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Traveling when there are high winds

ransch

ransch

Member
I will be going on my first trip with our 2025 252RL this weekend and I see that there are wind gusts up to 55mph forecasted. I am wondering how does everyone deals with high winds?
I will be on the interstate for most of the traveling. I doubt I will be over 65mph. I will also be carrying a full tank of fresh water, 45gallon. I believe this would lower the center of gravity which should help. I often take water with me on trips since some campgrounds can have water which is high in nitrates. Like Perrot State park.


Randy
 
T

Todd F

Well-known member
We travel full time and avoid high wind days. Haven't had to many in the last couple of years, but to us it's worth staying put for usually just one day to let the wind pass before traveling.
 
Midnight Rider

Midnight Rider

Well-known member
You will feel a 55mph gust!
I would see if it gets that bad and you may need to pull off and rest till it passes. Many times they build up a worse case scenario and it isn’t that bad. i find it always gets worse the later the day goes on, so get up early and hit the road, you will be there by the time it starts to blow hard. If it is really bad and you are stuck in it driving, open all your windows a 1/4 of the way on each side of the camper. That will allow gusts to escape when they hit side of trailer. You may have to dust when you get there but that’s better than being blown into the ditch!
be safe…
Roll On!
 
B

Bozo

Well-known member
RV and high wind do not mix well. You will be exhausted if you choose to drive through. Best to slow down in high wind conditions. Watch flags along your route for direction. Above all, know your comfort and skill level and be safe. I have seen my semi trailer tires with clearance under them more than a few times….really makes your rear pucker.
 
ransch

ransch

Member
The trip had much higher winds than forecasted.
The trip was only an hour and only 20 miles with a direct cross wind. During those 20 miles it was quite stressful. The truck and trailer were bouncing, swaying, it was a bit of a challenge to keep the two in a straight line. I applied the trailer brakes slightly about 4 to 5 times. Applying the brakes seemed to immediately help but I can’t run with brakes for the whole 20 miles. The wind was so bad that the air was full of dust blowing off of the potato fields.

I have a blue ox with 1500lb bars, the trailer is about 7400lbs, the truck is a F150 with a 3.5 eco boost. It does not have the max tow package. Not much for cargo in the truck, this was just a two day trip to test out the new trailer and setup.

I wonder if having the freshwater tank full was most of the issue. I had asked the dealer about where that tank was located and if it would be an issue to haul with it being full. He thought it would be fine since it is supposed to be over the axles. It is a 45gal but I am not sure exactly where it is. It could be further back and not directly over the axles. It felt like I had not enough tongue weight.

I need to get some more weight measurements. I will be measuring tongue weight, truck alone and truck + trailer soon. There is also a cat scale just a couple miles away. Once the weather improves here I plan to do much more testing and measuring. I also wonder if the 1000lb bars would have been better then the 1500 that I have.
Weights, lightly loaded.jpg
 
M

M and E

Well-known member
Weight (Freshwater tank) behind your trailer’s axle could be a detriment in high wind, over the axles is neutral, in front of the axles is beneficial, all things being equal.

If you are interested, I’ll be selling my Hensley hitch as soon as I pick up our new fiver. Really reduces sway and reduces impacts from crosswinds.
 
D

Dadmck

Member
I am able to tell where my fresh tank is because the fresh water dump valve is directly under it. Mine is behind the axels, which isn’t too helpful.
 
Oregon_Camper

Oregon_Camper

Forum Admin
Staff member
If I were you, with that setup, I would have found a place to park the truck/RV and wait it out. Having experience STRONG winds in Wyoming a few years ago (I did pull over for 5hrs) I aw ~8 semi's/trailers tipped over, once the winds died down and I was able to get back on the road.
 
Midnight Rider

Midnight Rider

Well-known member
I would not recommend towing a full water tank unless I had to For dry camp. It is just extra weight that is hard on the tires, more to tow in your case an additional 360lbs at 8lbs per gallon, and can be hard on the underbelly depending on how your rig is built. When I had a big class A it was no issue But with a trailer I don’t think it is wise if you can help it. IMHO
 
L

Lantley

Well-known member
My thought is an F150 is not enough truck for a 7800# trailer. Yes in ideal conditions it maybe OK. But in less than ideal conditions a 3/4 ton truck makes a huge difference. A 1/2 ton truck is at its limits with a trailer that size. A 3/4 truck will provide more margin within the towing parameters resulting in more stability.
What is the tongue weight of your trailer? Should be at least 13% of the trailers weight. 13%-15% is considered ideal.
As mentioned a Hensley hitch will also make a huge difference.
 
L

Lantley

Well-known member
Midnight Rider said:
I would not recommend towing a full water tank unless I had to For dry camp. It is just extra weight that is hard on the tires, more to tow in your case an additional 360lbs at 8lbs per gallon, and can be hard on the underbelly depending on how your rig is built. When I had a big class A it was no issue But with a trailer I don’t think it is wise if you can help it. IMHO
Click to expand...
I tow with a full tank most every trip. My general thought is the trailer should be built well enough to carry the weight of the water.
Granted in the RV world"should Be built well enough" and reality may not be the same LOL.
I also believe full tank does not slosh water around in the tank. There are no baffles in the tank.
Is a 1/2 tank sloshing around in the tank any better than a full tank with minimal internal water movement?
Not an expert on tank design but I have always towed with my fresh tank full with no adverse effects.
 
T

Todd F

Well-known member
Welp!! Made it to Douglas Wyoming today from Fort Collins Colorado. Had a 20 to 40 plus side wind today. There were several signs saying I-25 closed no rvs under 20,000 pounds. I didn't know there was a penalty for driving in the wind. $750 fine and up to 30 days in jail.

Can you imagine telling your grandkids that you were jailed for driving in the wind. Hilarious lol!!!
 
Midnight Rider

Midnight Rider

Well-known member
Lantley said:
I tow with a full tank most every trip. My general thought is the trailer should be built well enough to carry the weight of the water.
Granted in the RV world"should Be built well enough" and reality may not be the same LOL.
I also believe full tank does not slosh water around in the tank. There are no baffles in the tank.
Is a 1/2 tank sloshing around in the tank any better than a full tank with minimal internal water movement?
Not an expert on tank design but I have always towed with my fresh tank full with no adverse effects.
Click to expand...
If you don’t need a full 100 gallon tank of water in between stops, why would you just tow around an additional 800lbs of water? Just makes no sense to me? I can see if your dry camped for several days, yes. But to just drive from rv park to rv park all you need is 10-15 gallons to flush toilet a few times and wash your hands? All your doing is burning tires, fuel, suspension and a list of,other things? Again yes you can do it, but why would you?
Each to his own Lanthey! Midnight rider likes to be as lite as possible going down the road! High and tight Lite and lively! IMHO
Rider
 
L

Lantley

Well-known member
I carry water because I like the idea of being self contained. I want to be prepared as possible for whatever can happen.
I've been to Campgrounds that have lost power and consequently lost water to all sites. I have read of people being stranded for days along the roadside due to mechanical failure or weather. (Almost happened to me).
This thread started based on the idea of waiting out strong winds if necessary. It's much easier to wait out a weather event if you have an ample water supply vs. having very little or none at all.
I have a generator and carry water. I am self contained and can survive on my own a long time if need be. My truck has no problem dealing with the additional weight. The weight has no noticeable impact on the performance of the combo.
 
Midnight Rider

Midnight Rider

Well-known member
Lantley said:
I carry water because I like the idea of being self contained. I want to be prepared as possible for whatever can happen.
I've been to Campgrounds that have lost power and consequently lost water to all sites. I have read of people being stranded for days along the roadside due to mechanical failure or weather. (Almost happened to me).
This thread started based on the idea of waiting out strong winds if necessary. It's much easier to wait out a weather event if you have an ample water supply vs. having very little or none at all.
I have a generator and carry water. I am self contained and can survive on my own a long time if need be. My truck has no problem dealing with the additional weight. The weight has no noticeable impact on the performance of the combo.
Click to expand...
I get it.
‘In the class A I was much the same. Always hit the road with holding tanks empty and fresh water full! I was also stranded twice on the road side once all day and once for 20 hrs in the mountains and being prepared was a god send.
with the 5er I also have a generator and a 3500 Chevy HD And do enjoy being self contained. I guess I have just gotten away from the full tank of water. I think maybe I should go back to it or at least 50 gallons.
 
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