Some thoughts on driving....

boathealer · August 21

So, we are 1100 miles into a 6-week 2500 mile trip. FL to northern VA so far. When we started, I decided to commit to drive only 60mph on the highway. Here's what happened....

* Trailer tire temps (TPMS) are lower
* GMC Canyon tow vehicle gets 17-19 mpg instead of 14-15
* Transmission temps down 5 degrees
* ......and OMG 🤯 what an EASY drive! Sitting in the far right lane, just relaxing! No white knuckle passing, weaving in and out, etc. It was very liberating. So far, in 1100 miles, I have passed TWO cars and slowed down 3 times for on-ramp vehicles.

This adds approximately 10min per hour travel time, but is well worth it -- for me....

Bayliss · August 21

Agreed, @boathealer. Sometimes, I will bump it up to 65 mph (depends on the traffic), but I prefer 55-60 mph. I have the Goodyear Endurance tires and they have been great.

TourDeForth · August 21

I’m at about 1400 miles on a roadtrip from California to New Mexico, my mileage efficiency drops significantly above 60 mph even more so above 65. I’d love to cruise around at 60 mph but on the two lane roads I become a nuisance for the truckers, I feel bad about that. I’ll take a turnout if I see one or pick up the pace and go 65 until I can let them by…

AnOldUR · August 21

TourDeForth said:

I’d love to cruise around at 60 mph but on the two lane roads I become a nuisance for the truckers, I feel bad about that.

Like @Bayliss, I like 55 to 60 mph. I tell myself that it's a speed limit. It's not the required speed. It's not the speed your entitled to drive at. It's certainly not my responsibility to assist in someone's desire to break the law.

It's hard to understand why this has gotten so out of control. Why speed limits are not enforced. Why we all don't drive a few mph under the limit to lessen the chance of going over. I guess it's just me showing my age.

All that said, I'm like you. I feel guilty about holding up traffic and do my best to find ways to let it by. I would rather drive on an interstate where I can cruise in the right lane than a back road two lane with a 60+ mph speed limit.

elbolillo · August 21

With our 2024 Sequoia and '23 Tab 400 we generally run at 65mph, unless we are in California, where the limit is 60mph. We do our best to keep as much to ourselves on the interstate. Although we regularly deal with people just sitting right on our tail.

Cherokee · August 21

With 281 ft/lb of torque to pull a 320 Boondock. 65mph seems to be the sweet spot. We've done several cross country trips and not having the stress of semi's climbing up our rear bumper is worth the pence of fuel we would save with our under-stressed rig

pthomas745 · August 21

I set my cruise control at 62 or so and just go. If semis want to pass, please be my guest. They are pros. They see much worse than whatever I'm doing on the road!

I always feel the flip side of most "what tow vehicle do I need" threads is the "why is my gas mileage so bad?" Slowing down is always a good strategy if you decided larger vehicle was proper for your needs.

I live near the coast in California, and while driving east towards NM it is a long slow climb. My gas mileage is always a bit lower climbing up....and I always notice improved mileage coming home on that long slow decline.

manyman297 · August 21

I hate to admit it and I claim some ignorance at the time but when we bought our 400 in 2021 I drove it back from the dealer doing 75-80…way too fast obviously.

I then soon realized you really shouldn’t be driving that fast and kept my speeds below 65-70. Like you said, the right lane is so relaxing and I gained back a couple of MPGs.

Binghi · August 22

elbolillo said:

With our 2024 Sequoia and '23 Tab 400 we generally run at 65mph, unless we are in California, where the limit is 60mph. We do our best to keep as much to ourselves on the interstate. Although we regularly deal with people just sitting right on our tail.

Actually, the speed limit in California for vehicles towing trailers is 55 mph. But like Sammy Hagar, I can’t drive 55!

elbolillo · August 22

Binghi said:

elbolillo said:

With our 2024 Sequoia and '23 Tab 400 we generally run at 65mph, unless we are in California, where the limit is 60mph. We do our best to keep as much to ourselves on the interstate. Although we regularly deal with people just sitting right on our tail.

Actually, the speed limit in California for vehicles towing trailers is 55 mph. But like Sammy Hagar, I can’t drive 55!

You are correct!! I don't know why I wrote 60. :-)

tphaggerty · August 25

59 to 62 with the Ridgeline tv. Over 40k miles towing our 400. Never had an issue with other drivers but I make an effort to use pullouts and let others pass safely. Seems to keep me and the Ridgeline nice and relaxed.

Bill&Suze · August 25

It's gratifying to read that quite a few other T@B owners choose to cruise around 60 mph. On the first trip we took with our 400 BD I decided that 60 would be best for our situation, seeing as how our TV is a Kia EV9. EVs drain batteries quickly at higher speeds so we compromise speed for better range. As others have commented, it's also more relaxing.

RTWCTS · August 25

We’re towing on I70 in Maryland and just got passed by a school bus…

gkreitzburg · August 25

I think this will have a lot to do with your TV. We have a tundra and it doesn't even feel like you are towing anything; but if you have a smaller vehicle it is definitely more comfortable around 60. We tend to run a little over 65, but never up to 70 unless passing briefly.

rcarlson1957 · August 25

Normally never more than 65 for us on the interstate and if speed limit is 65 we drop down to 60. But find the best drives are the back roads at 50-55. Better gas mileage, more time to react, more relaxing and plenty more to see, explore and discover. But we're retired and don't have to be anywhere so we can take our time anyway.

Jay_and_Kat · August 26

I generally keep to 60, maybe 65 sometimes and get nervous going to 70 occasionally when I need to pass someone (most often a semi that might be restricted.) It's not worth the increase in my blood pressure to go faster and it's not like the campground is going to go anywhere before we get there (or after...)

Maxcamp · November 17

We prefer to match the prevailing speed of the highway, mostly 75 mph these days. In construction zones or on bad surfaces make liberal use of warning flashers if we're slower than others.

Going slow triggers frequent incidents of tailgating and swerve-passers nearly clipping. We replaced my old 4 cylinder work truck as it couldn't handle towing up grades and the slow driving led to scary behavior by other drivers both east coast and rural west.

Tacoma 6 cylinder automatic now.
75 mph in S mode 4th gear, ECM on, is about 3100 rpm-- right in the torque band. We get 13 mpg highway towing, 17 without tab. 11 mpg towing in eastern mountains. 5th gear 2300 rpm is only usable down long steep hills, 6th gear 1200 rpm is literally never used.

Installed Scangauge III to monitor engine and temperature stats, and installed transmission aftercooler and pinned transmission thermostat open.
Change oil at 3500 miles and flush transmission oil at 40k.

YoloCamper · November 17

gkreitzburg said:

I think this will have a lot to do with your TV. We have a tundra and it doesn't even feel like you are towing anything; but if you have a smaller vehicle it is definitely more comfortable around 60. We tend to run a little over 65, but never up to 70 unless passing briefly.

Ditto for my long-bed Taco and 320. Tows great on the interstate around 65 but still feels good up to 70 if needed.

MuttonChops · November 18

Maxcamp said:
. . . match the prevailing speed of the highway, mostly 75 mph these days.
. . . Going slow triggers frequent incidents of tailgating and swerve-passers nearly clipping.

75 MPH- - - No Way for Me. Yes, I've done 85+ for short durations to get away from on-road situations and the TV+TAB were smooth and controlled - - - BUT - - - towing at those speeds is just not sane/safe IMHO. Reaction time is near zero and minor steering errors can cause major control problems.

I've also not experienced many tailgating or poor passing drivers in nearly 50K miles of towing. Can count on one hand the events . . . and since my rig was in the 60/64 MPH range defensive driving with full control was effortless.

Really question the wisdom of driving the full auto-posted speed limit with a trailer in tow. Many states (recommend since they don't seem to enforce) that all trailers follow the Truck Speed Limit {which semi-trucks also ignore}.

Just because a few 5th Wheels or other travel trailers & semi's are passing at the posted auto-speed-limit or well above it, does not mean it is a good idea. It only takes one minor error to end an otherwise great trip.

Zander360 · November 25

I also use the manual mode on my automatic, same as @Maxcamp (and transmission cooler)... Stay in 4th gear (out of 5), sometimes 5th if level or slight down grade. Overdrive on automatics is good for gas mileage when not towing, but not good for transmission temps when towing. High transmission fluid temps kill transmissions.

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

Categories

Some thoughts on driving....

Comments