Wind question

In 14 years of Class A driving I've yet to pull over because of the wind, especially with this coach or if it's on my back. At some point if it's on my nose I might pull over because of the loss of over one MPG if the forecast is for better winds the next day.

k.jensen6 wrote:
At what mph of wind do you decide it's not safe to drive your class A? Going to be heading across Wyoming and Nebraska, very different environment than we are used to.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts, experiences.

we get off the road when I get fatigued from fighting the wind. that point varies with me. I can handle the wind better earlier in the day than later but I do recall one time in NM where we got off the road around 11am.

When I can't keep it between the lines, my awning is whacking the safety stop, or my DW eyes pop out and she goes silent!

The wind speed cut off is a variable and is dependent on what else is going on weather and traffic wise.
For example a given wind speed on a dry road may not make me pull over BUT the same wind on a rainy day might make me call it a day; If it is snowing that might even be a lower threshold.

The biggest factor to wind is the type of coach you are driving. My first coach was an underpowered DP on a Freightliner chassis and 19" wheels and weighed about 19,000. It really did not handle well at all with a cross-wind. We left FL with 30-40MPH winds and only made it 3 hours before I was completely exhausted. This coach is a bus conversion weighing in at about 40,000 (plus towed) and was built for over the road driving. We were in some Santa Ana winds at 60+MPH and dead cross-wind. If I had known better, I would never have driven but I did not understand the power of that kind of wind at the time. I made the hour drive safely but I would never recommend anyone attempt that in any RV. The winds were actually lifting the trailers ahead of us off the ground! Had one gone over, it's hard to tell how badly things might have gone as there was also nearly zero visibility due to the blowing sand.
Just use some common sense and don't drive if you don't need to.

Whenever YOU feel uncomfortable is when YOU should pull over. Everyone's abilities and everyone's coach is different so the only thing that really matters is when YOU want to call it quits.
The more you drive in the Great Plains the more you will get used to the wind but, like anything else, it takes practice. There are times, in that area of the country, that you will experience many continuous days of strong winds and your only choice is to drive in it or sit. Usually, but not always, the winds are lighter early in the morning which may give you a chance to move on down the road to another location.
I have four corner air bags and I pump them up hard on a windy day. This stabilizes the lean of the coach and I have had no problem with 50+ MPH crosswinds but every coach is different.

When the wind is high enough that you can not stay in your lane, your simply an accident looking for a place.
Right side winds raise havoc with our awning.

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Whenever YOU feel uncomfortable is when YOU should pull over. Everyone's abilities and everyone's coach is different so the only thing that really matters is when YOU want to call it quits.
The more you drive in the Great Plains the more you will get used to the wind but, like anything else, it takes practice. There are times, in that area of the country, that you will experience many continuous days of strong winds and your only choice is to drive in it or sit. Usually, but not always, the winds are lighter early in the morning which may give you a chance to move on down the road to another location.
I have four corner air bags and I pump them up hard on a windy day. This stabilizes the lean of the coach and I have had no problem with 50+ MPH crosswinds but every coach is different.

Well said, it is also good to take frequent breaks to give your tense arms and hands a rest

After 10 years of driving my RV I have not yet had to pull over due to wind. I watch the truckers. Now I have pulled off the highway due to visibility - fog and blowing sand.