Towing in the wind.

Too many variables, you just have to get a feel for what works for you at the present.
But keep in mind that the wind can blow you over if it's strong enough and the faster you go, the easier it is for the wind to topple you.

In the wind speeds you mentioned, we would probably have slowed to about 55 as well. Generally speaking, we draw the line at winds over about 38 mph, especially if they're crosswinds. We'll just stay put when they get too high - it's not worth the white knuckles. As Scott pointed out, winds can blow you over. For extra stability towing, as it's almost always windy where we have lived, we usually fill the freshwater tank at least 1/3 before leaving home - good ballast.

Yes, gas mileage will drop into the wind. Anything that's taller than your tow vehicle is a sail. No experience with 5ers, but I would guess some of the big tall ones would be even worse in that respect, though they might possibly handle a bit better in wind.

You did right, took your time and protected your family and those behind otherwise in a hurry that did not like waiting behind you. Ofttimes the slow way is right. Cudos!

We shut it down if winds are forecast to be above 35 mph. Our 5vr is 13'4" and IS a big wind sail

High profile vehicle wind warnings are issued when wind speeds are expected to reach 45 mph.

Steady wind can be dealt with it's them sudden 'GUSTS' that get ya!

Winds don't affect our toy hauler much at all. 35-40mph cross-winds and we're stable. 5th wheel towing is the only way to go.

azdryheat wrote:
Winds don't affect our toy hauler much at all. 35-40mph cross-winds and we're stable. 5th wheel towing is the only way to go.

:) Hi, wind doesn't seem to effect us either. (Airstream)

rbpru wrote:
We just finished a 250 mile trip to down state Illinois. We had 20 to 25 + mph crosswinds all the way; so, we held the speed to 55 mph.....The question is, what speed works for you in a moderate cross wind, particularly the bigger TTs. .....

All roads leading south in Illinois are windy bad! :B

I travel that north south route thru Illinois a lot. The winds are just awful most of the time. The tail wind is great for gas mileage but the crosswinds are real dangerous there. It's all open farm land nothing to stop the winds.

Crosswinds I pull off.
IMHO no speed was safe when I had my TT and the last trip I was driving a MH towing. Thought it would handle the crosswinds better than the TT. Was wrong on that one! It did not and I pulled off the road with it too until the winds subsided.

I close my eyes only for a moment, and the moment's gone
All my dreams pass before my eyes, a curiosity

Towing in the wind, all they are is towing in the wind

Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see

Towing in the wind, all we are is towing in the wind

Towing in the wind can be a problem regardless if it's a travel trailer of 5th wheel or....whatever.

When it gets too windy, and I can feel it more that I like, we stop.

Towing in the wind can be a problem regardless if it's a travel trailer of 5th wheel or....whatever.

Exactly.. I don't tow in the wind unless I have too.