How windy?

[grizz272]

I visited my son on Saturday and the wind from the southwest was blowing 30+ mph gusting over fifty. I saw a number of trucks towing campers heading north but none heading south.
Just how winding does it have to to be for you to pull over and wait for the wind to die down.
I told the wife that there was no way I would been out in that wind towing our fifth wheel.

[memtb]

Edd505 wrote:

memtb wrote:

grizz272 wrote:
I visited my son on Saturday and the wind from the southwest was blowing 30+ mph gusting over fifty. I saw a number of trucks towing campers heading north but none heading south.
Just how winding does it have to to be for you to pull over and wait for the wind to die down.
I told the wife that there was no way I would been out in that wind towing our fifth wheel.

This is a question often presented from time to time.

I firmly believe that the weight of the rv weighs heavily (pun intended) into the equation. The heavier the towed unit, the higher the wind velocity you can safely handle.

On our recent “marathon trip”, we encountered high winds from Oklahoma (a rather intense Thunderstorm just north of OK City) up through Cheyenne, Wy. Our 5th wheel weighs in @ 20K pounds, and we had zero issues.....no discomfort. We passed numerous tractor/trailer rigs that seemed to be having some difficulty.

I don’t think that there is any “concrete” wind speed number. Everyone must make their decision based upon their comfort level! The heavier the unit the better it handles a hard cross-wind! That said, when/if that heavier unit does become unstable.....the more difficult it is to correct!

It really comes down to your comfort level! memtb

Very likely empty or very light load in 53ft at 13'6" makes a great sail.

Edd505, Yes they do! My wife and I were owner/operators for a while.....nothing worse than a very light 53’ van.....well maybe “black ice” with wind! ;)! memtb

[GDS-3950BH]

There is too much to worry about in this RVing. Always remember, you might get hit with a blue icicle that falls of a 737, so look up often.

[Edd505]

memtb wrote:

grizz272 wrote:
I visited my son on Saturday and the wind from the southwest was blowing 30+ mph gusting over fifty. I saw a number of trucks towing campers heading north but none heading south.
Just how winding does it have to to be for you to pull over and wait for the wind to die down.
I told the wife that there was no way I would been out in that wind towing our fifth wheel.

This is a question often presented from time to time.

I firmly believe that the weight of the rv weighs heavily (pun intended) into the equation. The heavier the towed unit, the higher the wind velocity you can safely handle.

On our recent “marathon trip”, we encountered high winds from Oklahoma (a rather intense Thunderstorm just north of OK City) up through Cheyenne, Wy. Our 5th wheel weighs in @ 20K pounds, and we had zero issues.....no discomfort. We passed numerous tractor/trailer rigs that seemed to be having some difficulty.

I don’t think that there is any “concrete” wind speed number. Everyone must make their decision based upon their comfort level! The heavier the unit the better it handles a hard cross-wind! That said, when/if that heavier unit does become unstable.....the more difficult it is to correct!

It really comes down to your comfort level! memtb

Very likely empty or very light load in 53ft at 13'6" makes a great sail.

[memtb]

garyp4951 wrote:
memtb, glad you made it to the wedding, high winds, and all.

Thanks Gary! But, thanks to the little cold snap in the South in late February....I missed her wedding! 😮 But, at least I got a short visit with all of them!

For a brief explanation of the “very” short visit see my post about “5050 Miles in 9 Travel Days”! Pretty much a 13 day disaster! memtb

[gtnsmlr]

Wind advisory's I go, wind warnings no.

[garyp4951]

memtb, glad you made it to the wedding, high winds, and all.

[azdryheat]

Been in 40 MPH gusts with no issues. Haven't ever pulled over for wind.

[Cummins12V98]

I have never stopped for wing and have been in far worse than mentioned bu the OP. Mobile Suites and DRW truck at 34k combined are VERY stable.

[phillyg]

Crosswinds over 25mph keeps me grounded.

[memtb]

grizz272 wrote:
I visited my son on Saturday and the wind from the southwest was blowing 30+ mph gusting over fifty. I saw a number of trucks towing campers heading north but none heading south.
Just how winding does it have to to be for you to pull over and wait for the wind to die down.
I told the wife that there was no way I would been out in that wind towing our fifth wheel.

This is a question often presented from time to time.

I firmly believe that the weight of the rv weighs heavily (pun intended) into the equation. The heavier the towed unit, the higher the wind velocity you can safely handle.

On our recent “marathon trip”, we encountered high winds from Oklahoma (a rather intense Thunderstorm just north of OK City) up through Cheyenne, Wy. Our 5th wheel weighs in @ 20K pounds, and we had zero issues.....no discomfort. We passed numerous tractor/trailer rigs that seemed to be having some difficulty.

I don’t think that there is any “concrete” wind speed number. Everyone must make their decision based upon their comfort level! The heavier the unit the better it handles a hard cross-wind! That said, when/if that heavier unit does become unstable.....the more difficult it is to correct!

It really comes down to your comfort level! memtb

[Lwiddis]

Sustained 25 and/or gusts to 35 and I’m done.

[southernsky]

Good sites to know...Thanks

[valhalla360]

That's really pushing things.

I usually cap it around 20-25mph though direction does matter (I check the forecast before heading out). On open level areas, I'm a bit more comfortable with higher winds as they have less effect and tend to be more consistent. If it's a tail wind, I'll accept slightly higher winds as it's less of an issue and you get a nice MPG boost. Running into a 25mph headwind, isn't a big control issue but really kills the MPG.

If in the mountains, it's a bigger issue as there are often changes in wind direction as it swirls around and as you pass valleys, there can be sudden cross winds.

I use the following to check on wind conditions along the route:
www.windfinder.com
www.ventusky.com