Towing Too Fast?

Watch this video.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data suggest that fatal rollover crashes are speed-related more often than fatal non-rollover crashes. Some 40% of fatal rollover crashes involved excessive speeding. Additionally, nearly three-quarters of fatal rollovers took place where the posted speed limit was 55 miles per hour or higher. NHTSA data also suggest that over 90 percent of the vehicles in fatal, single-vehicle rollover crashes were involved in routine driving maneuvers (going straight or negotiating a curve) at the time of the crash. This further suggests that driver behavior (distraction, inattentiveness, speeding and impaired driving) plays a significant role in rollover crashes.

As I browsed through some comments written on RV related forums, just about 99% claimed to drive no more than 65 MPH. I found only one that admitted to towing their 5th wheel up to 75 MPH.

As for me, I typically tow my 5th wheel at 58 MPH, which I found to be the sweet spot for my rig. From what I’ve read, we all have sweet a spot driving speed that is most economical for our tow vehicle. For some, when the speed limit was a low 55 MPH on the highway, the fuel consumption actually shot up. If you’ve driven enough miles on the road, you know, as well as I, that there are RVers driving more than 65 MPH. Many will tow their trailer the maximum posted speed limit (70-75 MPH) and some even more. Their fast driving is easily recognized because they pass some of us RVers like we’re standing still.

Is driving trailers more than 65 MPH a potential driving hazard?

Let’s look at some more facts.

• The number one most reported insurance claim is the result of RV damage received from sudden release of air from tires.
• RV Safety & Education Foundation data indicates that 58% of all RVs on the road exceed one or more weight safety ratings.
• As speed increases so does heat and the tire's structure starts to disintegrate and weaken.
• The load-carrying capacity gradually decreases as the heat and stresses generated by higher speed increases.
• Did you know that “ST” tires have a maximum speed rating of 65 mph? Personally, I wonder why states don’t set the maximum speed limit for drivers towing trailers to 65 MPH.

Here are some other points to consider when driving faster than 65 MPH.

• Greater stopping distance
• Increased driving fatigue
• Increased wear on your vehicles
• Lower miles per gallon (Costs more to get there)
• Decreased reaction time
• Increases the potential for unavoidable accidents
• Increases the risk of death during or after an accident

Here are some tips for your trips.

• Do most of your preparation the day before your planned travel.
• Plan your route and view it on internet satellite images from websites like Google Maps, if possible.
• Check the weather reports and road conditions for your route.
• Leave early in the day to allow time for a relaxed and less stressful trip.
• Drive no faster than your tow vehicle’s economical sweet spot. (From what I’ve read, sweet spots typically are in the range of 55-65 MPH.)
• Driving a bit slower than the highway traffic on 4 or more lane highways results in less lane changes.
• Keep plenty of distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you.
• Get a good night’s rest before you leave on your trip. (That includes your partner as well.)
• Conduct a full walk-around of your vehicles.
• Check for correct tire pressure in your vehicle’s tires!
• The partner needs know how to drive the rig!
• Avoid distracted driving such as talking or texting on your cell phone or anything else that would keep you from being alert to the driving conditions.

As you saw in the video above, the driver appeared to be driving at a moderate speed during the windy conditions. Nevertheless, he was driving too fast. Perhaps he really shouldn’t have been on the road at all during the windy conditions. After seeing the video, I certainly will never drive again in high winds as I so stupidly did two years ago across I-80 in Wyoming during 50+ MPH wind gusts. I encourage you, if you have a tendency to drive faster than 65 MPH on the highways, make a  promise to slow down. Look to your partner and make that promise to him or her right now.

Always make safety your chief priority on the road.

Copyright © 2012, Dave Gray, Reprint by permission only.