Towing numbers

Recently moved from Seattle to phoenix. My setup is a 21 OR,2 in lift, 275s. The dogs and I totaled 500 lbs in weight,trailer was a uhaul 6x12, loaded down and Id guess weighing just over 4000 lbs total. The trip was 1500 miles.I averaged from 75-83mph, many times riding in 4th gear around 3800rpm, there were some decent flat spots i was running in 5th gear around 2300rpm. More hills and elevation than i was expecting, more than a few times i was wot around 5000rpm. I ran the cheapest gas 87 or 85. Air conditioning on the entire trip. Suprisingly averaged 11.7 mpg, I thought i was gonna see single digits. Truck ran great, plenty of power in the higher rpms.

 

That’s not bad. I wouldn’t like turning in 5k for any duration though. I know it’s fine as long as you have oil pressure.

 

I agree. I wouldn't want to run an engine at that RPM up a pass. There is no shame in going slow up a pass with the semis. One trip out to Moab a friend's Scout broke down, it wouldn't go faster than about 10 mph. We got it limped out the back way along the river until we hit I-70. Craig was tapped to be the haul vehicle since he had the most power and the longest wheelbase. He had his Cherokee's 4.0L in-line 6 bored and stroked from 4.0L to 4.8L. He went on to Alamosa and picked up a U-Haul. When he got back to us we found out the trailer wiring harness wasn't working so I followed behind to act as his brake and turn signals until we got to Alamosa. This picture is in Alamosa fixing the trailer wiring. Everything was fine until we got to Vail when the pass got steep and the air got thin. I told him just go slow. Best to make it back than deal with a second broken down vehicle. Things got real sporting after Frisco when we had to climb over the continental divide. We drove about 45 mph in the slow lane with the semis until the pass got really steep and we got over 10,000 feet when he had to slow down to 35. Not much O2 up there. It turns out the Scout had gotten a bee sucked into the gas line and clogged it just past the tank. Those Scouts have two side saddle tanks and we tried moving gas to the other tank but it was leaking like a sieve. These are the kinds of adventures you remember.

 

The manual recommends 65 MPH top speed when towing.

 

If your trailer is balanced and leveled properly and has good rubber there's no reason to keep it under 65 MPH if the tow vehicle is happy doing it. I just followed a friend towing a small enclosed trailer at 75MPH and he was pulling it with a 5th gen 4Runner SR5.

 

Bad things happen faster and with more intensity the faster you are moving.

 

I used to pull 80,000# loads of cattle at 75-80 MPH. As long as there aren't fools in cars around and you know what you're doing, it's perfectly safe.

 

You're right. Excessive speed has never been a factor in trailer sway.

 

I've never had sway control on any trailer I've pulled. It's just something that the dealers sell when in actuality having a level, properly load distributed trailer is the best way to eliminate sway.

 

I never said anything about needing a sway control hitch. Improper loading and speed are both factors. I've towed over 5K twice with my 4Runner. No problem either time. But, I kept the speed down and drove conservatively.

 

With a proper hitch setup speed as long as it is reasonable is not a factor in sway.

 

What's "reasonable" seems to be up for debate. I'll agree that it's situational. But, you'll never convince me that 80+ with a big, enclosed cargo trailer is reasonable.

 

I agree, 80 is pushing it.

 

Trailer sway is like death wobble on a motorcycle. Both are caused by improper set up and not by speed. That being said,
if there is a problem with geometry, speed will cause wobble or sway.

Some Harleys will go into the death wobble at normal highway speeds while a motorcycle that has proper geometry can safely go 2 or even 3 times that speed.

 

It handled it just fine, zero sway, and its a small trailer. If the engine would explode at 5k rpms it would be governed by toyota. This is one of the most reliable engines, and it loved every second of it.

 

I mean, unless the trailer tires are not rated for that speed (most are not)...

 

This, plus the fact that most trailer tires are rated for only 65MPH. Why risk it? Why burn up excessive gas? I mean, where ever I need to go, they can wait for me to arrive.

 

Agreed. I just don't get the mentality of towing and being in a rush.

 

Conduct a test and do a full-on panic stop from 80 mph and get back to us…….

 

OEM trailer tires are usually the cheapest that the manufacturer can get. I upgrade the tires ac a rule.

 

This seems like a good idea. Many of the members here have upgraded the 4Runner tires right away, mostly those whose 4Runner came with Dunlops. It seems logical to do the same for a trailer.

Of course, when renting a trailer, you're stuck with whatever is on there.

 

FYI, the manual specifies 87 minimum. Might be more important in a high stress situation like towing...

 

I drive and tow thinking what will happen. And fortunately for me, the outcome was only a close call for my Wife and I.
The I 15 in Northern Idaho, speed limit 80 MPH.
It was in the middle of the night. Our 4R towing a 6x10 enclosed cargo trailer w/electric brakes and we were only going 65 MPH.
I dimmed my high beams for oncoming truck traffic and as we continued for a few hundred feet more, I saw shadows in the driving lane.
With no time to swerve and at that speed, it could have been bad. So I was on the brakes hard, Anti-lock kept the 4R in line and the trailer brakes locked up. We slowed from 65 to 30 as we just missed a bull Elk and 2 cows. We passed the bull and 1 cow on our left by a couple of feet and the 2nd cow just out of the driving lane to our right.
I have and still do trust good electric brakes on trailers of any size. I do what I do to protect my family and others around me.

Others... well

 

The used military trailer I bought came with cracked 30 year old bias ply tires (with tubes!). I nursed that sucker home and switched to a Firestone AT tire asap.

Heading to southern Utah next week where if I remember correctly the speed limit on some stretches of the interstate is 80mph. You'll find me sitting in the right lane with the semi's humming along at 65mph, enjoying the scenery.

 

Guys don't you realize that if you drive 80 mph instead of 65mph, that's 15 miles per hour - and driving for 1000 miles that adds up to like three additional pit stop burritos that you're gonna have to expel out of your body within that time frame

I stuck to 55mph in s4 like a little witch towing my tiny sedan

 

I do realize this. That's why when I'm driving to Florida I'm pretty much at 80 plus the entire time. But, I make it a point not to be in a hurry when I'm towing.

 

I made my wife absolutely crazy last time we did some towing across several states. It was the smallest UHaul, 4x8 cargo trailer, so I was okay going about 70ish, but she was getting pretty annoyed at getting passed by semi's and Super Duty's hauling giant trailers.

And for some reason, repeating"no hurries, no worries" didn't placate her. Made her even angrier, in fact, go figure.

 

My Wife and I are in the camp of "no need to speed" when there is so much to see out our side windows.
With a few exceptions, in heavy congestion in the larger cities like Vegas & SLC, we are hyper aware of bad, non-signaling lane changers and inattentive drivers on their devices.
We really don't care if some of the other drivers are trying to make up time because that's on them. Just don't get us involved in your BS.

 

Fortunately, it's usually pretty easy not to get involved. Just stay in the slow lane and let them have the passing lane. That's what I do when I'm not in a hurry.

 

If the trailer brakes are operating properly and the trailer is set up properly, I would expect the rig to stop straight without any drama.

The secret is to not allow oneself to get into a panic stop situation. That also means not driving beyond what is prudent. 80 MPH on dry pavement without heavy traffic on straight level highway would be prudent. In other situation it would not.