Does anyone here really drive 55 MPH on an interstate? Out west the speed limit is 75 MPH so doing 55 MPH would mean a 20 to 25 MPH difference between you and the faster vehicles. I usually drive 65 MPH in the bus, but I did drop to 60 MPH on my way back from Florida.
I'm wondering if it would be safe to drive 55 MPH on an interstate? They say traffic is usually safest when everyone is going about the same speed.
This past weekend in my car I almost rear ended a car that was going 50 to 55 MPH on a four lane divided highway with 65 MPH limit. I was cruising along about 67 MPH and suddenly a pickup truck ahead of me swerved into the left lane. As soon as he switched lanes I saw a car traveling much slower than me and I had to slam on the brakes to slow down. I couldn't see the slow car due to the pickup truck blocking my view. I'm not sure why the pickup hadn't slowed down or switched lanes earlier.
I run 70 when it is safe. I hate these trucking companies that run 62 or so! Then there is the Com-Car group running 60!
Jack
I don't think so. I recently drove cross country and beacause I had over heating issues my average speed was 55.
I felt like a sitting duck! It was not fun and it did not feel safe!!
Even the trucks that transport mobile homes were passing me up!
In addition to being scary, it was also embarrasing!
I've heard many times that a slower moving car or truck on an Interstate was far more dangerous than a speeding car or truck.
Jimmy
LOL, we don't touch 55 unless we have to. Otherwise it is hammer down, and roll the max possible.
We just drove through Arizona to Texas. It was in the truck. It was a shock to drive 80mph. After getting used to it, everybody was driving 80 and the trucks were doing 70, it really seemed safer than California. There just wasn't anybody driving slow and causing traffic blockages.
Don and Cary
1973 Eagle 05
GMC 4107
Neoplan An340
While the interstates say minimum speed 45, I think the minimum should be 60. If you cant drive that fast choose an alternate route.
edit; I should say on level roads, obviously steep grades are a different matter.
Quote from: John316 on May 07, 2011, 07:28:08 PM
LOL, we don't touch 55 unless we have to. Otherwise it is hammer down, and roll the max possible.
John
Hammer Down and roll the max possible??? In your coach, I'd guess thats about 95MPH give or take a MPH. ;D
Jimmy
Quote from: Highway Yacht on May 07, 2011, 08:32:34 PM
Hammer Down and roll the max possible??? In your coach, I'd guess thats about 95MPH give or take a MPH. ;D
Jimmy
I saw a 4106 once with a speeding ticked taped to the cieling above the driver. 92 mph.
In 2008 when the fuel prices were high like they are now I drove from L.A. to Nashville and back keeping it at 62 mph. Rarely was passed by a truck and the cars were going just a bit faster. When in California, I run at 58mph since that is 1850rpm. Then out of Cal, I step it up to 65mph at 2100rpm.
My truck is geared differently-with 3.55 and 11R-24.5, I can do 65mph all day at 1830rpm, or step it up to 75mph at 2112rpm. Good Luck, TomC
With fuel at $4.65 I join the trucks in the right lane doing between 55 and 60 MPH, because I get about 1 MPG better than at 67 MPH. The last time I went out on I-15 I noticed that most of the slower trucks were owner-operators, and the trucks passing me were more often corporate-owned. I guess who's paying the fuel bills is the difference here.
Another reason I'm happy going slower is braking distances - my bus doesn't have ABS, so I prefer giving myself more room for whatever happens (and on the crowded freeways here there's always something happening to keep my attention). Other drivers seem to be OK with a big yellow bus going slower than them - I sometimes get a thumbs-up from them when they pass me! Also, the CHP frowns on what appear to be school buses doing more than about 60, and with the State of CA's present fiscal woes I don't want to give them any excuse to give me a speeding ticket.
John
QuoteWith fuel at $4.65 I join the trucks in the right lane doing between 55 and 60 MPH, because I get about 1 MPG better than at 67 MPH. The last time I went out on I-15 I noticed that most of the slower trucks were owner-operators, and the trucks passing me were more often corporate-owned. I guess who's paying the fuel bills is the difference here.
John said it better than I could.
During the past 12 months, I have slowly been conditioning myself to drive "slower" in order to conserve fuel (money). We now do 65mph in just about everything and it is paying off. At first it was not an easy thing to do, but like everything else in life, you get used to it.
55 sucks .....
BCO
" I Can't Drive 55!"
"I Can't Drive 55" - Smokey and the Bandit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg8CI-wdo7I&feature=related#)
Brian S.
"Eastbound and Down"
East Bound and Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnRwQjTYfGI&feature=related#)
Brian S.
Quote from: Depewtee on May 08, 2011, 04:44:06 AM
"Eastbound and Down"
East Bound and Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnRwQjTYfGI&feature=related#)
Brian S.
Don't know what this has to do with buses ... but did you notice the sign in the truckstop that read "Diesel 47 cents?" Ah, the good ol days.
BCO
I drive my bus at 60 on the interstates.
The speedo on the bus says between 35 and 40 mph and I pass every one like they are chained to the guardrail. The p.o. said the speedo was reading about half speed and the phone call from the wife behind me in the truck confirmed that. I guess I really should get that fixed. ;D ;D
The reason I asked the question is because I see some responses to questions stating to just slow down to 55 MPH to save on fuel. On two lane roads that mostly have 55 or 60 MPH limits that seems perfectly reasonable. You'll probably have folks latched to your rear bumper, but you just have to learn to ignore them.
I can see driving a bus at 55 MPH inside of the state of California because isn't the speed limit for large vehicles 55 MPH anyhow? I can't see going that slow on interstates in Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and other states with 75 MPH limits for all vehicles. I mostly go 65 MPH with the bus for fuel economy and safety. I advocated slowing down to 60 MPH in 2008 the last time fuel was really high, but the rest of my group didn't want to be on the road for an extra three hours.
I drive in the right lane and try to find a truck that's doing around 60 and just follow him around 200 yards back. If a truck wants to pass me, I slow down to let him past faster. I guess I am going around 60 - 62 most of the time. that's on flat road. I try to pick up speed going down a hill into a climb, and I climb hills as fast as she will go, whatever that is. I often find my self going too fast on flat roads and have to back off to get back to my preferred speed. I don't drive 55 on purpose very often, on major highways.
Brian
62-65 in the right lane.
Let 'em go by.
Mike in GA
In Illinois the speed limit is 55 for semi trucks motorhomes and buses if I remember correctly --- that is even on the interstates
Melbo
Illinois eliminated the truck speed limit recently. Limit is now 65 MPH for all vehicles. BK said the 55 MPH limit specifically did not apply to buses. The signs said trucks, RVs, and trailers from what I recall. I'm sure BK had checked into the speed limit issue for buses.
If you really want to drive 55 just post the back of the bus with the sticker that says "this vehicle does not travel above 55mph"......Up here in Quebec I have noticed everyone has slowed down as fuel got pricier. In fact when fuel takes a leap everyone slows down.....I drive 110 kmh (68 mph)never any more to keep fuel down.....if I drove 100 kmh (62 mph) I would save more....if I drove 55 mph (89 kmh) I would fall asleep, but I could use the fuel savings to pay the higher premiums after I crashed. I have tried to drive 55 for a long time but it is soooo hard to do.
I generally try to get behind a Schneider or Werner truck. Those guys travel at a good safe speed and I think are among the safest out there.
In 2008 I made a monthly trip of 90 miles round trip in my car. The speed limit is 70 MPH on the interstate. I was only driving 65 MPH because I was towing a small trailer. When I made the trip in May 2008 I was passing quite a few cars even at 65 MPH. Lots of people going slow due to fuel costs. In June 2008 I was going the same 65 MPH but rarely passed anyone and hardly any cars passed me. By July 2008 I was being passed like I was standing still while driving 65 MPH on the road.
The interesting thing is fuel prices didn't peak until after my trip in July 2008. I think people either adjusted their budgets to pay for the gas or they got sick of driving slow and put the gas on their credit card or something.
Last summer I helped my friend drive his new (to him) Crown tandem back home. Because the tach wasn't accurate, and because we didn't know how the engine had been set, we kept at exactly 55 MPH down 99 from Sacramento to Bakersfield and over Tehachapi to his house near Hesperia. Boy, was that boring! Interestingly, there were quite a lot of trucks also doing that speed, so we just convoyed along with them. That was certainly the most relaxing drive I've ever done, having no worries about speeding tickets from the ever-vigilant CHP revenue agents.
When we got back to his house we calculated his bus had got over 10 MPG at that speed, and that includes going over Tehachapi. That's not bad for a thirty-year-old skoolie weighing 25,000 empty! (In comparison, his Hemi Ram pickup that I was driving barely got 25 MPG at that speed, and he said that's the best it's ever got all the time he's owned it.) The Crown has a 270 HP turbo 6-71 with a Spicer 10-speed. He's recently replaced its tach, so now at about 2100 indicated RPM it does almost 70 MPH. If instead it had the overdrive RTO it would be good for at least 80 MPH! I've heard of some Crowns getting 12 MPG, so I can believe that if they have the RTO.
John
All very well driving at 75 but how the hell do you get it stopped in an emergency
I personally think anyone driving slowed then 10mph below the posted speed is endangering themselves and others. If circumstances are beyond your control and driving slower is necessary safety dictates you stay in the right lane....
Quote from: thunderstruck on May 08, 2011, 01:19:46 PM
I personally think anyone driving slowed then 10mph below the posted speed is endangering themselves and others. If circumstances are beyond your control and driving slower is necessary safety dictates you stay in the right lane....
That pretty much goes without saying, that if you are driving slower than traffic, (no matter the speed limit or how fast the traffic is going), you should be in the right lane.
In California if you are towing anything, the speed limit is 55. If i want or need to go faster i stay out of CA. ;D
In California, 55mph applies to any vehicle pulling a trailer or any truck with 3 or more axles. A housecar with up to 3 axles is exempt and can go the same speed limit as cars-just as a two axle truck can also go the same speed as cars in any lane. Good Luck, TomC
Quote from: belfert on May 08, 2011, 06:16:50 AM
On two lane roads that mostly have 55 or 60 MPH limits that seems perfectly reasonable. You'll probably have folks latched to your rear bumper, but you just have to learn to ignore them.
I never have, and never will understand that kind of reasoning. You drive slow, so everyone else behind you can just stick it? My Dad didnt teach me to drive that way, I learned that if people were backing up behind me to pull the heck over and let them go past. Even if im doing the speed limit, or even if im over, if someone wants to go I generally try to let them get past.
All forcing someone to stay behind you does is make them irritated and more likely to take greater risks trying to pass, possibly putting lives in danger.
In Cally there is a law about cars behind you, as I recall it is 5. If they are stacked up you have to pull over or get a ticket.
Quote from: happycamperbrat on May 08, 2011, 09:55:05 PM
In Cally there is a law about cars behind you, as I recall it is 5. If they are stacked up you have to pull over or get a ticket.
Its amazing they even need a law, but there's little common sense left in the world, or consideration, either one. Or both.
Quote from: Highway Yacht on May 07, 2011, 08:32:34 PM
Quote from: John316 on May 07, 2011, 07:28:08 PM
LOL, we don't touch 55 unless we have to. Otherwise it is hammer down, and roll the max possible.
John
Hammer Down and roll the max possible??? In your coach, I'd guess thats about 95MPH give or take a MPH. ;D
Jimmy
Actually, Jimmy, that would only be down hill. We don't have our S60 hopped up as much as we could.
I should also put another qualifier on my statement. We drive the max possible (which is really close to the speed limit, because we don't want to endanger our CDL's) given the weather conditions are good and favorable.
Quote from: artvonne on May 08, 2011, 09:40:53 PM
Quote from: belfert on May 08, 2011, 06:16:50 AM
On two lane roads that mostly have 55 or 60 MPH limits that seems perfectly reasonable. You'll probably have folks latched to your rear bumper, but you just have to learn to ignore them.
I never have, and never will understand that kind of reasoning. You drive slow, so everyone else behind you can just stick it? My Dad didnt teach me to drive that way, I learned that if people were backing up behind me to pull the heck over and let them go past. Even if im doing the speed limit, or even if im over, if someone wants to go I generally try to let them get past.
All forcing someone to stay behind you does is make them irritated and more likely to take greater risks trying to pass, possibly putting lives in danger.
If someone wants to drive well over the speed limit why should I make special accommodations for them? I very rarely drive my bus on two lane roads, but I do drive my car on two lane roads. I generally drive at least 62 MPH on 55 MPH roads yet I still get people driving two inches from my bumper from time to time.
Does California law require one to pull over if they going at or above the speed limit? I can understand pulling off if one was going under the limit. On many two lane roads it would difficult to find a place to easily pull off in an RV.
States in the west that have the pull over law when backing up traffic have pull over lanes for that reason Idaho has the lanes in the mountains and along the rivers fwiw no way will I drive 55 on a highway with a 70 to 80 mph limit not safe in my opinion if 55 is the case for me I am off the interstate system period
good luck
To answer the California law question, it was easy to find in the vehicle code:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21656.htm (http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21656.htm)
QuoteTurning Out of Slow-Moving Vehicles
21656. On a two-lane highway where passing is unsafe because of traffic in the opposite direction or other conditions, a slow-moving vehicle, including a passenger vehicle, behind which five or more vehicles are formed in line, shall turn off the roadway at the nearest place designated as a turnout by signs erected by the authority having jurisdiction over the highway, or wherever sufficient area for a safe turnout exists, in order to permit the vehicles following it to proceed. As used in this section a slow-moving vehicle is one which is proceeding at a rate of speed less than the normal flow of traffic at the particular time and place.
Amended Ch. 448, Stats. 1965. Effective September 17, 1965.
So, this law only applies on two-lane highways, when passing is unsafe, when 5+ vehicles are behind you, and even then only if it's practical and safe to pull over. Nothing about actual speed limits, but it does define slow-moving vehicle. That definition could easily include someone going faster than the speed limit, but slower than traffic. From a cops point of view, having too many cars stacked up behind you would be the visual definition of "slow-moving vehicle".
I agree with that except that there should be no need for it to be a law. It's just common courtesy, that if there is no one in front of you and multiple vehicles behind you, then you are going too slow and should pull over when you can to let the faster traffic by. It doesn't matter what the speed limit or what your speed is.
I try to do that when I can. The exception is when someone is right on my bumper, especially if it is a big truck. Then I just go slower and slower until they figure it out.
Courtesy begets courtesy and arrogance begets arrogance. Tailgaters do bring out the a-hole in me.
Yes, I know of cases that people have been ticket for not allowing traffic to pass even though they were going the speed limit. They should ticket for that more often. When my father taught me to drive, he made a point of saying it was not my job to enforce the speed limit on others. Each driver makes their own decision. If necessary get out of people's way as they should get out of yours.
That said, I am not going to drive the bus over a cliff because someone wants to go faster. When I see cars behind me, I feel that I have a "slow vehicle" credit from all the times I have been stuck behind one. Another thing is the codger factor. When young, I tried to be very tolerant of the driving idiosyncrasies of elderly drivers. My logic was that one day I would be one of them. Now that I am, I feel I have something coming. It's sort of like a handicapped parking permit for the road.
Why should I have to speed up and risk a speeding ticket just because the vehicle behind me wants to go well over the speed limit? Remember, I'm already traveling at least 7 MPH above the posted limit if the speed limit is 55 MPH.
I will take a four lane road over a two lane road any day of the week because of issues like this.
You want find many 4 lane highways in the mountains or along the river in Idaho suggest you stay on the interstate there and look at desert
good luck
Quote from: belfert on May 09, 2011, 09:38:25 AM
Why should I have to speed up and risk a speeding ticket just because the vehicle behind me wants to go well over the speed limit? Remember, I'm already traveling at least 7 MPH above the posted limit if the speed limit is 55 MPH.
I will take a four lane road over a two lane road any day of the week because of issues like this.
I would never drive faster than I was comfortable with just because traffic is behind me. I will however, pull over when the opportunity is there even if it slows me down a bit more.
For me the destination is usually far more important than the journey. If I'm driving 2,000 miles each way to an event I would rather spend an extra day at the event than take the scenic route. I'm not anywhere close to retirement and don't have the time to wander the countryside. I do usually spend at least a week of vacation time doing repairs at a Scout camp which cuts into my other vacation time.
My original question about driving 55 MPH was related to interstates. Obviously, there are some stretches of interstate that are signed at 55 MPH. As for me I'll continue to drive 65 MPH on interstates unless there is a lower speed limit. Two lane roads with lower speed limits are a whole different subject.
About 10 years ago there was a report, making the rounds, credited to the Insurance Institute that indicated the safest speeds (least accidents) in order from safest were: speed limit plus 5, speed limit minus 5, speed limit, speed limit minus 10, speed limit minus 15, speed limit plus 10, and the speed limit plus 15.
In the bus I feel safer going slower than the speed limit on the interstates. The bus itself is a distraction from the road and its troubles, what with all the gauges that need to be monitored, all the sounds that need to be heard and all the vibrations than need to be pondered as I roll down the road.
I never worry about somebody hitting me from behind. As even the most clueless texter sees the big butt of the bus long before they are close enough to touch.
In fact it was Michael Hargis of 'Singing Land Cruiser' fame who showed me I could travel the speed limit. I followed him to a rally at the Q and he drives fast.
On secondary roads I find the fastest speed that doesn't launch items off the counters to be the best and I let people go by when it is safe.
Mike
I made a run to Bakersfield last year to get a cheeze burger ... Did it in under thirty hours ... Ran so fast that I got enough moving violations to wallpaper my shop!
Drop the hammer on it and run .....
BCO
Quote from: Len Silva on May 09, 2011, 08:57:40 AM
Tailgaters do bring out the a-hole in me.
Len -A colleague of mine has a rather large bumper sticker on the back of his F-350 crew-cab dually pick-up that says:
TAILGATER SPECIAL! - FREE HOLEY RADIATORS!Get yours today courtesy of my trailer hitch!
Of course, his hitch is one of those massive pintel-types for pulling BIG horse trailers, at the perfect height to tear up the front end of just about any car (especially the rice rockets, of which we have an abundance here locally).
Seems to keep them away. . .
:o
Brian -I often run up/down our three local freeways pulling my little utility trailer as I make my daily rounds. Doing so limits me to 55 mph and the RH lane, since I'm in CA, altho I usually run 58 - 60.
What I really find interesting about this, compared to running 65 - 75 w/o the trailer, is that I often do not have a lot of traffic immediately ahead of me in my lane. Thus, I now have a much larger front "safety cushion" to react to upcoming traffic conditions and provide safer braking distances.
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Since the difference between 55 and 65 at today's fuel prices is about $10,000. YES
Hello: I Have limited my speed to 60 most time and yesterday did abit at 65 going over the hills in alabama and missisippi on I 20 presently in monroe la heading for texas tomorrow mileage is up and with 400 fuel prices I need all the help I can get
Regards and happy bussin mike
Mike can you run in second overdrive at 60 and what do you find to be the optimum rpm for fuel mileage??
Good to see that you are on the road
Melbo
Similar topic linky: How to increase speed (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=15763.msg169568#msg169568)
62 tops 65. Fast enough with people in bunks or moving about. You couldnt keep up with the traffic here in MT, so no sense even trying. Then there is the fuel difference.
Hello: Concerning gearing and such:
with the geaaring I have b400r 6 speed with 4.625 rear
@1700 rpm 4th 45mph; 5th 60.9mph; 6th 70mph;
for climbing purposes 4th @2100 is 56 mph
With a mechanical engine the turbo needs rpms to spool up and be effective. I believe below 1500 it is not as efficient.
The engine likes to run between 1750 and 2000. I try to keep the engine pyro around 900 or below. the pyro is mounted in the exhaust manifold.
WE need to get more info about fuel consumption but so far 7 and 8 is where we are at.
Regards and hapy busssin mike
Mike, I lost the chart You provided to Me for the gear ratios versus speed! If You have it in Your computer I would really like another copy. I missed You at Arcadia this year but worry not I still have Your milling vise. I ran to Arcadia in 5Th this year and the mileage stayed the same as running in 6Th. Still getting a little over 6mpg pulling the wrangler! I want to get rid of this high rear ratio so I do not have to contend with the HT70 hunting back and forth from 5Th to 6Th. Also would like to climb a hill in something other than 4Th. You are more than welcome to stop and rest here on Your way back or whatever. John L
I think we need to all ask the guberment to go back to the 55 MPH national speed limit!
Bawahahahahahahahahahahaha!
;D BK ;D