Optimal Speed with 6.2 Liter Engine for Towing

[iamdub]

My trailer tires are rated for 87mph. Speed rating N. Goodyear endurance I believe. Once again it's all about experience and equipment.


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Never knew they had high speed trailer tires. That's pretty cool.

 

[JWBGMC]

I have the 11 AWD Denali, I added an extra tranny cooler and also added a Griffin three core radiator to help keep it cooler in the middle of the Centex heat and would suggest you do so as well. I do not go above 65mph, even on flat roads when hauling my 30ft trlr and try to keep the rmp's below 3000 when I haul at an incline. I only haul once or twice a year, but I do maintain the engine with full synthetic Mobile1 and Mobile1 oil filter. Keep your rear end well maintained and change out fluid when you have to, otherwise, you'll be buying a new read end.
But above all, don't be that guy that's driving dangerously down the road going 70-75mph hauling your trailer........especially in something that isn't made to haul that heavy at that speed!

Thanks very much for the advice about speed and suggestions re upgrades. My intent is always to be a safe driver. I owe a duty to other drives to be a safe driver. Your suggestion about not exceeding 65MP makes sense to me. I have never towed before. So I am seeking advice from others who have towed. I want to take care of my vehicle AND I want to be a safe driver for other drivers on the road.

 

[JWBGMC]

Speak for your state, not mine! It's 55 in Cali, 65 in Oregon, and in Washington it's the same as the posted limit for semis which varies.

I did not know about the MPH in your state. Do you think that 55 MPH is the optimal speed for towing? I need to do more research into whether my state imposes the same limitation. I am new to towing. So I am asking questions - and some of my questions will no doubt sound stupid to people who have been towing for years. But I have never driven a vehicle in my life that towed something. I am seeking education and advice from others. I will be towing in the future and I want to do so correctly and safely.

 

[JWBGMC]

I believe your focus is in the wrong place. The truck may very well keep up with those speeds but what about the running gear of the trailer? All "special Trailer" tires should not be run any faster than 65 MPH. Those tires will unwind and come apart
. Fact is that you may get away with it for awhile, but you run the risk of a tire ply separation and some very expensive repairs to the trailer or even a total separation from the truck. If you are unsure, look at the sidewall of the tire. There will be a speed rating if not an actual speed "not to exceed". Happy trailering.

I had not idea that trailer tires might have an MPH. Amazing. Is there any way that I can find out by looking at the trailer tire itself to find out the maximum speed? I have never towed anything before. All information is welcome. How can I find out the best speed for the trailer tires?

 

[Doubeleive]

I did not know about the MPH in your state. Do you think that 55 MPH is the optimal speed for towing? I need to do more research into whether my state imposes the same limitation. I am new to towing. So I am asking questions - and some of my questions will no doubt sound stupid to people who have been towing for years. But I have never driven a vehicle in my life that towed something. I am seeking education and advice from others. I will be towing in the future and I want to do so correctly and safely.

Oregon I guess changed I thought it used to be 55, but at that speed your going to just get passed by 53' tractors anyway unless they know it is a speed trap area, I don't know what speed would be optimal I guess it would really depend on what your hauling, how stable it is, etc. best to probably just use your own judgment, if it feels unsafe it probably is, I'm the guy that will push it to the limit so I'm better off just keeping my mouth shut. happy trails

 

[Rocket Man]

Oregon I guess changed I thought it used to be 55, but at that speed your going to just get passed by 53' tractors anyway unless they know it is a speed trap area, I don't know what speed would be optimal I guess it would really depend on what your hauling, how stable it is, etc. best to probably just use your own judgment, if it feels unsafe it probably is, I'm the guy that will push it to the limit so I'm better off just keeping my mouth shut. happy trails

And I'm sure if you're doing 55 in Cali you're getting honked at and flipped off anyway so I'm sure nobody follows that rule, but I don't drive there often so I don't know for sure. I think it depends on your vehicle and skills. For instance, I have way more power than the average SUV ( supercharger) and huge brakes (Wilwoods) and my suspension is upgraded with the biggest swaybars I could find and I'm lowered which also makes it handle better so that when Im towing my trailer it still handles as good as most stock rigs. And big pickups, especially diesels, are designed from the ground up to tow. I tow at 73 in our 65 zones just so I don't hit that magic 10 over that attracts the radar traps. Trailer brakes would be my suggestion if you're towing though unless you have a BBK installed, even for smallish trailers. I don't feel our stock brakes are even adequate for our vehicles without a trailer.

 

[clogan2]

And I'm sure if you're doing 55 in Cali you're getting honked at and flipped off anyway so I'm sure nobody follows that rule, but I don't drive there often so I don't know for sure. I think it depends on your vehicle and skills. For instance, I have way more power than the average SUV ( supercharger) and huge brakes (Wilwoods) and my suspension is upgraded with the biggest swaybars I could find and I'm lowered which also makes it handle better so that when Im towing my trailer it still handles as good as most stock rigs. And big pickups, especially diesels, are designed from the ground up to tow. I tow at 73 in our 65 zones just so I don't hit that magic 10 over that attracts the radar traps. Trailer brakes would be my suggestion if you're towing though unless you have a BBK installed, even for smallish trailers. I don't feel our stock brakes are even adequate for our vehicles without a trailer.

Very good point about the brakes!!!
Pulling at speed is one thing. But safely slowing or stopping from that speed is a far more important issue!

 

[Vector]

Safety is always my priority. My question, however, is not about safety. My question is about the life of the engine. My question is the following: do higher speeds of an engine when towing causes greater wear and tear than when the engine is not towing? Are you able to understand that question?

I'm surprised you doubled down on your safety comment after the previous poster correctly pointed out that you are not being safe if you would consider towing a 8k trailer at 85mph behind your SUV.
Sure you try to nuance the question from a primary focus of what is good for the engine, but truth be told if you knew you could go as fast as the speed limit would allow and it not harm the engine, that is what you'd like to have the option of doing.
I have not read any posts beyond this one, but I suspect others are picking up on the same thing.

[I'd also point out from someone who has trailered for many years, a SUV with a hitch (regardless of it's towing capacity) is not the same as towing with a 5th wheel. You do not have the capabilities of a duelly, much less a tractor trailer. So while you might see 60' trailers flying down the interstate, it does not mean it is safe to do with your set up. I say this not in a condescending way, but if you are inexperienced (as it sounds like you are), you should recognize your limitations, and do more than get information from a online forum. You put everyone at risk, not just yourself, family, or the well being of your engine]

I am also surprised you are solely focusing on the engine, when the transmission is more likely to have issues related to towing.

Food for thought.

 

[iamdub]

[I'd also point out from someone who has trailered for many years, a SUV with a hitch (regardless of it's towing capacity) is not the same as towing with a 5th wheel. You do not have the capabilities of a duelly, much less a tractor trailer. So while you might see 60' trailers flying down the interstate, it does not mean it is safe to do with your set up. I say this not in a condescending way, but if you are inexperienced (as it sounds like you are), you should recognize your limitations, and do more than get information from a online forum. You put everyone at risk, not just yourself, family, or the well being of your engine]

I am also surprised you are solely focusing on the engine, when the transmission is more likely to have issues related to towing.

Food for thought.

But, none of this is what he WANTED to hear. He just needed one person to tell him he's perfectly fine doing what he's going to do anyway and he got that. So, he's satisfied and anyone else is just a pessimistic, condescending and ignorant naysayer.

 

[Vector]

But, none of this is what he WANTED to hear. He just needed one person to tell him he's perfectly fine doing what he's going to do anyway and he got that. So, he's satisfied and anyone else is just a pessimistic, condescending and ignorant naysayer.

Are you speaking for him, or your own view?