Wind Advisory

Hey guys, kinda new to trucking. What Im wondering is. Im in Urbandale,IA. There are currently 20-30 mph sustained winds, with gusts of up to 40. I am heading to Des Moines to pick up an empty and then heading to MArshalltown,IA to pick up a load. What Im wondering is, if its safe to drive att all, empty in these conditions. Sitting here, the wind is rocking the truck pretty good. It is also raining pretty good. Just wanting some advice from seasoned drivers.. Thanks!!

 

Only you can make that call. 20-30 mph winds with 40 mile gusts are really nothing and I would have no problem pulling an empty trailer in that. Actually sounds fairly normal for the mid west. When you quit getting passed by Fed Ex Ground trucks, that's when you know it's getting bad.

 

If you decide to, move your tandems all the way to the rear. It'll make you more stable. Lower your speed to helps. Be safe.

 

LMAO, Thanks for the info. Like i said, I just wanted to make sure I wasnt doing something suicidal. I have dealt with extremely high winds going across OK a few weeks ago. I have no idea what they were, but they were pushing me all over the place. It was harrowing, but i handled it well.

 

Im picking up from Conway, so they should already be all the way back

 

Just slow it down, especially in wet conditions. Like the other poster said too, if once you get out there and you personally do not feel it is safe to continue then pull it over. Make sure to use extra caution around places that can really funnel the wind. Some overpasses, long bridges, valleys and canyon like landscapes etc... Also be careful when crossing wide open areas. Keep in mind that when the road curves and bends the wind will too. The wind maybe blowing at your backdoor but if you go around a curve it maybe blowing directly at your side. Give yourself some room for error too. If the wind is blowing hard from your drivers side then you do not want to be close to the right hand side of the lane. You want to stay more toward the middle so if a good gust of wind does hit you, you won't end up on the zipper or in the ditch.

Most important above all is your comfort level with the current situation. Do not gauge the conditions or your abilities on what other drivers do or say. There is a very good chance they have no idea what they are doing either! A very high percentage of drivers on the road today are inexperienced and tend to run their mouths.

 

Thanks Chompi, there is plenty of room on this run to be extra careful. Im with a co-driver and theres like a 3 day delivery window for 900 miles. I aprreciate the help and will keep it in mind.

 

No worries man, anytime at all! I'm sure you will find that up there in Iowa, Wyoming and especially Nebraska the winds can get quite high, quite often. Usually when it does get really bad they have advisories up on the interstate display boards. Usually advising large R.V.'s and trucks of the high winds. It will freak you out too when you look in the mirror and the cab of the truck is at an angle compared to the trailer! May strike you odd to actually see the reefer unit in your mirror!
Some trucks fair better than others also in high winds. I've been in a Volvo and felt like a rowboat in a hurricane at times. Had a W-900 that was as sturdy as an aircraft carrier. Be extra careful if you have one of these innovative carriers that use those wind deflective skirts on their trailers. May help save on fuel but is all the more surface area for a good side wind to hit!

Besides just driving be sure to be careful when you are stopped too. Opening and closing your doors on the tractor could catch the wind and help break a leg! Trailer doors are a whole other dilemma! The Hulk couldn't stop one of those doors caught by a good gust of wind!

Drive safe out there man, just use a little extra caution on days like this.

 

If you don't feel comfortable stop. Remember if ya tip over it's your fault not the winds, unless of course your already parked .
Just wait until you get to travel I80 in wyoming often seeing warnings of 40-80mph+ gusts.
Of course then ya get in to the salt flats of utah and hope its not as bad but often is.
Such as life