High Winds
My apologies if this topic has been covered before - I have searched the Club site and have had no joy and am unable to get to my members' handbook due to better half away in the tow vehicle (where I keep it)
In light of today's high winds and pictures posted on various forums depicting over-turned caravans, albeit it may not have been the high winds which caused it, but I'm struggling to understand why anyone would even begin a towing journey, given the conditions?
Does the Club have any guidance when it's safe to tow a caravan and more importantly when it's not? I appreciate this is rather a "how long's a piece of string" conundrum- but surely a guideline such as 'don't recommend towing when winds are higher than 25mph' are forecast, for example?
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I think it’s a case of using your common sense and doing what you are comfortable with. It’s very much a case of having the right rig and being competent but, if in doubt, don’t.
I'm not aware of any guidance from the club and wonder how they could actually generalise to that extent as what might be hazardous on one road at a certain wind speed might be perfectly safe on another more sheltered road and could vary outfit to outfit.
The police and highway patrols will impose any restrictions necessary on individual roads and I think they will be the best people to give guidance.
There were several caravans to be seen on the M6/M5 today and the HGVs were out in force as usual. The conditions didn’t stop us cruising at 70mph where permitted.
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I think it’s a case of using your common sense and doing what you are comfortable with
I couldn't agree with you more Tinners but having witnessed caravans been driven in lane 3 of a motorway, being passed by tourers in excess of 70 mph and big twin axles being towed by Ford Focus equivalents, maybe you can understand my concerns? 😉
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It depends on how stable your LV is normally,we have towed in most weather conditions and today our c/van was very stable in the strong winds coming home from North Norfolk,but then we followed two TA Airstream caravans that were all over the place,and they were being towed by big Jeeps,so as said "how long is a piece of string"
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They walk amongst us, JR.
I doubt advice given by the club would alter that.
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Thankyou for recognising I was merely adding my own experience of the conditions I encountered today as an example, David.
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Good advice from the article and specifically pointing out the much increased risks when towing in strong winds - but - no mention of a suggested 20mph wind for example. What constitutes a strong wind to some, is a light breeze to others?
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There is no accounting for stupidity but are these people that break the rules ever likely to follow any guidance?
We are currently at Old Hartley and several units left today including some caravans. I think we had one of the most uncomfortable days we have ever spent in the motorhome and that was on the pitch!!! So how their towing experience worked for them I have no idea but they had to weigh up the pros and cons of the conditions.As the site is full they may not have had the luxury of being able to stay put. At the end of the day we have to rely on our own intuition and make judgements accordingly.So I think I am with TW on this.
David
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We were on the road today with our caravan; 2 junctions on the M5, the length of the M50 and the A40 as far as Monmouth. Although there was some wind it certainly wasn't excessive, IMO, and we just took it relatively slowly. Had we been travelling north on the M6 we would not have considered setting off as the forecast was for much stronger winds up that way.
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In Glasgow the wind was far too high to tow safely. We did a few miles on the motorway and did not see any caravans but the distance was too short to be sure if any were out.
my own limit is 30 mph but with age I am wondering if 20 is a better bet.We are booked in at Chester Fairoaks on Friday but given some information we received today might put it back a day.
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I think that you quoted 30 mph. ET. Looking at the forecast before we set off the wind speed for our destination was 17 mph. It was somewhere up near 30 mph when we set off but we were high up in an exposed position. As it happened we were not buffered about any more than usual when passed by a HGV at full tilt.
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Does anyone remember Michael Fish? Predicting weather is not an exact science although better these days. There are many factors to take into account when making decisions. Experience, proficiency and confidence are other factors. 'They' tell us to make only those essential journeys but what does that meant to you and I? Common sense amd stupidity are just points along the decision making process, luck can also influence the outcome. We were travelling yesterday during the high winds, to be honest the gusts had very little effect on the driving but on route and I was comfortable but We witnessed a tree across the road which just missed vehicles and a substantial building which had lost its roof. I saw only a couple of caravans during my short journey one I followed. Don't know how they were handling but I was pleased I was in a small car.
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Weather conditions can certainly change. I recall, probably 10 years or more ago crossing the Severn bridge. Just before we entered the bridge section winds really picked up and on the bridge itself were really bad. I rapidly reduced speed when a very large tanker accelerated alongside me and then matched my speed all the way across the bridge prottecting my outfit by providing shelter. What a gent! We had barely left the bridge heading South when a radio traffic flash announced the closure of the Severn bridge to high sided traffic
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I think a lot depends on your outfit and route/destination. Yesterday we towed up from Somerset to Lodge Farm CL near Banbury (interesting CL!) with no problems due to wind. I think we might have thought twice about heading down the M4 to Pembrokeshire say! We’re pitched on the edge of an escarpment with amazing views but with more big wind coming in tonight we plan to spin the van around to face into it. Mind you - at 635’ on the edge of an escarpment we might be wishing we’d gone to Pembrokeshire!
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ET, have you any idea about how high the wind speeds need to be for the Severn Bridge to be closed. We're due to cross from Chepstow on Sunday, but may decide to stop an extra night on CL if the bridge is likely to be closed due to winds.
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Nellie, the two bridges often run reduced lanes and speeds in high winds but if it gets severe you can look at the updates on sites like this.
edit I see 40 knots is reduced access and speed and 60 knots (69 mph) is closure.
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September 2007, the following High Winds Protocol was revised and remains in force:
40 knots: Advance warning signs will be displayed. Bridge/s will remain open to all vehicles under 6’9″ (2.1m). The use of the M48 Severn Bridge by restricted vehicles (those over 2.1m in height and motorcycles) will not be permitted and an alternative route must be found. Filtering operates between 06:00 and 22:00. If conditions persist, the bridge will be closed to all traffic between 22:00 and 06:00.
Highways England Traffic Officers will initially provide a visible presence to help reinforce the changes. Avon & Somerset and/or Gwent Police Forces will also support the operation.
60 knots: Bridge/s closed to all traffic.
Drivers ignoring advice and attempting to use the bridge will be committing an offence and may face prosecution.For further information, call the Highways England Information Line on 0300 123 5000 (open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
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Not sure where Brue's link goes but the status of the two bridges is given here.
https://www.severnbridge.co.uk/Home.aspx?.Parent=&FileName=current-bridge-status7
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Thanks both for the link. I'll have to keep my eye on it Sunday morning.
BTW I see that the Chepstow, M48, one is closed tonight.
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I gave the link to Highways England earlier but if it's any help to would be travellers I use the BBC local weather forecasts which include wind speeds. Here is Bristol today, going till Sunday and further ahead, although it could change. High winds forecast around mid-day Sunday.
BBC Weather LINK
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