High Winds

Octopus Prime · 03-11-2019, 08:16 PM

We are camping, and tomorrow night has thunderstorms and possible high winds in the forecast.
Right now, winds are predicted to be 22mph. How high should the winds get before we leave the trailer and get a hotel or seek other shelter?
We are in a Jayflight 26bh travel trailer.

Les7h · 03-11-2019, 08:30 PM

The campground bathrooms are often in a secure building ( ask the office ) most storms are short lived but watch the forecast closely and do what you feel comfortable with - Les

Jagiven · 03-11-2019, 08:37 PM

I worry more about falling trees. I do look up when we park to ensure a safe site. I also always take a quick look for a safe shelter, in case of a bad storm. Around this area, the bathroom house is commonly a concrete structure that is the designated safe place.

As for wind speeds, we have riden out micro burst that hit us broud side, that I am sure were north of 80 mph. The tt rocked a lot, and you could feel it off the stabilizers, by probably 2 inches. There was no damage. The DW and kid, just watched a movie. Because we did not make a big deal, the kids never noticed.

Stingray75 · 03-11-2019, 09:19 PM

Agree that Falling debris would be a bigger concern. One thing you might consider is filling the water tank and not draining the grey / black tanks. If your nose or tail are into the wind, no concerns just be careful opening the door.

Screwby · 03-11-2019, 11:05 PM

We’ve been in some storms with winds up to 50ish mph. Not the most comfortable feeling but no damage. As mentioned above, I’d be worried about tree limbs or trees themselves with how saturated the ground is. Last big storm that rolled through a campground we were at dropped multiple huge limbs and a few tree tops that luckily missed campers. Lots of damaged awnings, umbrellas, tents, and flying debris everywhere.

Flyrotor · 03-12-2019, 01:39 AM

22 is no big deal, I wouldn’t worry till is more than 50 miles per hour, I would also pay attention to the wind gusts, the gusts are what will push the trailer around.

Woodworker · 03-12-2019, 04:26 AM

I say you do what you feel is safe, everybody is different an every situation is different

michael.g · 03-12-2019, 06:50 AM

Our seasonal site is across from a farm that seems to funnel winds right at our site. It can be blowing 10 - 20 mph at our site at any time. Walk 100 yards to the lake, past the farm, and it is calm, not even a breeze. We had a bad storm roll through a handful of years ago with straight line winds up to 80 mph. No TTs or Motorhomes moved from the wind. A handful took damage from falling debris and 2 were destroyed from large fallen branches.

For all of us at the campground, there was no time to pack up and move. The NWS did not predict high winds, just a severe thunderstorm warning with gusts up to 40 mph. About 70% of seasonals are locals and a bunch of them left, like they would during any strong storm. Most people got caught completely off guard.

-Michael

Octopus Prime · 03-12-2019, 07:51 AM

I’ll go out and look at the trees this morning. We do have quite a few close to our camper. I think they are all oak trees, but I will go out and look today.
Today and tonight are our only concerns. After this coming night, the rain chances drop to 10% at dawn and stay low. I think it’s a cold front.

wags999 · 03-12-2019, 08:09 AM

From studies done, it is very difficult to tip over a stationary RV. They were saying winds needed to be north of 100 mph to be a real threat to tip a TT, depending on which direction the wind hits the RV. I've been in 60 mph gusts and while we rocked, not a single RV, even pop ups, were moved.

You have 60+ winds every time your driving, your RV is designed to take those wind loads, and, it's much easier to tip a moving RV than a stationary RV.

22 is only a breeze

RogerR · 03-12-2019, 09:10 AM

Last year we were taking I80 across Nebraska when I noticed several professional RV delivery rigs at a truck stop. We needed gas so I stopped there. I asked inside and they said that there were dangerous winds and most professional RV delivery guys were stopping.

I had not noticed any problem as my Andersen hitch keeps the sway down to nothing but we decided to take an early supper and relax for awhile just in case.

jlechmanik · 03-12-2019, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octopus Prime

We are camping, and tomorrow night has thunderstorms and possible high winds in the forecast.
Right now, winds are predicted to be 22mph. How high should the winds get before we leave the trailer and get a hotel or seek other shelter?
We are in a Jayflight 26bh travel trailer.

Here in the Columbia Gorge we have frequent winds gusting over 50 mph. I still see RV's driving up and down I-84. A constant wind in one direction is one thing, but gusty shifting winds are another.

That being said being parked in 22mph winds is nothing. But hopefully you know not to have your awning out...

farnik78 · 03-12-2019, 10:37 AM

I wouldn’t consider 22 as high winds. I would say at least triple that before you have to worry at all.

Riich · 03-12-2019, 06:20 PM

22 MPH winds is just another day in ND. A walleye chop we call it.

**Mustang65** · 03-12-2019, 06:53 PM

Make sure you pull in your slides for the wind storms. The slides throw the TT's center of balance off and can cause it to tip easier.

Don
My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

nevercominhome · 03-12-2019, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlechmanik

But hopefully you know not to have your awning out...

+1

Yep! Just be sure to close your awning!

Octopus Prime · 03-12-2019, 08:21 PM

We were going to stay, but updated reports are expecting possible tornadoes and baseball to softball size hail. We got on Expedia and booked a motel room for the night. It’s expected to all be over by 7am, so we will check out in the morning and hope all is as we left it.
Awning is in, water turned off (as well as water heater), and all flyables are secured.

Screwby · 03-12-2019, 09:52 PM

Wow, under those conditions I’d be more apt to pull up stakes and hopefully find something tall enough to hide my rig under. Thoughts of softball sized hail hitting my solar panels and camper/rig makes me feel queasy. We got caught driving in a pretty decent storm once and when I heard and saw small hail starting I dove off into a gas station and hid under the pump area roof.
Good luck and hope all is well when you return, scary stuff!

david.ohanlon · 03-20-2019, 01:50 PM

We have been in 70 mph gusts and no tip over. If you get worried, slide in your slides, hook up and face it into the wind.

W Kearney · 03-20-2019, 02:57 PM

We were in one storm on the edge of a tornado that hit the RV Park... luckily awning wasn't out...came up extremely quickly. All OK. We have been in locations that we were anticipating storms/high winds. We usually will fill fresh water tank for extra weight and may also have water if needed after the storm. When tornado hit RV park their water pump for park was out so we could get water from the fresh water tank.

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