Towing when very windy

[keithp]

Hi, I've put a post on here before about how i don't like to tow when it's very windy, but, sometimes i have no choice .I was just wondering what everyone else does when it's windy .ie Do you load the caravan differently, or just go slower.
Any information would be good to see if there is something else i could do to improve the experiance.
Thanks

 

[Mikey_74]

I load the van the same as always, (carefully) but I do tow slower in windy conditions, and watch my mirrors alot more to see that the outfit is steady, other than that, just turn the heating up a degree or two, make sure the kids have enough dvd's to last the little longer journey and ensure I can reach the bag of sweeties before my lovely wife falls asleep, it doesn't matter how fast or how far we travel, everywhere in her book is just over 5 mins away )

 

[Lutz]

Basically the same as above. I'd just add that I try to anticipate possible sudden crosswinds, such as what one encounters when emerging from a cutting, coming up to an exposed bridge or overtaking coaches and lorries, even more than normal. In such cases I just ease off the accelerator pedal for a second or two until the conditions are stable again.

 

[Sedo]

We do the same as the last posts have recommended.
Recently returned from Burrs Country Park in very windy conditions and because we really like to keep out tow car well within the recommended 85% we had no problem with stability.
We're towing a Bailey Pegasus 524, 1480Kg max with a Kia Sedona, 2250Kg kerb weight.
The only slight problem we can have is strong blustery conditions tend to make the auto box search a bit.
Taking into account what has been said, we sometimes wonder at taking routes on A roads with possibly more shelter than on the motorways, which can be more open to cross winds
Best regards

Sedo.

 

[602]

Hi,
In 1972 we queued for two hours to reach the Severn Bridge, only to be told to go the pretty way, because it was too windy for caravans. Why didn't they tell us before the last slip road off?
Twenty minutes later, the police sergeant told me "to get my wife out of his sight, and he would say no more about this!"
602

 

[stephena]

We had a bit of a crosswind coming up from Devon last month... as an inexperienced caravanner (first year) I opted to get behind another caravan as that way I could see any sudden gusts from the movement in his van. I then just braced myself and we got home in one piece!

Cant say I enjoyed the experience but hope to learn from it!

 

[TonyH1]

Hi Keithp,
It really is all about anticipation. Looking for where you might catch a crosswind like emerging from a cutting, passing through buildings like service areas, a large vehicle when it passes you and you emerge from it's shelter, even on non-motorways just going round a corner or bend. Just look for the signs for which way the wind is blowing, travel that bit slower and keep your wits about you. It's more tiring with all the extra concentration so take frequent break and don't be afraid to say it's too bad and pull over, (obviously where suitable) for a couple of hour. It rarely blows that bad for long.

 

[emmitdb]

Greetings,
It's not much fun towing in windy conditions but it doesn't help that we, the driving public don't get the assistance from the providers of the infrastructure to our road systems.
When we visit either France or Spain we are struck by the number of wind socks that are placed in stategic places by the side of the road. ie adjacent to bridges, embankments etc.
Whilst I appreciate that the country is cash strapped I would like to see the provision of wind indicators in Blighty.