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

[bbaker2001]

if I get stopped, I will blame it on the tailwind.

[shepstone]

momentum rv wrote:

Second Chance wrote:
I'm sure that by the time we get to Sonora tomorrow afternoon, I'll ask myself, "What was the big deal?"

Rob

Better that than Oh $#@8 what was I thinking

Safe travels!

bin there done that....

[hotpepperkid]

I hate towing in that kind of wind. Fuel mileage go to hell

[Cummins12V98]

TucsonJim wrote:
Cummins12V98 - You need a bigger fuel tank in that rascal.

That's in the 2011 I traded it had 35 gallons. A few miles later the winds were stronger and I was getting in the 5's for mpg. Really had to keep an eye out for fuel stops.

The 15 is worse at 32 gallons. I now keep a 5 full of diesel in the toolbox.

[TucsonJim]

Cummins12V98 - You need a bigger fuel tank in that rascal.

[Cummins12V98]

When we left Rolling Retreats in early January heading West on I-40 it was below freezing and had a 30-40 mph head wind. Truck and RV were Rock solid. 11 RAM Dually with 36' MS 29K combined wt.

Mileage did suffer a bit.

[rmoore0852]

Glad you made it safely!! Don't be worried about pulling in some wind, that's one of the big advantages of a FW. Plus if your going to spend any time in Texas, 25-30 mph winds is just a pleasant breeze!!

[Veebyes]

HA! Wonder if was the same DRV we were behind one time on breezy day on a secondary road in New Brunswick. Big one. Must have been 38' plus being pulled by a SRW.

Talk about tail wagging the dog! Scary sight.

[Second_Chance]

We made it! Thanks to everyone for the advice and encouragement. As usual, the steady winds forecast only told half the story... gusts well into the 40 MPH range - especially in places between Segovia and Sonora around some of the canyons and cuts. I'm convinced that the 450 lbs of fresh water down low helped some. I stuck to 55 - 60 MPH. I'm sure some of those wanting to do the 80 MPH speed limit may have been irritated with me, but there was plenty of room to pass on the interstate. Only one other fiver passed me - probably doing about 70 - and I watched him wag down the road in front of me after he passed. Kinda surprised me for someone pulling a DRV Mobile Suites. Anyway, it was a confidence building exercise for me and I thank everyone again.

It was 21 degrees here when we got up a while ago. Our home is warm, the water is still running (on-board fresh water - didn't hook up the hose last night), and the coffee smells and tastes great!

Safe travels,

Rob

[Second_Chance]

rmoore0852 wrote:
Its only 170 miles, on I-10 the whole way. Just allow some extra time. Some of the hills around Kerrville will have some weird/sudden wind currents. I'm from Midland, and exactly as a previous poster said, if we didn't drive in wind we wouldn't drive at all!! I have pulled my rig in up to 40 mph winds/driving rain without any trouble. My rig is 13'3" tall and I pull with a 2500. Slow down, don't get impatient and you'll be fine. That's what makes a FW great!

EDIT: Be sure to check the weather for Sonora, we are supposed to go down to 27 degrees Saturday night. Would be horrible to wake up Sunday morning to frozen lines!!

Thanks, Richard. We're coming from Canyon Lake so will hit I-10 at Bourne. I've been watching the forecast temps, as well. Will probably not hook up water Saturday night - will use the on-board fresh water and use the main heater to make sure the basement and underbelly are heated. Should be OK that way, I reckon.

Rob

[NWKomfort350]

gbopp wrote:

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.

I had a tailwind once. It was in July coming out of Spokane, Wa. headed West on I-90.
I could actually feel it. I reset my MPG on the computer and I averaged 15.7 for nearly 2 hours before it started dropping off. It stayed behind me all the way to the pass. I hit the summit at around 13.6 ish mpg by the time I get home the computer was at 12.2. Best I have ever had towing. 65 MPH the whole trip other than slowing down in traffic.
I get in the high 10s/low 11s consistently.

[rmoore0852]

Its only 170 miles, on I-10 the whole way. Just allow some extra time. Some of the hills around Kerrville will have some weird/sudden wind currents. I'm from Midland, and exactly as a previous poster said, if we didn't drive in wind we wouldn't drive at all!! I have pulled my rig in up to 40 mph winds/driving rain without any trouble. My rig is 13'3" tall and I pull with a 2500. Slow down, don't get impatient and you'll be fine. That's what makes a FW great!

EDIT: Be sure to check the weather for Sonora, we are supposed to go down to 27 degrees Saturday night. Would be horrible to wake up Sunday morning to frozen lines!!

[momentum_rv]

Second Chance wrote:
I'm sure that by the time we get to Sonora tomorrow afternoon, I'll ask myself, "What was the big deal?"

Rob

Better that than Oh $#@8 what was I thinking

Safe travels!

[Second_Chance]

Thanks again, everyone. While doing some pre-packing-up things this morning, I filled the fresh water tank all the way. We'll get up early in the morning and hit the road ASAP. I'm sure that by the time we get to Sonora tomorrow afternoon, I'll ask myself, "What was the big deal?"

Rob