What about those booming thunderstorms? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Bob and Kathy · RV-Dreams Family Member

What about those booming thunderstorms?

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our rig(s) handles them fine and always has. Now, that said, if you’re in a tornado warning area, get out of the rig and find some real shelter. Bath houses are usually a good bet if they are block. In a tornado the last place you want to be is in an RV. Not trying to scare anyone, just reality. Be sure you carry a weather radio in the rig and stay aware of what's going on.

Now, with that warning above said, we’ve been in very high winds without any trouble. We had a severe thunderstorm yesterday here in Florida, no issues. We’ve been in 55+ MPH winds with rain out in the plains as well as the mountains. In that case we do pull in the slides in high winds,obviously lower the big awning in almost any wind, and put everything in the rig basement. Lower those roof vents as well. Don't give the wind or rain anything to "catch on."

One criterion we had when selecting our rig was that we could more or less live in it with all the slides in if we had to, and we have. It makes a big difference with the slides in and if you have toppers (awnings) over the slides, the high winds will beat them to death. Also, if the winds are really high we lower the TV and satellite antenna. I consider high to be around 25-30 MPH or so. But I’m kind of cautious about that stuff as it is expensive and inconvenient to fix.

From years of travel in thunderstorm country that is our experience and advice: Use common sense, set your own comfort level, monitor the weather radio, and enjoy the display of God’s creation.

Safe travels

Bill

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

They're fine high winds though I have had to take steps for. We had high winds into the super slide causing it to flex into the unit so we pulled it in for the night put it back out the next day when the wind died down.

Mallo

Dan and Gail · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have moved the motorhome out from under trees when the weather turned REALLY windy. Didn't want branches falling on the roof. Pull the slides in and stow the satellite antenna.

Bob and Kathy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for all of the replies. Good idea about the weather radio - would seem like a "must have" for everyone, eh? And putting in the slides would be a safe measure as well. Thanks!

steved44 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Think of it this way. With the slides in you are in a 65mph wind all the time when you're driving, so it does a good job of handling the weather.

smdrm · RV-Dreams Community Member

Steve44,

You're write about always riding into a high wind when traveling. However, being hit sideways can make you a little nervous when you're rocking and rolling, especially to a newbie. We've been ready to leave our RV in bad weather a time or two, but didn't quite get to the point that we had to.

A weather radio is definitely a must! You will Not sleep through that alarm!

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

I love sitting in my RV during a thunderstorm however driving in cross winds gave me a scare the first time I did it.

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

First time I've posted !

I went out to our 1996 532RKS Carrilite during Hurricane Irene. We live in eastern NC and received the full brunt for what seemed 24 hrs. I recorded a high wind of 81mph and susstained of 72-74 for hours on end. Sitting inside our 5'er, I was suprised at how stable it was in the wind. It moved slightly but nothing I was concerned about. I had filled all the tanks, fresh, gray, and black, and had lifted most of the weight off the suspension with the landing gear and 2 bottle jacks at the rear. The slide was not out for this "test", but I am sastified that this rv can endure some tough storms. We "fulltimed" in this for 2 days until our power came back on.

LibertyLinda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey JimsCarrilite - I bet you did fill that black tank during Irene! biggrin

That is a great testimony to Carrielite, which we are looking at in comparison to DRV's.

We used our Motorhome when we were out of electric for 3 days this past summer when a supposed tornado went thru. We also were able to help our next door folks by hooking them up to our generator.

Glad you all are safe!