towing on a windy day

[Charlie4]

New to caravanning and towing and have had 4 good trips under my belt, supposed to be going to Scarborough in the morning but the wind looks a bit lively,

What wind speeds to people say its not worth it forcast says 25mph with gusts up to 35mph

also if a road is closed to high sided vehicles does that include caravans?

 

[Happy-Lappy]

Charlie,

I can't give you the maximum wind speed people drive in, as this is down to the individuals experience and confidence. If you think the wind speed has picked up whilst you have started your journey and is giving you concerns, then when going across country, stick to the 'A' roads as you have more shelter from the trees, hedges etc the motorways tend to be in the open and therefore leave you more exposed to the elements.

With regards to the last question, "if the road is closed to high sided vehicles" even if this didn't include caravans, I certainly wouldn't like to risk it with the caravan in tow,

best regards, Martin

PS. I'm off to Blackpool from Bristol tomorrow, so will encounter some strong winds as well

 

[Zafiral]

I'm off to exposed windy Norfolk from Kent tomorrow.

All I can suggest is be even more careful with loading than normal and if you feel any lightness from behind, slow down.

Take care.

 

[ShadySadie]

I've heard BBC Sally Traffic say that a bridge has been closed to high sided vehicles and caravans and we were not allowed to cross the Forth road bridge once.

Other vehicles and high sided trucks and the big curtain sider trucks can be a good indicator of wind and problemns ahead.

 

[RogerP]

Hi Charlie

check out something like the Met Office Website to see when the winds are likely to reduced or be at its lightest along your journey and try and travel then.

Also drive a little slower as well , I know its a pain but it will be easier in the long run and less stressful.

 

[RogerP]

sorry meant to also say ,

my offices are right on the side of the motorway and you'd be surpirsed how strong the wind is that the traffic generates even on seemingly calm days.

Its likely you've already experienced 'gusts' as high as this already to be honest.

 

[Robert_374373903]

In 58 years of driving i have had two frights with winds. One was in empty highside vehicle in the gales 87 coming from Kent to Essex, even at crawling speed my backside puckered and on the flyover at A12 M25 if it was not for a tanker who saw what was about to happen he came up close to protect me until over the other side. Second in motorhome in Portugal accross a viaduct think i was up on two wheels. I do not intend to have the third time .With caravan if i find it is just over the drag you get with passing vehicles find suitable place and park up.

 

[Ogre]

My own gut feeling after over 30 years caravanning, is that if road or weather conditions are such that they are giving you concerns about safety, then PULL OFF, and resume your journey when things improve.

It's not worth risking damaging your caravan, or hurting yourselves just for the sake of keeping going.

 

[papafulton]

Must agree with Orge, if i am not happy with conditions i will not travel or if travelling when conditions change would pull over. Its all a matter of personal choice.

William

 

[Andy_374377792]

I work in the marine environment and a good website to check for wind speed date is a site called xcweather.co.uk. This gives fairly live weather data all over the country and is a good indicator of what is going on. It will alson tell you the direction, speed and a model of what it is supposed to do.

 

[ProfJohnL]

The driver is ultimately responsible for the safety of their vehicle, and if for any reason they feel it is unwise to travel, then they should not.

If you feel that the wind conditions may render your outfit unsafe, then you must not travel.

If there are warnings for high-sided vehicles than I for one will not tow a caravan in the affected areas.

 

[Stephen_374341239]

The driver is ultimately responsible.

If there are warnings for high-sided vehicles than I for one will not tow a caravan in the affected areas.

That about says it all what more needs to be said.

 

[Del_374232870]

If you dont feel comfortable with the conditions, then dont go.

 

[WilliamLX]

A bit late to this conversation. However I was towing my caravan at the time the original poster was referring to, and it was rather windy, but I had no problems with wind (did get a soaking setting the van up when I arrived in Edinburgh). However the warden at the caravan site did mention that loads of people who had booked had canceled because the police were stopping people with caravans using the A1 as two caravans had been blown over (I was traveling from Stranraer to Edinburgh so didn't use the A1).