Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

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Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

March 25, 2022, 12:06:38 pm

Interested to know what you feel is a safe travel speed under GOOD road and weather conditions. I know we all make adjustments in speed based on many, many variables. I typically think 65 MPH is reasonable in GOOD conditions. My wife drives faster and I get after her for that. I noticed better fuel economy at 55 MPH though.

Thank you,

Matt

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #1 – March 25, 2022, 12:39:26 pm

Hi Matt; Just got back from the Morro Bay trip that included a side trip to Fresno and beach areas like Jalama and Refugio (the banner picture). It all depends on the road quality and surrounding traffic speeds. I find that about 62-64 is best for me. On the interstates Ca5 and Ca405 I might be up in the 68-70 range. Realistically heavy traffic, construction, and poor roads keep me down in the 50-55 speed range, especially in California.
A recent foray to New Mexico for the AIBF, pretty good road conditions, cool (easier on the tires) and not much traffic. Well not 'boring' but miles and miles of not much put my speeds up in the low 70's. I generally try to keep up with the more sedate trucker traffic. I do remember once coming back from Las Vegas and a stretch near Baker was being repaved, so the highway was a single lane where I felt I needed to keep up with the truckers. Hundreds of them single file were doing 85 mph. I wasn't about to be the 'one guy' slowing them down and there weren't any places to pull over. The LD did great at that speed and daylight conditions were good. Despite reports to the contrary I try to not exceed the speed limits in the LD. Because the E350 has a lower ratio differential than the E450's, that speed of 85 mph involves a lower RPM for the engine.
I feel that 55 might be a bit low, but recent gas prices might make that a more common speed. RonB

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #2 – March 25, 2022, 12:43:00 pm

Since we usually tow, our speed is normally between 58-62MPH, when running without the toad, 65 MPH is a good choice
Running any faster kills the already poor fuel economy, running at 55 at MPH, does provide better mileage.
With gas is at the $6+ a gallon, driving slower is a good way of protecting your wallet.

Running slower inside of California isn't a problem but once crossing the border into Arizona, it's disconcerting to be constantly passed by RVs, big semi-trucks and crew-cab diesel pickups pulling 40' trailers at 75 MPH or faster.
It sometimes almost feels like we are parked.

Larry

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #3 – March 25, 2022, 12:49:19 pm

I do notice some drivers tend to speed up a bit when passed by our rig.

Steve

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #4 – March 25, 2022, 01:03:45 pm

In the LD, 62 mph is my maximum speed, even in optimal road/traffic/weather conditions.

Even the short LD is a large, heavy vehicle; it does not respond like a car/SUV/pickup/van in any sort of emergency maneuver. It takes more time and distance to stop and it is more difficult to control in an evasive or defensive action and/or in the case of a blowout or other mishap. And, if one is towing, excessive speed increases the potential for disaster.

As always, YMMV. (An additional reason for backing off the throttle, particularly at $6 a gallon!

)

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #5 – March 25, 2022, 02:36:48 pm

I set my max at 67. Can't really say why as the vehicle still seems to be safe at those speeds.

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #6 – March 25, 2022, 02:47:21 pm

"Can't really say why as the vehicle still seems to be safe at those speeds."
---
My concerns are not that the rig itself might not be "safe", but that some unexpected road/driving/weather/other condition or event would most likely be better dealt with at a lower speed.

YMMV.

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #7 – March 25, 2022, 03:14:06 pm

Our GPS always shows speed 2/3 miles per hour slower then our Ford speedometer.

So we usually run about 67 miles per hours with the Ford Speedometer - and the actual speed is approximately 63-65.

Cheers!

Tony R. (aka codefour)

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #8 – March 25, 2022, 03:32:38 pm

For whatever reason, my 96 23.5 FL usually likes 75 mph better than 65 in the mpg department.
I can't drive 55 and neither can Sammy Hagar.

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #9 – March 25, 2022, 03:36:15 pm

We cruise at 60, been known to creep up to 65.... Not so much for the gas mileage as for enjoying the ride. On interstate highways where 75 (+) is standard, we appreciate that we seem to have a wide-open stretch of road ahead since folks pass us and zoom on. I really like to be able to "prepare"for the road ahead and potential problems vs. reacting to them suddenly, especially carrying my "house"with us.

Can't tell you how many 5th wheels we've see blasting past us at 75-80+mph... 😳

Besides, I like living up to the name... Lazy Daze 😎

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #10 – March 25, 2022, 04:22:44 pm

I can’t imagine doing 85mph in a LD. Our cruising speed is 60-62. I find that comfortable driving, and about as economical as is practical. I must say I think JOTA is defying the laws of physics in getting better gas mileage at 75 than at 65. The rush of interstate traffic hauling trailers at 70+ is just one reason we try, when possible, to travel on secondary roads. Long ago, we hung a diamond shaped yellow sign on our ladder. We bought it at Stephen Foster Park in the Okefenokee Swamp (GA). It has a tortoise in the center bracketed by the words “SLOW TRAFFIC.” Hopefully it amuses, rather than enrages, the overtaking vehicles. So far, no fingers thrown our way that we’re aware of. YMMV. — Jon

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #11 – March 25, 2022, 04:44:28 pm

Quote from: Jon & Loni - March 25, 2022, 04:22:44 pm

I can’t imagine doing 85mph in a LD. Our cruising speed is 60-62. I find that comfortable driving, and about as economical as is practical.

With the aerodynamics of a barn door, going much over 60 MPH is going to kill the mileage. The optimum speed for mileage is probably around 45 MPH
The first summer we owned our 2003 LD, we went to Oregon and Washington and cruised at 70-75 MPH, the rig was new, gas was cheap and we had a very limited time window but the mileage was a bit disappointing. The returned trip was driven at about 10 MPH slower and provided an added 2 MPG. Speed kills.
Towing a heavy Jeep, on downgrades, I try to keep it at 60 MPH and lower, at 65 MPH and higher, the rig begins to feel like it is floating, an unsettling sensation and a warning to slow things down.

Larry

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #12 – March 25, 2022, 05:36:56 pm

Margee and I take turns driving every 100 miles or so. Our speed is dictated by our comfort level which becomes slower every year. Right now, I’m most comfortable at 60 mph on the freeway in good weather. Margee drives a bit slower.

The way things are going, my top speed in a few years will be parked! 🤔

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #13 – March 26, 2022, 09:27:19 am

We took a RV driving course many years ago. The instructor told us under normal conditions you should always drive within 15 mph of the speed limit in order for you and fellow drivers to be safe. This means 55 - 65 mph on most highways. We enjoy 55 mph the most as it allows us to safely view the scenery. We seldom travel over 200 miles in an outing and never more than 300 miles so getting to the camping area is not an issue for us.

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #14 – March 26, 2022, 11:04:46 am

The issue IMHO is safety. The LD is not designed to be a ‘safe’ truck. It’s just a large box on a cutout medium duty truck frame. There are all sorts of rules and regulations that both cars and heavy trucks have to follow that don’t apply to rvs. And sadly most folks driving are not as good a driver as they think they are. If it was up to me I’d have similar rules as airline pilots as for as education, rest, and drug use. But ( smile) nobody made me King.
Having said all that I drive between 55 and 65 on the open road. Being an 75 year old man my reaction time and sight are not up to my 18 year old self. The only thing I got going today is my experience.

Glen

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #15 – March 26, 2022, 04:56:56 pm

While I only have 9 hours driving a Lazy Daze, I do have 20 weeks of previous driving days in an RV, majority of the time in an E450, so I am familiar with the chassis.

I hate interstate travel, even in a car. So I prefer two lane highways.

Found that anything over 60-65 requires a lot more effort to drive, found I was far more exhausted trying to maintain 70 or more. So I am content to lumber onward at 60ish.

I will say the Lazy Daze does handle above 65 better than any other 24’ RV E450 I have driven, and handled all the up and down twisting mountain roads I tossed at it. So I am literally a happy camper.

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #16 – March 26, 2022, 06:54:46 pm

I’ve driven our LD, 31 ft for 19 years on the crowded roads of California and all over the West, and find that anything over 65 miles per hour is going to lead to safety issues. An RV is not a car, and as well as our LDs handle, don’t fool yourself, they are big ol’ breadboxes lumbering down the road. You don’t have the flexibility to get out of harms way, and reaction time is your only safety other than a slower speed. Enjoy the road; a trip isn’t about getting there, it is about the experience of enjoying the moment, I always say.

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #17 – March 26, 2022, 09:12:30 pm

I find that our motor home cruses real smooth at 62 and the added bonus, on a two lane Montana road, at 62 you always have clear sailing ahead.

Jon

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #18 – March 27, 2022, 11:17:54 am

The manual for thr 2011 Honda CRV recommends a maximum flat-tow speed of 60 mph. That works for me. Have boosted it to around 65 to get past someone cruising at 59.
I rarely not tow.

Re: Maximum safe travel speed in GOOD conditions.

Reply #19 – March 27, 2022, 01:15:13 pm

Karen and I have had to make an emergency complete stop in our 98~MB from about 50-55mph a couple years ago. This stop may have permanently damaged all of our rear three year old tires which we replaced later. I believe if we were going any faster or we were heaver or in a different motor home we would have crashed our front end. Based on this we drive slower 50-55 on most two lane roads depending on conditions, animals and other drivers can pose a threat at any time, we want to stay in control and safe at all times. On multiple lane limited access highways we let traffic dictate safe speeds to 65-67 which may be the prevailing truck speed. We have kind of been very lucky, I would like to think that it is prudence. We do prefer the two lane "Back Roads" that's kinda why we are out there!

Karen~Liam
98 ~ MB
NinA

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