Wind speed

[jkxtreme]

I need some opinions on how much cross wind our 5th wheels can safely handle. Our rig is a 42ft Montana pulled by a 1 ton dually Ford. In round numbers the trailer weighs 17,000 lbs loaded and the truck is 7,500 lbs. We're touring most of the mid-west and western states, but we got a wind advisory for the area in Iowa we are headed to. Wind gusts are expected to reach 50 mph. We don't feel comfortable driving through winds that high, so we may delay and wait for a better day. What have you experienced and are we being too cautious.

 

[twindman]

As heavy as you are, you are probably ok. I think I used 40-50 as my top cross wind for pulling. I did delay my next day one time because of wind. No use taking a chance for just a day earlier.

 

[daboom11]

I've had to ease the trailer brakes on to set the wheels back on the ground. It's definitely no pleasure to drive in those conditions.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Trailers can topple over at 25 mph winds or withstand 50 mph winds. Why one will flip and another one does not is really a mystery. Even loaded box car semi-truck tractor and trailers will flip on their sides in 50 mph wind and they weigh 5 times more than your camper and truck combined.

Several factors go into the dynamics, including how top-heavy the trailer is, where the center of balance actually is, towing speed, and exact wind direction. A degree difference in the wind direction and a mile per hour or two can change the dynamics tremendously.

Even trailers sitting, and not moving, have flipped in winds when they hit "just right."

Your best guide line is to watch the semi-trucks on the road and see how they are reacting to the cross winds. If they appear to be wonky, then by all means, stop and wait it out.

But by all means, don't let the pressure of time push you beyond your comfort level any time you are behind the wheel. It's just not worth an accident.

 

[scottz]

Depends on which way the wind is blowing. 50k crosswind; I would probably pull over, nose into the wind and wait it out. Once you feel the wind is too much, it is too late. I've camped in winds that worried me; we pulled the slides in to protect the toppers.

PS: I suspect your truck weighs 9000+

 

[twindman]

When camped at Dodge City one time, we went for a walk around 7 pm. I stopped to talk with the owner for a few minutes and wife kept going. When we finished, we almost had to run to the rig. I thought about pulling the slides in. On the news that night, we heard there were 20 or more semis tipped over on the interstate about 40 miles to the north of us. Not sure, but I think the winds were 70 mph.

 

[AZ Traveler]

Write knuckle crosswind trips are no fun. I tend to wait for better conditions.

 

[RMcNeal]

I'm a retired police officer and we used to close down bridges in our city in hurricane season when sustained winds were 50mph. I think they use 45mph sustained winds now. I've seen tractor trailers blow over on our tallest bridge in high winds.

 

[Cbrez]

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in Virginia prohibits RVs (among other vehicles) from crossing when the winds hit 40 mph. Occasionally a truck goes over the guardrail and into the bay. It’s never a good outcome for the driver. I was unable to cross two years ago do to high winds and was perfectly content staying the night in a campground on the Eastern Shore even though it’s only about 25 miles from home.

Weather – CBBT

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