Speed Limits ... just a suggestion

[dieselguy]

Have I just settled into the "ole man mode" when it comes to driving not only my truck but also my car?? I'm guilty of adding 2- 3 mph to a posted limit, but it seems any speed limit now days is just a suggestion to most drivers. 10 - 15 mph above the posted speed limit seems to be the norm in the central states just west of the Mississippi. Another observation ... There's alot less police presence both in suburban and hi-way settings to catch speeders. On the way to KCMO the other day on I-35 a compact car blew past me in almost a blur ... the long arm of the law had him pulled over just west of Beto Junction near Melvern. A short time later they blew past me again ... a bit later near Gardner, hiway patrol had them pulled over again?? Baffling ....

[Joint Venture II]

I think because in many areas the speed limit is too low that people know that in most cases the law won't pull them over till they are past 8-10 mph over. Last fall I did a road trip that was 5200 miles and saw very few LEO anywhere in the 13 states I crossed round trip, and I cruised mostly 10 mph over on interstates. Makes no sense to me that all interstates are not the same speed in low populated areas.

On edit: My vehicle of choice for the road trip was a 2016 Ford Edge Titanium 3.5L 305hp that cruises very well at 70-80 mph, NOT our truck and Monty, that cruises at 60-65 mph.

[Rondo]

I'm sorry but I will only drive 62-65 and that is it! I like our unit and do not want to see the tires blow due to excessive speed and heat due to that speed and take a side or the wheel well out in doing so. I've been passed by fivers that blew by me and disappeared over the hill or down the highway. I have seen several down the road pulled over with a blown tire and damage to their unit. The speed limits on the interstate highways and even some State highways have risen to as high as 75 mph and more. That's fine for cars and commercial trucks but not for us.

[Dave W]

It isn't just the interstates that the speed limits seem to be only suggested. We live in suburbia and are finding that even the development roads speed limits are being ignored. It's almost to the point of being afraid of taking a walk since we don't have sidewalks. A couple miles away is the Adirondack Northway, I87 between Albany and the Canadian border. If you aren't doing 80 or, often, more, in the 65mph limit you need to get used to a single finger salute. My usual speed is 66-70 and am usually one of the slowest. What 5 buck or more gas ($6.30+ diesel) is slowing folks down? The occasional LEOs just sit with their coffee and watch the world go by or indulge in 'hoodie' conversations.

[TWP723]

62-65 mph is my limit. It's a big highway, they can go around.

[DQDick]

In many cases speed limits are just a roadside joke like Berma Shave in Tucson. Red lights too seem to have little meaning.

[C&P RV]

Originally Posted by TWP723

62-65 mph is my limit. It's a big highway, they can go around.

Us as well!! This is our 4th camper. I've had blowouts on the other three that did major damage to the fenders, brake wiring, and even bent part of the floor supports. We just got back from a 3 week journey to the east coast - TX, LA, MS, AL, SC, NC, VA. Road temps in many places were well over 100 degrees. The TST Truck TMPS said the tire temps were in the high 140s to low 150s. Even the spare was showing a temp of over 100 and it was only hovering above the road.

[DutchmenSport]

Drive whatever speed limit you want. You are absolutely right, as far as the everyone is concerned, it's just a suggested speed limit now-a-days anyway. Forget safety, the condition of the road and if it's full of curves, pot holes, or dips where one could loose control of the vehicle real easy, congestion, children present, or even road hazards. Just remember, law enforcement may not be watching, you may think you are getting away with it, but then ... the accident happens!

[mlh]

In Va on I81 exit 143 north the speed limit is NOT a suggestion. Fines up to $5000 not a misprint. It’s a safety corridor speed at your own risk. A guy came through here speeding and the judge fined him over $5000. He got mad and sent a letter to the editor and said he wasn’t coming back. We sure do miss him.
Lynwood

[DadsHemi]

Speed limits are one thing, merging traffic from on ramps is a real issue on the interstates when the merging vehicle just won’t get up to speed or even ��. Pulling the 5th I have no issue doing the speed limit but not over 70 is my limit, without I’ll do 2 to 5 over pending road conditions.

[Donjamin]

Last month we spent 3 weeks in Utah camping at Arches, Bryce Canyon And Zion National Parks. Being from California where the trailer towing speed limit is 55, it was a bit unsettling to see an 80 MPH internet speed limit and having travel trailers and 5’ers zooming past us at the posted limit. I felt staying 65 saved fuel and felt comfortable. I guess to each his own.

Don

[mhs4771]

I wonder with the increased cost of Fuel, both Gas & Diesel, if some of those Speed Demons will slow down a bit, or just complain about the high cost for fuel.
For my setup the best mileage is 60 to 63, but I have to get over 63 to get the tranny to shift into 6th gear, so I set the cruise for 65 and just motor on.

[twindman]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

I wonder with the increased cost of Fuel, both Gas & Diesel, if some of those Speed Demons will slow down a bit, or just complain about the high cost for fuel.
For my setup the best mileage is 60 to 63, but I have to get over 63 to get the tranny to shift into 6th gear, so I set the cruise for 65 and just motor on.

I have to get over 65 to shift, I think. Wish 65 would do it for me.....

[Lee-CI]

Our Ram shifts into sixth at 57-58. Good thing since my towing speed is a max of 60 on good highway. With just the truck I'll have the cruise set on 70 for 75 mph interstates. Guess I'm just hard headed and rather like the improved fuel mileage. I've definitely settled into the "O'le man mode". Others can go around.

[Cat320]

This must be true, I found it on the internet:

ST tires have strengthened sidewalls to help prevent the tire from rolling under the rim in turns and when cornering. The majority of ST tires have a maximum speed rating of*65 mph.

[phillyg]

Drivers in SWFL have lost their minds. What bothers me more than 10-15mph over, is the weaving, tailgating, and other aggressiveness shown by many. The worst is pulling out of a side street or turning left in front of you. If I have to brake for those idiots, they were in the wrong.

[mhs4771]

Right or wrong it still messes up your day if you hit them.

[mhs4771]

Yes most ST tires have a 65 MPH max. My Sailun 637 in 17.5 size have a 75 MPH rating

[Chalkie]

Originally Posted by Cat320

This must be true, I found it on the internet:

ST tires have strengthened sidewalls to help prevent the tire from rolling under the rim in turns and when cornering. The majority of ST tires have a maximum speed rating of*65 mph.

That's funny! In 30+ years of owning RVs and other trailers I never once found an ST tire rated for 65 miles per hour. The speed ratings that concern ST tires are M - 81 mph, L - 75 mph, and J - 62 mph. J rating was about the only thing you could get in a "consumer" tire with the others for commercial use. These days you get more choice. For example, the Sailun ST S637 tires that came on our current RV have an L rating. Just because a tire can doesn't mean it should and I still tow in the 60-65 mph range. Old habits die hard I guess.

[dieselguy]

I guess to clarify my initial post #1 here, I too pull in the 63-65 mph range because that's a good towing speed for me as well as the best mileage to distance traveled window for my current truck. In my car in say a 35 or 55 mph zone, I push it 2-3 mph above posted, but no where near the 15 - 20 mph that many appear to be pushing it. Like many have witnessed here ... many drivers seem to have only 2 speeds ... stop and wide open. Ha!

For a bunch of years most ST trailer tires were rated at 65 despite Gary not seeing it. In the last 5 years or so ... we've started seeing the M, L, and J lettering on the ST tires.