What speed

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Dennis

Dennis

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Jun 4, 2004
316
Macgregor Venture 222 trailer
I was just wondering at what speed some of you cruise while trailering. I live near a highway and man some the boaters literally fly by while towing. I usually pull at about 60 even though I could go faster. Ive seen some going 80 and even if they have trailer brakes, how would they ever stop in time for any emergency?
 
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PY charlie

7200 lbs Boat

( I usually pull at about 60 even though I could go faster. ) Even with good trailer brakes, 65 mph is about tops for me here in Ohio. With my 1977 rig I will stop shorter with the boat on the trailer than trailer empty. I have never had to be in a panic stop mode. This is most likely because of my normal driving habits. Some of the things I do is drive the speeds of the traffic. At 55 mph I find that the traffic speed will be about 61 mph, Interstates
 
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Pat McCartin

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Jun 3, 2004
347
Hunter 30_74-83 Lake Lanier, GA
Depends...

I've towed at 80-90 when towing light, 3000# or so. 9000+ slows me down to about 65-70. I have trailer brakes and am towing with a new 3/4 ton diesel. Then again I'm down south where speed limits are advisory. Pat
 
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Louis Holub

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Jun 17, 2005
197
- - Kemah, Texas
NO need to speed...

Towing my MacGregor 26-X at around 55 M.P.H. is as comfortable and safe a speed that I deal with. Its too dangerous trying to go fast when one has only ONE AXLE. One blow out...and THINGS can get HAIRY quick. Happy Sailing....
 
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Big Windy

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Jun 2, 2004
1,077
Several Catalinas C25/C320 USA
Speed

I'm sure glad you are in Georgia, Pat, IMHO you tow way too fast to be anywhere near safe. I've towed with a 3/4 ton too, now I pull a 25' travel trailer...no where near that fast.
 
picklefreek

picklefreek

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Jan 22, 2008
117
Oday 23 Winnisquam lake
I Pass Pat...

Not really, but I pulled a O22 from NJ to NH this weekend. A lot lighter then my O23, and I was doing 80 no problem and stopping fine too. No surge brakes with that trailer. 2000 lbs with a 3/4 ton truck, can't even tell its there. With my O23, which is 1000lbs heavyier, I can tell she is there, but with a 2005 trailer good for 4700lbs and good new brakes, I still have no problem doing 80. I think no matter what you are pulling, you just have to remember that you are pulling something and to give plenty of room between you and the car in front on you. Yes, you can't go 80 tailgating, that is trouble waiting to happen, weather you are pulling a trailer or not!
 
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Warren

Tow Speed

60-65 seems about right, Check tires & wheel bearing before the trip.....very important! Stop and check the tires & bearing for excessive heat every 150 miles or so. If you have an outboard, put some form of cushioning between the shaft and mounting bracket, tie the motor down....don't let the motor slam up & down. Good Luck!
 
Tim Welsh

Tim Welsh

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Jun 4, 2004
167
- - Conway, Lake Ouachita, Arkansas
60 is the max for me

About 60 is the max. That is what the permits I have to have say also. It's uncomfortable at any speed over that. Of course I'm towing 17,000 pounds (boat and trailer). It's a hunter 34. Next haul I do will be from Arkansas down south to the Gulf for a three month ciesta.
 
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Big Windy

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Jun 2, 2004
1,077
Several Catalinas C25/C320 USA
Towing

You guys that tow might enjoy the RV forum. These guys tow heavy duty rigs...up to 12,000 on a pull behind and 16 - 18,000 fifth wheels. On average I think the max speed is around 60. Sure they are pulling with 1 ton diesel duallies and can go faster...but don't. http://www.rv.net/forum/
 
Larry Wilson

Larry Wilson

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Nov 23, 2004
281
Columbia 8.7 Super wide body Deltaville(Richmond)VA
Towing speed

I have a trailer that I've used to haul three different boats. The first was a bare hull, no bulkheads,about 4000 lbs plus the trailer weight, about 1500lbs. 1200 miles across the mountains, in the snow from Missouri to Virginia. We were towing with a Ford F 150 small v-8. The rig was most stable at 65 or 70. I pulled a Canadian Sailcrafter27 75 miles a couple of weeks ago with the same truck and trailer, about 6000 lbs plus the trailer. It was most stable at 55 to 60. Depends on the weight,tongue weight, and wind resistance. I'm sure that I'd have ulcers if I'd tried 80 mph from Missouri, although plenty of trucks towing boats passed us doing at least that.
 
Echo Gulf

Echo Gulf

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Apr 4, 2004
78
Catalina 30 Ladysmith
Maintain traffic flow

Until very recently (now selling her to move up)I was towing a Catalina 27 with a Chev 1 ton dually powered by a 6.5 turbo diesel. Combined weight (boat and trailer) is 9000 lbs. I can comfortably cruise at 60 to 70 mph. Because of the oversized brakes on all four wheels, I can come to a controlled panic stop easily within the same distance that the truck would stop in without a load.
 
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Pat McCartin

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Jun 3, 2004
347
Hunter 30_74-83 Lake Lanier, GA
Might have been...

Like Chris and Echo said, there are many variables in the towing equasion. I normanly drive about 30,000 miles a year and 60% are towing something. Being a resopnsible driver towing is all about being aware of your souroundings while on the road. I've intentionaly neglected leaving out my 10years of SCCA racing and drivers schools because it only maters in regard to vehicle dynamics. Pat
 
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Bian

55 MPH

In California, if you are towing any type of trailer, the max. speed limit is 55 mph and they will ticket you. One 170 owner even got a ticket this spring for not being in the far right lane. Brian
 
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Roger

60 mph

I towed my 1994 Mac S from Boulder, CO to KC last summer....650 miles. Having never towed this boat before, and having borrowed the SUV, I varied my speed from 50mph to 70mph the first 50 miles trying to find the "best feel" for the boat trailor and SUV. Everything seemed to settle down at 60mph so thats where I kept it for a pleasent drive the next 10hrs.
 
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Wright Ellis s/v WhiskyII

Another thing to remember

While your speedo says your truck tires are going 60 mph, those smaller trailer tires are rotating as if they are at warp speed. Their wheel bearings aren't anything special so don't leave them out of consideration in factoring for safety.
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
I was behind

a truck operated by the local phone company yesterday and promenently painted next to the towing hitch was a statement . Maximun towed weight 5000 Pounds with electric brakes! And this on a F-450 series truck.
 
Echo Gulf

Echo Gulf

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Apr 4, 2004
78
Catalina 30 Ladysmith
Hitch limits"

Ross, what you may have seen is the limitations of the hitch or trailer ball. I know that when I started to tow our C27 with our present truck I had to change the draw bar and trailer ball, both of which were rated for only 6000 lbs (which appears to be the standard sold at most chain automotive stores), while the truck hitch was rated for 16000lbs. EG
 
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