TM and Wind

[David Richardson]

Hi,

I am looking to buy a 3023 (used see wanted) and while at a local dealer noticed a 2619 in bad repair. Upon questioning the salesman he told me that it had been left open and a realy large sun devil picked it up and rolled it. He had to completely replace the upper shells. He had bought it off the insurance company. He said that it should not have been left up. Location of the accident was Kingman Arizona. I looked at him and said, "Good thing no one was in the Trailer." He look at me a shook his head in agreement. This raises the question how safe are TM's in high winds.

Thanks in advance,
David

[AstroBruce]

How safe is ANY trailer in high winds?

[Rich_in_Tampa]

Monitoring the weather is an important safe-camping thing to do. If extreme conditions are forecast, at least with a TM you have the option of closing it up and seeking temporary refuse elsewhere (including your tow vehicle). With traditional trailers, you present a much bigger profile to the wind, and you can't do much about it other than hooking it back up to the TV.

Still, tornados and storms can pop up with little warning, and once the trailer starts to rock and roll too badly, I'd abandon ship. Interestingly many have reported here that TMs have felt safe and sustained little damage or water entry even in severe weather.

Every RV has its limits, I guess.

[PopBeavers]

30 years ago my brother borrowed my 1974 Pinto Wagon for a trip to Yellowstone.

On the way he was approaching a small "dust devil", just a few feet tall. He timed it to hit it, thinking it would be fun.

He tells me he will never do that again. It nearly blew him off the road.

I would think that a 40 foot DP would hold up better than a popup. Everything else is somewhere in between.

[Senorsedona]

Out of all of the posts how many have we heard of that sustained ANY damage? Over the years I have been in many storms with my RV's. I have felt no more in danger in the TM then in a 38ft 5th wheel. I would'nt hold my breath waiting for that otherone to hit. You'll drive yourself crazy.

Get out there, use good sense and have fun..

Jack

[dpudim]

Like with any camper you just have to be alert for the weather. When it gets bad we head for the clubhouse or leave for a while. I know when its windy and I'm on the road all other campers are all over the place but I'm driving nice and straight.

[larsdennert]

I've lost some tents to wind.

[David Richardson]

Thanks for your answers they where helpful. I was concerned when I heard that story and wanted to ensure if a stiff wind came up from a passing thunderstorm I would not find myself sleeping on the ceiling:~)

I am comfortable with the decision that I am making and look forward to purchasing my first TM.

Thanks again,
David

[Virginia Deacon]

Thanks for your answers they where helpful. I was concerned when I heard that story and wanted to ensure if a stiff wind came up from a passing thunderstorm I would not find myself sleeping on the ceiling:~)

I am comfortable with the decision that I am making and look forward to purchasing my first TM.

Thanks again,
David

Hi David!

We just came back from three days at First Landing State Park on the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay at Virginia Beach. We were about 200 yards from the Bay. The first day had light winds that picked up after sunset. That night, the next day and night, we had 30 mph winds gusting to 40 mph off the Bay. We could HEAR it through the trees right next to our TrailManor, no rocking or bucking, like we used to experience with our popup campers. We felt warm, safe, and secure.

Now that may not be a microburst or tornado, but - as others have said - they wouldn't try to ride one of those out in ANY RV.

We love our TrailManor! Happy Camping!

[[email protected]]

Just returned frm Sand Hollow State Park, Utah. Winds had to be over 40mph and I was scared. The TM didn't move, nor did I. However, it's good to know the info you all have shared.

[Magdefrau]

Oh no not this guy.......................

Hey wind and storms are scary.

One TM owner told a story that because he had left the TM hooked to his TV his family weathered a strong late night storm. The pop ups at the park
that had unhooked were turned over or tipped on their side.

This summer on a trip to California we saw many dust devils. They are very interesting to watch. Mini tornatoes I suppose. In Gallope NM I was the one, Yes it was me, I time it so we drove into a Dust Devil. The Dodge Carvan hooked to the 3023 TM. Everyone else stopped to wait. I gave out a yell and we charge through. My wife laughed as she tried to take pictures.
For a moment I couldnot see....I let off of the gas. As it cleared a quater second later. Paper and weeds had filled the air as well as dust. The van sway or pushed a bit. It was not a rock or tip. Just a buffit of wind. It wasn't that big of a deal. If it had been the biggest dust devil I do not knowwhat might had happen. By the end of the trip come back through this dust devil area I was able to miss a direct incounter. Which is best.

It is a trueism that thetmwhile closed will not catch as much wind as the fixed hard sided RVs. If I was in my TM watching News that told of approaching storms. I would fold down the TM, Hook to the TV and wait it out like that. If tornatoes were forcasted I would leave theTVto seekaapprovedstormshelter. It will happen .....as we go all the time with the TM.

Twice on the move we were in heavy rain. Understand your TV will not get as good of road traction as in dry condition. Warning!!!! this is a test question. Somonewillnotstopsoon enough in heavy rain, don't let it be you. You will survive a dust devil easier. And always chock your TM before disconnect.


we will go on a short early fall outing this week end. The TM is ready to go.
My wife has a doc visit monday. Life is short. Most have to work their fingers to the bone. But sometime in the past my great great grand parents came to the United States in hope of a better life.....in real life it is most likly me who the better life. Camping out inthe parks both state andfederal is a real freedom. We are blessed. Thanks GrandDad.

[grakin]

I'm used to wind - I live in a very windy part of the country, the southeast part of Wyoming. I camp in the area as well.

I've camped in 60+ MPH gusts (yes, really), without a problem with the TM. The TM stayed on the ground fine, although the beds shook a bit. But that's to be expected in that type of wind. If I have a choice, I park so that the wind hits the front of the TM (so it has less force on the TM and so that the door doesn't get ripped out of my hands when opening it - I've broken two car doors out here when wind caught them unexpectedly). But I don't worry about this too much - if my ideal spot isn't situated that way, that's okay, I'll take it anyhow.

Now if you have a small tornado or very large dust devil, I don't know if much is going to help you - a traditional travel trailer is going to end up on it's side too. That's why code requires mobile homes to be strapped down in most places. If it can flip a mobile home, it certainly can flip a small travel trailer!

Where the TM shines is towing through strong winds - I've towed with 50+ MPH crosswinds, no problem. Sure you feel those winds, but the TM tracks well. I wouldn't have wanted to have a full height travel trailer behind me in some of that wind.

If there is a tornado warning or something, I'll make sure that I'm close to a sturdy building when I'm camping. I probably wouldn't bother putting the TM down - I figure if a tornado hits, it doesn't matter whether or not it was expanded, it's going to be an insurance claim. Instead I'm going to worry about myself and get myself to safety. The best thing anyone can do if they camp in tornado country. You don't want to be in ANY place that isn't very sturdy in a bad storm.

(I'm in Alberta right now - there were two days of sustained 30-40 MPH winds, lots of gusts; I felt plenty safe in the TM)

[larsdennert]

We came around a corner one night doing 80, no TM, and drove through small tornado. I couldn't see anything for several seconds. The sound was deafening and the truck shook horribly. I had to replace the wind screen from damage. Luckily the road was straight or it would have been ugly.

[ericluvskim04]

Dave,
I was camping at Pendaries Campground in Northern New Mexico at 6500ft last weekend with my wife. Lovely campground and only 4 rigs in the site. Any way the first night we had winds over 30 miles an hour. Like the post before you could whipping through the trees but the camper didn't move a bit. Now the pine needles fromt he Ponderosa pines kept hitting the roof and kept us up a bit the we felt very safe and secure. Now we did have trouble with the water lines because it got down to 27 degrees that night but we were warm and safe.

[mtnguy]

The dog and I camped at Loft Mt. on the Skyline Dr. over the weekend, and had ~30 mph winds Friday nite. The TM stayed steady, but I was more concerned with the dead branches overhead. I had a small branch fall on the roof during high winds in PA. several weeks ago.......a small dent that would have probably torn a rubber roof that they put on so many RVs now.

Chap

[lnussbau]

Magdefrau,

There are dust devils and there are dust devils. Most are fairly mild but, being essentially miniature tornados, driving through one of the strong ones could cause you problems, to say the least. There have even been rare ones that could tear up a mobile home, and do other rather serious damage -- of course these aren't your garden variety dust devils, but they do occur on occasion.

After living in New Mexico, Texas and Colorado for many years, I've seen a couple of these strong ones, and you really don't want any part of them.

Or in other words, caution is in order...

[Magdefrau]

I will agree.

[James Knutson]

I came across this thread and thought that I would add some related information to it. My wife and I have just returned from a 2000 mile trip through New Mexico, Arizona and returning to California. While on our last leg on Interstate 10 headed to home we ran into very heavy winds in Indio and the Palm Springs area. I estimate that those winds were 45 to 55 mph. Along with the winds were heavy sand blowing across the freeway.

At no time was I concerned. I have a mid-sized SUV and a 3124KS. It performed well against these heavy cross winds. We had no problem...although my fuel economy was affected. The low profile paid off. I observed other high profile RV units and they were swaying all over the place. Our TM was rock solid.

Just food for thought.

Jim and Nancy Knutson
TM3124KS and 2002 XTERRA

[grakin]

Okay, I tore down camp today in very strong wind - and I was parked backwards from the way I normally would park if I know there will be strong wind (it was calm when I parked!) - that is, I was parked facing away from the wind.

Of course getting out was the first reminder it was windy (besides for the shaking and the howling!), and the door just about was ripped out of my hand by the wind.

The next reminder was tearing down. The wind blowing from the back of the TM towards the front made the front shell very difficult to close. I never thought of that before. Fortunately I was able to get the shell closed (would have been easier with a second person) fine, but it was definitely more difficult.

It was a quite strong wind storm, even by Wyoming standards.

But through it all, I never worried about the stability of the TM. Even pulling it through the wind (a crosswind) was relatively easy - I only got nervous when passed by semi-tractors who had substantial leans because of the wind. Watched a fifth wheel towing a small utility trailer that was fishtailing all over the road (fortunately he swayed slightly less as he passed me - I guess 65 MPH in 60+ MPH side gusts just isn't fast enough!). Hope he made it home.

[Rich_in_Tampa]

The next reminder was tearing down. The wind blowing from the back of the TM towards the front made the front shell very difficult to close.

Wonder if just raising the tongue 6" would have helped (and lowering it back down for the rear shell).

[larsdennert]

Oh, yea. Doesn't take much tilt to change the effort to open or close the shells.

[Scott O]

Just returned from the mountains above San Bernadino, CA. Drove home during the height of the recent monster Santa Ana winds, which were cross winds most of the way. Did not notice the existance of the TM behind my TV! No sway or buffeting at all. On the other hand, we were following our daughter's family in their 25' full size Keystone and watching it bounce around scared the bejeebers (sp?) out of me. As usual, the TM performed flawlessly in all respects on our trip.

[camp2canoe]

Ditto - there are things about the TMs that are a pain, but towing isn't one of them. I was reminded of this 2 weeks ago when towing my 22' sailboat to winter storage on a calm day and having it all over the road behind my Ford SuperCrew F150. The previous weekend we towed our 2619 to the Corps of Engineers Hwy. K campground on Missouri's Black River and were not in the least bothered by 20-30 mile crosswinds on the trip back. My TV has a tow rating of 7100# and I tow without sway control or weight equalizing. I estimate the loaded tow weight of the TM at 3,100# and my boat at 3,300# - not a substantial difference. Kudos to TM for getting this part right! - camp2canoe

P.S. That campground dosen't take reservations for dates after September 15 but from then until October 31 remains open including water and electricity with no fee. What a deal!

[Pat Stafford]

Our 3124KS has gone through 60 t0 70 MPH gusts while it was set up at a Missouri RV park and we didn't even get out of bed. It actually moved very little. Wouldn't recommend a tornado though. Trailers appear to be the main source of nourishment for those darn things.

Towing ours in crosswinds doesn't seem to be an issue either, 30 MPH gusts are common in our area. Our boat sways more than the TM when we tow it in windy conditions.