# How Fast To Drive (Towing a Trailor)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 27, 2009, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-to-drive-towing-a-trailor/504366 "2009-07-27T00:14:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-to-drive-towing-a-trailor/504366/1 "2009-07-27T00:14:16Z")
I thought that the law was (MA), that you should not exceed 50 MPH, while towing something. Yet, I see guys towing enormous boat trailors, going 75+ MPH! Isn’t this quite dangerous? If a wheel bearing on the trailor burns out, and you lose the wheel, you have a good chance of an accident…and I see a lot of boat trailors at the side of the road (missing a wheel). Plus, most trailor brakes are not too ffective-you can jacknife it if you have to make a panic stop. What is the speed limit (MA) for towing? ---
**Author:** ![KCB615](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea666f/32.png) [@KCB615](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KCB615)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-to-drive-towing-a-trailor/504366/2 "2009-07-27T00:25:32Z")
From the legal side, Massachusetts General Laws, [Chapter 90, Section 17](http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/90-17.htm) (Speed Limits) mentions nothing about towing a trailer. School busses, absolutely. But trailers, nothing. Neither does the Commercial Driver’s License [Manual](http://www.mass.gov/rmv/cdlmanual/index.htm) (the Mass version). I hold a Class B Massachusetts CDL, and I’ve never heard of a speed limit for towing trailers. There is a weight restriction of 10,000 pounds, but not for speed. On the other hand, if the manufacturer of your trailer says not to exceed a certain speed, then I wouldn’t do that. I had a small trailer once upon a time that had tires that weren’t to be used above 40 mph (and let me tell you, just getting above 30 was a bouncy fright by itself). When in doubt, trust the folks to built the trailer. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-to-drive-towing-a-trailor/504366/3 "2009-07-27T00:33:47Z")
Well, all those semi’s are towing trailers, and they certainly go over 50 m/hr. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-to-drive-towing-a-trailor/504366/4 "2009-07-27T00:33:50Z")
How Stuff Works article on [trailer towing regs.](http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/vehicle-towing/trailer/trailer-towing-regulations.htm) [Trailer towing for Mass.](http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/vehicle-towing/trailer/trailer-towing-regulations8.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-to-drive-towing-a-trailor/504366/5 "2009-07-27T00:35:10Z")
Trailer! Trailer! Trailer!! A trailor makes your crlothes.