By Cheri Sicard
What is a safe towing speed? How fast is too fast to tow? The team at Keep Your Daydream wanted to cover this topic for a long time. That’s because they say they frequently get passed by all sorts of RVs, from massive Class A’s to SUVs towing single-axle trailers.
That led them to the question, “Is there a right speed to tow?”
To get the answer, they reached out to three RV experts, including JD from Big Truck Big RV, Kenny Brooks from Airstream Trippin’, and Eric Johnson from TechnoRV.
In the video below, each of these experienced RVers provided their own thoughts and opinions on the need for speed in all kinds of RVs, from towable travel trailers and 5th wheels to motorized RVs.
Besides talking to the experts, the video also gives some great general towing tips, especially about cruise control, trailer brakes, and using the tow/haul feature on your truck.
According to JD from Big Truck Big RV, it depends on what he is towing and why he is towing it. However, he does admit that when he is towing a fifth wheel, his hard and fast top limit is about 67 miles per hour. Any faster than that and JD just knows he is going faster than he should be, putting undue wear on tires, and generating more heat than is necessary.
When asked how fast is too fast to tow, Kenny of Airstream Trippin’ said 70 mph. He keeps his top speed at about 65 mph. When asked why, his simple reply was, “Because I want to arrive alive.”
When it comes to how fast to drive or tow with a large motorhome, Eric from TechnoRV says it comes down to your comfort level and common sense. But he does keep interstate speeds to around 65 mph.
Eric also had truck camper experience. He says the top-heaviness of these vehicles makes them more challenging. His top speed was about 58-60 mph with his truck camper. He says he just did not feel safe or comfortable above that speed.
I have to agree with these experts on top speed, and 65 mph is about where I top out when towing my travel trailer. But I am constantly astounded by the motorhomes, travel trailers and 5th wheels, not to mention semi trucks, that regularly fly by me.
RELATED
- With different truck towing capacities listed online, which is correct?
- If you can’t answer these questions, you shouldn’t be towing
- 11 of the most common towing mistakes and how to avoid them
- Having a towing maintenance kit could save your trip
We have a Class A, we tow a 2013 Honda Fit with an automatic transmission.
Honda states our top speed is 65 towing the car. We are just fine with that,
It’s less stressful, and you can enjoy the scenery.
We have a Class C, towing a 2012 Honda Fit. Living in Ca. the speed limit when towing is 55 mph. However, I tow at 60 MPH, no matter what state we’re in. Going down long mountain passes I have reached 70 mph. Even though it feels ok, I will apply the brake just enough to slow back to 60 mph. That’s also where I get my best fuel mileage.
Downhill gas mileage?
We have a 5er and our top speed is 65. Normal cruising speed is 61. Everyone else can go around.
I find that over 60, the extra time I save is exceeded by the extra time I spend at gas stations, so why bother?
Good answer!
I am driving a 38′ class A pulling a small truck. I never exceed 65 unless I am passing. I just feel safer at that speed.
Something to consider- I have 3 speedometers on my dashboard, analog, digital and GPS. All 3 can show slightly different speeds. Assuming it has good signal, I trust my GPS as most accurate.
My trailer tires are speed rated for 65mph. My normal max speed is 63mph. However, within the current speed limit. I use my tachometer as a better gauge of the best speed. More RPMs, worse mileage. Hills and wind directly impact engine RPM as the transmission changes to maintain good torque. When the engine RPMs start climbing, I will slow down further.
Right Jim: A good tach and a vacuum gauge will tell a story on performance, economy and general driving comfort. Takes some driver diligence and close attention – but well worth it in the long run.
I have found that at least in CA, where I live and do most of my trips, 62 mph is a good towing speed. That seems to be the speed that most of the semi’s like to go, even though the speed limit for vehicles towing and 3-axle+ trucks is 55. At 62, I am not doing a lot of passing or being passed. Yes, there are semi’s and RVs that go flying by at 70+, and I rarely see any of them pulled over by the cops, but the hit on mileage and increased stress on you and the equipment isn’t worth it.
We just got back from a trip through Utah and Idaho where the posted speed limit is 80mph. Most of the time it was just a 2 lane highway. My top speed while pulling my 30 foot travel trailer is 65, sometimes 70 going downhill. Because of the speed difference I run with my trailer lights on. We didn’t have any “close calls”, but I kept a close eye on my mirrors. I would never consider pulling my trailer that fast.
Wow! 80 mph on two lane roads sounds like suicide. I don’t even like it in my car on an interstate! 65 is plenty on a two lane! Even across the desert. (Think 160 mph head-on!)
Yes, a thrilling new experience. I live in Arizona where the legal limit is 75 for cars and semis so it isn’t much different. Just seeing 80 on the sign was something new. I did see that in Texas on I-10 in a couple of places a few years ago. Actually in Idaho it said 80 for cars, 70 for trucks, but most trucks were going somewhat faster.
Yes, trucks on the interstate are limited to 70 mph in Idaho.
Idaho resident here – 80 mph is only on the interstate, not on two lane roads. Most two lane roads are 60 or 65.
That is the same in ND as of 1 Aug 2025. Some 2 lanes are 55 but mostly found on county roads even on some gravel roads!
55 saves gas, towing uses more. It’s the speed that most states consider best.
Just consider what might happen to you and your family and anyone in your way if you have a blowout or there is a road hazard. What’s your hurry.
For many years I towed travel trailers and found that I got the best gas milage around 58-60mph on the freeways. I now have a 38 ft class A diesel pusher and also drive at the same speed with my fuel giving me 10.5 mpg, which I find very acceptable. I’m in no hurry to get anywhere being retired and also I’m most comfortable being able to safely stop fast if needed. I also take sharp corners a bit slower than the speed signs say just to be safe and be able to make sure if there is something in the middle of the road around the bend, I can safely avoid it.
I would have liked Roger Marble’s opinion. Only one commenter mentioned speed rating of ST tires and most others consistently drive faster than that. Personally I don’t go over 60 when towing.
OK Drew. An ST tire vs P or LT type of identical size. The only way the ST was able to get its higher “Load Capacity” was by lowering its max speed rating. While technology and quality in tires has improved since 1960, there is no “magic rubber” used in ST tires that allow them to deliver greater load capacity at the same speed we see on P or LT type tires.When towing my race car trailers across the USA, I considered 60 MPH the MAX with 55 more reasonable. A side issue is fuel economy. Over the last couple years I have observed a “hit” on my fuel economy in my Class-C of over 10% drop in MPG in a few 1,000 mile trips when I increased my driving (not towing) speed from 55 to 62.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ !
Pulling a Jeep everywhere we go, our coach has selected 63 to be the sweet spot on the interstates.
On roads limited to 60 or lower, we usually keep it to the speed limit or the limit less five. We pretty much always travel at or below the posted yellow speed limit signs. Especially on off ramps.
Faster feels like more steering wander, fuel burn, brake heat and things shifting. Slower seems to confuse the driving illiterate and culturally deficient who sometimes offer symbolic hand gestures demonstrating their finger dexterity.
As my CDL instructor would say, “The competition for stupidity is proportional to the time spent in the left lane”.
Vince – is it a display of “dexterity” or total “IQ”? I prefer the later! HA.
I have driven at high speeds when racing like 150+ on the banks of Daytona, but there is a big difference between how fast you can tow and how fast is too fast. Just because you might be able to get up to 80 MPH or faster when towing, does not mean you can stop quickly if someone cuts in front of you. I would challenge anyone that thinks towing above 65 to do a simple test (on an empty road). Get up to that speed, then do a panic stop to see how quickly you can stop without losing control. However when you do this test do not plan on suing me when you crash after losing control.
👍👍
Thank you for calling attention to the video and summarizing it, Cheri! I can understand people going 65, presuming that the speed limit is 65 mph or higher. I sometimes do that, too, in order to pass someone driving at an inconsistent speed. However, former RV Travel writer Randall Brink convinced me a few years ago that the additional safety and fuel economy of 60-62 mph vs. 63-65 mph is worth the additional time in transit. Sitting on the nose of 38000 pounds towing another 5200 pounds makes me extremely cognizant that it may take a few feet to get it stopped. It isn’t much of a difference, but it favors me, so I choose it. Have a great day and safe travels!
Drive an older Bounder 35e and it gets a little sketchy handling when towing at over 55-gets about 7-7.5 mpg at that speed as well,
We tow our 2025 Sun Lite 19RB LTD with a 2017 Nissan Armada Platinum. We use a Prodigy trailer brake controller, an older Reese dual-cam sway control/WD hitch setup, and keep the speed to no more than 60MPH, even on the freeway.
With our TT, we cruise at 60. Any faster just doesn’t feel comfortable, especially with large trucks passing or wind gusts possible. It’s less stress on me and the tires and mileage starts to go to hell after 55 anyway. Any extra time we’d make going faster would just be consumed by the extra fuel stop.
We pull a 21’ travel trailer and my average speed is 63 to 65 max MPH. It’s comfortable on our tow vehicle motor and I feel we are keeping a decent pace with traffic. I don’t feel comfortable above 65.
Are you really going that speed? My tow vehicle has both an analog and a digital speedometer. The only time they agree are at moderately low speeds. And I have a GPS that typically gives a 3rd speed. I tend to most trust the GPS as it is not affected by minor changes in tire size and rotation.
And unless absolutely necessary, my top speed is 63mph – which is just below the 65mph speed rating on most ST tires – and one of the sweet spots for fuel efficiency.
We have a fifth wheel and our max speed is 60. We just don’t feel comfortable traveling any faster.
65 is my comfort zone. At the slow speed of 65 the fuel gage moves slower.