Winds

[Sdexte]

Hey all, just wondering what the highest wind speeds any of you all have been in in and what you experienced. We are currently in Pensacola and closely monitoring incoming tropical depression Fred, which they say may go back up to tropical storm status. They are not clear yet on just what the sustained/gusts mph will be, they are right now teetering around 45 to 50 mph. I've been talking to others here who are Hurricane experienced but getting mixed responses about staying or going. We are full timers so we do not have a sticks and brick home to go to. I do have plans and routes for if we leave but would prefer to stay if the camper can handle it. Any input would be greatly appreciated

[JPDoege]

I would stay put, 45-50 is too much.

[Sdexte]

Originally Posted by JPDoege

I would stay put, 45-50 is tooling much.

You mean isn't too much?

[JPDoege]

Originally Posted by Sdexte

You mean isn't too much?

It is too much to travel in, stay put!

[Sdexte]

We weren't planning on traveling in it... we are at an RV resort right now in Pensacola. If I leave it would be tomorrow which is ahead of the storm. What I am wondering how high of winds to worry about being parked.

[Daryles]

Stay put. You don't want to be on that bridge in high winds.
On our maiden voyage, We were in Ellsworth AFB outside Rapid City SD a few years ago. The weather channel warned of straight line winds (Derecho) approaching the area. We filled our tanks with water and pulled in the slides. It was windy, we were rocking but it went by. The next day it was reported 74mph winds went through and the news showed 4 tractor trailers blown over on their sides on i90 east of Rapid City.

[mlh]

45 mph wind is NOT going to hurt your camper.
Lynwood

[Montana Man]

Anything over about 45 I would hitch up for extra stabilization especially for broadside wind. Head on or from the back not as much concern.

[DQDick]

Since we summer in Kansas we have some experience with severe storms. When we know one is coming we shut the valves and let the tanks fill up. That extra weight down there will help a lot. Opinions very on slides, but we leave ours out for a couple of reasons but don't want to start a fight and basically we don't have any proof. We've been hit with 60-70 mph winds almost every summer and once had a 90mph straight wind hit us from the side destroying two large trees, but the camper stayed in place. We have a storm shelter here so we don't tough it out, each time can be different and a much lighter wind could turn us for whatever reason.

[77cruiser]

I've been parked in 60 mph gusts, rocked it around a bit.

[mike H.]

If it were me,I would leave. Better safe than sorry.

[Dave W]

If you are experiencing sustained winds of 45 mph, that means you may have gusts of 50-60 plus. When we had a permanent site on FLs west coast our very heavy Rolls International TT was strapped down. Some who didn't have them strapped down lost theirs during a mild tropical storm and Hurricane Andrew even toppled a few more. Ours actually twisted a bit on the concrete pad but no damage beyond a little chafing from the straps.

[psomers]

If you do leave and headed west on I-10 across the bay way, do it before any wind at all. I have pulled across Mobile bay in gusting wind and it isn't fun.

[phillyg]

We've sat thru 45mph with occasional higher gusts with no damage. Kept the slides out. If higher is expected, the recommendations to fill your tanks and hitch up the TV should help.

[rames14]

We have lived on a mountain in Colorado since I retired. The highest we have had is 70 mph winds, with never an issue. My brother-in-law had his Cougar (much lighter and no Jack’s down) blow over against a retaining wall when it reached about 100 mph. They live two lots over but the terrain causes the wind to hit them about 20 mph harder than us. We get wind above 50 mph for days at a time. I agree with Montana Man that if you can be head on into the wind it is better. Another thing we’ve done during heavy wind is put the slides in. It will also save slide topper awnings. Best of luck.

[DutchmenSport]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgUZUxq8-Mg&t=747s

[DutchmenSport]

Here's another video that may be helpful. I'll just let the video speak for itself. I do like the tips though:

Tip 1:
Grab the beer
Run like hell.

Consider when this video was made though: Sept 10, 2017, ..... 2 and 1/2 years before "covid." Some things mentioned here, we ALL learned during Covid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hqbr5RZZ9sk

[Daryles]

In the first video of the Vibe TT on its side, it was rolled onto the side with the slide out. Unfortunately for them the wind hit them on the right side (no slide outs) and turned them over on the left (slide out side). I'm thinking the weight of the slide out being extended was a contributing factor. From their account, there was no prior warning.

[R.S.O'Donnell]

We lived in Florida for 23 years. The nastier storms was one of the big reasons we sold our home and went full time in 2018.

If it stays a relatively mild tropical storm (50's) you should be fine. The problem is the waters of the Gulf are soupy and storms crossing them often take the folks at the NHC off guard. There have been several in the past few years that went from just a TS to OMG overnight. If you wait too long you'll have no choice but to stay and ride it out.

[BobStack]

Many great thoughts on this and I'll throw in my two cents.... I love my Rig and my thoughts are hook up and beat feet to someplace safe. Is it worth taking a chance? how many times have the weather people been wrong and it's been way worse than they predicted. Get over the bridge before the winds decide for you!!

And be safe!! We wish you the best of luck!!