I've tried searching, but haven't found a thread dedicated to high winds... (But I'm not the best computer geek, so it might be out there)... Hasn't really come up in the last year because we had heavier loads, and had no real problems. However, with the new lane we are on our loads go from 30K in the box to 5K... AND we are now running frequently on 70 in KS/CO and 80 in NE... Are there any special hints/tricks (besides just parking it) that will make things safer?What are the guidelines for wind:weight when pulling a box/reefer? Or are there any?
Advice for high winds...
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Lady K, Nov 19, 2012.
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Slow and easy until you can get to a safe place to park depending on weight. If you are heavy you shouldn't have much of a problem. You just have to watch out for the guys who are lighter then you because they may be blown into your lane or blown over right in front of you. You will learn as you go. Just keep it tuned to weather channels and be prepared for those big gust. By watching people in front of you. Your terrain going through valleys. Watching the way the wind is blowing grass and flags etc. Also checking ahead on weather.com to see if the winds will be dying down up the road.
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Good advice! I used to run I-80 up there a lot years ago and learned that when a gust blows you in the next lane or on the shoulder it is best to find a parking space and ride it out.
Empty in Kansas one night i got off an exit and had to park behind a building to keep from getting blown over....it was bad! -
Run tandems closer to the back, keeps your trailer from having 2 dynamic lift points.
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be careful sliding them. watch the tandem weights and the king pin to rear axle lengths .sometimes called the bridge law.
Lady K Thanks this. -
and try parking with tractor facing into the wind. will be less resistance.
Lady K Thanks this. -
Here is some advice I posted in another thread....
Observation. The "fighting" to keep the tractor moving in a straight line has some to do with wind direction and speed; the road conditions; wheel balance and alignment; and yes your actual mph speed.
example: you are driving along and you notice storm clouds ahead. then you notice the truck pulling real hard to left or right due to the angle of the wind. a head wind (from the front) will not affect steering to much but enough to need to slow down some or speed up per the speed of the wind to counter the drag/resistence being put against your forward motion.
If it was a cross wind (from either side of the vehicle) you will have to turn the steering in the direction of the pushing. the higher the wind speed the further you have to counter the movement but not so much to over correct when no resistance if felt like passing under an overpass or a stand of trees, but then you get the wind again on the other side. In these types of conditions it is best to slow down but not so much as to be a hindrance to traffic behind.
A tail wind (from the rear) is the best to drive with. great on fuel economy and not much resistance. -
Plus it keeps the cab from rocking so much,making it much better sleeping.........

When the wind is that point it has a high pucker factor for the driver
....time to nap and let it blow over.
Lady K and NavigatorWife Thank this. -
Trying to ride out winds in WY can be a money-losing proposition.
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