I'm after some advice on towing in windy weather. We have a BMW X5 and tow a bailey unicorn twin axle. I towed it a couple of weeks ago in pretty windy weather and although I could feel it I never felt unstable at any point, just felt like it normally does when just in the car, those winds didn't have a weather warning like the forecast for Sunday and I'm just wondering if I should be considering cancelling my trip, I'm going about 90 mile mainly on A19. With our weather the winds may never materialise and it could be a weekend ruined if I cancel hence why I'm after some advice.
Windy weather forecast
- Thread starter JP01
- Start date
The forecast is 18mph winds? http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2639093
I woulnt worry personally, just keep the speed down.
Heavy cars and caravans are less likely to blow over IMO, but monday may be uncomfortable if you're on the road or in a caravan open to wind. Winds of 23 mph.
I woulnt worry personally, just keep the speed down.
Heavy cars and caravans are less likely to blow over IMO, but monday may be uncomfortable if you're on the road or in a caravan open to wind. Winds of 23 mph.
We're in the north east forecast is for 22 mph on Sunday, it's just our journey home though so can go as steady away as I need to, I could look for a more sheltered route off the A19 if it is very windy. Think I'll plan an alternative route just in case as I can't claim to be an experienced tower just yet!
Parksy
Moderator
As always, check your tyre pressures on both the towing vehicle and the caravan, don't overload the caravan and place heavier items on the floor over the axle, and try to get your noseweight as close as possible to the upper limit for your towcar and this will give a more stable tow.
Avoid overtaking manoeuvers when going downhill and take your time.
Avoid overtaking manoeuvers when going downhill and take your time.
Given the forecast we've now dropped the awning and wifey is busy buying pressies in Hawes so we migrate south on Saturday instead of Sunday. We've had 18 days away between Seahouses and Hawes which we have had good weather except for two wet days, so packing up one day early isn't a penalty as I can still savour a beer or two tonight at the local inn beer festival. 2013 has been so much better than 2011-12 I've almost forgotten how to extricate a van from a flooded field 
Published weather forecasts usually quote average wind speeds - gusts can easily double the average, or more.
I'm facing a 19-22 mph headwind on Monday - that'll decimate the fuel consumption !
I only make two concessions to high winds when towing - the obvious is "driving to the conditions" which means reduced speed - the other is to treat official warnings/bans on "high-side vehicles" as applying to caravans.
I'm facing a 19-22 mph headwind on Monday - that'll decimate the fuel consumption !
I only make two concessions to high winds when towing - the obvious is "driving to the conditions" which means reduced speed - the other is to treat official warnings/bans on "high-side vehicles" as applying to caravans.
Around Worcestershire we are supposed to be having gusts up to 37mph which could make the M5 near Droitwich interesting for any one towing a caravan.
The predicted 50 and 60 mph gusts are the problem if they do in fact happen. I do find that the weather forecast tends to take the worst view, we were supposed tpo be facing very heavy rain on Friday last week but on driving to Chester with the caravan we had very little more than drizzle so we have got a bit more likely to chance it these days.
Having said that we were caught out by some severe gusts in April this year and took the safe option of stopping at a nearby site when things got hairy. My plan would be to risk travelling but be aware of sites along the way where you could stop if you were having problems. If things get bad it is better to stop and take cover than risk everything going on.
Having said that we were caught out by some severe gusts in April this year and took the safe option of stopping at a nearby site when things got hairy. My plan would be to risk travelling but be aware of sites along the way where you could stop if you were having problems. If things get bad it is better to stop and take cover than risk everything going on.
Surfer said:
Surfer were you on the M6 in Safford services around 1300 ish today, or has your outfit got a Doppleganger?
Yours very dirty XC70 which drew funny look from owner of pristine S60 parked next to me!
We're in Scotland at the moment, where they take a more pragmatic approach to things - the biggest danger from this current forecast of high winds is the risk of trees falling, because they're still in full leaf and likely to be blown over more easily - so check your caravan is pitched far enough away from trees to avoid being hit - DON'T pitch near trees expecting shelter !!
Surfer said:For once, I enter a plea of "Not guilty" as my Jeep is blue in colour.
But how can you be sure under all that mud?
ProfProf John L said:Surfer said:For once, I enter a plea of "Not guilty" as my Jeep is blue in colour.
But how can you be sure under all that mud?
sorry for my badly worded post it was my XC70 that was muddy the Jeep and its Delta were absolutely immaculate
)So pleased we still went thank you all for your advice. We're home safe and sound and to be honest didn't really notice the wind that much, the rain and lack of visibility was more of an issue but luckily it was just short bursts. Thanks again all.
SUVs are meant to be dirty !otherclive said:ProfProf John L said:Surfer said:For once, I enter a plea of "Not guilty" as my Jeep is blue in colour.
But how can you be sure under all that mud?
sorry for my badly worded post it was my XC70 that was muddy the Jeep and its Delta were absolutely immaculate
We can't have vanners posing as Wags in Chelsea tractors.
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