Failed towing experience

[R.I.P.]

Hum.

I apologize ahead of time if I am completely off base here, but to me this reads like one of those intentional sabotage articles.

"So, I set off towing, long distance, at 85% charge going 80 mph..."
<facepalm>

Sponsored

 

[YosemiteSam]

70 MPH + 10 MPH headwind = 80 MPH wind speed hitting the truck.

Ambient temperature can have a big affect on range as well. Cold weather is also detrimental to range as is rain, snow, etc.

Lastly, I strongly recommend you check the speed rating on the trailer tires. They can easily overheat and a tire blowout on a single-axle trailet at 80 MPH will NOT be fun, but it will be exciting. A few years ago on my way to Dallas for a wedding a guy towing a large dual-axle 5th wheel blew past us while we were doing 75.

15 miles later he was stopped on the shoulder of the interstate. He and his wife were scratching their heads and gazing at a totally shredded left rear trailer tire.

 

[moosehead]

@Fade5G, what are the weight and dimensions of your rig?

 

[WSea]

Hum.

I apologize ahead of time if I am completely off base here, but to me this reads like one of those intentional sabotage articles.

"So, I set off towing, long distance, at 85% charge going 80 mph..."
<facepalm>

Was thinking the same thing! How can I f up this experiment? Seriously lacking common sense

 

[gregtay]

As someone that has been towing boats for 20 years, be careful towing at that speed. Some states even have strict 55mph towing laws in place. When I tow on the highway I do not go beyond 70mph, typically keeping it in the 65mph range.

The speed limit on i40 is 75mph, which means most people are going 85-90. its difficult to go 60-65 on i40 without impeding traffic.

I have also towed 7500# boats for over 20 years and have often towed at 75-80mph... never an issue if you have the right tow rig and things are set up correctly. Yes, above 70mph the fuel consumption goes up significantly.

 

[YosemiteSam]

its difficult to go 60-65 on i40 without impeding traffic.

Isn’t that what the right lane is for? Slower moving vehicles?

 

[gregtay]

Isn’t that what the right lane is for? Slower moving vehicles?

on i40 in AZ/// no, not really. the fast lane is 90+. The slow lane isn't "slow"

 

[HighVoltOverland]

Charging in Seligman would be nice

 

[Tr4ckD4ys]

on i40 in AZ/// no, not really. the fast lane is 90+. The slow lane isn't "slow"

*Correction - I think this is where you might be a bit biased.
- There is no “fast lane” in the US. It’s a “passing lane”. Meaningful difference. You pass, you move back over. “Fast” is also subjective.
- Going 80mph with a trailer is always less safe and more taxing than going 65mph with a trailer. Whether you feel safe doesn’t matter to what happens to you in an unfortunate situation. Leave alone, as you mentioned, the drain on fuel and battery.
- Going 10-15mph under the “flow of traffic” in the right lane, yet at the speed limit, is not considered a hazard. Going 55mph or less is. That is the rules, not the perceptions. Who is being unsafe? The dude going speed limit towing or the dude in the "fast" lane going 15mph over?

 

[Zoidz]

The speed limit on i40 is 75mph, which means most people are going 85-90. its difficult to go 60-65 on i40 without impeding traffic.

I have not driven highways in that area very often, but in my area, and I think throughout the US, many tractor trailers are governed to 70 mph so traffic is already "impeded".

 

[Zoidz]

*Correction - I think this is where you might be a bit biased.
- There is no “fast lane” in the US. It’s a “passing lane”. Meaningful difference. You pass, you move back over. “Fast” is also subjective.

Yes, sections of the Autobahn have a "fast lane". No such lane in the US.

 

[azbill]

Charging in Seligman would be nice

The ADOT plan has that location, but nothing started yet.

 

[COdogman]

I was going 100mph in the Autobahn fast lane when I saw a Porsche suddenly behind me flashing his headlights for me to get out of the way.

 

[emoore]

I don't tow a lot but I don't think I'd go over 65 or 70 when towing a travel trailer or a boat. And my observations on most road trips is that's what most people do, travel slower and in the right lane. There are always a few fast towing people which seems way too dangerous for me.

 

[Tr4ckD4ys]

Yes, sections of the Autobahn have a "fast lane". No such lane in the US.

The guy was towing on US I-40. On that particular stretch of asphalt it is a passing lane, not a fast lane.

Aside, I have to unfortunately tell you that the left lane of the German Autobahn, called the “Überholspur”, quite literally translates to “passing lane”. There is no fast lane on the autobahn. Just a passing lane where people pass fast. Semantics at this point.

Sponsored