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Posts: 100 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: best tow speed?
    Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 5:26pm
Originally posted by ToolmanJohn


The 3.0L TDI engine could tow your pod at 80 mph easily if you had the nerves for it. But MPG would probably be down near 11.


My nerves aren't that steady! Shocked

I like the idea of 60mpg, subject to tire limits.  We'll see how it goes on these trips.  If anything notable occurs, I'll update this thread.
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Posts: 451 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 5:11pm
 If you want the best compromise of speed and mpg economy, then 55-60 will be great for the Q7 TDI.

 Faster than that and you are pushing a LOT of wind with the Pod, and MPG fall off. The 3.0L TDI engine could tow your pod at 80 mph easily if you had the nerves for it. But MPG would probably be down near 11.
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 9:01am
I'll put in another vote for 60, towing or not I get the best mpg there.  I keep it between 60-65 when towing.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 100 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 8:52am
Thanks to all for the comments. 

I hadn't thought about max speed limits for towing.  However, on reviewing the latest NHTSA publication on state speed limits, I can't find any reference to travel trailers.  Lots of restrictions on mobile homes (also named as house trailers) and wide/ oversize trailers, but nothing that seems to refer to R-pods. 

I appreciate Podster's comments on the tires;  I'm going to go check mine right now!  Thumbs Up

Best, Jim
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Posts: 37 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 2:42am
I'm another vote for 60. With the Equalizer adjusted properly I even felt comfortable passing other people on the passing lanes. At 60 I'm at 2350-2400 RPM and get about 13-14mpg with no head wind on level ground. The whole setup feels very stable.
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Posts: 148 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 12:34am
In some states 55 is the max if you're towing a trailer.  When I'm on the interstate, I like to go just above 60.  The speed limit for cars is 70, 60 for trucks.  That way I'm not being passed by the semi's, and the cars that want to go fast can go around me.  On any given day I rarely drive over 300 miles anyway, so a little faster isn't really saving any time.  And of course anything over about 55, your MPG drops way off.
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 12:04am
60mph, with occasional hits at 65mph. The majority of ST tires are rated at 65mph. I have ST tires, you may have LT tires. I'm not sure what the speed rating is for LT tires. 

My principle concern is safety and nothing else. Smile
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Posts: 38 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 11:50pm
I like 60 also. 
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Posts: 4518 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 10:54pm
Kind of a combination. It gets me best mpg, still lets you feel like you are covering some distance and
keeps it easy on the nerves towing. Especially going through traffic.
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Posts: 100 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 10:13pm
Leo, thanks for your reply.  Was that best in terms of MPG, towing experience, sway, happy family, etc.?  I'm thinking there is this infinite combination of factors that lead to "best speed," and hoped to hear about the experience to see where it all sorts out.

again, thanks!  Jim
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