Hurrican Florence
As of now I am in direct line of having this storm hit us. We live about 60-70 miles inland. Kinston, NC. Should I hook up my 5th wheel to my truck or just leave it unhooked?
Forum Discussion
We have 40-50 mph winds where I live quite often (and this is normal). We live in the country with flat fields all around us. Fortunate for us, 99 percent of the time, the wind blows West to East. My drive way runs East to West. And I park my TT in the drive way.
I have found that my TT does just fine unhitched from the truck. My jacks are always down, snug, and it's always powered up. We use the TT all year round.
Facing the trailer directly into the wind, head on, is the best position you can put it, if you have the ability to point it any direction.
Consider, you drive your rig down the road at 60-70-80 mph and the camper doesn't blow apart. They are built pretty well, when you really think about it.
Now, even a mild wind hitting the same trailer from the side can cause it to tip over, hitched or not hitched, if it blows just right, or a gust hits just right. They are designed to take head-winds, but are nothing but gigantic sails on the side.
If you are staying put, I would suggest facing the camper toward the oncoming wind. (whatever direction that is.) Make sure all slides are in, reducing the overall footprint and size of the camper, and put all the stablizer jacks down, tight. Unplug from power, and fill the fresh water tank. A few hundred pounds of water under the floor of the camper will help keep the center of gravity even lower, making it a bit more difficult to tip.
I'd keep the trailer unhitched, but position in such a way you can bug out in a heart beat if you need to.
If you keep it hitched and ready, then put all the jacks down, stabilize everything, add water, unplug and hope for the best. If you fell you still have to bug out, all you have to do is raise the jacks and GET!
I have found that my TT does just fine unhitched from the truck. My jacks are always down, snug, and it's always powered up. We use the TT all year round.
Facing the trailer directly into the wind, head on, is the best position you can put it, if you have the ability to point it any direction.
Consider, you drive your rig down the road at 60-70-80 mph and the camper doesn't blow apart. They are built pretty well, when you really think about it.
Now, even a mild wind hitting the same trailer from the side can cause it to tip over, hitched or not hitched, if it blows just right, or a gust hits just right. They are designed to take head-winds, but are nothing but gigantic sails on the side.
If you are staying put, I would suggest facing the camper toward the oncoming wind. (whatever direction that is.) Make sure all slides are in, reducing the overall footprint and size of the camper, and put all the stablizer jacks down, tight. Unplug from power, and fill the fresh water tank. A few hundred pounds of water under the floor of the camper will help keep the center of gravity even lower, making it a bit more difficult to tip.
I'd keep the trailer unhitched, but position in such a way you can bug out in a heart beat if you need to.
If you keep it hitched and ready, then put all the jacks down, stabilize everything, add water, unplug and hope for the best. If you fell you still have to bug out, all you have to do is raise the jacks and GET!
