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Topic ClosedGas mileage while towing R-pod 151

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john in idaho View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Gas mileage while towing R-pod 151
    Posted: 25 Mar 2020 at 10:13am
I have driven that route many times.  The Hammet hill really sucks the gas.  I have found my Ram PU gets between 9 and 13.  Check the speed rating for your tires - you will be amazed at how low the top speed is.  I now have E load rated tires with a speed rating of the mid 70s.  I like a little cushion for safety.
My truck seems to like 62 mph.  You never have to pass anyone and the road is always clear in front of you.  Don't try to speed up going uphill.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Mar 2020 at 10:24am
Thanks john! 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Mar 2020 at 10:45am
Originally posted by StephenH

...When we were driving out west with an 80 mph speed limit, I was still driving at 60 mph. That paid off when we had our accident in Wyoming. It turns out that the legal towing speed limit in Wyoming is 60 mph, so I was not cited when we hit the ice with the crosswind. It was written up as unavoidable.

I'd be curious as to what the consensus is regarding driving 70-75mph while towing.  I keep it at/under 65 (less in a crosswind) based on recommendations from users on another forum.
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Mar 2020 at 10:52am
60-62 for me, faster just burns fuel for a slight time savings. I'm not in a hurry anyway. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Mar 2020 at 11:06am
If you do a search for towing speed limits, there is a wide variety of speed limits by states. Some, like California, NY and NJ have a 55 mph towing speed limit. That seems to be almost universally disregarded, especially on the Interstates with the exception of a few like me. I think it is dangerous to drive much faster anyway. If you think that 5th wheels are immune to sway, then you havent' see some of the videos I have which almost always end badly. One thing that I can say about our 'Pods is that the lower, wider stance makes them a bit better in crosswind situations, especially if one has a good WD hitch with sway control or other manual or electronic sway control.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Mar 2020 at 11:21am
55 for me, unless I have a big rig riding my tail, then I may go up to 56, due to the push of air from behind.  

For our maiden voyage returning from Las Vegas to home, through a nasty storm with awful headwinds all the way, we still got 14 mpg, according to the truck's computer.  Right now the computer says we're getting 24.1 mpg, but that doesn't include towing the trailer home from down south.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Mar 2020 at 1:45pm
For us, 55 is a bit on the slow side, and I push it, but not too much. I will usually split the difference between 55 and 60. Call it 57.5. Maybe a little faster or slower depending on traffic. I am definitely not in a hurry when I'm camping.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Mar 2020 at 3:45pm
I just set the cruise control at 55 and since it has a crash avoidance thingy, I just get out a good novel and get there when I get there.*  Wink

*[for those who tend to be literal, I'm just kidding.  I only read the Senate congressional record - it keeps me awake]
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Mar 2020 at 5:13pm
We keep our speed at 60 and our gas mileage doesn't drop that much.  Properly inflated tires helps too.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 11:37am
StephenH - Another subject - I'm 75 years old and concerned about traveling and having a flat - saw your axle riser 2 X 6 jacking block on another post. I would sincerely appreciate it you could provide a dimensioned sketch so that I can have one made up. I know that if I called AAA for road service that they would probably damage my axle attempting to help me.  ps looked at all your impressive R Pod modification - thanks, definately you are the Macgyver of the R Pod world!!!!
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