What to do in high crosswinds

[kyclassa]

On our way back from Florida we had a lot of rain and 30mph crosswinds and had to fight to keep the motorhome on our side of the road. This made for a not so nice drive home. We have a 2004 Four Winds Class A, 33'. Has new tires. Is there anything that can help when you are in crosswinds? Better control. Or should we just find a place to stop for the day? This was very scary trying to keep the motorhome on my side of the road. Not fun at all for sure. Was very tired when we did get home. Thanks

[Effy]

garry1p wrote:
You can spend a lot of money on fix's that help but do not FIX the problem, the best fix is know your limits and get off the road when you feel unsafe.

IMO a day or even two days late to wherever you are going is better than trying to figure out how to get home AFTER an accident.

Amen, getting home in a pine box is not the result you are after either.

[garry1p]

You can spend a lot of money on fix's that help but do not FIX the problem, the best fix is know your limits and get off the road when you feel unsafe.

IMO a day or even two days late to wherever you are going is better than trying to figure out how to get home AFTER an accident.

[Effy]

The sway bar fix will help, but as others have said, depsite what you might be able to do to the MH itself, you are driving a billboard and thereby subjected to wind. If you have to fight it too much you need to pull over.

[kyclassa]

Gjac wrote:
I would do 2 things. 1, Install a Steer Safe or Safety Plus stabilizing system. 2, Buy or make an awning lock system. My friends awning billowed out when we were in 30 mpg or so cross winds. We made a lock in a Walmart parking lot for his MH. Are you normally affected by passing trucks at hwy speed? I have the Steer Safe and can drive the MH with one hand at normal winds with passing trucks and hwy speeds.

"Are you normally affected by passing trucks at hwy speed?"
No, not really. I had (can not remember the name) but some kind of tracking bar on the back axel of the motor home (a little over $700.00) and it seems to be doing it's job. Yes, from now on I will be pulling over and waiting till the wind slows down at a park or truck stop.

[Greyghost]

You mentioned that the tires are new. When they installed the tires did they inflate to the weight (inflation) table from the tire mfg or did they inflate to the max on the side wall? The reason for the question is that inflating to the max on the side wall can give very squirrely handling on a gasser in your weight range. Get to a CAT scale, weigh the coach front and rear and inflate your tires to the tire mfg table. This probably won't solve the problem, but it's a start.

[rgatijnet1]

There are steps that you can take to minimize crosswind problems BEFORE you get on the road. Things like adding four corner air bags to a gasser, a trac bar, steering stabilizer, etc, all help, if installed before the winds come.
Once you are on the road, if the winds get to the point where you feel uncomfortable, pull over or slow down, whatever your schedule will permit.
I have four corner air bags and by jacking the pressure up to 80+psi I can handle 50 MPH crosswinds altho it still is not as comfortable as driving on a windless day. We do spend a lot of time traveling in the Great Plains and if you do not get used to driving in high winds, you will spend most of your trip parked and missing the sights.

[Snomas]

I had a 31' gasser and got hit by a side gust that caused us to change lanes in about 2 seconds. I had the safety plus steering system and it didn't help in the high winds. So I say park it ASAP! Now I have a 40' DP and can drive in 45MPH gusts but park it above that!! Also I have had an awning blow out and it is not fun. Now I use duct tape or straps aroung the the top of the vertical arms when traveling and no problems.

[Executive45]

Garry&Gayle wrote:
When ever you do not feel comfortable driving in any kind of weather find a place to park it until the weather clears.

Without a doubt, this is the BEST advice. If you're headed home because of work, that's what sick days are for......Dennis

[TucsonJim]

When wind speed is predicted to reach 35+ MPH, I stay off the road. If you can't hold it in your lane park it because it's not only dangerous for you, but also other motorists. I've seen too many trucks and RVs laying on their side to chance it.

[Gjac]

I would do 2 things. 1, Install a Steer Safe or Safety Plus stabilizing system. 2, Buy or make an awning lock system. My friends awning billowed out when we were in 30 mpg or so cross winds. We made a lock in a Walmart parking lot for his MH. Are you normally affected by passing trucks at hwy speed? I have the Steer Safe and can drive the MH with one hand at normal winds with passing trucks and hwy speeds.

[krivanj]

They sell steering stabilizers but you would have to get someone here to tell you if they work.
Also, they sell and you can make an additional lock for your awning. After we lost our awning, we added the additional lock and never had the problem again.

[BTPO1]

I start by slowing down, when the trucks are slowing down to stay on the road there must be a reason. Remember you are driving a large sail down the interstate in high wind, BE ALERT.

I also would stop if it was that bad. I would just wait out the bad weather, why take a chance. Same with snow, why drive in it if you don't have to. I don't think that driving is any fun if when you get to your destination you are totally exhausted.

You might also want to look into some type of steering stabilizer system. JMO

[Two_Jayhawks]

No there really isn't anything that can be done. Some would say make sure all tanks are full but I doubt that would make enough difference.

[polly_sue]

If you have to continue, which is not the best course of action, lower your speed until you are more comfortable. Best to avoid driving in that much wind. We lost our awning (Carefree of CO power awning) on I-20 in Texas in a quartering wind (from the SW, we were heading east). It was terrifying. Luckily there was an exit with an RV park within sight. Had to cut the remaining fabric off the frame and tie the frame to the coach. Took three guys and two ladders...

[Garry_Gayle]

When ever you do not feel comfortable driving in any kind of weather find a place to park it until the weather clears.