California and speed limits

[bmwlarry]

We have about to start our Spyderfest ride and we had a pre-ride meeting. It was brought to my attention that when pulling our small tent trailer thru California we must not exceed 55 mph. Is this true? The spyder hates 55 mph - even without towing. We have to drive the whole lenght of Ca. from Oregon and this will add a lot of time as well as quite tiring. We are trying to escape the "winter" climates on the way.

I really do not want to ride all the way thru Ca. in 4th gear!

 

[TicketBait]

When riding up to Eureka CA. from Los Angeles and back I was pulling my RT622, several freeway signs said "ALL Vehicles Pulling Trailers 55MPH" and some signs said " All Cars & Trucks Pulling Trailers 55MPH" and other referred to the # of axels. The ALL VEHICLES I paid more attention to, and noted when I last saw it as I was cruising allong at 75:yikes:. I believe the signs are posted for safety in high wind areas that could make driving efforts for high prrofile vehicles susceptible to tipping over.

The biggest thing is not to be in the carpool lane if you are towing, otherwise it, ok on the Spyder.

I remember when I went to the second spyderfest and met BRP Carlo, he said that when they were testing towing the RT it had been road tested to 90 MPH, I said I concur with that evaluation.

Disclaimer- Adhere to All state traffic laws:thumbup:

 

[Chupaca]

Not sure..!!

but it applies mostly to cars trucks and vans. Semi's of course but you will not see them following the rule. Stay with the traffic flow or below and you should be fine. I have traveled across several time towing my bike in a box van towing my car and never had a problem...just don't lead..follow....:dontknow:

 

[Jeriatric]

Towing a trailer in California

55mph is the limit for any vehicle pulling a trailer. Without exception - it's the law.

There are also lane use limitations.

Generally when towing a trailer you are restricted to the right two lanes(3 lane highway) and should only be a lane over (lane 2) if overtaking a slower vehicle. If there are 4 lanes plus, vehicles with trailers are generally allowed to use both right lanes.

Vehicles pulling trailers are not allowed in HOV lanes and are not permitted to use the #1 lane under normal conditions.

That fairly well covers the basics of California law when towing a trailer.

What you do outside of that is your choice.

Have a safe trip.

 

[bzbaeren]

towing

I tow a lot and I stay in the outside lanes and follow the traffic flow so 55 is the law but not rigidly enforced CHP will ticket though if they are trying to meet a quota. Safest times are high flow times because CHP doesn't like to cause a lot of Lookie Loos kind of flow problems. I routinely tow much faster than 55 but the tickets are expensive so keep a sharp lookout.

 

[sealfloorboards]

I just drove the length of Ca. from Palm Springs to Oregon, pulling my RT on a trailer. I maintained a steady 70 all the way. Others were passing with trailers. Saw a number of State Police on the way. BUT, as my dad always said....."You pay your own tickets!". Safe travels and.......

Ride in comfort,
Joh
Seal Floorboards

 

[Jeriatric]

I just drove the length of Ca. from Palm Springs to Oregon, pulling my RT on a trailer. I maintained a steady 70 all the way. Others were passing with trailers. Saw a number of State Police on the way. BUT, as my dad always said....."You pay your own tickets!". Safe travels and.......

Ride in comfort,
Joh
Seal Floorboards

A friend on his BMW w/o a trailer was recently busted for speed exceeding the posted speed limit.

$550.00 :yikes:

 

[Mrs Gruff]

Cal speed limits

Agree with the above posts. The speed limit is as quoted, but when among traffic going faster, the CHP usually won't pick you out of a crowd. If you stick out by going faster than every body else, you may get a ticket. They will ticket if you are in the fast lane with a trailer. Around Sacramento where several freeways converge, you will see signs indicating trailers ok in the third lane if the other one or two will be exits shortly. Good luck. CHP patrols pretty regularly around the Shasta area. They also patrol pretty regularly from South Sacramento to Elk Grove Southbound, and there is a LOT of construction in Stockton both directions that in my opinion is downright dangerous. South of Stockton on I-5, I am not as familiar with. Have fun.

 

[Bob Denman]

Well it appears to be YOUR call... 55 is the limit; tickle the dragon's tail long enough...

Why not figure another route that avoids California; can't you just head East? :dontknow:

 

[Motorcycledave]

I dont want to be a wet blanket but.....

The speed limit in California while towing a trailer is 55 MPH.
It does not matter what you are pulling it with, CAR, TRUCK, BIKE, TRIKE it's 55 MPH
and you are also restricted to the RIGHT LANE except to pass.
Lots of people go 70 mph pulling things, but hang on if you get pulled over $$$$$$
Go faster at your own risk.

 

[MikeinGA]

We have about to start our Spyderfest ride and we had a pre-ride meeting. It was brought to my attention that when pulling our small tent trailer thru California we must not exceed 55 mph. Is this true? The spyder hates 55 mph - even without towing. We have to drive the whole lenght of Ca. from Oregon and this will add a lot of time as well as quite tiring. We are trying to escape the "winter" climates on the way.

I really do not want to ride all the way thru Ca. in 4th gear!

My 2011 RS-S speedometer is 4 mph slower at 60 mph, so is my Jeep. When I tow it's 60 to 65 mph. But my Mustang speedometer is right on.

Mike

 

[sharbill]

California Speed Liomit

I routinely tow my 2011 RTS in an enclosed cargo trailer through California at 60 to 65 MPH. If you use your head and don't cut in and out of traffic, you should be safe between 60 and 65 mph. as soon as you start making yourself noticeable on the highway the CHP will start watching for any little mistake. Ride safe, responsible and have a good time.

 

[GRIPMAN]

CAl speed limit

We have about to start our Spyderfest ride and we had a pre-ride meeting. It was brought to my attention that when pulling our small tent trailer thru California we must not exceed 55 mph. Is this true? The spyder hates 55 mph - even without towing. We have to drive the whole lenght of Ca. from Oregon and this will add a lot of time as well as quite tiring. We are trying to escape the "winter" climates on the way.

I really do not want to ride all the way thru Ca. in 4th gear!

Just returned from a trip to Southern Ca towing a trailered RT with speed in excess of 55Mph with no problems but always keeping speed with the flow of traffic.
drive safe and have a good trip
Trip was from Northern WA

 

[bobnaquin]

Avoid CA all together is really good advice. You will also have to deal with the fuel that is served up here and you and your Spyder won't like it. Pulling a trailer the 'real' speed limit is exactly 62 MPH. If you don't have gps just go at the same speed as the semi's who will be going 62 mph.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Those are good points on avoiding CA for both the reduced speed and the high gas prices but I imagine that the weather would be milder in CA than some of the other routes.

Safe travels.

 

[Mexican]

I would say it depends on the officers, i was in Cali last september, i was pulling the Spyder and the Rocket with my F250, i was doing 75:yikes:
it was around 11 pm, next thing you know i see a set of headlights right on my tail, i was on the fast line, can't remember the hiway number but it was the one from Barstow to Bakersfiel, anyway, i moved over to the slow lane and the car behind me passed about 10 miles faster than me, it was an CHP, did not pulled me over.
I ran around 65 to 75 the entire way from the Arizona California line to San Jose and encountered a lot of police cars without any problems, NOW, that was my experience and MINE only, yours may vary, just to play it safe i would go by the rules

 

[bmwlarry]

WE planned the route south instead of east because there is still quite a bit of winter thru the northern route. WE are traveling with our wives who have never ran long days on a bike. We will be careful!

 

[Bob Denman]

That certainly explains a lot. :thumbup: You've got to keep the "Navigators" happy if you expect to have a pleasant trip... :shocked:

 

[Blue Star]

We have about to start our Spyderfest ride and we had a pre-ride meeting. It was brought to my attention that when pulling our small tent trailer thru California we must not exceed 55 mph. Is this true? The spyder hates 55 mph - even without towing. We have to drive the whole lenght of Ca. from Oregon and this will add a lot of time as well as quite tiring. We are trying to escape the "winter" climates on the way.

I really do not want to ride all the way thru Ca. in 4th gear!

When I went to SITR last year I traveled about 1600 miles pulling my trailer, and averaged 70 MPH. I had no problem, but did stay in the right lane when on a two lane, middle when on a three/four lane.
I just recently heard on the radio that Nevada is thinking of upping the speed limit to 85, but I am sure that is only for non-towing vehicles.