VW Touareg TDI sets lonely record on World's Longest Highway [w/video]

[Eye of the Tiger]

I just can't imagine a situation where your 4Runner would be "underpowered".

Are trucks in the US limited to speeds on the highway? Here in Europe they're all limited to 80 km/h (50 mph) so overtaking them with slower cars isn't an issue.

Older 4-Runners with the 4-cylinder could barely move.

[Rupert]

I just can't imagine a situation where your 4Runner would be "underpowered".

Are trucks in the US limited to speeds on the highway? Here in Europe they're all limited to 80 km/h (50 mph) so overtaking them with slower cars isn't an issue.

Wims, you could put my 4 hp Briggs and Stratton lawn mower engine in a quad-cab 1-ton dually towing a 30' fifth wheel, and you would still think it had enough power.

Nothing the size of a regular passenger truck or smaller is regulated any more than any other car, which is 65-75 MPH depending on the state. Semi trucks and the like are usually kept to 10 under the state limit.

[Soup DeVille]

I just can't imagine a situation where your 4Runner would be "underpowered".

Are trucks in the US limited to speeds on the highway? Here in Europe they're all limited to 80 km/h (50 mph) so overtaking them with slower cars isn't an issue.

Legally?: Yes.

Many company trucks have limiters placed on them by the company for insurance purposes.

But, owner/operator rigs can and do violate the speed limits at will.

[Rupert]

Also, Wims, keep in mind that there is a lot of elevation change in many parts of the USA. Excluding the Alps, Europe is relatively flat.

[93JC]

Not to mention the effect of altitude on the engine's power. Most of Wyoming is >1500 m above sea level. A Toyota 22R-E made 105-110 hp at the crank in lab conditions. Factoring in drivetrain losses and altitude the poor bugger probably wasn't putting more than 70 hp to the ground at best.

[cawimmer430]

Ok, ok. You guys win.   

Got it.

[Tave]

Nothing the size of a regular passenger truck or smaller is regulated any more than any other car, which is 65-75 MPH depending on the state. Semi trucks and the like are usually kept to 10 under the state limit.

I would say that's the exception rather than the rule, especially for states that don't have 70-75 mph highway limits. That's all personal observation though, so I could be wrong. I'm sure there's a website somewhere that has indexed the info.

[hotrodalex]

I would say that's the exception rather than the rule, especially for states that don't have 70-75 mph highway limits. That's all personal observation though, so I could be wrong. I'm sure there's a website somewhere that has indexed the info.

Around here the speed limit for both cars and semis is the same. Closest place I can think of where it is different is the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, where trucks are kept to 55 mph and cars can go 65. There might be a slower limit for semis in Cincinnati, but only for a mile or two.

[Rupert]

I would say that's the exception rather than the rule, especially for states that don't have 70-75 mph highway limits. That's all personal observation though, so I could be wrong. I'm sure there's a website somewhere that has indexed the info.

State I know-- Car/Truck speed limit on wide-open freeways

OR-- 65/55
WA-- 70/60
CA-- 70/60 (75/65?)
ID-- 75/65
MT-- 75/65
NV-- 75/65

Don't know/remember the rest.

[giant_mtb]

MI -- 70/60

[MrH]

Around here the speed limit for both cars and semis is the same. Closest place I can think of where it is different is the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, where trucks are kept to 55 mph and cars can go 65. There might be a slower limit for semis in Cincinnati, but only for a mile or two.

It's pretty common around here and around Columbus I think.

[Tave]

State I know-- Car/Truck speed limit on wide-open freeways

OR-- 65/55
WA-- 70/60
CA-- 70/60 (75/65?)
ID-- 75/65
MT-- 75/65
NV-- 75/65

Don't know/remember the rest.

I'm pretty sure MT is only 65 at night for semis.

[2o6]

It's pretty common around here and around Columbus I think.

Yeah, it's super common farther north in OH. Usually the speed limit for trucks and buses is 5-10MPH slower.

[Rupert]

I'm pretty sure MT is only 65 at night for semis.

Eh, could be...