Windy conditions in a fifth wheel - RV-Dreams Community Forum

medleytim · RV-Dreams Community Member

Windy conditions in a fifth wheel

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've seen tractor trailers flipped over in dust storms in AZ..right on the highway..

I'm curious on this one as well..

-- Edited by The Junkman on Wednesday 19th of November 2014 12:56:01 PM

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

OOPS- I reread the post.... When setup with stabilizers down our 15,000lb 5th wheel survived sustained 50 MPH winds that were not quite broadside. Stayed awake due to the shaking each time a gust hit but the wind didn't rock the 5th wheel. Watched a couple of old black and white movies since I couldn't sleep.

A few weeks ago we went through several hours of up to 26MPH gusts, was too lazy to go out and roll up the patio awning (manual type with straps to stakes in the ground), it survived. Was able to sleep through the wind.

Driving- If I let go of the steering wheel and end up in the next lane over it's time to find a spot to park headed into- or out of- the wind.

One thing I've noticed with the "axles flipped" on the 5th wheel wind and passing semis don't seem to move the 5th wheel as much as when it was lower. I'm guessing the wind is able to go around the 5th wheel easier ?

All that being said... I have driven broadside to the wind when it was gusting to 30 MPH with sustained 20 MPH. Wasn't bad but I think I would've had to stop if it moved above 45 MPH.

-- Edited by The Bear II on Wednesday 19th of November 2014 01:16:03 PM

-- Edited by The Bear II on Wednesday 19th of November 2014 01:26:16 PM

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I suggest reading through this thread if you haven't already: rv-dreams.activeboard.com/t58917035/it-sure-is-windy-here/

bigboomer · RV-Dreams Family Member

We endured 70+ mph winds and gusts over during Hurricane Sandy while in the Poconos..we hooked up the truck to the rig just in case..kept slides out....was a rocking but no issues. The past week we have had gusts well over 45 mph and no issues.... The winds have been great for our wind turbine!

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

With hurricanes, you won't be relocating to a motel in the general area unless you do it way ahead of time since they all fill up. We were in SE AL when the hurricane hit, the one that got New Orleans and prior to the hit, everything filled up, motels, churches, the RV packed them in every nook and cranny and was turning away people yet making calls trying to locate places for them further north. We would have been able to go to the club house which was sturdy if we needed. This would not be a good time to be boondocking as weather conditions with a hurricane or any storm can change rapidly. The weather, don't bet on it!

A-S Travelers · RV-Dreams Family Member

medleytim wrote:
We are going full time in the spring of 2015. We are looking to purchase a DRV Mobile Suites or a Lifestyle Fifth Wheel that weigh approx, 16000 pounds. At what wind speed do you start looking to get a hotel room for the night. No really how strong does the wind need to be consider evacuation plans.

You may be overly concerned about high winds. Other than national news stories about really high winds, tornadoes, hurricanes, really strong localized downbursts and straight line winds from thunderstorms, I have not seen any folks reporting on forums about their RV's being knocked over by winds.

Not to say you shouldn't keep a close eye on weather warnings and take appropriate action if necessary but 20-40mph winds will really rock your RV, but not to the point of knocking it over. We have on occasion pulled in our slides to keep the slideout toppers from flapping.

FastEagle · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have found, when in doubt about winds to call the State Police for safety reports. If roads are closed for weather conditions including high winds they will have a list of them and the projected duration of the closings.

In CA the “Grape Vine” (I-5) is often closed to truckers and RVs. Also Donner Pass.

FastEagle

-- Edited by FastEagle on Friday 21st of November 2014 11:13:25 AM

-- Edited by FastEagle on Friday 21st of November 2014 11:14:13 AM

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

Gets pretty windy in vegas too.. not enough to flip stuff though.. like 40-50 mph

soos · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have not had an issue towing our Mobile Suites in high winds, but of course we have a dually and if its going to hit us broadside, DH might decide to stay put another day. He loves a tail wind though!
As for when we are parked, we have endured sustained 60 mph winds. we did pull the slides in, to keep the slide toppers intact and keep the noise down.

Sue

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wind speeds are never the issue......If you feel uncomfortable , pull over
if possible pull the coach into the wind or tail-wind this will stabilize

if I told you 20 mile an hour winds would cause you a problem how would you measure them......from the radio on a station 20 miles away....bad mistake

just like a Tornado , weather can change stronger or weaker in 10 feet.....

of course common sense also reacts the same way..........some times its full force....sometimes it fizzles in a simple puff !!

Camper Chronicles · RV-Dreams Family Member

bigboomer wrote:
We endured 70+ mph winds and gusts over during Hurricane Sandy while in the Poconos..we hooked up the truck to the rig just in case..kept slides out....was a rocking but no issues. The past week we have had gusts well over 45 mph and no issues.... The winds have been great for our wind turbine!

Great advice on hooking up the truck for extra stability. You have a wind turbine??? That sounds fascinating do tell.

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lee and Trace wrote:
bigboomer wrote:
The winds have been great for our wind turbine!
Great advice on hooking up the truck for extra stability. You have a wind turbine??? That sounds fascinating do tell.

Ditto for me! Maybe start it in a new thread.

bigboomer · RV-Dreams Family Member

As requested I posted about the turbine in a separate thread....enjoy!