Hurricane Evacuation

[PeterGunn]

Cuz I'm getting prepared to go full-time RV living. Something dawned on me about what to do in a case of a hurricane. I live on the Gulf Coast and this is a distinct possibility if not even an eventuality and I need to be able to be prepared for it. The biggest caveat is I have a fifth wheel and I don't have a truck that can pull the fifth wheel safely. So obviously I will have to get a company to move the RV. But the big question is where. Is anybody have any suggestions recommendations etc that might be able to help me in this matter.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice

[twogypsies]

Without a way to move it I would look to stay somewhere else!

That said, hurricane's usually give plenty of warning to prepare to have someone move it to another area but I would guess the movers would be busy.

[Cat320]

If you are in a camper in a camp ground without a truck, you are not a full timer, you are a permanent resident.

[rarebear.nm]

Buy insurance if you can for the 5th and then clear out when danger is approaching. Normally with a tow truck for the 5th I'd be getting out early before the roads are clogged, fuel runs short and distant campgrounds become full. Very few hurricanes hit land without multiple days of warning.


With that said, a number of years back while camped at Goose Island SP near Rockport, Tx we had an emergency exit. We had gone to Rockport while the weather was nice. When we got back we were told we had 15 minutes to get out. Sea water was already 6-8" deep over most of our campsite. So had to hitch up the 5th wheeler in rising water while DW got stuff inside somewhat ready to a fast departure. In some spots on the road out the water was over a foot deep. We were able to return to our site in a few days and could see where the water had risen at two feet over our entire site. Turns out that was a record water mark for the campground.

[BillJinOR]

“Where “ is easy out of the path as best you can. Maybe 800 miles inland. With no truck to move your trailer I think you will find it hard to find anyone to move it for you last minute especially with a storm on the way.. I agree your best choice is get insurance on it …..it as much as you can, load your important stuff in whatever you do have and move inland out of the path.
Less than ideal plan but without transport for your rv in your possession I would consider other accommodations.

[Old-Biscuit]

Get FTnrs Insurance with 'agreed value' coverage

When Hurricane Warnings are issued...load up you vehicle with Important items and head away from the path of hurricane

Then when it has passed...drive back, file insurance claim


W/O your Own truck you will have to leave it...just accept that and do not try to 'hunker down'

[Isaac-1]

I too live on the gulf coast (had the eye of a hurricane with 130+ mph winds go over our house a few years ago), and I too tend to say if you don't have a truck don't expect to get it moved before the storm strikes. At best you have 48-72 hours of warning that there is a significant threat of a direct hit by a hurricane, at 18-24 hours out wind conditions will be getting bad enough that you should not be on the road in a high profile vehicle, that does not give much time to find someone to tow your 5th wheel, add to that all local tow operators will be busy getting their own stuff to safety, and that in that last 18 or so hours it may be impossible to get to your location from the outside world due to contra-flow highway traffic being in place.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Get FTnrs Insurance with 'agreed value' coverage

When Hurricane Warnings are issued...load up you vehicle with Important items and head away from the path of hurricane

Then when it has passed...drive back, file insurance claim


W/O your Own truck you will have to leave it...just accept that and do not try to 'hunker down'

I completely agree. He said his 5th wheel is set up permanently, that would take one day just to prepare to move it, assuming it can be moved.
Ft. Myers Beach has hundreds of trailers sitting in salvage yards now because they were set up permanently.

[Mudfrog]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Without a way to move it I would look to stay somewhere else!

That said, hurricane's usually give plenty of warning to prepare to have someone move it to another area but I would guess the movers would be busy.

We do get plenty of warning when a hurricane is approaching. However, pinpointing where one comes onshore is tricky. A week out, somewhere on the Gulf coast. Three days out provides a couple hundred mile range prediction and is probably the time to leave. Waiting another day get's the landfall close but then it's a bit late to take off because so many people are doing the same.

Hurricane evacuation planning sounds easy but there are a myriad of things that make the actual evacuation difficult. Knowing exactly where it's going to hit, work schedule, school, preparation of the sticks and bricks, which direction to go, and then figuring out where to stay once you arrive to a safe zone.

For the OP, you might talk to a couple of transport companies to see what they thought. What is their minimum lead time and even if they tell you something like two days, will there be a problem since everyone else and their dog is trying to hire them. Make sure to get the estimated cost as well for the trip. As mentioned, I'd up the insurance and probably wouldn't even try to move it.

[jacwjames]

How long has it been parked and not moved. Is it even capable of moving, how are the tires how are the brakes, have the axle bearings been lubed?????

[johnhicks]

Go north of US-80. You must assume you'll lose the fiver and insurance coverage will be denied because you didn't move it.

[Triangle Drifter]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Without a way to move it I would look to stay somewhere else!

That said, hurricane's usually give plenty of warning to prepare to have someone move it to another area but I would guess the movers would be busy.

THIS. Without something booked way in advance chances of getting moved are slim. Chances of being moved without the cost of a limb even less.

[PeterGunn]

I can load most of my can't lose it stuff in my truck and big out so as far as life and limb safety I'm good. I will keep the rig maintained and moveable so maybe see if there's anyway I could work out a deal with a transport company to be "on call" so to speak. I've lived in the gulf coast all my life and know when to run. I'll look into insurance options as well.

I guess I can look into trying to find a truck I can afford that can tow the rig. But geez trucks are almost as much as the 5th wheel. One upside is my Silverado is worth about 10 grand. It has the big V8 and trailer package. But the 5th wheel is almost 2k over the towing capacity so I don't think it is capable of safely pulling the rig.

[PeterGunn]

Originally Posted by BillJinOR

“Where “ is easy out of the path as best you can. Maybe 800 miles inland. With no truck to move your trailer I think you will find it hard to find anyone to move it for you last minute especially with a storm on the way.. I agree your best choice is get insurance on it …..it as much as you can, load your important stuff in whatever you do have and move inland out of the path.
Less than ideal plan but without transport for your rv in your possession I would consider other accommodations.

By "where" I meant find a RV park that's far enough inland or just find a place to park it and boondock until it's safe to return "home"?