***Wind*****

[dutchev]

Traveling from Phoenix to Nevada in the next few days. We are pretty new at this and have avoided traveling in wind if we don't need to. We have a 36ft. fifth wheel, being pulled by a 350 dually diesel. Looks like the wind will be around 20mph. Maybe i am being to cautious. What do you guys think?

[Veebyes]

Wind...one of my favourite subjects. Since losing a 5er to a blowover on I80 west of Laramie a few years ago I have alot of respect for wind.

On breezy days we pay attention to tree branches moving, grass moving, the direction of flags flying, ripples on ponds, anything that gives an indication of direction & velocity of wind.

We are also concious of weight & where it is in the trailer. The side that the fridge is on is much heavier so we load other stuff as much as possible to compensate.

One thing we load up on if we know we will have a windy travel day is water. We can carry 100gal so over 800# down low between the wheels is a good thing. The extra fuel burned is cheap compared to the consequences of a blowover.

If there is the slightest doubt about safety we stay put for the day, or get off the road if we get caught out. Seeing big rigs wobble is a good reason to get off the road.

[newk]

I think "20 mph wind" is a misnomer. At 20 mph it's called a gentle breeze. 😉 At over 50 mph you'll want to let some air out of the tires on the windward side so you can lean into it a little.:B (JK)

No problems at all up to 30 mph. If you're feeling anxious about the winds when you're driving, slow down. Cutting your speed makes a big difference. If you're still not comfortable, pull over and stop for awhile.

Winds were gusting to 40 here today. I drove 300 miles and hardly noticed it. (Truck sans camper.) Tomorrow they're to be 40 gusting to 50+. I'd sit that one out if I was towing.

[txhandgunner]

Did a 150+/- drive this weekend in my rig and a 30+ MPH wind and I'll tell you....it was a handful!

That being said, I wouldn't be concerned about anything under that...but when you get above 30MPH, it gets hairy real fast!

[TyroneandGladys]

If you do feel yourself getting pushed sideways do NOT let up on the gas but stomp on the gas. As soon as your back undercontrol let up off the gas but not before.

[Dennis_M_M]

A longer discussion here.

[Road_Runners]

The major time that winds bother you with a fifth wheel is when it is on the nose. Then, the wind drag really causes your truck to guzzle up the fuel. We easily handle wind gust to 30mph from the side, but we get off the road when we are heading into 20mph or higher winds.

[M_GO_BLUE1]

20 mph is nothing...just watch yourself and others and take it slow...if it gets to be too much for you pull over and wait it out