Can I haul my trailer freeway speeds?

[fishrdan]

Re: Can I haul my trailer freeway speeds?

Utah/Wyoming? Do they even have a "trailer/towing speed limit?

I tow my little tinney through NV/UT at 75-80 MPH (oh boy I can hear the grumbling all ready) without any problems, tires stay cool and show little wear after 3 years. I've passed many LEO's and they didn't even give me a second glance.

I should say, I have 5.30x12" tires on a small boat trailer and the tires are lightly loaded, probably 400# each on 900# capacity tire, total trailer weight is 900#. I went with 12" tires for so they would be spin slower at high speed and a more clearance while out in the sticks.

My 2500-3000# Crestliner,,, yeah I'm not towing that thing at 80MPH, more like 65...

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Can I haul my trailer freeway speeds?

I am not sure, but I think that in many, if not most states, legal HW speed for towing a trailer is 55MPH.

for light duty (non-semi) I don't think i've run into ANY state that has a restriction anymore, at least not on a state-wide basis. Lots of states used to, and then figured out having a trailer going 55 in a 75, with everyone driving 80+, is more dangerous than just having the trailer go with the flow.

Here is a site that shows a list of trailer regs nationwide. (may or may not be accurate)

http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

 

[Spbeyond]

Re: Can I haul my trailer freeway speeds?

If I wanted to go to bigger wheels for clearance, do I just bolt them on or am I going to have to replace other pieces? (Suspension ect...)

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Can I haul my trailer freeway speeds?

If I wanted to go to bigger wheels for clearance, do I just bolt them on or am I going to have to replace other pieces? (Suspension ect...)

Depends on your clearances, and how much bigger.
As the wheel / tire combination gets taller it will also get wider. So check clearance from tread to wheelwell, but also check sidewall to frame and / or wheelwell. Also how much does the trailer suspension flex going down the road? You wouldn't want to stuff those tires into the wheelwell when you hit a bump inthe road.....

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Can I haul my trailer freeway speeds?

Sorry! But since the tires are in contact with the ground, they see the exact same speed as the tow vehicle tires. If the tow vehicle is traveling 60 MPH, the tires are moving 88 feet per second. BY definition, the trailer tires can not be traveling any different speed and the trailer tire tread is also travelling 88 feet per second.

HOWEVER since they spin more times to travel the same distance, the BEARINGS experience a faster rotational speed than the tow vehicle bearings--assuming approximately the same bearing size. Now, you math type fellas out there take it down to radians per second to compare tow vehicle tire tread speed and trailer tire tread speed. Then figure out centrifugal forces on each size tire tread. That's too much math for me! BUT, I suspect that because of the smaller tire diameter, the forces will be very nearly equal.

If I recall correctly, centrifugal force goes up with the square of RPM, but linear with diameter. Thus halving the diameter and keeping the MPH the same will double the centrifugal force on the tread.

(I just checked Wiki, and that is correct, at least as far as Wiki says.)

TerryMSU

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Can I haul my trailer freeway speeds?

If I wanted to go to bigger wheels for clearance, do I just bolt them on or am I going to have to replace other pieces? (Suspension ect...)

In addition to clearances, another obvious thing to check is the bolt pattern on the hubs and wheels.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Can I haul my trailer freeway speeds?

PS - someone mentioned checking the hubs for overheating. Often, that is an easy way to tell if bearings are failing and is a good idea.

But it doesn't always work. I bought a boat trailer last year and used it for a while without repacking the bearings. The hubs ran cool, so I thought all was fine. Then one day I noticed that one wheel leaned badly. The bearings had self destructed and the wheel was almost ready to fall off. It still ran cool. Now the trailer has new bearings, races, seals, and bearing buddies - and a spare bearing kit in the boat.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Can I haul my trailer freeway speeds?

Two issues with high speed towing. Neither has anything to do with centrifugal force

One is exceeding the bearings load and speed ratings. RPM is a factor in both the bearings load rating and the bearing's lubrication requirements.

The other problem is exceeding the tires speed rating which in the case of a "ST" rated trailer tire is 65 mph.

You have to resolve both issues to get where you want to go

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Can I haul my trailer freeway speeds?

If it were me I would check the bearings well if you have not done so in a while. Pumping grease in the b.b. is fine BUT you need to take them apart and inspect the bearings and races. They can be fine on grease but if there has been water trapped in there they need to be replaced as they are most likely spalded/pitted. Once the bearings are in order then move onto the tire issue. The small tires if within their load range are fine for freeway speeds. They are pretty tough little tires as long as they are inflated properly and are not overloaded. If you have the clearance you can certianly use a bigger tire/rim. The cracking on the sidewalls is a good indication the tire needs to be replaced, trailer tires always lose the sidewall long before the tread is worn out, but the sidewall is the most important part of a trailer tire by far. Where abouts in Utah do you live? I live in SLC and travel to flaming gorge a few times a year, and Lake powell 3-4 times per year, so bearing/tire failure is not an option. I also carry a spare bearing/race/seal/grease just in case. My snowmobile trailer uses the small tire/wheel and even loaded with sleds (which are heavy) I've never had a problem towing freeway speeds and up and down steep canyons (parleys, Daniels, etc). If you need info on trailer maint. go to champion trailers.com lots of great info there about just what you are asking. Good luck on your trip.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Can I haul my trailer freeway speeds?

In addition to clearances, another obvious thing to check is the bolt pattern on the hubs and wheels.

Yeah, sorry, shoulda mentioned that. As much as I swap rims around, it;s the thing I have the least trouble with

 

[Spbeyond]

Re: Can I haul my trailer freeway speeds?

Thanks guys, I have never done anything like replacing bearings before but I think i am going to give it a shot. Thanks guys.

 

[ultra353]

Re: Can I haul my trailer freeway speeds?

You have to check legal speed limits for pulling a trailer in your own state. Here in Mi, as terrymsu states the legal speed limit is 70mph, but hook up a trailer and the "legal" speed limit is now 60 mph.

 

[Spbeyond]

Re: Can I haul my trailer freeway speeds?

Yeah the legal speed here (utah) is "posted speed" I was more worried if the wheels were going to burst or something.

 

[Billy O]

Re: Can I haul my trailer freeway speeds?

I pulled a 4ft john boat 600 miles with out any problems. Just stop once in awhile and check the heat on the hubs and bearings. Take a grease gun with you incase you need it. Try to eliminate as much weight from boat as possible. Take a empty tank instead of full tank and leave plug out incase of rain. I stoped after the first fifty miles and felt hubs for excess heat. After that I kind of just checked at rest areas.