Advice for high winds...

In Wyoming they should just put signs at the borders that say high winds next 400 miles!

In addition to watching the trees and the weeds, it helps to have your window down a bit, you can often hear the gust before you feel it or its effect on your truck. And be extra careful at underpasses, as a cross wind will eddy around the center supports and may actually be briefly stronger in the OPPOSITE direction of the prevailing wind.

 

I went across 80 last winter and trucks were on their side all over. They were pulling them to the bottom of the hill and piling them up.

Scary to say the least.

 

It's been my experience that van trailers start blowing off the road when the crosswinds reach 30-40 mph or higher. If you hear forecasts in that range or gusts of 50 or better, prolly better to pull it over. under 30 you can prolly white-nuckle it out. You have to watch it on the bridges and overpasses.

Only other tip is to drive on the windblown side and if some fool passes you, slow down to get them around you. That way if a gust comes you can shift into the other lane if necessary.

One time, in extreme wind, I took to the side roads. They were crowned more than the interstate and I was able to drive down the wrong side of the road on the shoulder leaning into the wind.

 

Do NOT over react,

make corrections to steering in smooth motions.

 

I think the best advice I can give for high winds. And mind you I haven't driven in a couple of years, or pulled a box type trailer in many years longer then that. Is that if your being passed and if possible, I always placed my passenger side steer tire on the white line and dropped my speed by 5-10mph. Just to not only help the other driver passing, but to also give myself some extra space because if the wind is coming across my truck from the side im being passed on. Once that other truck passes, there may be a good gust of wind that comes with that. Additionally this allows you to maintain safe control of your vehicle and be prepaired for such a gust of wind.

Also, while passing another truck, I would try to communicate with the truck driver I am about to pass to give a heads up if possible. If this was not possible I would attempt to pass in a manner, where my passing was a smooth and controlled one. IF I noticed the other driver was using me as a wind deflector, or playing that speed up and slow down game with me mutliple times. I would just coast back and drop my speed for a while.

Beware though, when your fighting those cross winds. By turning into the wind, could actually cause you to roll over if you are severly caught off gaurd. Because you could be arching the pivot point to accept more wind. Additionally beware of over steering off the road. Since if the wind dies suddenly, you may end up into the next lane or off the road. I'd let the wind push me a few inches towards the white line off the rumble strip. But as soon as that rumbling would start I would ease my way back over. This kept my knuckles from turning white and it also allowed me to remain sane.

Though safety has no hazards. If your uncomfortable driving, then the best answer is to just find a safe place to park. Because there is a such thing as being over cautious, and over reacting. And this goes for any type of weather conditions or driving conditions.

 

Best advice: keep calm. Turn in to the wind, not away and SLOW DOWN. If you don't think you can handle it, find a safe spot and get off the road. Just because you're driving a truck it doesn't make you invincible. Turn your cb on and listen to other drivers as well. Watch for warnings as well. If you have a smartphone, you can get on the weather channel and look at your route and be able to plan ahead.

 

Good advice Dinomite

If your load is around 16,000lbs or less, consider yourself empty.

Winds seem to be strongest late afternoon so I try to get early starts in windy country

 

Everyone always says to park facing into the wind, because the front is the aerodynamic side.

I park facing downwind.

Yes, the back of a van trailer is flat & will have more wind pressure on it, but if you were just driving in that crap with it hitting the broad side of your 53 footer & didn't get blown over, it ain't gonna matter whether the wind is hitting the front of the truck or the rear of the trailer.

But if the wind is strong enough that some debris like empty trash cans or broken tree branches are flying around, you don't have to worry about it hitting your windshield or your plastic grille.

 

That's god advice Tin-can!

Something that hasn't been mentioned is that when 2 vehicles are side by side there it a powerful suction pulling them together.
The closer they are together, the faster the air moves between them which increases the suction. Once the distance is suddenly increased, they blow away from eachother.
Try to stay as far apart from the guy thats passing you or you are passing as you can. RV's are very aware ot this.
As was said many times above...SLOW DOWN!

Last week or so I ran across 80 from Laramie to Evanston. Steady winds of 30-45 mph with gusts to 60 coming outa the southwest.
I pull a F/B and only had appx. 3k lbs on the trailer and it was still tough staying in my lane. How the guys with light boxes kept from ending up on their sides beats me.
Some didn't. SLOW DOWN and find a safe haven.

 

Slow down, slow down, slow down ... solves 95% of the issue.