Max hwy speed towing your yami?

[Ibeflyinhigh]

What kind of speeds do you run on the freeway/highway?
Driving in Texas where the speed limit is 75 I found myself running low 80s on the flats. I felt my boat started coming apart at that speed. My window moulding started completely peeling off and slapping around. The zipper on my bimini keep running down. After multiple stops to fix stuff I dropped down to 70ish and all seemed good.

 

[haknslash]

Speed rating is on the sidewall for whatever tires you have.

That being said I never exceed 70 and usually tow 60-65.

Only drive as fast as you’re willing to deal with an issue. 80 is way too fast.

 

[2kwik4u]

I usually set the cruise at 3-4mph below the limit, and hang out in the slow lane. I've seen as high as 85, but avoid that at pretty much all costs.

Speeding is expensive. Costs you fuel, tickets, wear/tear on your equipment, safety factor on stopping distance, and a whole myriad of other things.

 

[HangOutdoors]

70ish max - usually 65. Slow lane, unless I need to pass the person in front of me who is texting and watching video's on their phone. Set the cruise control and go. Would hate for something to happen to the boat or lose control of it and hurt someone else.

 

[Babin Farms]

Kinda depends on the tow vehicle & experience IMO. If your tow vehicle is at or close to max tow capacity I would err on the side of caution and be going slower due to the fact your vehicle is probably lighter & more apt to losing control if a trailer tire blows, the smaller vehicles brakes are just that, smaller so it’s going to take more time to stop the faster your going and if you have to swerve abruptly to dodge something in the road there is a greater chance of the lighter tow vehicle losing control. Ultimately it is up to the driver and what you are comfortable doing with your vehicle & trailer load. I’m used to towing a lot heavier (20k)loads at 70+mph speeds with my truck so it’s not that big of a deal for me but someone who’s only experience towing is the boat trailer might be more cautious due to just inexperience.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

Towed a pair of sparks quite a distance, I actually kinda phased out they were back there and hit close to 100mph.

Hard to forget the Yamaha back there, usually 75tops but I refuse to go under the speed limit which is 70 in most of Florida.

 

[Ibeflyinhigh]

Towed a pair of sparks quite a distance, I actually kinda phased out they were back there and hit close to 100mph.

Hard to forget the Yamaha back there, usually 75tops but I refuse to go under the speed limit which is 70 in most of Florida.

It's hard when the speed limit is 75 because all the semis run 75 to 80 and are constantly riding my a$$ running me over. That's how I ended up going 80 ish.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

It's hard when the speed limit is 75 because all the semis run 75 to 80 and are constantly riding my a$$ running me over. That's how I ended up going 80 ish.

Yeah driving on the interstate is frustrating. You try to stay at the speed limit in the far right lane and you still get ran over, and then you'll run into someone doing 50 in a 70. OR your doing 90 in the fast lane and both those things happen.

 

[haknslash]

Don’t worry what others are doing on the interstate. Drive defensively like those may-pops might pop. If people have to go around you or tail gate then that is their problem. 70 mph is not the minimum speed limit on the interstate. Let it be their problem or you could be frustrated when you overwork your trailer bearings, hubs or those skinny trailer tires. If you’ve ever had a blowout on a trailer while towing at speed I think you would understand how much of a butt pucker factor that becomes real quick when you least expect it. With a single axle tire setup I’d be extra cautious,

 

[PeterB]

@Ibeflyinhigh we had the Bimini cover unzip at low 70 speeds and it then tore the Bimini to shreds - so we now stow the Bimini in the boat on when towing long distance on the highway. I’ll generally run just over 70 on the straight flats. My diesel truck has engine braking so I’ve never felt unable to stop quickly when needed. The trailer has radials and has been adjusted to about 6-7% tongue weight and the truck has rear lift bags which keeps the truck level - makes a big difference in the steering at higher speeds

 

[Calphor]

We trailer ours to Lake Powell every year which involves I-15 and 80 mph speed limits. I typically run 70-75 while on the freeway. My Yukon doesn’t like to run faster than that while towing and the cover doesn’t either. We ended up having a custom Bimini cover made after the stock cover disappeared during an outing (on the water not the trailer). The thicker fabric and zipper hold up really well to the elements and speed.

 

[Bluewater272]

Usually just cruise at the speed limit (65-70). I've touched faster going around people before, but there's really no need to do it consistently. Just makes bad things happen faster - don't care how badass your truck is, you still need more distance to stop than everyone around you.

 

[Colonel Angus]

We cruise at 65 just to be safe

 

[dgfreeze]

Depends on the vehicle... '19 Durango RT is better suited for speed than my '06 Dodge Cummins, and stays amazingly stable and planted at speeds while towing. I got the Durango expecting it to be our backup tow vehicle for when I'm using the truck for the camper, but it's become the primary vehicle for the boat. Nearest freeway to me has a speed limit of 70, so I'm generally at 75mph. Long trip, I might hit 80 or so on a straight stretch with no traffic, but not really smart nor advisable. I'd have to say this is going to depend a LOT on the tow vehicle, and the size ratio of the boat to tow vehicle. I've seen morons with Honda SUV's towing boats way bigger than mine, and passing me up like I was standing still. As long as they don't have to swerve, stab the brakes, etc, they probably won't have a problem. They get home just fine, and consider it safe, since they just did it and didn't die. Lol

 

[Chevyguy2021]

We always try to balance being smart yet practical.
So if we ever have to get on the interstate (VERY RARE) we try to max be at 70mph which is the max speed limit on our local interstates. We stay in the very right slow lane and stay at 70 mph. Better fuel economy and easier to stop if I have too quickly.
Dont want to risk our 90k boat and 65k tow vehicle to rush somewhere or to save 5-10 minutes. No worth our lives, others lives, or property. Just my 2 cents. Planning is important (right tire pressure, level load, boat loaded correctly, leaving on time, etc)

 

[Elliott]

An import point to remember is: the weak link is the stability of the boat and trailer. Even a lesser towing vehicle can exert more braking force than the boat and trailer can handle (even with the trailer brakes - any trailer brakes). Similarly, a lesser towing vehicle can remain stable at higher rates of speed and/or taking turns/corners than the trailer can withstand.

The boat and trailer stability essentially is a constant that is not impacted much by the tow vehicle (excluding some obviously undersized/incapable towing vehicles). If you slam on the brakes while towing with a 1500 or a 3500 truck, the point (the level of force) at which control over the boat and trailer will be approximately the same. Similarly, taking a curve too fast in a 1500 or 3500 truck will result in loss of control over the boat and trailer at approximately the same speed.

If you think your tow vehicle can make the boat and trailer more stable due to its increased stability, ask yourself how your tow vehicle's increased stability is transmitted to the boat and trailer - what through the hitch (that thing that pivots side to side and up and down in wide arcs)?

 

[jdkaeser]

I'm a bit of a lead foot, especially on vacation where I know I'll be driving 500 - 1000 miles. I do between 75 - 90!! Never had an issue other than MPG's, my Ram with a V6 gets about 11MPG at that speed. If I drop her down to 65 I get closer to 18 MPG!! That is on the bias plys as well.

 

[anmut]

70mph on the nuts, in the slow lane on a 75 speed limit interstate. 60mph on the state highways. There's been a few times last year where I had to make a move to avoid something in the highway - slower speeds allow for more decision making and less damage if that decisions is "hit it."

 

[HangOutdoors]

There's been a few times last year where I had to make a move to avoid something in the highway - slower speeds allow for more decision making and less damage if that decisions is "hit it."

Well said!

 

[Tobes]

70-80 all day long. Put radials on the trailer when I first got it. I've run her to 100 on occasion when needing to pass interstate highway trolls. Tow with a Ram 1500 5.7L.