Travel speed for 12" tires?

[cosmorummer]

We picked up our brand new QS 8.0 this past week and had to travel from MN to Milwaukee to get it. Before leaving the dealership, I asked the technician how fast we could safely travel, and he said 70 mph would be fine. But now my BIL (who is a farmer and deals frequently with trailers of various types) insists that 60mph is more appropriate for that size tire. I don't see anything in the manual about travel speed. Google is all over the place with recommendations. What speed do you experienced Quicksilver owners travel?

[pinstriper]

[quote source="/post/24712/thread" author="@cosmorummer" timestamp="1474250532"]We picked up our brand new QS 8.0 this past week and had to travel from MN to Milwaukee to get it. Before leaving the dealership, I asked the technician how fast we could safely travel, and he said 70 mph would be fine. But now my BIL (who is a farmer and deals frequently with trailers of various types) insists that 60mph is more appropriate for that size tire. I don't see anything in the manual about travel speed. Google is all over the place with recommendations. What speed do you experienced Quicksilver owners travel?
[/quote]I wouldn't drive 70 mph. Not because the tire's are 12's. But because they're on a trailer.

[gnies]

I saw somewhere that the limit you could drive with trailer tire (ST) was 65 MPH

I have found this information on this website

http://www.carlstargroup.com/about-us/faq

How fast can I travel on Carlisle trailer tires?

In the past, most trailer tires were rated at 62 or 65 mph. Today, some of our tires are "rated" (speed symbols) at 87 mph (N), some at 75 mph (L), some at 65 mph (J: ST tires) and some at 62 mph (J: non-metric tires).

 

Please remember that speed ratings are test speeds and not recommended driving speeds. The ratings apply only to the tire itself, and not  a particular vehicle. The speed rating does not mean that the vehicle can be safely operated at the tire's rated speed.

 

[strong]We recommend driving no more than 60 mph when towing a trailer. Please always drive at a safe speed and abide by the posted speed limit.[/strong]

[admin]

60 mph is a good rule of thumb. The problem you'll see is that a single tire can be used in vastly different situations, so there is no good recommendation on towing speed that covers everyone. I have personally been known to tow my 10.0 at 70 mph without issue, but that's with knowing the limits of my trailer (including its tires) and tow vehicle. With that in mind I think you'll see that everyone has a different opinion on the matter. In the end the manufacturer recommendation and your setup ultimately determines the safe speed for travel.

[david]

One way to feel comfortable driving 65 mph or greater is to look at the tire sidewall load rating, its inflation pressure and the trailer weight (divided by two) as it relates the sidewall rating. If the load rating and the trailer weight is close, then drive at 65 or less. It has, say a 20% margin, then I think that you are safe driving a bit faster, say 70 mph. But if you do that, inflate your tires to the sidewall pressure, not the LL recommended pressure.

It is heat that destroys tires and the faster you go, the more heat is produced. But if you have a substantial margin between trailer weight and tire load rating then the tire can probably stand the additional heat of driving 70.

But note the word probably and I think in the foregoing ;-).

David

[charliem]

[font size="3"]David,

Good points, but also the process is somewhat self limiting: The faster you drive the more frequently you'll have to rest the tires at a gas station MPG~1/MPH  or MPH*MPG=K  
[/font]

[cosmorummer]

So much helpful info.  You guys are awesome!  

Our tires show load class C, 1045 lbs.  We have A/C, rear deck, and a spare tire, and we travel with minimal gear.  Our food and beverage coolers are fully stocked for longer trips, although they will be stowed in the car.  Using David's guidelines, 65 mph should be well within the the safe limits.  After reading all the posts here, I think 70 mph might be pushing it.

Sorry to be posting so many questions to this board, but we are absolute newbies at fold up campers, and we have zero experience towing any kind of trailer!!