How fast is too fast?

[canned o minimum]

WARNING ! Not for everyone !

I towed my 2005 Little Guy 4 wide at 85 mph so I could pass a 40 ft Pusher fer FUN ! Oh yeah.. I was towin it with my 1965 VW Bug ! I do NOT recommend this EVER ! ( But I jus HAD to do it ! )

[tamnalan]

Nobody's saying much about brakes? I wouldn't tow any faster than I can safely stop. Almost nothing more scary than having your trailer push the car around.

[48Rob]

Yes, good reliable working brakes are very important.

[tamnalan]

That's an interesting brake, Rob! I've never seen one quite like that. The center black thingie is some sort of magnet?

[48Rob]

Tam,

Yes, it is the brake magnet.
The brakes are "Warner" and a common style used at the time (40's-50's).




The interior of the hub holds three steel plates to which the magnet is attracted.
They work quite well!

Rob

[Martiangod]

oops double post

[Martiangod]

At 30 mph see how fast you can stop in a panic situation with trailer on ond off.
You will see a big difference in stopping distance, whether you have trailer brakes of not.
Now step it up to 50MPH stopping distance increases substantially, now step it up again to 70mph . Now throw in passing big rigs, cross winds, rain or high humidity, other stupid drivers, better to be safe then sorry
Personally after 30 years towing \RVs proffesioanlly, 55 to 60 would be and is my maximum whether I'm towing with my Ranger or the 1 ton dually at work.
Nothing like being in a panic stop and looking in you mirror and seeing the side of the trailer as your jacknifing, had that happen at 40mph. Gives new meaning to having a fresh pair of shorts on hand for emergencies, sometimes neccessary if you live to tell about it.
And if you have Trailer rated tires, most are rated for a max of 65 mph, if they are made in china, probably safe up to 50.
And remember trailer tires get hot over time, on a short op you may get away with it, but on a long run as they heat up, the chance of tire failer increases.
You supposed to be on vacation if your towing your rv, whats the hurry?
Now many of you TD'rs are towing with marginal tow vehicles to begin with why in the world would you want to push your luck?
I see many combos go by my door, to the extent of warning and 1 time calling the police down the road to pull over a combo that has stopped here and left against my warning.
There is safe, almost safe and stupid out there, I try to stay in the safe or almost safe catagory

[canned o minimum]

Point made.. well taken..."A prudent man takes advice."

Teardrop time.. time well wasted..err time well SPENT !

A note to all...heed said advice and arrive alive !