|
02-09-2014, 07:53 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tucson
Posts: 132
|
towing in windy conditions
I guess this question could be turned into a poll but...
What about towing in windy conditions on the Interstate system. Especially I-10 ? Near Indio.CA?
At what approximate wind speed do most TT owners just park it and wait for the high wind conditions to settle down. I realize that common sense plays a factor in this post. We planned on heading to Joshua Tree Nat. Mon. tomorrow with our 16.5 ft Swift, and wind gusts of 20-30 mph are in the forecast. opinions? suggestions?
thx
|
|
|
02-09-2014, 08:06 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 519
|
I've shut down due to winds slightly higher than those. No shame in pulling over to a safe spot and waiting for the wind to settle down. IMHO smaller trailers such as the one you mention are worse in the wind than a larger unit.
__________________
1990 Jayco 250 Special
2008 Ram 5500 DRW 6.7, Cummins, Aisin auto
Holland/Binkley 5th wheel, Reese Dual Cam, and more
232,500 kms in 2013
200,000 kms in 2014
160,000 kms in 2015
|
|
|
02-09-2014, 08:23 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 795
|
We have encountered many windy conditions, we just push through. Haven't had to stop yet. Just make sure you watch out for the dust storms that can pop up on I 10 between Phoenix and Tucson. I would pull over due to visibility. One thing to keep in mind are the California towing laws. The speed limit is only 55 on the freeways while towing. You are sharing that speed with the semi trucks. Everyone else is going 75 past you. To me that is more nerve racking than the wind.
__________________
Joe and Mary Anne
1 20 yr old DD
2014 Ram 2500 Diesel Laramie Mega Cab 4 X 4
2011 Jayco Jay Flight 26RLS-Sold
2014 Jayco Eagle 298 RLDS
|
|
|
02-09-2014, 08:45 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 550
|
It really depends on what way the wind is blowing....if you have a side wind it can be alot worse than bucking it.
|
|
|
02-09-2014, 09:07 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,773
|
Lots of variables, how well is your rig balanced, do you have any type of sway control, and how well does it work. I have a 23B with an Equalizer Brand WDH, which has an integrated sway control. The only time I have had an issue so far was in a VERY strong head wind and my TT tires were 5 psi low on air pressure. I had checked them two weeks earlier and they were right where they should have been, and thought they were still where they needed to be. It was a tough drive. Our speed limits are 70 mph, I typically go 60 mph, and we were driving home at 50 mph for a while on the interstate, and I do not recall a single semi passing me, so maybe that would have been a sign to pull over.
Lesson learned I always check my tire pressures every day we are on the road, and I carry a small 12V compressor to top them off as needed. I have been out in similar conditions since and have had no issues at all. I would say good tires conditions are important to good handling.
|
|
|
02-09-2014, 09:32 PM
|
#6
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ranchosinvacas
snip..... I realize that common sense plays a factor..... snip
|
Great advise.
Bob
__________________
2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
|
|
|
02-10-2014, 09:54 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NW AR (God's Country)
Posts: 2,051
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by slabat
It really depends on what way the wind is blowing....
|
That's right! If it's behind you...yahoo! great fuel mileage. I think you will need to find your own maximum wind level because it varies a lot based on type of RV as well as type of TV. Good luck with your findings
__________________
Skip
2012 Eagle Super Lite HT 26.5RKS
2005 GMC 2500 SLT HD D/A
|
|
|
02-10-2014, 10:25 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,216
|
I towed for about 4 miles in very windy conditions; crosswind gusts of about 35-40 mph. Honestly the rig handled it fine (no sway, but the trailer was leaning something fierce), the driver did NOT. If I were going on a trip, I would've stopped or turned around. Luckily I was just going to the storage lot, so I slowed down and powered through. I was able to pry my fingers from the steering wheel and everything was okay.
Another good point is the direction of the wind. I too have towed into a pretty strong head wind (10-15 mph) with low tires (first trip, and I made an erroneous assumption about the dealership's thoroughness...) and that was miserable; the truck was working WAY harder than it needed to be. Tail winds are nice, until you turn and it becomes a cross wind.
Years ago, I was on a road trip through Wyoming and Montana with cross winds gusting up to 100 mph, sustained around 50 mph. We were driving a heavily loaded Ford Taurus and getting blown into the other lane. I saw many RVs and even some panel vans that had been literally blown off the road; WAY off the road.
My .02: Make sure your rig is set up its absolute best, take it slow, and don't feel bad if you have to pull over for a little while; there's nothing worth risking the safety of you and your family.
__________________
-2018 Greyhawk 29MV
-2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) (Primary Toad)
-1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Secondary Toad)
-2014 Jay Flight 28BHBE & Ram 2500 6.4L CC 4x4 (sold)
|
|
|
02-10-2014, 12:21 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Missouri City, The Republic of Texas
Posts: 5,063
|
Oh yeah, pulling in the wind--------
__________________
Cheers,
T_
2013 F-350 CC SB 2WD 6.7PS
2013 Eagle Premier 351 RLTS
-SOLD- 2012 X23B
-SOLD- 2003 Ford Expedition 5.4, Bilstein shocks
|
|
|
02-10-2014, 02:05 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,216
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RedHorse1
Oh yeah, pulling in the wind--------
|
That's EXACTLY what it looked like in Montana! And that was a big truck too...
__________________
-2018 Greyhawk 29MV
-2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) (Primary Toad)
-1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Secondary Toad)
-2014 Jay Flight 28BHBE & Ram 2500 6.4L CC 4x4 (sold)
|
|
|
02-10-2014, 08:03 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 550
|
wow that was crazy
|
|
|
02-15-2014, 11:34 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tucson
Posts: 132
|
Well, thanks for all the good ideas and stories of wind experience.
We had a successful trip to Joshua Tree.
TV and TT has WDH and sway bar and all worked well.
We headed north into the mountains just before Indio, CA so we avoided the worst of the windy day.
But...the head winds were coming at us at a 45 degree, so gas mileage was just plain bad.
thx.
|
|
|
02-18-2014, 10:21 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Idaho/Arizona
Posts: 5,446
|
If I feel comfortable I slow down and continue. If it's really bad I look for a good spot to wait it out.
__________________
2011 Eagle 330RLTS with just about every option.
2017 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3 with tow package. (no, we don't tow the Jayco with it.)
2018 Surveyor 265RLDS well equipped.
Life in the slow lane is still life.
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|