Wind, Safety and RVing

[Bethers]

OK, this has been talked about and talked about and talked about. Everyone says different things. I had someone tell me if it's a tail wind 50 mph was ok. Like you never go around a curve? Anyway, I may have my areas where I take chances - but rarely on the roads, and I'm totally against driving in high winds. To me a high wind is over 30-35 mph and even then I prefer not to be out in them. During that time I sat still because of winds, on one of my rving groups on FB - here came this post:

"We had a bad wind gust hit the side of our RV this morning on US 40 causing the truck to jackknifed and RV on its side going down highway. We are now stranded in Winslow AZ at hospital"

There have been several updates - people helping, etc etc. We all thought things were on the mend and today this post:
"UPDATE Ron suffered a traumatic brain injury from the accident and is in Flagstaff Medical Center in Flagstaff AZ please continue to pray for his recovery"

Please drive safely out there - and if it's windy get off the roads and wait for it to be safe to drive again. Or icy. Or any dangerous conditions.

Today, a beautiful, sunny day in SD - I picked up Sandi to take her around Mt. Rushmore and Custer SP. During the drive, the sun went away, black clouds came through and we ended up in the middle of a storm with hail. Yep, I pulled over. It didn't last too long, and that hail hitting the car was scary, but I (and I think Sandi) felt much safer sitting it out.

[WickedLady]

Better safe than sorry. Saving your life is preferred to saving time.

[avalen]

I totally agree with you Beth, the wind is scary to drive in, even in my little bitty car the wind has given me white knuckles.
Hope your friend in the hospital heals well after his accident.

[Deeann]

The world is full of stupid people. I am very safety conscious. Safety pays.

[MelissaD]

Whenever you feel unsafe you should sit it out. Some states are know for their wind. Just for a reference point I add this.

According to the state of WY http://www.wyoroad.info/Highway/definitions.html

No Light Trailers: WYDOT will post a No Light Trailer message on the information systems when the wind gusts are greater than 50 mph with ANY road conditions.

This advisory pertains to trailers of any size (commercial and non-commercial) and to other vehicles such as recreational vehicles which are loaded with light materials (or are empty) and have a profile that is subject to wind gusts. Drivers of such vehicles are advised not to travel when a "no light trailers' advisory is posted as they can anticipate strong gusts of wind which may result in the loss of control of their vehicle or the potential for their vehicle to completely blow over.

Blow-overs of light trailers are very common in Wyoming. Controlling a vehicle during a strong wind event can be even more difficult when slick road conditions are present.

There is no specific research that has been done to study at what wind speeds and what load weights trucks will blow over. Therefore, WYDOT cannot provide a specific weight or wind speed that will cause a trailer to blow over.

Any driver who fails to comply with the "no light trailer" advisory and who is involved in a crash may be subject to a fine and can expect to pay the cleanup costs and fees associated with repairing any damage caused to public and/or private property.


Closure to Light, High-Profile Vehicles: In locations where wind gusts are 65 mph or more AND where adequate signage to indicate the limited closure is available, WYDOT will initiate a closure to light, high-profile vehicles. This closure is targeted at vehicles that are prone to being blown over such as recreational vehicles, moving vans, campers, small trailers and lightly loaded commercial vehicles but smaller vehicles pulling trailers are also included in this restriction. Drivers of vehicles that fail to heed this type of closure will be considered in violation of Wyoming Statute 24-1-109 and 'shall be subject to a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) or to imprisonment for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days, or to both such fine and imprisonment.'

Research shows that when wind gusts exceed 65 mph, there is almost certainty that multiple vehicles will be blown over or be involved in a loss of control type of crash. These crashes most often result in debris on the highway that results in a road closure to all vehicles. It is important to note that WYDOT does not have adequate signage to implement a closure to light, high-profile vehicles in all locations. Additional sites may have wind gusts exceeding 65 mph and pose a significant risk of blow over. In these locations, WYDOT will indicate 'Extreme Blow Over Risk' on our information systems and drivers should exercise special caution.


Extreme Blow Over Risk: In locations where wind gusts are 65 mph or more and where adequate signage to indicate a closure to light, high profile vehicles is NOT available, WYDOT will issue an Extreme Blow Over Risk warning. This warning is targeted at vehicles that are prone to being blown over such as recreational vehicles, moving vans, campers, small trailers and lightly loaded commercial vehicles but smaller vehicles pulling trailers are also included in this restriction.

[BayouLady]

Better safe than sorry. Saving your life is preferred to saving time.

I totally agree

[Colliemom]

I agree on that too. Wouldn't want to worry about wind in addition to just driving anyway. The day I went to pick up my trailer from being dewinterized, the winds were gusting to 45 in that area. I did however not have any issues coming back home as I was driving straight into the wind for the majority of the trip. Plus trees were helping to block the wind along part of the trip. It was either bring it home then or face a week of rain and slick roads. Every state has their wind issues, so one needs to use caution. I would rather not be out there if I can help it.

[BurninDaylight]

Always safety first, if it doesn't feel right don't do it. My extra fuel consumption from pulling in heavy winds would more than pay for a nights stay in a nice park.

[retiredhappy]

I have never driven from Kerrville to El Paso on I-10 without having some wind and its always a side wind. Often you get gusts that move you around but there are few places you can pull over. Absolutely HATE the drive to El Paso but if you're going get out of Texas, you're gonna get wind. And why is it you can feel the wind but the trees aren't blowing??????

[JudyJB]

I agree that you cannot rationalize that it is a head wind or a tail wind, as you always go around corners.

I would also warn against high bridges in the wind, especially the kind that have low guard rails. I drove over several in Texas along the coast in 20-25 MPH winds, and ditto for the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I think 25 MPH is my limit on bridges!

[FancyFree]

Sat in a Flying J truck stop for two days/nights tucked between two semis waiting for storms to pass. So glad DH agreed that we shouldn't take chances. Going to make a generalization here - that most men think they have to keep going when the ladies would much prefer stopping and waiting it out.
Fancy

[mitch5252]

..
This is a good place to ask a question that concerned me on my trip to/from The Pest...

Wasn't crazy about the way the new set-up handled. A little wind pushed me around a bit.

Might that be a function of the WD bars not being set up properly and not having enough weight on the front truck axle?

Phyllie and I are going to find a level spot tomorrow and see if we can make sure it's all distributed properly, but neither of us has done it before.

..

[judi]

Fancy, your generalization sounds awfully close to being fact.......!

[snowball]

when I get ready to move on I check a weather site and look to see what the winds are so now I can quit being a woose when it is suppose to
be in the teens...
worry about the winds so hate to drive when they are going faster....but this gives me more ideas of what I can consider...
sheila