Should you ride out a storm in a TT?

Watch the weather we have rode out a few here in Nebraska. Our neighbors at the campground were in a pop up when a storm hit and tipped the pop up on end they all crawled into our camper till the storm was over. Have had the wind and rain so bad it was blowing in water through the fridge had 1/2" of water in the bottom of the camper during that storm. Only one time did I get worried that was in the 5th wheel and the wind blew enough to knock out the braces on the slides on one side only. That was really the only time I was worried and it was over quickly.

The Indianapolis Star said the trailer was 30' Rockwood and had had this picture explaining how far the trailer traveled. It is interesting to note that the house that the trailer was parked next to had zero damage yet it picked up the trailer and dropped it at the neighbors.

bmet2000 wrote:
The TV stations always say if you are in a trailer "get out and get in a ditch"

...and about as many folks are killed by flash flooding as tornadoes.

It's the "always" word that's the problem here. I'm 54, live in the midwest and have never seen winds that would even tip a camper over. (And yes, I see the news footage of houses destroyed- most recently within 10 miles of our house)

And every time there's a tornado warning (I see several a year), there's no need to go dive in a ditch.

Campers (the vehicles) are a lot wimpier than houses, and yeah, a big tornado's going to get your house too, and don't forget that on a perfectly clear sunny day you might be in a traffic accident driving to the campground.

Yeah, to "always" ignore strong storms is a bad deal.

To head for the campsite concrete bathroom if there's a thunderstorm warning/tornado- probably a reasonable idea.

Then again, to listen to the radio, determine that the tornado's going to miss you, keeping your ear cocked, having an escape plan but staying in the camper to enjoy a good thunderstorm...that's ok too.

Google "Wessington Springs tornado" to see what an F2 storm did last week.

Sure, there will always be a few who are cavalier about riding it out. But, I feel responsible to do my part to keep my family and my property safe.

Up here in New England tornadoes are really not a concern, but we do have storms - including hurricanes, but we usually have plenty of warning about those.

We've only been "close" to a serious weather situation once... on Canadian side of Niagara Falls at the KOA. Camp host came around one evening warning everyone to pull in awnings and put away loose stuff on campsite. Turns out that the weekend before they had a severe thunderstorm come through and many camper's awnings were destroyed, so host was being cautious. No problems, I sat in my camper with son and couple other kids watching movies while it "stormed" outside - my son, though, in his early teens decided to keep his boots on while in the camper... "just in case".

Actually, as another posted, being in our TT during a rain storm is rather cool. Sounds like popcorn popping with the rain hitting the roof!

Speaking of bath houses... my local state park had a serious incident with lightening about 10 years ago. Severe storm, people gathered under a pavilion, lightening hit pavilion, one person died many others injured. Now, in the state's wisdom, all state parks have warnings to NOT seek shelter in state park buildings. As another poster asked, well where the HECK should people go then??

The TV stations always say if you are in a trailer "get out and get in a ditch"

camperpaul wrote:
The typical "well constructed" bath house is usually made of cement block or cinder block and can be easily destroyed by an EF1 or EF2 tornado.

There are two of these "beach houses" at IBSP; they are constructed of steel reinforced concrete with two ft. thick walls and roof and were designed to survive EF5 tornadoes.


Click For Full-Size Photo.

So, where do you suggest we go? The cinder block bath house is several times stronger than a RV. If that is all there is, wouldn't you go there?

Watch these semi trailers air lifted by a tornado near Dallas. Imagine what it would do to an RV.

Scott_85 wrote:
When it's your time to go it's your time it go.

That may be true but tempting fate by trying to ride out a tornado in a trailer is not sane, IMO. Even small tornadoes can blow over much heavier rigs, like semis or rail cars.

I've had good luck with the weather alerts app on iphone. you can set the distance you want a warning and for what you want warned. it's gps based.

I don't mind riding out a thunderstorm in our TT, but i wouldn't mess with a tornado.

I kind of like the rain hitting the roof, the thunder, and wind. sure there are limits, but the run of the mill is relaxing for me.