At what point would be considered lightweight? In Wyoming i80

As Wyoming points out on their website and brochures "There is no specific research that shows at what wind speeds and load weights trucks will blow over."

The old 35,000 pounds warning was from a formula produced in a Nevada DOT study from 1995. That old formula said for a typical tractor trailer combo the critical wind speed for overturning was 60mph and 44mph for sliding.

The University of Wyoming is running studies trying to provide better guidance but the critical speed and weight really depends on a lot of factors and they want to develop guidelines for everything from sprinter vans, RVs, and tractor-trailers.

But as there aren't real scientific numbers at this point they can't really provide recommendations.

If you feel the drives start to lose traction and/or when you see the trailer is losing traction or lifting at all you need to drop speed immediately. It doesn't matter if you have to drop your speed to 20mph until the next exit or even pull off the side of the road if the gusts are bad just do it. No paycheck is worth your life or even your health.

But it is hard to tell what vehicles are going to be safe and it is often counter intuitive. As an example a transit style type D school bus is actually better in wind than a box truck and a dry van with skirts is better than a dry van without skirts.

Hopefully the state finds way to give better guidance but really learning your vehicle is the best way, but always remember to be conservative at first.

The beaufort scale can be a useful metric for learning how your vehicle behaves under lighter winds. Note that a "Force 10" or 55-63 mph winds on that scales description for land is:

Well those "Seldom experienced inland" wind speeds are happening when those warnings are issued and that is what you will experience. In many parts of the country those wind speeds result in widespread tree damage and widespread power outages.

 

I am with him and united on that.

What I hate is the so called "Herd sense" that causes people to be stupid and go out into raging storms that topple trucks. Are you kidding me? Know what I mean? Come on now to use a old Baltimore term...

 

They should get working on this ASAP if they’re going to be citing people when there isn’t a clear definition of “light” and “high” vehicles. They should at least have one for the conventional sleeper trucks with a 13’6” and 53’ box trailer, which is the most common semi truck set up. Also one for vehicles pulling RV trailers. These two are perhaps the most common wind-related rollovers in WY.

 

So your also an expert in livestock hauling?

 

An expert at being an expert!

 

I have driven BIG RV's of all kinds and ages for the auction house.

To be honest I HATE those #### things with a PASSION. It's a freaking HOUSE on wheels. 400 acres to turn around in.

 

“Light for the condition” it covers anything and everything.

 

Not trying to be a ###, but it sounds like you want them to tell you when it's safe to drive in high wind, and if anything happens then the state should pay for the clean up of your F up. They are giving you the freedom to decide from the sound of it but it's on you. Maybe I misunderstand what you want from them.
For me pulling a box I stop when winds are sustained at 40,depending on my direction of travel. When sustained at 40 there will be inevetable gusts to 60 with a rouge 70 mixed in that will lay you over.
They should probably just shut it down like PA does for snow if driver's are so incompetent they don't know when to stop.
I kinda like the being responsible for your own decision approach.

 

“Light and high-profile vehicles” is so broad it’s almost useless. Laws need to be as specific as possible. Am I really asking for too much?