Community Forums

Rsanchez24 · 03-18-2013, 08:23 PM

During a severe thunder stormswith high winds and possible tornados and tons of lightning , should we be on all the wheels or up on the levelers???????? We have about an hour before they hit. We are living in our Rv on our property while we build our house. Should we slide the slides in, the drivers side slide is 35 feet long?

Vette Racer · 03-18-2013, 08:31 PM

If it were me, I'd put the levelers down for stability, close the big slide, and get out of the RV and find a good substantial building or below ground area for greater safety.

DSL417 · 03-18-2013, 08:31 PM

I'm a meteorologist and once chased tornados. I can say this with complete confidence, if your in the tornados path it will make no difference. Tornados will pick up fully loaded semis (that's 72K lbs or more) and toss them. You don't want to be inside.

My advice, have a low spot ID'd on you property. You're safer lying on your belly in a ditch (covering your head) than in a coach or a trailer.

With straight winds and hail, I'd think the safest would be in your coach, levelers up and air bags deflated; make sure your wheels are straight. that reduces the air that can get under the coach. Same if a tornado is near, but not on top of you.

If you hear the roar, find a low spot...otherwise hold on. Good luck.

DSL417 · 03-18-2013, 08:32 PM

Slides in.

Doggy Daddy · 03-18-2013, 08:38 PM

I would bring in the sides to protect the slide topper from getting beaten up in the wind and possibly torn. My preference is to use the jacks and tires together for stabilization, but NOT in tornado winds. Also lock all side compartments, bring in all unneccessary cords and lower all antennas and flag poles. Eliminate flying debris when possible. When lightening is possible, disconnect and put away your power cord. You do not want a power surge or spike to go directly into your wiring system.

Rsanchez24 · 03-18-2013, 08:44 PM

All good suggestions , keep them coming. Oh forgot about the antenna.

chuckinthebus · 03-18-2013, 08:58 PM

Stow as much as you can. Good luck and we are praying for a safe passage of the storms for you.

Rsanchez24 · 03-19-2013, 04:07 AM

Well that was an interesting night. All turned out fine. Slept with slides in, and one eye open. But we had no problems. The storms blew through with out any damage to our rig.