Forum Discussion

dvitale300's avatar
dvitale300
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015

Thunderstorms

I have a new TT (30 ft) - 1st time owner. The trailer is in my driveway - flat - with the trailer jack deployed as well as stabilizers. Getting some thunderstorms and winds coming through. Is it safer to leave it on the jack and stabilizers, or retract the stabilizers so that it is on it's wheels and tongue jack?
thanks
david
  • With the TT on the jack, and wheels. Unless the storm is enough to send you to the storm cellar. It will be fine. I have had shingles blown off the house, and trees blown down. TT just sits there un moved by it all. Especially if it is sitting with the wind. But will take some really strong wind to push it over. You don't want to be above ground in that kind of wind.
  • DutchmenSport wrote:
    Jacks down to the ground. Chocks on the wheels. Slides in. Awning in.

    I leave chocks and jacks down 24x7. I also have the camper facing West - East. The front is facing West. Reason? We get high winds, and 90% of the time they come out of the West blowing East. With the camper front facing West, the front of the camper gets the brunt of the wind, just like when towing on the road. If it is made to withstand 80 mph headwind on the interstate, it surely can endure a 40 mph wind sitting in my driveway, provided the wind is hitting head on.

    Now, if the trailer were facing side ways to the wind, it probably would not take 80 mph winds to top it over. Probably a lot less. With jacks down, it creates more points in contact with the ground, causing the camper to be more stable.

    About lightning? The chance of your camper getting hit by lightning is probably about as great as your car or truck getting hit. That's why they created that thing called, "insurance."


    Thanks - great ideas.
  • Jacks down to the ground. Chocks on the wheels. Slides in. Awning in.

    I leave chocks and jacks down 24x7. I also have the camper facing West - East. The front is facing West. Reason? We get high winds, and 90% of the time they come out of the West blowing East. With the camper front facing West, the front of the camper gets the brunt of the wind, just like when towing on the road. If it is made to withstand 80 mph headwind on the interstate, it surely can endure a 40 mph wind sitting in my driveway, provided the wind is hitting head on.

    Now, if the trailer were facing side ways to the wind, it probably would not take 80 mph winds to top it over. Probably a lot less. With jacks down, it creates more points in contact with the ground, causing the camper to be more stable.

    About lightning? The chance of your camper getting hit by lightning is probably about as great as your car or truck getting hit. That's why they created that thing called, "insurance."
  • mosseater wrote:
    If wind is your concern, I'd let the stabilizers down, especially if you're in it. As far as lightning, I'm pretty sure if that 1 million volts can make the jump from 30,000 feet to the ground, it won't be a challenge to go the 6" from your wheel to ground. If it's going to hit there isn't much you can do about it. If it's very high wind, like high enough to roll the trailer, I'd get out of Dodge and get far away fast.


    Thanks - did you mean pull them up - or keep them deployed (down).
  • If wind is your concern, I'd let the stabilizers down, especially if you're in it. As far as lightning, I'm pretty sure if that 1 million volts can make the jump from 30,000 feet to the ground, it won't be a challenge to go the 6" from your wheel to ground. If it's going to hit there isn't much you can do about it. If it's very high wind, like high enough to roll the trailer, I'd get out of Dodge and get far away fast.