towing in windy conditions

[ranchosinvacas]

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

 

[greenenvy1]

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.

 

[maromeo-JAY]

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.

 

[slabat]

It really depends on what way the wind is blowing....if you have a side wind it can be alot worse than bucking it.

 

[Jagiven]

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.

 

[Rustic Eagle]

snip..... I realize that common sense plays a factor..... snip

Great advise.

Bob

 

[troutslayer]

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

 

[Camper_bob]

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.

 

[RedHorse1]

Oh yeah, pulling in the wind--------

 

[Camper_bob]

Oh yeah, pulling in the wind--------

That's EXACTLY what it looked like in Montana! And that was a big truck too...

 

[slabat]

wow that was crazy

 

[ranchosinvacas]

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.

 

[clutch-FRF]

If I feel comfortable I slow down and continue. If it's really bad I look for a good spot to wait it out.