Empty in wind

Yeah.........good luck getting a grocery warehouse to put a "dry" grocery load on a conestoga flat bed.

 

About a month ago I was in that storm that hit Chicago. I was close to that Petro off I55 so I parked it. Got blasted with some pretty strong wind and was also pulling an empty at that time.

Next day my partner showed me a few pictures of blown over trucks. One was blown over at a truck stop next to the fuel pumps.

If I had to guess the wind gusts hitting me was about 35, maybe 40mph. It was strong enough I saw my trailer leaning a little bit, not much but a little. The wind was stronger in other areas of that storm.

 

I have seen connies running down the road oversized. The tarp was all accordioned up with the flaps tucked in and a 2" strap keeping it all folded.

 

If you do see your trailer yaw slow down immediately. Here in Wyoming I see drivers try to drive as fast as they can to get to a parking spot but remember your velocity is added to the wind speed and the energy pushing you sideways is velocity squared.

Pulling over and stopping if needed is still safer than trying to fight to the next exit. Most often the extreme gusts only last for half an hour anyway or at least the direction changes.

Stay safe and keep I80 open and slow down or stop.