be short enough to read and long enough to really say something meaningful.
What do you think?
Andy Tejral
Anchorage, AK
2000 Tacoma 4-banger
2003 Chalet Aspen
jauguston wrote: It sounds like you have more RV than RV driving skills. These things don't drive like a car!!
Jim
I've been driving this rig for 4 years--all over Alaska. Many trips to Fairbanks, Seward, Homer...
Driving the Alaska Highway was a blast! But I frequently wouldn't see another vehicle for minutes--you could see probably 20 miles in either direction and not see anybody. Nice!
But the traffic is a little different on the Interstate... Heck, there are probably more people on the NJ Turnpike right now than live in Alaska.
That being the case it is just going to take a little time for you to get used to the mob scene. Driving a RV on US highways is a brutal sport not for the faint of heart. You will get used to it (-:
If traffic gets heavy, I speed up to stay with it. Otherwise I do 55 mph. If you CAN'T do that, perhaps your TV really is too underpowered, even if you are within its tow limits. A dog is a dog.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Lovely German Shepherd.
1999 Mercedes ML320 TV
2003 Wanderer 187TB Toybox (3620# UVW, 4800# loaded) Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories. I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
We drive 56 mph trying to get as much mileage out of our gas hog as possible. We get passed a lot and I generally flash my lights when I think is OK for the big rigs to pull back into my lane. The truck pulling in too soon may have been accidental or the driver was sending a message.
Don't let one trucker ruin your RVing but you might want to consider upgrading to a larger TV, not for speed but ease of towing.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
Someone sent me a PM with good questions, I'll copy them here.
Quote: What is your definition of driving the speed limit or what speed are you comfortable driving on inner state highways? What specific types of driving situations make you most uncomfortable? How long is your rig?
In the western states of which I speak, the speed limts are up to 75 MPH. But there is no way you are going to convince me that driving 75 is safer than 55.
Yes, my rig is actually capable of the speed limit--in fact, due to the torque/HP range it would be EASIER to maintain those speeds. RPMs in the 2000-2500 range give me 60-65 MPH but that is a fairly low 'power' range of the engine. I dunno the exact numbers but peak power is close to the redline of 6k(?) but gas mileage drops off dramatically.
Alas, I found out about the Scan Gauge device too late to purchase one for the trip--would have been nice. I love that thing now.
The entire rig is about 40'. Roughly 20'+20'. Yes, I agree that the difference in speed is the important factor but think about this--I've got a 20' 'crumple zone' behind me. In a speed difference related collision, its obviously a rear-ender I need to be concerned with.
Yes, my rig is actually capable of the speed limit--in fact, due to the torque/HP range it would be EASIER to maintain those speeds. RPMs in the 2000-2500 range give me 60-65 MPH but that is a fairly low 'power' range of the engine. 3000-3500 results in a higher 'power' factor but gas mileage drops off dramaticly.
Tell you what, after this trip I have NO sympathy for truckers who complain about fuel prices--if you can't make money at 55 mph, that's something different.
Again, since I had no (will have no) timetable, I've got no problem with doing 55. I feel uncomfortable at 65 and definately unsafe at 75--that's just me and that setup--I just bought a '85 Porsche 944 which drives the same at 80 as it does at 30. I'm a little less concerned about a rollover in the 944 too.
Tell you what: a certain part of my anatomy starts to pucker when I see a string of big rigs driving 75mph 10' apart--those people should NOT be driving. Seeing that makes me slow down MORE to put more distance between them and me.
Due to the same power factors, I frequently had to drop to fourth or even third gear on hills result in speeds of 45 mph which I believe is the legal minimum on interstates (?).
I did flash my headlights when passed but very few truckers acknowledged or even used that information. Obviously that one guy couldn't wait that long. I really think I was being a responsible driver: One guy had a wide load sticking of the right hand side--I moved to the left lane to let him pass.
Now that I have an 'economy' car (hey, its only got 4 cylinders!), I'm considering a Tundra for the trailer but even if I just use it for trailer trips, I'll be using more gas. I don't feel that is environmentally responsible.
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