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slharman1 · 06-25-2021, 10:11 AM

Anything I need to know about staying in my TT during a thunderstorm? Looks like our maiden voyage next week will be thunderstorms all week at inks lake

Diesel-Lover · 06-25-2021, 10:41 AM

Make sure your electricals are protected from surge.

To be safe, at times we have unplugged from the CG electric for lightening dancing all around events (beforehand), the CG host informed of the intense thunder and lightening storms the location has. Those events were louder and more spectacular than the bicentennial celebrations all around Manhattan! You could smell the ozone in the air!

Persistent · 06-25-2021, 10:53 AM

Good advice above!

Tornadoes are an issue. Your walls will not stop flying cows in a tornado. Know where the nearest shelter is and keep in touch with weather warnings.

Once while camping on open prairie in Texas, I felt it was safer to reposition my trailer to face front into the wind. This may not work in a thunderstorm because wind changes direction frequently.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!

scbwr · 06-25-2021, 01:51 PM

As mentioned already, a good surge/electrical protection system such as the Progressive EMS. If your slide outs have an awning, be prepared to retract them if the winds are very heavy. Obviously, retract your main awning before the storm hits. Consider having a weather radio with you. Know where you are going to go if you need better shelter. Do you have insurance coverage for hail damage?

It can sound scary, but we've sat out some strong storms and you just have to think about making sure nothing can blow around or get damaged due to heavy wind and rains.

twogypsies · 06-25-2021, 03:05 PM

Monitor a weather radio and know what county you're in.

If winds are predicted always bring your awning in and fold up chairs, etc. You don't want them flying around and hitting your RV or vehicle.

If hair is forecasted and you have slide toppers, bring the slides in.

Regarding tornado activity... know where the nearest shelter is and most often, it's a concrete restroom. We spent many hours in a restroom in Alabama's state park. The ranger would come around to each RV to advise us and everyone grabbed a chair, drink, pets, kids, radio, sometimes a deck of cards and we had a happy hour - didn't matter which side of the restroom - men's or women's - all grouped together and became instant friends!

Hopefully, you're not parked too close to the lake or stream or in a low spot!

Pre-plan and bring reading material and games and plenty of food!!

Make the best of it and enjoy the sounds.

rk911 · 06-25-2021, 04:27 PM

“If hair is forecasted and you have slide toppers, bring the slides in.”

must be a different kind if t-storm.

Xmcdog · 06-25-2021, 04:42 PM

I try to park butt to the wind. With the fiver I hook up but leave the landing gear down and supporting about half the weight.Bring in slide, pack away loose stuff and ride er out. Had to head for the shelter one night, the kids were scared so we made a dash through the rain.

**NLOVNIT** · 06-25-2021, 06:05 PM

1. When you check in, ask where the closest shelter is in case you need to abandon your RV.
2. Know what county or parish you are in & get the numbers to the sheriff & fire depts.
3. Have a battery operated weather radio. You may lose power, which will take with it internet & you may be in an area with little to no cellphone coverage. In that case your computers/cellphone would be useless for monitoring weather.
4. Have working LED lanterns & flashlights in case of a power outage after dark.
5. Roll up awning & put away anything you have outside that could go flying BEFORE the wind picks up. Roll up your awning before going to bed, regardless. Nothing like trying to bring in an awning at 2am, with wind gusts & pouring rain. Ask me how I know.

6. If severe weather & your slides have toppers, bring in your slides to avoid having your toppers torn.

mdcamping · 06-25-2021, 07:34 PM

Not to much more I can add other to check for large dead tree limbs above your RV that could be a hazard to fall, I have read horror stories of severe injuries and worse from storms.

About 12 yrs ago our awning got trashed from a micro burst, we found out after the fact that our past insurance only covered damage on the inside of our RV. Our present insurance now covers everything. Just something to be aware of.

Mike

CharlesinGA · 06-25-2021, 08:33 PM

Many of the Jensen radios that RV's have installed in them have the weather bands. Check yours and see, and learn how it works.

Charles

dizcom · 06-27-2021, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slharman1

Anything I need to know about staying in my TT during a thunderstorm? Looks like our maiden voyage next week will be thunderstorms all week at inks lake

As others have said, pull the awnings in and pull the shore power if it looks like lightning nearby. We've been through several over the years in a variety of rigs and never felt the need to run for a shelter. If the storms get that bad in that location you'll usually see signs to shelters (check the bathrooms) or just ask. We've spent exactly one night over the years hovering around the weather radio when a storm moved unexpectedly and hit our area very hard. A powerful storm can topple rigs, but they're an exception. If it's predicted to be that bad, stay home.