Wind!

[Donskiman]

On our drive today it was very windy. It was a relatively short drive of about 160 miles, but strong cross winds for about half of it. We only saw a couple other motorhomes, but lots of fifth wheelers. Is it easier for 5ers in strong wind? Or do they not notice it because of being in a smaller truck, but the 5er itself would feel more like what we experience in the MH?

We’re now at a COE campground in Nebraska and are the only motorhome here. Almost all 5ers and only a couple TTs.

[Skip426]

Having had 4 , 5th wheels before this coach , I can say the coach handles better in all conditions than my 5ers.

BUT ; it is 10,000 lbs heavier , than my last truck trailer combination, and rides on 22.5" wheels .

[Old-Biscuit]

My 5th wheel is 34' long and 13'4" TALL

Lots of surface that catches side winds....yes you can feel it in truck

Anything about 40 mph and We park it.
Seen way too many high profile vehicles get turned over attempting to drive in high wind conditions

One place I worked at was in a High wind prone area
Going to/from work I have been behind High Profile Vehicles that should have parked it...but nope they tried to drive in it and ended up on their sides causing all kinds of traffic issues

RVs are wind sails...the taller/longer they are the more wind can be caught-----YIKES!

Cross winds are PITA in ANY vehicle

[twogypsies]

We had travel trailers, 5th wheel and motorhome. The motorhome was the strongest in winds and when a semi passed.

[Teamfoxy]

Even a gas motorhome is better in a breeze than any trailer.

[a7az]

Fifth wheels are more stable than travel trailers due to the smaller distance between the pivot point and axles

[UTTransplant]

In the Midwest we see many more towables than motorhomes. Many times we stay in a 80 spot state park campground and we will be the only MH there. Occasionally we will see a Class C, but nothing compared to the number of TT and 5ers. That is just the preference in the Midwest.

[dustydave]

Interesting opinions. I always thought my 33 foot 5th wheel handled very good in the wind. Sometimes I would get out of the truck and that would be the first time I would notice how windy it was. I currently have a Class C and all though I think it handles fine I don't know if I would say it handles the wind better than my 5th wheel.

[twogypsies]

We found that in the Midwest most campers are fishermen, ATV riders or just use their RV for weekend, casual camping. That's the reason you see more trailers.

[Keith55]

Would love to see a manufacturer offer a rig with something attached to block the wind from hitting the vehicle.

Example - When you are heading West and getting a southern wind you could have a tarp suspended out about as far as the mirrors. Runs the whole lengths of the rig.

The rig is sitting nice and cozy in the slipstream.

As long as it doesn't make the rig too wide.

[Triangle Drifter]

RVs are essentially empty boxes on wheels. Wind magnets.

If you have any doubts, stay put.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by Keith55

Would love to see a manufacturer offer a rig with something attached to block the wind from hitting the vehicle.

Example - When you are heading West and getting a southern wind you could have a tarp suspended out about as far as the mirrors. Runs the whole lengths of the rig.

The rig is sitting nice and cozy in the slipstream.

As long as it doesn't make the rig too wide.

That's a joke right?

[NXR]

Originally Posted by Donskiman

Or do they not notice it because of being in a smaller truck, but the 5er itself would feel more like what we experience in the MH?

I see you have the 24,000 GVWR chassis while we have the 22,000 GVWR chassis. We have the 242" wheelbase but I do not know which wheelbase you have.

While we have made a number of suspension and handling changes over the years, we got really pushed around on one trip by blasts of wind and it was downright scary. After that trip I had a Roadmaster 1 5/8" supplemental rear sway bar added.

On our next trip, 315 miles, the winds were forecast as 25 MPH steady with 50 MPH gusts all day on I-75. We decided to leave the campground and see how it was and pull over if necessary (there were rest areas available).

We just cruised along and saw some semis and motorhomes. We stopped at a rest area and the door almost got ripped out of my hand from the wind. We had no idea the winds were that strong.

When we arrived at our destination we talked with another couple who were driving a similarly sized motorhome on the same route and they said it was a very scary ride for them.

I'm not sure what "what we experience in the motorhome" meant but it did not sound pleasant.

FWIW,

Ray

[saddlesore]

IF..It "Bends in the middle"....IT'S A GONNA WIGGLE!