Community Forums

zagguy · 03-01-2010, 08:59 PM

We are planning a trip to the Oregon Coast but are wondering about the "crosswinds" while traveling down the Columbia Gorge? We have a 36' winnebago journey DP. Would it be better to go a longer but less windy way from eastern washington?....thanks

MonacoMama · 03-02-2010, 01:46 AM

zagguy..Are the winds always real bad in the Columbia River Gorge?

We have been in the car - but I did not remember it being that bad and I am sure I saw many RVs on it...

DAN L · 03-02-2010, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zagguy

We are planning a trip to the Oregon Coast but are wondering about the "crosswinds" while traveling down the Columbia Gorge? We have a 36' winnebago journey DP. Would it be better to go a longer but less windy way from eastern washington?....thanks

imo the wind is normally not a problem on I84 e or w.

the prevailing wind is usually from the east, blowing west. so you usually have a tailwind or headwind. the wind can change, but it is almost never a direct sidewind. when trucks pass you when there is a headwind, you will feel it more than if there was no wind.

the wind is not a problem for our moho @ 60-65 mph. some trucks will pass you when you are cruising at this speed. we usually pick a truck running at 60-65 and follow about 100-150 yards behind him. you can see how the wind is moving the truck ahead of you around and compensate as necessary. when he moves over to the left lane to pass, we move over also but not always directly behind him. then, we move back to the right lane when clear behind our truck if possible.

Cousin Ed · 03-02-2010, 06:49 PM

I usually drive around 60 and that's what I do in the gorge, but I have had to slow down to 45 - 50 for a few miles here and there. It's not a drive to miss.

Frantz · 03-02-2010, 07:33 PM

We live in Portland, Oregon and drive the gorge occasionally without difficulty. Have pulled horse trailers, travel trailers, u-haul trailers and driven small class C, 35' DP & 40' DP. There have been times I have needed to slow down to the 40-45 mph as posted above but mostly it is 60-63 mph. There are a couple of spots with signs warning of high, gusty winds or crosswinds but again simply slow down. That said IF there are high winds I would not cross into Washington from I-84 in the Gorge. There have been truck/trailer rigs which have flipped off the bridge.
The Gorge is not a drive to be missed. Enjoy!

Marilyn

PNWGirl · 03-02-2010, 07:55 PM

Hi,

I live in Vancouver (right across the Columbia River from Portland). You should take the I-84, through the Gorge. Trust me, it is too beautiful to miss! Be sure to stop at the Multnomah Falls. It is a very easy 'off' the highway and well worth the stop! If you watched the movie Twilight, they showed the falls right before the baseball game scene.

Occassionally there could be winds but, as Franz said, you just slow down. Nothing major. I got more wind in the Tri-Cities area of eastern Washington than I did in the Gorge.

Hope this helps!

Sheila

Cruzer · 03-03-2010, 12:00 PM

Yes, it's a nice drive. I-84 isn't that windy and if it does get a bit breezy it's not a crosswind si iut's no big deal. You can even get off the I road at Multnomah Falls and pull the coach into the parking area there and see the falls. Other than that don't take the RV on the "old highway" though.

zagguy · 03-03-2010, 06:17 PM

Thanks to all, we will be planning our trip to the coast down the gorge and over to the Oregon coast, been going there for years can't wait to be there with the mh!

J.S.Eddy · 03-06-2010, 11:35 AM

Zagguy; All the info you got was perfect. You know how to drive, and if the wind starts to make you a bit uneasy, just slow it down a bit and enjoy the ride. Really beautiful scenery. Not many places like it in the world.

Jim Eddy
Douglas, GA.
'03 Alpine, '00 Saturn toad