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Topic: Things to consider when driving 50 vs 60 vs 70 mph (Read 628 times) previous topic - next topic
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Things to consider when driving 50 vs 60 vs 70 mph
Merry Christmas everyone,

Hope you all made it on the "nice" list.

Any opinions and or concerns on driving 70 mph aside from getting low mpg?

Getting out of Florida from naples can be a pain and want to know if anyone feels comfortable doing 70 for a few hundred miles.

Thanks and here's to more traveling in 2018.

Iggy
2005 26.5 IB
Re: Things to consider when driving 50 vs 60 vs 70 mph
Reply #1 –
Well, that is a deep subject.
With an 1988 Midbath E350 chassis 470 V8 Fuel injected and a C6 3 speed transmission.
70 mph is close to 4000 Engine RPM, I just cannot morally do it.  Peak HP is around 3800 Engine RPM. ? MPG.
62 mph is close to 3000 Engine RPM,  The Maximum noise I can Tolerate. 8 MPG.
50 mph is close to 2200 Engine RPM,  Nice for sight seeng the country. 8 MPG.
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Things to consider when driving 50 vs 60 vs 70 mph
Reply #2 –
"Any opinions and or concerns on driving 70 mph aside from getting low mpg?"
---
My 'top' speed is about 62 mph, and that only under road, traffic, and weather conditions that suggest that the speed is appropriate and safe. To me, lower mileage is a much lesser concern that being able to maneuver, control, and stop a heavy vehicle in an 'emergency' situation. Even though my 24' rig is only at about 12000 pounds, it has a full complement of 'stabilizer stuff' on it, and I'm not towing, it's still a big, heavy vehicle and the 'physics of motion' are definitely in play.

I can't count the numbers of times where I've had to make sudden moves to avoid just about every kind of road, traffic, and/or idiot hazard that one might come up with; in many cases, if I had been traveling at a higher rate of speed, I very well might not have been able to dodge the potential disaster of the moment and maintain control. A friend told me that I drive the rig 'like an old woman'. Yeah, well, I am an old woman, and the objective is to get older!  ;) 





 
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Things to consider when driving 50 vs 60 vs 70 mph
Reply #3 –
When I get a new vehicle, I try and kind of test it's limits at first.
Must be from my youth when you could get away with that.
Then, I can better find the sweet spot that most have.
On my 96 FL with the 460 V8, that sweet spot on the freeway is about 72,
Mileage is better that at 65 for some reason and it just rides nice and mellow.

So, find the sweet spot on yours and you will be good.
Jota
96 23.5 FL
Re: Things to consider when driving 50 vs 60 vs 70 mph
Reply #4 –
I like to drive between 55 and 65.  In some states out west that can be slow.  I stay to the right and will move the speed up to 70.   The speed limit on that stretch of road was 80 MPH and traffic was moving faster.  There was a strong side wind and every time a big rig would pass I would move around some in the lane.  In OK I got pulled over.  I explained to the cop what was happening.  
As I was again on my way looking at the calendar I realized that it was the first day of spring break for some colleges.  I know from working with law enforcement over the years that driving slow is an indication of impaired driving.  Sure enough I got pulled over two more times.  They were really looking for people driving impaired.  In each case after a very little bit conversation each time they were ready to let me drive on. 
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: Things to consider when driving 50 vs 60 vs 70 mph
Reply #5 –
I have yet to find the sweet spot on my 2005 e450. I wish I could find the previous owner and ask about his driving habits--disadvantages of buying from a dealer. That said, appreciate all the input. John I find your experiences in OK funny. Spring break. OK. Don't go slow. Check.

I have been doing 55-60. Will open up my nitro tank and try for 65-70 next time.

Thanks for your input all!
2005 26.5 IB
Re: Things to consider when driving 50 vs 60 vs 70 mph
Reply #6 –
I've put about 36,000 miles on my '03 FL since I bought it in 2014.  Probably > 80% of the miles have been logged on interstate highways, and almost all during daylight hours.  I don't tow and travel pretty light, so my coach easily will go 70 mph, which I do on the rare occasion, and I'm quite comfortable with the way it drives at that speed.  On occasions where traffic conditions may force me to go over 70 for some reason, the rig will do it easily, but I don't like the feel above 72 or so, and drop back down below 70 as soon as I can.  Most of the time, on the 'open road' with good conditions, I use the cruise control set for 2 mph below the speed limit.  I don't have to worry about speeding, and feel well in control of the rig.  Out west, there are places where speed limits may be 75 or even 80, but 70 is my limit, so 68 mph is my max on the interstate. 

Bill
2003 -- 23' FL
Re: Things to consider when driving 50 vs 60 vs 70 mph
Reply #7 –
If traffic is not heavy and moving fast we normally drive within 15 mph of the speed limit.  We took a driving course at Life On Wheels years ago and the instructor said this would be a safe minimum.  On interstates where speed limit is 75, we typical move along at 62 mph.  Where it is 80, we are normally doing 65 mph.  Where it is 70, we are normally doing 60mph.  One nice thing about doing back roads at 55 mph, one is able to observe the scenery better.



Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: Things to consider when driving 50 vs 60 vs 70 mph
Reply #8 –
Ross said, "One nice thing about doing back roads at 55 mph, one is able to observe the scenery better."

Amen!  That's why I typically try to avoid the interstates--unless I'm hotfooting it 'cause I've got a timeline, I much prefer seeing the little towns/farms/countryside in general.  I also agree with Joan's observation "I am an old woman, and the objective is to get older!"  As I meandered through the Arkansas Ozarks on US 65 yesterday & today, even 55 felt too fast at times; fortunately there were some places I could pull over to let the folks behind me speed on their way.

I'm currently in Pine Bluff, with the plan to meander as far south as US 65 goes from Chillicothe, then I'll find some Louisiana path to the Gulf so the 4-Legged Alarm can dip her toes; think we'll take US 61 back north to see my cousin in St. Louis & then on to US 36 & home.  We went to New Orleans when I was a kid in '66 when Mizzou played in the Sugar Bowl, so this is a sort of re-tracing some of where I've been before, but its all new because I had my nose stuck in a book back then (Dad used to say it didn't do any good to take Mother or me anywhere, because we didn't know where we'd been)--this time I'm paying attention to what's going on around & in front of me...and slower speeds feel better at this age.   ;D  

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Things to consider when driving 50 vs 60 vs 70 mph
Reply #9 –
We normally drive about 58 in any vehicle for the sole reason, at that speed we don't get stressed from having to pay close attention. We can observe the scenery, other drivers, etc. We shun the Interstates simply because there is much less to see than on the US and state highways. MPG is about the same at 65 as it is at 58 according to the Scanguage.

Control is not an issue. We are stock Ford and would not put add any aftermarket suspension stuff. The rig handles fine at 80, the few times we have gone that fast. Wind, no issue, until it blows dust obscuring vision, then we park.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Things to consider when driving 50 vs 60 vs 70 mph
Reply #10 –
We drive the speed limit, up to 70.  We have exceeded that a few times in the past, but not now.  The rig handles fine and the engine does not strain.  Drive at a speed that you are comfortable with, not necessarily anyone else's preference.  I would not speed as LDs (any RVs) are huge targets for radar and "plain wrappers".
2011 MB
Re: Things to consider when driving 50 vs 60 vs 70 mph
Reply #11 –
I have 31K on the rig, 30 K towing.  Honda recommends a max of 60mph towing the CRV so I try to keep it to that.
Up to 65 on occasions (and along I-80 in Nevada).   Rare 70 when trying to pass and get out of the traffic lane.
Haven't driven enough w/o the towd to have an idea of what speeds it likes.
Joel & Terry Wiley
2013  31 IB   ORWAN   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Things to consider when driving 50 vs 60 vs 70 mph
Reply #12 –
Quote from: rodneyhelfrich  - 
62 mph is close to 3000 Engine RPM,  The Maximum noise I can Tolerate. 8 MPG.

Something wrong here. Travelling at 60 mph in our '83 G-30 was relatively quiet - and engine noise was very low. However, the thermal-clutch for the engine fan failed many times over the years, and when it would fail, it would lock up. With the fan fully engaged, the noise was like the cockpit of a fighter jet on take-off at 60 mph. If you can't turn the fan blade with the engine off and cool, the clutch is bad.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
 
Re: Things to consider when driving 50 vs 60 vs 70 mph
Reply #13 –
Steve,
I tend to drive it by the Tachometer.  Most cars Cruise at 2000 RPM.  Mentally, I just don't like to cruse at 3000 rpm. 75% of peak Horse power.

The 1988 Ford C6 transmission is 3 speed with a 1:1 final ratio,. No locking Trorque converter, No overdrive, gives 2804 input RPM at 60 mph. 

So, maybe the exhaust manifold leak at #4(RR).  
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath