At what speed does wind become unsafe to tow.
I know a lot of it will be common sense.
But has any body got boundaries
When they would use there unit.
Is there any data when not to
venture out.
I have towed in 60mph wind which got up 1.5 hours into a 4 hour journey. Not very nice as at times quite felt the caravan was going to overturn as side winds caught us. Would. not of towed knowing wind was going to get up. On journey a lorry had gone over and we were diverted across country roads which were very exposed.
Its gusts that will do you. You can get used to some wind, but its passing an open area that may catch you out. I once bought a caravan in Hull. The wind got up as i approached, and shut the Humber bridge as i was collecting. (it wasn't windy further south, and i never thought to check). I had to use the other bridge out of Hull (which name escapes me). But even though i have a 4 wheel drive truck, and the van wasnt big, it scared me to death even at 30mph. I was convinced i was going to end up in the river at one point.
As mentioned, it is not the wind, but the gusts. I have seen a VW Beetle blown over when it emerged from under a bridge and a gust of wind caught it. Either way it is very uncomfortable towing in high winds and the ATC on the caravan works overtime.
We have a Motorhome not a caravan. But we stopped midway home in Storm whatever several years ago because of all the debris flying around. Branches on the road, roadside litter hitting the vehicle, windscreen wipers at double speed. Safer to lay up for the night.
Not sure there is really any quantifying a safe/unsafe boundary, far too many factors come into play, good old common sense has to be the best guide.
As already said, countering a consistent wind of up to say probably 40mph is not too difficult if your outfit is generally stable, but a 40mph gust can easily put you in serious trouble! The other thing with towing in a consistent strong wind is I suppose the exact opposite of a gust, it's suddenly encountering something like a bridge or trees that shields you from the wind, you are normally compensating for the wind by vectoring into it, then when it suddenly disappears your steering is all wrong and you lurch sideways, that can cause you to drift out of lane, or set up a 'snake' as you suddenly compensate!
Incident springs to mind from a couple of years back, weather was a little blustery but not extreme, I was travelling west bound on M4, in middle lane about to go past a modest MH on inside lane that was probably only doing 50mph, we were going over a flyover over a deep gorge when this MH got caught by the cross wind and suddenly lurched half a lane to the right, just in front of me, far too close for comfort, if I'd been beside it, we'd have had a multi-vehicle pile up as I would have been shunted out of lane by the impact and no doubt punted into anything beside me! Now, because I was one lane over from the parapet, the cross wind had very little effect on me, I felt a little sideways movement in the caravan, but nothing dramatic, if I have been on the inside lane, who knows, I too may have been blown clean out of my lane!
My outfit is very stable, and the only time I've noticed ATC kick in has been on varying alternate cambers where the caravan rocks from one side to the other rather than snakes/wobbles or strays off course.
As Fiona said, it's not just the stability of your own outfit, it's the debris that flies about as well, and of course risk from other 'unstable' vehicles, I've certainly given some high sided vans a very wide berth when you can see them rocking or weaving!
Very much a personal view, and not solely based on safety/stability of my own outfit, but get very cautious when gusts of 40mph or more forecasts, and would definitely delay a journey, or pick a less vulnerable (NO high exposed bridges etc!) route rather than gamble on it being OK if it seemed to be too risky. Certain road/areas have a reputation for being tricky in wind, so you need to factor those in. Totally subjective, no specific numbers, just a feel for circumstances.
It is definitely going to be down to common sense and knowing your own outfit. Mine is very stable, even without modern gadgetry like ATC and stabilisers, which I don't have, but I wouldn't venture out if very gusty weather was forecast. Unless of course I was coming home and couldn't put it off or delay it. Even then I would pick my route very carefully, avoiding high bridges and even possibly motorways if I could. If I absolutely had to go I would probably consider travelling overnight when it is generally quieter and when winds tend to die down. Not always though.
There is a lot of factors to be aware of as people have pointed out.
But I think what is the common consensus is you're gut feeling
Thanks for all your comments
We were due to travel from Woodhall Spa (Lincolnshire) to Suffolk today. Having seen the forecast of 40+ mph gusts, not only here, but along the route (Boston, Kings Lynn) coupled with torrential rain, we decided to stay here until tomorrow. Best decision, a tree was blown down on the road outside the site, blocking the road for most of the day, as well as a tree on the site. Luckily nobody pitched near enough, that area on the site now completely closed.
Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 20/10/2023
The other thing with towing in a consistent strong wind is I suppose the exact opposite of a gust, it's suddenly encountering something like a bridge or trees that shields you from the wind, you are normally compensating for the wind by vectoring into it, then when it suddenly disappears your steering is all wrong and you lurch sideways,
This scenario killed my mate - but on a motorbike. I was following him down a road where it was open ground and we were compensating for a constant strong breeze. He came to pass some houses, the wind immediately disappeared, and he veered towards the pavement, and ran straight into the back of a parked car on house no 2-3. He died in front of my eyes. Maybe a bit stark and dark, but you never forget. 45 years and counting.
Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 20/10/2023
The other thing with towing in a consistent strong wind is I suppose the exact opposite of a gust, it's suddenly encountering something like a bridge or trees that shields you from the wind, you are normally compensating for the wind by vectoring into it, then when it suddenly disappears your steering is all wrong and you lurch sideways,
This scenario killed my mate - but on a motorbike. I was following him down a road where it was open ground and we were compensating for a constant strong breeze. He came to pass some houses, the wind immediately disappeared, and he veered towards the pavement, and ran straight into the back of a parked car on house no 2-3. He died in front of my eyes. Maybe a bit stark and dark, but you never forget. 45 years and counting.
Mick S. Your reply would have been difficult to write - you can never un-see such a dreadful event but I’m sure you’ll remember the happy times out on the road together.
Lessons for all of us in this thread about high winds, whether we have caravans, Motorhomes, cars or motorbikes.
I'd probably start getting concerned at forecasted gusts over 35mph, obviously the forecast may not be accurate.
Our towcar is very stable (Ford Edge) and we do still observe the 85% advice as well as trying to load the van properly, which would all be even more important when you add wind speeds into the mix, it would also depend on the type of roads you're planning to drive on during the wind
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Topic: At what speed ?
via mobile 20/10/2023 at 7:46am
