Wind Driving

[bnicol]

We Drove from Nashville to minnesota yesterday in crosswinds of 30-45 mph in our 3354 KSDP if our son in law didn't have to be back for work we would have pulled over had a beer and spent the night.I did see a few big rigs on the road.Ours was a real handfull, son in law and I switched every 2 hours or so. Do the 36-40 footers handle the wind alot better or do most of you stop?or is this the way it is with my shorter wheel base.We bought the MH in July 2011 but i have driven 12k miles since then, we love it but I sure was tired today. Thanks Bill

[deanjeep]

If yours is gas powered, they do not handle or ride as well as the diesel pushers. Though mine is too old to have it, the newer model Newmar diesel pushers have a feature called comfort drive which is supposed to make driving in the wind a breeze (pardon the pun).

[Lug_Nut]

Bill & Linda, I guess there are many answers for your question, but much depends on the rig and your experience. Heavier rigs are affected less. The shorter the departure angle (Distance from the rear most axle to to the rear of the coach) the less affect wind, especially, gusts will require driver steering input.
Perhaps this 2 part article may help you to understand some of the enviroment landscape affects and how you might better interface with them.
RV Driving in Adverse Weather Conditions (Part 1 of 2)
RV Driving in Adverse Weather Conditions (Part 2 of 2)

We have all been there so it is great to share ideas. Hope this helps with some of your questions.

Peter

[RickO]

Wind can be brutal. I think there a many different answers as to what people do when the wind gets really bad. Most full timers just sit it out. No big deal. Many weekend travelers have to be someplace and just have to keep going.

I was in some really memorable cross winds on I 10 in Arizona. It sure can be exhausting.

There are a lot of after market devices and a wide range of opinions about them. I found that putting a new bell crank, motion control units, and a steering stabilizer on my NEW coach was a great investment. There are also rear mounted sway bars which are popular on a lot of models.

IMHO, if you've driven your rig 12,000 miles under normal conditions and have been happy with the way it handles... you'd be OK just accepting the impact of the wind as something you'll try to avoid. On the other hand... if you're a gadget lover and tinkerer like I am... you'll want to start the process of making sure your coach is handling as well as it can. Budget is a big consideration in all of this.

Best of luck...

Rick

[sdennislee]

I posted this in the other thread on Driving in the wind:

Also keep in mind possible wind damage to the coach. Several members (myself included) have had cross winds rip the patio awning up and out. A very scary noise when it happens. Also very difficult laying on top the coach on the side of the interstate in 50 mph cross winds rolling the awning back in by hand and tying it down. And for thsoe that say it can't happen on an electric awning, mine was an electric Carefree of Colorado Awning. $4000.00 to the insurance company.

[Snomas1]

I have lost awning to high winds and have been blown from rt lane to left road side in a gas A. We pull over and stop now when the winds hit 50 mph or above w/ the diesel pusher, but find it handles pretty well in 45-50 gusts.