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chief12 · 09-05-2019, 06:51 PM

I am staying in a campground that is expecting wind gusts maybe up to 50mph. My question is: which would be better; jacks down, slides out or jacks up, slides in. I’m in a 38’ Thor Challenger.

HJLowell · 09-05-2019, 06:56 PM

Slides in
Certainly

Your tires are wider than your Jacks.
More stable sitting on your tires.

50 mph ? You should be ok

Purple Frog · 09-05-2019, 07:06 PM

We get hurricanes down here.
If we can't hide downwind of a large building, we park the rig with the rear facing into the wind.
We move it accordingly as the wind direction changes.

NXR · 09-05-2019, 08:30 PM

Do a good check for unsecured objects outside and the condition of overhead branches.

If connected to the sewer, the hose might get blown around quite a bit or get punctured by something.

I'd also bring the slides in as well as put the jacks up if just so I could make a quicker getaway. I'd dump the tanks and fill the fresh water just in case. While your vicinity might survive unscathed you could experience an extended power outage and no running water.

Ray

CountryB · 09-06-2019, 11:32 AM

I think jacks down is better. That way the wind wont rock the coach as much and less chance for it blow over. Also when the jacks are down you would dump the air bags, then coach would be as stable as possible.

Waiter21 · 09-06-2019, 11:45 AM

We pull the slide in when expecting high winds, More for the topper than anything.

NXR · 09-06-2019, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waiter21

We pull the slide in when expecting high winds, More for the topper than anything.

Great point.

Solo_RV_Guy · 09-06-2019, 12:06 PM

Pull in the slides, jacks down just enough stabilize if you think it helps, or pull them up if you think you might need a quick getaway. Pack up all your stuff that could blow around, and check the larger area for similar items.

Dump waste tanks, fresh water fill up, keep shore power on. Save genset fuel until you need it. Charge all your phone/tablet/computer batteries.

Deep Water D · 09-06-2019, 12:10 PM

The only problem I've had in 50 mph winds is getting my cigar lit.

doc · 09-06-2019, 02:02 PM

Jacks down would certainly help stop the rocking, but if it gets hard enough to rock the coach, it might be too late to do anything else but hold on. If you have room, maybe put the nose of tail of the coach into the wind for less surface resistance.

Mtn. Lion · 09-06-2019, 02:09 PM

Jacks down and awning in.

TXiceman · 09-06-2019, 02:14 PM

Best solution is to pack up and leave.

Ken

igave · 09-06-2019, 02:32 PM

We get winds here at 50 or higher fairly often. As someone else has mentioned, we pull in the slides to avoid possible damage to the slide toppers and to lesson the noise. I lower the satellite dish sometimes also just to lessen the stress on the mount.

Domo · 09-06-2019, 03:04 PM

RV suspension is made to handle 50 mph wind. Jacks are not.

If the jacks are down it would seem that high wind could rock the rig enough to make it "walk" and bend the jacks.

I guess I'd rather have some rock 'n roll rather than possibly be stuck somewhere with my jack unable to retract.

We've been in places with high wind and have thrown a rope over the toppers (with a bungee to act as a spring) to keep them from flapping loudly and wildly. At times we have pulled in slides as a caution.