Towing in high winds

Farmerick
Farmerick Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited January 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

Any tips on towing in windy conditions

«1

Comments

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited January 2016 #2

    drive slowly

  • Broadside
    Broadside Forum Participant Posts: 125
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    edited January 2016 #3

    My personal brief on towing in high winds is 'don't'.

    I got caught in high winds once and found it frightening, even with the Alko hitch etc. High wind is one thing you can do nothing about apart from delaying your journey until it moderates.

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
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    edited January 2016 #4

    Allow much more time. You will need to travel much more slowly and may need to make several detours to get to your destination if it’s really bad. Generally better to cancel or postpone your plans.

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #5

    From one who lost a caravan in a cross wind on a motorway - don't if you don't have to.  Delay your journey.  Safety is more important; your own and other road users.  If you can't avoid the journey, think of an alternative route to avoid any exposed roads
    and drive slowly.

    300 siggy photo 6b161378-22ab-47bd-97dd-22af5e8f67ba_zpsbtkpqljt.jpg

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #6

    If you must tow be ultra caution when emerging from cuttings and when passing or being passed by HGV's

  • JD6620
    JD6620 Forum Participant Posts: 202
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    edited January 2016 #7

    If you don't have to then don't.  As others have said, far better to delay your journey if you can.  Is it really worth the risk of an accident?  The journey will not be a pleasant one either.  If you really do have to tow then take it slowly and be aware
    of side winds, espeacially when emerging from a sheltered area into an exposed area.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,310 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #8

    I would agree with others who have said if you can delay your journey do so. However, if you are already away and have to get back for work, this week looks a bit difficult. Personally I would steer clear of motorways (to many HGV's and wide open spaces) and stick to A roads. Also if you know of particular problem areas, such as bridges and open ridges, avoid them even if it means going out of your way.

  • xtrailman
    xtrailman Forum Participant Posts: 559
    edited January 2016 #9

    Drive slowly as said, don't be frightened to drive so slow all the lorries are over taking.

    Look out especially when you change direction for side winds, and anticipate areas where the road is more open, i have found that A and B roads are more sheltered in general than motorways.

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
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    edited January 2016 #10

    As one who will be funding any damage that might be caused, through insurance premiums, I encourage anyone not to take risks. If a journey must be completed, take public transport. If you have to take the car, leave the van behind and collect it later. It’s
    a situation best avoided, even if you think you’re covered.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #11

    Just a repeat of what others have said, if you can avoid it don't tow. If you must then slow down and be prepared for those gusts, it can be quite arduous having to continually compensate for those sidewinds.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited January 2016 #12

    I agree with the others - I wouldn't be towing anywhere today - I would rather pay extra pitch fees and leave the caravan if I had to.  The wind defeated me once last year and I spent an extra two nights away - went on the motorway in the car on the middle
    day and kept to the fast lane as the lorries were using a lot of space!  So glad I had made that decision - I wouldn't mind damaging the caravan really as it is well covered - but the contents are a different thing altogether not to mention the hassle and
    the danger! 

     

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2016 #13

     .... and kept to the fast lane as the lorries were using a lot of space!   .... 

    Sealed Sealed Sealed 

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,675 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #14

    I'm keeping an eye on wind speeds at the moment (for a different reason).  Generally speaking, the predicted wind speeds for tomorrow look much better where I've looked.  May be better to leave it a day.

    David 

  • HelenandTrevor
    HelenandTrevor Forum Participant Posts: 3,221
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    edited January 2016 #15

    The boss at the haulage company I work for, tells the hgv drivers to park up and wait if the winds are bad, not worth the risk of damage or injury, same applies to towing, best to wait. Better safe than sorry, as they say.

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
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    edited January 2016 #16

    Dont and if you really have to then take a change of underwaer or some bicycle clips.....Surprised

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited January 2016 #17

    I find that the wind frequently drops in the evening, more so in the summer as the sun starts to go down. At this time of year, if you are unsure, stay put. 

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #18

    If there are warnings about high winds it is probably best not to travel and we have done that. If you think you will be OK but have any doubts make sure you know where sites you can use are in case there are problems. 

    If arriving in wind try to get a pitch with the nose or back facing into the wind to reduce the effect on the caravan. If not possible have the car between the wind and the caravan to break the pressure on the caravan side.

  • TonyBurton
    TonyBurton Forum Participant Posts: 269
    edited January 2016 #19

    Very often high winds only last forr a few hours. If you can get an accurate forecast on a website you may only have to delay your journey a few hours. Try the BBC weather web page.

     

  • crusader
    crusader Forum Participant Posts: 299
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    edited January 2016 #20

    I agree with the others - I wouldn't be towing anywhere today - I would rather pay extra pitch fees and leave the caravan if I had to.  The wind defeated me once last year and I spent an extra two nights away - went on the motorway in the car on the middle
    day and kept to the fast lane as the lorries were using a lot of space!  So glad I had made that decision - I wouldn't mind damaging the caravan really as it is well covered - but the contents are a different thing altogether not to mention the hassle and
    the danger! 

     

    Using the outside lane ("the fast lane") is a no no and illeagal

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited January 2016 #21

    If you read carefully, Pippah was solo at the time.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2016 #22

    If you read carefully, Pippah was solo at the time.

    I know. But you're supposed to move  left once you've overtaken ...... not sit there in the outside lane cos you don't fancy tbe middle

  • macwomble
    macwomble Forum Participant Posts: 54
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    edited January 2016 #23

    I must have missed something over the 50 years I've been driving..........Can someone please tell me what the "fast lane" is?

  • crusader
    crusader Forum Participant Posts: 299
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    edited February 2016 #24

    which ever moves the quickest lol

  • RangeRoverMan
    RangeRoverMan Forum Participant Posts: 125
    edited February 2016 #25

    The right hand lane is the overtaking lane. The one next to it is the fast lane. I got asked this during my driving test in 1963.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2016 #26

    There is not often any "fast lanes" on any roads hereFrown 

  • TonyBurton
    TonyBurton Forum Participant Posts: 269
    edited February 2016 #27

    Don't be so picky folks. We know what is meant by "the fast lane." I would. certainly move over an extra lane to overtake a lorry if I was solo and thought the lorry looked a little dodgy. It's called defensive driving. If I was towing I'd stay behind the
    lorry.

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited February 2016 #28

    I think the correct term is not fast or slow lane but Lane 1,2 and if more then 3,4 or even 5 or more

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited February 2016 #29

    Well said TonyB,Smile shame we are not all perfect like some of the keyboard warriors on hereYell.....Cool

  • pcoleby
    pcoleby Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited February 2016 #30

    Might be a bit late to give my tupence worth but I've been driving wagons for a few years now. If the wind picks up when you are driving, SLOW DOWN. If you can park up and wait it out then do but usually work commitments mean that's not an option. Motorways
    are normally more exposed so I tend not to use them if possible. 

    The other option is to hope a kind "40 tonne" driver takes pity and offers to provide shelter until you reach a safe haven.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited February 2016 #31

    Just what you need. 40 tons blowing over on top of you.

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