What speed do you tow at?

[mdt]

Got a few long halls this week towing the RIB and was keen to know what sort of towing speed others settle on.

And before any one starts taking the moral high ground and or starts quoting the Highway Code, I know what the law of the land says. But, I am just keen to know what you consider to be a cruse.

[Pete7]

55 - 60 is comforable for both boat and disco and its relaxed. Take your time, ribs don't bounce down a motorway very well, ask the editior of Practical Boat Owner as she rolled a rib a month ago she should have stayed in the kitchen

[Nos4r2]

I tow at between 58 and 65. Fast enough that I don't get in the way of trucks but not fast enough to extract the Michael.

[NautiAndNice]

Originally Posted by Pete7

... she should have stayed in the kitchen

Less of that, thank you!
Some of us tow better than we can cook

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by mdt

Got a few long halls this week towing the RIB and was keen to know what sort of towing speed others settle on.

And before any one starts taking the moral high ground and or starts quoting the Highway Code, I know what the law of the land says. But, I am just keen to know what you consider to be a cruse.

where you are going, overtaking with the rib is going to be virtually impossible for much of it - so your speed is going to be determined by the truck or caravan in front anyway.

[codprawn]

It all depends on so many factors - some things I have towed felt dodgy at 40mph - my boat on the triple axle felt fine at any speed - had to make an effort to keep within the limits.

Beware of steep downhills - not so much on motorways but fast A roads - can feel like the whole lot wants to swop places but as I said it all depends on the setup.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Pete7

55 - 60 is comforable for both boat and disco and its relaxed. Take your time, ribs don't bounce down a motorway very well, ask the editior of Practical Boat Owner as she rolled a rib a month ago she should have stayed in the kitchen

She wasn't the one who was in charge of Gypsy Moth IV was she???

[NautiAndNice]

Originally Posted by codprawn

She wasn't the one who was in charge of Gypsy Moth IV was she???

Think she was towing the PBO RIB....

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by NautiAndNice

Think she was towing the PBO RIB....

Well the skipper of Gypsy Moth IV is after a new job.........

[AndyB007]

Key question - what condition are your trailer tyres in?

If near new they will probably be fine well above what you could expect to tow at (usually speed rated to 170km/h if I recall correctly)

However, if they are a few years old, been left exposed to sunlight suffering UV degradation, been run below recommended pressures and have a few cracks in the sidewall just for good measure, make sure you carry a spare!!

Remember, the stresses on the tyre rise exponentially with speed so the increase from 60 to 70mph (17%) increases the stresses by 36%, at 80mph increased by 78%. If you have any defects they'll soon become apparent!

Andy