Wind question

I was driving across the salt flats between Salt Lake City and Wendover a few years ago and a late summer storm came up. I had a direct cross wind along with rain. At one point the wind pushed me into the next lane even though I was turning the wheel to the right, I was still going left. The only reason I had kept going that far is because the only other choice was to pull over on the side of the freeway and sit there with a direct cross wind. The traffic was light and everybody that was still on the road was down to about 25 mph. I finally was able to get off the freeway near Wendover and found a place where I could park faced into the wind. Had to wait about two hours before the winds slowed down enough to get back on the road.

On any highway where signage reads NO RV, TRUCKS, TRAILERS, ETC. BEYOND THIS POINT: HIGH WINDS. Say an eighteen wheeler, that had ignored the WARNING SIGN, laying on its side on route 8 crossing the mountains in southern California.

Thank you all for your replies.

It depends on many factors. What are road conditions, wind direction, interstate vs rural road, what is the forecast, doing I feel like a fight, etc are just a few of the factors. I dislike gusting conditions over steady wind speed. Bottom line is if I have to ask the question I probably shouldn't be driving.

76 mph..YMV..Dennis

I pulled over once after a barn blew across the road in front of me----figured it was time

Great Question! I recommend when you start to feel uncomfortable driving in different types of winds just go ahead and pull off the road. Class A Coaches are high profile vehicles and can be at times be very unstable in high winds, especially if it's a side wind. Coaches that are heavier drive better in high winds. And, coaches that don't have roof top air conditioners drive down the road a little better due to less wind drag. And, I have experienced when I tow my car (low profile) it helps stablize my coach. IMHO, I like driving in a strong tail wind.

For me it is a "Seat of the pants" decision.. There are two reasons for this.

1: Different vehicles handle differently in high wind.. A storm that would blow the car I used to drive all over the road.. Would not even bother this motor home (As an example) does this make sense,, absolutely not, but that the way it was. The car I have now.. Never encountered such a storm when I was in the driver's seat so can not compare.. (only storm that bad I was in bed, jacks down, parking brake on, Plugged in, since I got this new towed).

Also 50 mph cross wind is bad. 100mph tail wind (I mean DEAD astern) is good.

(In fact such a "Breeze" pushed this rig to 13.8 MPG once)

So many factors need to be included in the decision.. Personally..... When the drive starts getting scary.... PARK ASAP!

I should point out that when in the Great Plains, you NEVER put out your awnings unless you are there. Some RV parks that we have stayed at even have rules against deploying any awnings at any time. The winds can come up very quickly and besides damaging your own coach, it can damage your neighbors.

I am not sure how high the winds were but a family of 6 I believe from Richland Washington traveling through Utah were blown off the road at an over pass and they landed on the road below. tore the MH apart, killed five of the family members and a 15 year old boy was the only survivor. if the wind is moving the MH or TT around and you have to fight it to keep it on the road, then it is way past time to park and wait it out.