Best way to tie down 5th-wheel against high winds?

[Verysincere]

Any suggestions for the best way to secure a fifth-wheel against dangerous winds in a long-term, semi-permanent setting?

I would wish that I could use stake-secured cabling over the top (so that the cables could also support shade & winter wind-break tarps) but I can't think of an easy way to do that without producing tension-marks on the roof. But perhaps some sort of metal-work structure resting on the roof could also allow for the necessary air gaps to allow venting under the tarp shade.

Perhaps there are photos of various solutions online? Do many simply put chains through the wheels and stake the chains to the ground? (I suppose that could double as additional drive-away theft deterrent.)

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Verysincere]

The tarps are for UV protection and shading. (They have nothing to do with high winds other than possibly taking advantage of some of the cables.) If high winds are forecast, I will take down my sun sails and shade tarps.

Obviously, the main anchoring is at the chassis/wheels.

[tegu69]

I don't know what kind of winds they have in private rural site, but I would not add any tarps for strong winds. Save the tarps for after the storm. I had my fw secured pretty well in 115 mph winds and it didn't move. It did get a hole in the roof from a huge tree limb that went flying. (not parked under a tree)

[me1magoo]

I live in North Texas and for years kept my trailers parked in my driveway with no protection from the storm winds we get here (regularly 60-70+ each year). I used mobile home anchors (the auger type that are about 3' long) and put them down in the ground until the connector was all that was sticking out. I used a 1/4" steel cable and made it to length so that I could pass it over the frame of the trailer and then when I extended the jacks to level the trailer while parked it would pull the cables tight. Many times I found the augers pulled in the dirt (there was a small gap around the top showing it had moved) and also marks in the frame from the cable being pulled on very hard. I have had neighbors lose all kinds of things from their yards and lost part of my roof one year and my trailer was just sitting out there in the driveway taking the full brunt of the storm winds on the broad side.
My vote- ground anchors at least 3' long and strong steel cable with proper cable clamps installed tightly.

[Shadow_Grey]

Is it for storm winds from hurricane or general winds off mountain slopes?
If from one direction I would point into the wind direction.

I would first pick a protected spot if possible, with no overhanging trees and then use Earth Anchors with ratchet straps (heaviest ones I could find). Anchor to frame and ratchet down tight...check every once in a while and ratchet down tighter as needed. Use three or four per side.

[Charlie_D_]

When Hurricane Gustav hit the Baton Rouge area when I lived there the Sheriffs office was 3 miles away and reported 95 MPH winds. I pulled my 32' fiver along side the house and 10' away, filled all the tanks with water, put down the front and rear jacks and left it hooked to the truck. The rig barely moved. There was no damage to the rig although hindsight tells me that if faced with those conditions again that I should covered the large rear window with a tarp. It really got plastered with small limbs, leaves and other debris. Three sides were exposed to the wind.

I lost my roof as most neighbors did. Quite a number of good size trees were down. Broken limbs everywhere. Mobile homes in this area are required to be tied down and that is usually by fastening devices to the frame. I often wonder what would happen to the walls if hit broad side with high winds.

[Tin_Pusher]

"Fiber straps must be part of outdoor use."?

Article leaves much to the imagination...

[SooperDaddy]

EHow...article on securing an RV in gusty winds...

[Verysincere]

>I would not let anything touch a rubber roof during storage or any >other time.

I'm curious about that because I've gotten a wide range of advice. Some people have told me that as long as I allow for vent air movement and "breathing", they recommended using aluminum "tubing frame" or even things like plastic gallon jugs tied together to space a tarp over a rubber roof. If a rubber roof is strong enough to walk on it and moisture is not being trapped, what is the main danger/risk you are warning against? (Obviously, if outdoors, one must always allow for rain to drain without pooling. I've seen that done quite effectively with draped tarps over plastic milk jugs tied together in heaped-clusters. What is the down side?)

(Thank you all for your helpful posts.)

[RCMAN46]

I would not let anything touch a rubber roof during storage or any other time.

With the earth anchors you could use heavy duty turn buckles to keep the tie snug.

[TucsonJim]

Use an earth anchor and 1/4" cable. Anchor over the frame or axles. This is the same method used to anchor mobile homes.

[laknox]

Verysincere wrote:
Any suggestions for the best way to secure a fifth-wheel against dangerous winds in a long-term, semi-permanent setting?

I would wish that I could use stake-secured cabling over the top (so that the cables could also support shade & winter wind-break tarps) but I can't think of an easy way to do that without producing tension-marks on the roof. But perhaps some sort of metal-work structure resting on the roof could also allow for the necessary air gaps to allow venting under the tarp shade.

Perhaps there are photos of various solutions online? Do many simply put chains through the wheels and stake the chains to the ground? (I suppose that could double as additional drive-away theft deterrent.)

Thanks for any suggestions.

Most mobile homes out here in AZ are staked to the ground with straps to the frame. Could do something similar. In fact, it's a requirement here.

Lyle