Travel day - 26 MPH winds forecast

[Second_Chance]

We are scheduled to travel from the San Antonio area to Sonora, TX, on Saturday with the rig in the signature. There's another front coming through and winds for most of the day are forecast to be in the 24 - 26 MPH range. We need to be on schedule Sunday... would you leave tomorrow (and leave a paid-for night) to spend Friday and Saturday nights in Sonora while the front blows through or would you drive Saturday in the wind? I've towed for 40 years, but I'm new to something this high-profile. Any and all perspectives are appreciated.

Rob

[Allworth]

This is why you have a fiver.

GO!

[laknox]

Second Chance wrote:
We are scheduled to travel from the San Antonio area to Sonora, TX, on Saturday with the rig in the signature. There's another front coming through and winds for most of the day are forecast to be in the 24 - 26 MPH range. We need to be on schedule Sunday... would you leave tomorrow (and leave a paid-for night) to spend Friday and Saturday nights in Sonora while the front blows through or would you drive Saturday in the wind? I've towed for 40 years, but I'm new to something this high-profile. Any and all perspectives are appreciated.

Rob

What =direction= are the winds forecast? If they're tailwinds, then drive! Your wallet will thank you. :B Seriously, unless you're really timid, I wouldn't worry about it. Leave a couple hours earlier and drive slower...unless they =are= from the rear. If you happen to get their a bit early, set up then take a nap. :B

Lyle

[TucsonJim]

I'm a Grand Design 337 owner also. I just towed mine for about 100 miles with steady side winds at 25mph, and gusts to 35mph. I could hardly feel it. If it starts gusting over 40mph, I stop. Good luck on the trip.

[dave17352]

If we didn't travel with 26 mph wind in the mid west we wouldn't travel at all. I really don't notice 25 mph winds. When they get over that is when I begin to notice. On I 80 you will almost always get 20 + mph winds on a daily basis. A 5th wheel handles the wind a lot better than a travel trailer. JMHO

[Veebyes]

For piece of mind fill up the water tank. A 5er, any RV really, is not much more than an empty box with lots of windage. The more weight that can be put down low the better to lower the center of gravity. Any increase in fuel burned is well worth the added stability.

[Splashers3]

If you must keep schedule leave as planned. While on the road take your cue from the Semis...if you see them pulled over, do the same. Of course only you know your comfort level.

Good Luck.

[B_O__Plenty]

Start thinking about moving up to a one ton dually and laugh at the wind..

B.O.

[Second_Chance]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I tow a 14K tall 5vr (13' 4") with an SRW truck. 5vr is a big wind sail but have had no issues in winds until they get above 40 MPH

You 5vr is listed as 12' 6" and with that 2013 2500 SRW shouldn't be an issue either.

BUT ----you stated you HAVE to be on schedule Sunday.
When we traveled full time and had a 'schedule' we always erred on the side of caution. How much is Fridays CG fee that you would forfeit?

Friday's CG fee is only $24 - small change in the big scheme of things. The world wouldn't to come to an end - and we could probably get back on schedule anyway since we only schedule about 4 hours of driving per day.

As Rusty mentioned having grown up in the "Twin Cities" (OK - he only mentioned Odessa), my young adult years were spent in Amarillo, and we all know how the wind blows in the panhandle!

I think we'll be prudent and leave as early as possible on Saturday. I have a good feel for the rig under way and, if I get uncomfortable, we'll pull off. We'll have plenty of time and, if we have to pull off, that's OK. We have the phone number for our stop-over in Sonora and the winds are forecast to slack off quite a bit in the evening. Tail winds aren't illegal, and neither is driving 55 MPH...

Thanks, everyone.

Rob

[gbopp]

RustyJC wrote:

filrupmark wrote:
Is it against the law to have a tailwind ?

Must be. In 20 years of towing 5th wheels, I don't think I've ever had a tailwind.

Rusty

It must be illegal. I've only had one tail wind. I was traveling east across Ohio. And I was in my Suburban, not the Southwind.

[Old-Biscuit]

I tow a 14K tall 5vr (13' 4") with an SRW truck. 5vr is a big wind sail but have had no issues in winds until they get above 40 MPH

You 5vr is listed as 12' 6" and with that 2013 2500 SRW shouldn't be an issue either.

BUT ----you stated you HAVE to be on schedule Sunday.
When we traveled full time and had a 'schedule' we always erred on the side of caution. How much is Fridays CG fee that you would forfeit?

[momentum_rv]

Tailwind? I don't think they make those!

[Merrykalia]

I would take the advice of most of the posters and go for it, but I would also try to leave earlier so I had a little bit of wiggle room in the schedule. If the winds become a concern, pull over and spend the night and go the next day. That's why you are pulling that thing, to have your home with you.

Safe travels.

[RustyJC]

filrupmark wrote:
Is it against the law to have a tailwind ?

Must be. In 20 years of towing 5th wheels, I don't think I've ever had a tailwind.

Rusty

[filrupmark]

I wouldn't worry. Wind doesn't seem to bother us, just our fuel mileage. Is it against the law to have a tailwind ?

[Two_Hands]

Wind of that speed should not be a concern. But, as you travel, if you feel the least bit concerned then immediately get off the road and find a good spot to wait it out. Safety is much more important than any schedule.