Towing in High Wind

[OttawaBob]

Hi All;

Apologies if this subject has been posted previously...

Today’s weather forecast is calling for wind gusts up to 80kmh (50mph). I had planned to pull my X23F trailer using my Chev Colorado to a campsite this afternoon. Should I delay my departure?

Is there a reasonable safe maximum wind speed for towing at 100kmh (62mph) where you don't put yourself and others at risk?

Thank you!

[Midnightmoon]

There really isn't any set answer to your question. It really comes down to how your truck/trailer combination feels in these types or conditions and what your comfort level is.

Don't feel obligated to go if you are not comfortable with it.

[kblast523]

Originally Posted by OttawaBob

Hi All;



Today’s weather forecast is calling for wind gusts up to 80kmh (50mph). I had planned to pull my X23F trailer using my Chev Colorado to a campsite this afternoon. Should I delay my departure?

Thank you!

I've towed a Jayflite SLX 185RB behind a Ford Flex in 50mph (80kph) crosswind between Dalhart, Tx and Raton, Nm. I towed the same trailer from San Angelo, Tx to Perryton, Tx in a 40mph (62kph) headwind and it was worse for handling and control. I got rid of a 2016 FR Salem 241QBHL that was tail happy in ANY wind, although the TV did get 15mpg between Clarendon, Tx and Rhone, Tx with a 40 mph (62kph) tail wind, wagging like a dog. Coming home with my newest TT, virtually no wind and nose down was scary...Camping World OKC did not properly set the height or stabilizing on the hitch. Traveling nose down with inadequate chain tension on the equalizer was an experience. Lucky for me, the entire route was on I-40.

Once properly set up, wind does not adversely affect vehicle stability when the hitch does it's job, even when you can see the side of your TT in your mirror from crosswind. Steer into it and carry on....

[Jagiven]

Hard to answer. Do you have any sway control with your hitch?

I have towed in high winds many times. Only two times it was any issues where with head winds. Early on, I was not checking my tire pressures frequently, and I had low tire pressure (down about 5-10 psi) in the TT, and with a high head wind, I was swaying with each car that passed me. The only other time I had issue was with extremely high head wind, semi would push me around a bit, my fuel economy dropped to 4mpg. I also found when we got home my bolts for the pivot points on my Equalizer hitch where loose, so I was not getting the full benefit of the hitch design.

Cross wind has never seamed to bother my combination.

[andrewat]

50 mph is a heck of a gust. If your combo feels unstable in lower wind conditions, my personal opinion is why take a risk. If you're only towing a few miles, then maybe you can just white knuckle it there. If we're talking 300 miles, then I would say just wait it out. But, like everybody else has said, it really depends on how stable your setup is and how comfortable you are with it.

The fact that you're asking the question tells me you're probably not super excited about the conditions.

I tend to be on the cautious side. I'm towing with a much bigger truck and I don't even normally feel it when a big rig blows by me. But I'm not sure I'd enjoy towing in 50mph gusts...especially if they are crosswinds for a long period of time.

[NewBlackDak]

We see tractor trailers blown over all the time with 45mph and up gusts. No way I’d risk it in a travel trailer and a truck that small.

[russellrhinesmit]

50 mph wind will blow u over in a crosswind.

[Marcm157]

I agree with others who have stated it comes down to your ability and comfort level. I drive commercially and I am comfortable driving in all weather conditions. IF you felt the need to post here asking whether you should or shouldn't tow its probably better if you err on the side of caution and delay your trip. I mean no disrespect in saying that...

[12ptdroptine]

Dont risk your life and others. Some fools would just load up and go. I ways allow myself time to stay a day or 2 if I have to avoid any dangerous conditions on the route home
Safety first
Drop

[RAurand]

Like the fortune cookie advice that Captain Sullenburger carried said:

"A “Delay is better than disaster”!

[EddieR]

I have been struggling with this same question today. Scheduled to leave around 5pm for about a 50 mile trip in the same wind. I have a Hummingbird and will be towing with a Chevy Colorado as well. We are going to take a wait and see approach, but I figure that delaying until tomorrow, while disappointing, would not nearly be as disappointing should something bad happen on the ride to the campground. Being new to this, sometimes, discretion is the better part of valor. But hey, here in Western New York, weather changes, quickly, so we will see...

[bdreinv]

For us if the National Weather Service posts high wind warning.We leave really really early or stay an extra day!

[ALJO]

Head wind is always OK except for fuel consumption. Side wind gives the most problem.
I have done it with 50/55 mph winds but its like riding a bucking horse and not comfortable at all. If you want to travel pick the times when the wind gust is at its lowest and stop when it increases. It usual happens twice in the 24 hour.

[Kim Gass]

If it makes you uncomfortable wait it out
I think we towed in 40 mph gusts but not more. Our unit is small. The truck analogy might not be good. That’s a much bigger surface area
Yes sway control
I think that’s what made towing across the Grrat Plains four times possible

[Octopus Prime]

How exactly do you know how high the winds are on a particular day? Are you relying on the weather forecasts, or do you have some sort of equipment that measures it for you?
I ask because we have been surprised at weather conditions that pop up unexpectedly, and we also have run into weather when we didn't get weather reports that were detailed enough.

[Atlee]

If I knew there were gusts that high, I'd stay parked at least another day, or until wind gusts were forecast to be lower.

FYI: When winds are at 40 MPH, no towed RV's are allowed to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel that runs between Norfolk, VA and the Eastern Shore.

[Scott_Trailer_Newbe]

Bottom line is 50 MPH cross winds can tip over a trailer. I would never tow if I knew there were going to be winds like that, no matter what my set up was.

[Kim Gass]

windfinder.com

[Camper_bob]

I agree with those who are saying wait it out. 50 mph winds are nothing to toy with and will ruin your day in a hurry! In winds that high, comfort level has little to do with it, physics will get you every time.

Our general rule was we would try NOT to travel if gusts were to get over 30 mph. Usually that was a sustained wind around 20-25 or so. Another poster above spoke about the drive East bound out of Raton, NM to Dalhart, TX; we made that trip a few years ago with a pretty strong cross wind. DW was driving and having a heck of a time. The key there was to slow down (as is SO often the case), steer into it and let the equipment do what it's supposed to do.

50 mph winds? That's a whole lotta nope right there. I'd sit that one out and live to fight another day.

[RetiredLEO]

My thought: if you have to ask if it's too windy.........it's too windy for you. Stay put, stay safe.