how windy is too windy?

[Decon Blue]

Just went through hurricane Irma. We only had 95 mph winds where I am, but that's about all I ever want to have gone through. Good news is I was amazed that I had NO LEAKS !! No damage , just lots of blowing sand, leaves, dirt. But it can be washed of as soon as we get electricity and water back on. Going to be a Hot, Sticky , next few days.

[Cypressloser]

Timely post, we were traveling north on Hwy 22 along the Alberta foothills today with, I guess 30 - 35 mph, wind from the west when we passed a travel trailer laying on the side, thank goodness the truck was still wheels down. Beware the sudden gusts, one can never know when they hit.

[BuzzWolfAR]

Originally Posted by Decon Blue

Just went through hurricane Irma. We only had 95 mph winds where I am, but that's about all I ever want to have gone through. Good news is I was amazed that I had NO LEAKS !! No damage , just lots of blowing sand, leaves, dirt. But it can be washed of as soon as we get electricity and water back on. Going to be a Hot, Sticky , next few days.

Good luck, God bless.

Originally Posted by Cypressloser

Timely post, we were traveling north on Hwy 22 along the Alberta foothills today with, I guess 30 - 35 mph, wind from the west when we passed a travel trailer laying on the side, thank goodness the truck was still wheels down. Beware the sudden gusts, one can never know when they hit.

[TSman]

Originally Posted by TSman

In reports about Hurricane Irene, they said emergency personnel will not respond in winds over 40 MPH because of the danger to them.
I do not think it would be wise if you continued to drive a truck, much less with any trailer at winds of that magnitude.

Make that Irma, not Irene.

[CaptnJohn]

Along the SE NC coast there are 4 new concrete and steel bridges. At 30 mph they are closed.

[timfromma]

The heavier the TV is in relation to the trailer, the more control you have in windy condtions.

[KyDan]

As you can see there is no exact answer to this question.

It totally depends on your rig AND your experience and comfort level.

Last winter we traveled from KY to San Diego CA.
Crossing Texas was.... interesting fer sure.

Going west we had a fierce head wind which did not produce much sway
or lane issues but MAN did it slow me down!! I finally realized it was
much better if I "drafted" the big rigs. Many were going faster than I
could manage but once in a while I found one I could follow and it made
a huge improvement.

On the trip East it was similar wind speed but it was a tail wind for
2/3 of it and that was awesome!!
Then we angled north east and it became a quarterly tail/cross wind.
I had to slow down to 55-60 for a couple hours until the highway turned
more east or the wind died I don't remember which...
If it had been a pure cross wind or even a slight cross/head wind I would
have slowed even more....

Judging by the signs warning about dust storms- Texas is a windy state too!!

This is a rest stop somewhere in the great state of Texas!

[dwayneb236]

Originally Posted by KyDan

This is a rest stop somewhere in the great state of Texas!

Very well stated. We do love our state.
It does get windy out on the plains. And very dusty.

[ben31]

Originally Posted by Stormrider151

I understand fifth wheels not swaying. I got that. But a 45 MPH broadside punch I don't understand how it would be unaffected. I would think even an 18 wheeler would be affected by that. During the fall and winter months (camping season in the south) we do get a good bit of wind. If the forecast is for 30 MPH or higher we change our plans to one of the local parks.

I've had both a TT and a 5er. The 30-40mph cross winds greatly effected the pull-behind TT. Even with the anti-sway tightened a lot harder than normal, it swayed quite a bit. In fact on a couple of occasions, I felt it would push me into the next lane! It didn't, but even as slow as I was going, it was not fun at all! The worst is when the tractor-trailers drive next to you and block the wind. Then, when they get by the wind really pushes again. I vowed to never ever drive in those conditions again.

I recently drove through the outskirts of a tropical storm, and had those gusting cross winds with the 5er. Yes, I felt it, but it didn't sway and I wasn't stressed. Really, it is SOOO MUCH better that if I hadn't experienced it, I never would have believed it.

[Skyliner]

I only worry about the wind speed if the 18 wheeler in front of me gets flipped on its side which is fairly common here in Colorado.

[elind]

When I get 40mph+ cross wind in the forecast, I'll shut down for a few days till it's over. Saves on the white knuckles.

I've seen my share of RVs rolled over on the freeways in the southwest.

[gardholt]

We hit terrible winds crossing the Tehachapi on hwy 58 in CA. We slowed and found a place to get off. While looking to pull off a truck pulling a 5th sped by us. When got back on we saw the truck into a guardrail with a smashed driver's side and the trailer leaning over.
SLOW is the way to go and get off when you can.

[KingFisher]

40 mph is a lot of wind.

I came back from florida and was getting broad sided 2 years ago. Checked the weather and it was only gusting to 30. I had no sway but I could see my trailer roof leaning in the rear view mirror.

Better now with the 2500hd but I won't do 40 mph wind. I'll pull off.

[phillyg]

Over 35mph cross-winds is about my limit with the fiver. I think I was getting near that bailing out of FL before Irma.

[BMullins46]

One thing I've noticed in this post is the comments concerning the TV, I've pulled with and Excursion, a 2500 Dodge and now a F350 Ford dually, what I have notice with each of these vehicles is the heavier the TV the more secure the tow has felt. It amazes me the number of people who tow a big 5er with a short bed 3/4 ton pickup, scares me to death, they probably are overloaded on their tires and the control factor has to be less than optimal. Towing with a 1/2 ton pickup really has to be questionable.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by BMullins46

One thing I've noticed in this post is the comments concerning the TV, I've pulled with and Excursion, a 2500 Dodge and now a F350 Ford dually, what I have notice with each of these vehicles is the heavier the TV the more secure the tow has felt. It amazes me the number of people who tow a big 5er with a short bed 3/4 ton pickup, scares me to death, they probably are overloaded on their tires and the control factor has to be less than optimal. Towing with a 1/2 ton pickup really has to be questionable.

That's a lot of assumptions with absolutely no facts on others towing. You must be scared to death a lot

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by BMullins46

One thing I've noticed in this post is the comments concerning the TV, I've pulled with and Excursion, a 2500 Dodge and now a F350 Ford dually, what I have notice with each of these vehicles is the heavier the TV the more secure the tow has felt. It amazes me the number of people who tow a big 5er with a short bed 3/4 ton pickup, scares me to death, they probably are overloaded on their tires and the control factor has to be less than optimal. Towing with a 1/2 ton pickup really has to be questionable.

Those towing over 11,000# with a 3/4 are most often as you described ~~ but will never admit it. If nothing else over payload. I wish states would do random checks on RVs....

[KingFisher]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Those towing over 11,000# with a 3/4 are most often as you described ~~ but will never admit it. If nothing else over payload. I wish states would do random checks on RVs....

Here we go again...

[KyDan]

This thread is NOT about load limits.
Please don't make it so.

Just some friendly sharing of how we handle cross winds.

[Forbes]

We follow one simple rule when toeing in windy weather, anytime I feel or even see others having trouble keeping things straight I pull off to a safe area until is clears. We once spent two days setting behind a building due to wind. I just don't take the chances I use to take and its not worth it.