I'm trying to research this, but I'm not getting a very clear answer. I've seen places say 55mph for any kind of trailer, but I assume it's a state law because I see semi's going 75-80 on the highways and pickups with trailers as well. (Pflugerville, TX) Say you have a Ram 1500 and a 1600lbs~ Jon boat, can you hop on I-35 and do 75-80 to keep up with traffic? What if it was a boat that was MUCH heavier? For laws and safety.

Thanks,
Swyt909

Have you tried Txdot or other state websites? I saw a thread several years back that there are different limits based on type of trailers. Per the thread I read there are no special limits for boat trailers. I don't gave a problem with someone going 75 on interstate with properly set up and maintained trailers. What I do have a problem with is people pulling trailers without the proper tow vehicle or not setting up there vehicle to tow safely. Case in point. Coming home from Burnet County today I encountered an Armada towing a 24' (i am estimating) TT without tow mirrors and proper hitch. He was doing 70 - 80 on 220 and 67. It was a classic tail wagging the dog 🐕 scenario. Yes an Armada with a 5.6 can get that weight moving that fast but can it control it. When I saw him on 281 I was just hoping he was not getting on 220 but he did which was fine because I did not catch him until Glen Rose.

Heck most OEM trailer tires have a speed rating in the 65-75 mph range so that "should" be the most improtant factor limiting your speed.

That is one of the reasons I replaced mine with Goodyear Endurance tires because they have a 87 mph rating.

My boat & trailer travel at speeds of 75 - 80 almost every pull.
I've had blowouts and have broken every original leaf spring. Never caused any other serious damage.

Since we're talking about pulling the boat and speed, here is my story with tip:
My last long haul, I had 3 blowouts. My tires looked to be in good shape and had lots of tread but they were I believe 6 - 7 years old.
I now will replace tires at 5 years, even if one of them is the spare and never touched the ground. 5 years max and they have to go.

jan 2018

Speed

The maximum speed for a towing vehicle in Texas is 70 mph on the interstate unless posted otherwise. Under code 545.352, that's only in the daytime; it applies to passenger vehicles and light trucks pulling small trailers less than 26 feet long, carrying a boat, motorcycle or animals. For such small trailers, the nighttime maximum is 65 mph. For other kinds of trailers, such as fifth wheels, the maximum daytime speed is 60 mph, and that maximum drops by 5 mph at night. Common sense trumps the posted speed limit: If it's foggy, make sure to travel at 55, the police can cite people who drive to fast for dangerous driving.

I have to ask, how would this work if you're towing on I-35? or some other highways that has high speed limits, where it's 75mph but people are going 80mph.

i guess pulling a boat falls under texas prima facie speed limits. how it works is, it probably doesn't unless a cop is familiar with it. it might just be used as one of those, i can pull you over because of it, just to check you out, or if conditions are really unsafe for a vehicle pulling a boat at posted limits. i've never heard of anyone getting a ticket over it

I normally cruise a 70, and 75 to pass someone regardless if the speed limit is 75. Let the one's in a hurry go around you.

they did away with the split speed limits a few yrs. back. you can tow at the speed limit as long as your equipment will handle it.

pulled my champion 202 from branson mo. at 75 for most of the way.

they can and will ticket you for not crossing your safety chains, ask me how I know.

What if your factory installed Skeeter trailer safety cables are not long enough to be crossed? Mine are coiled steel cables.

There are also trailer brake requirements. I read at one time that brakes are required when trailer exceeds 50% of vehicle weight. Some states it is lower. Like 33%.

I guess we could take up a collection for bail money, don't get your hopes up tho.

i looked up the crossing thing. found nothing for that in texas 545.410 that says you have to cross the chains or cables, if these haven't changed anyway. hop, i do agree, crossing the chains is good, but i didn't see it was law. it looks like you were snookered on the chains but it does appear the towing speed limits have changed

texas

elaw

fixed. lol

Can and should are vastly different!

I've not heard about the crossed chains rule but I've heard you are required to alternate the safety chains where they attach to the hitch. Meaning one latches over and one latches under. Is that also an old wives tale??

From the Texas Administrative Code TITLE 37 PART 1 CHAPTER 21 §21.5 - Standards for Safety Chains:

I've been known to clip a long at about 78mph... Wife gets a little jumpy but ya gotta get there... Dan

How fast CAN I tow a boat. That would be somewhere North of 125 mph. Had a 2WD Chevrolet Blazer that I'd dropped a 468 big block in, lowered 2.5 front and 3.5 rear. Towing a single axle Skeeter trailer, never knew it was there. OTOH, a couple years back on the way down to Falcon I passed a string of oilfield trucks and my tandem axle BassCat trailer went into a death wobble at 105. Since that come to Jesus event I've not towed over 75

I'll offer this : In the summer time in TX, with the hotter road temps, I tend to trailer slower than I would in winter with cool roads. I'm normally between 65-75 (possibly more if passing), except heat of summer, then I normally don't go over 70. It may not make that big of a difference until that one time you have a tread peeling blowout that crushes the diamond plate fender down to the hub and wraps the tread around the axle on the side of the highway in 100+ temps with the sun bearing down!

Agree

Or have a blow out on the truck and can’t stop the trailer.

Pretty much the only thing I tow over 70 is our empty flat bed. Majority of the time im towing its 65.

Yep, me too. I have been known to hook up and tow to Southern Florida (1000 miles give or take) and no way could I make that drive at 65 mph. Heck, I can't drive 65 without the boat LOL.