traveling in high winds?

[kelmech]

We're traveling in our X17z tomorrow when wind will be 25-35mph. We're a little nervous! Does anyone have experience traveling with that kind of wind, is that too much to drive in, and what tips do you have?

[jasonmiddlebrooks]

Way too many factors involved... my only advice is to try it out and if you are not comfortable and confident pull over somewhere and call it a day...


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[THE MEEKER]

I have driven numerous times during high winds, but I will call it quits when wind gusts get to be about 50 MPH.

My advice, take your time, adjust your speed to conditions, check your mirrors often, be aware and prepare yourself for passing traffic such as tractor trailers or other RV's. Keep calm and relax during your drive. If you need a break, take one. Have a safe trip!

[ALJO]

I have driven in 63 mi (100 km)/hour wind gust and it is just no fun to drive in. It feels like you have to deal with a bucking horse. If you have head wind it is a bit more comfortable, but a slight side wind is awful. I'm equipped with WDH and two sway bars.
In those winds big semi vans will blow over. I only would drive in those winds when I know the route is mostly a head wind.
As said: if your comfort level goes down, pull over

[oldmanAZ]

There's a free app called 'Windy' that gives a visual idea of the time, the wind direction, and its speed. I used that app this spring and was able to adjust my travel plans enough to miss a day of heavy head winds.

Generally, the winds increase in the early afternoon and usually stay up until around sunset. So, try to get out early and go as far you can before the winds become really nasty.

Like others have said, pull over if you feel the wind is more than you can comfortably manage. It's not worth the risk to push on if you feel you are in over your head.

[rockaw]

Agreed with most, Don't push it, when your questioning yourself, better to side on safety, I've been in a few, running from a hurricane last year and winds off the Great Lakes. I slowed a bit.

[Jagiven]

There is a lot of factors. You do not mention your TV, nor your hitch setup. That can have a lot to due with how you combo will behave.

How does it handle normally? If you have a full size pickup with the right hitch setup, I would not be too concerned. But I'd still would be cautious. If you have a really short small suv, or like, that is maxed out, and a poor hitch setup, I'd be a bit more concerned.

For me, only two times wind has been an issue is with really high head wind (maybe 50+mph). Tail and side winds have no affect.

[Kahoneys]

This is one of the big advantages of a 5er over a TT. Slow and steady. Head and tail wind won't affect you majorly but the side wind can really toss a TT around. Just like the others have said slow down and the effects will diminish!

[RAurand]

To the OP. Please note the size of the trailers of those responding.
Jayco North Point 377rlbh
Jayflight 27RLS
Jay Feather LGT - 29Y GVWR-7000 lbs
Jay Flight 27RLS
Jay Flight 28RLS

VERSUS your X17z

Lighter trailers tend to get pushed by the wind more than heaver trailers.
Like others above said.......If you don't like what is happening or don't feel comfortable. It's time to stop and wait.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by kelmech

snip...... and what tips do you have?

If you continue to have TV handling issues at lower speeds, pull off the highway until the weather becomes manageable. Your single axle trailer will be less forgiving then a dual axle trailer even of the same length under elevated wind conditions.

Also, prior to your "next" trip take your TV/HTT combination under loaded conditions to a CAT scale for a weigh-in. The CAT scale will tell you everything one needs to know to optimize your towing experience, even in less then ideal towing conditions.

CAT scale how-to: https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...v-tt-3871.html

Bob

[North of 49°]

This is too much wind:

RAW: Gale-force winds, Lake Winnipeg waves batter Gimli area - CBC Player

This is what it was like on the first camping trip with our Jayco in 2015, winds gusting to 90 kph (~60 mph). This was filmed at a small resort town about 10 minutes from the campground we were staying at, on the same weekend. Other campers were packing up and leaving; I told DW that we're staying put. No way I was going to tow in that wind. The next day, when we were scheduled to leave, the wind was a more reasonable 30 kph.

[bankr63]

Originally Posted by kelmech

We're traveling in our X17z tomorrow when wind will be 25-35mph. We're a little nervous! Does anyone have experience traveling with that kind of wind, is that too much to drive in, and what tips do you have?

First off, I see that's your first post here. Welcome to JOF.

Next, I'll raise the ire of many, but I can't resist the straight line. I would strongly recommend you travel in your tow vehicle, you will be much more comfortable than travelling in your TT.

There are lots of nice people here on JOF with good advice; I may not be one of them...

With all that out of the way, I have a slightly larger X19H (double axle) and haven't found gusts in that range to be overly nerve wracking (my TT/TV combo is in my signature). I do use sway control, and it helps a lot. Agree with @RAurand that the Jay Feather trailers are lighter and more prone to wind buffeting, but most of them also sit much lower to the ground than their bigger brethren which helps the centre of gravity a lot and presents a much smaller surface to any headwinds.

[RogerR]

Went across Nebraska and Iowa 3 days ago. Winds got pretty bad just in my car. Saw several semis back wheels all the way off the road.

Stopped for lunch and there were a lot of Rv's parked at the truck stop. Including several commercial new RV haulers.

If I had been towing I would have stopped and smelled the roses for a few hours too.

My Andersen hitch with sway helps but above 30 mph winds, time to stop.

[go wild]

I have a 17Z and have experience with substantial winds. I've found the cross-winds to be most troublesome, you need to keep your hands solid on the wheel to react to side-gusts that can push the camper and TV around. I found that I naturally drive slower during high winds, just to keep control and confident on the road. My equal-i-zer WDH does a great job minimizing sway. Would be good to know your tow vehicle and hitch setup. I wouldn't change plans just because of 30 mph winds but would plan to drive slower, and make more gas stops.

[Kim Gass]

Not really an issue. We did sit out storms with 70 mph winds but 35 mph crosswinds on the Great Plains are normal and our unit did fine.
Just pull out if and when you feel uncomfortable.
We've got a small unit and almost all it's travels are cross country.
I don't ever want to live on the Plains but travel isn't too hard
We do not have a wdh or sway bar but do have Sway Command. It's engaged once in 50 mph crosswinds