Personal Limit For Max Wind Speed

They're saying 60-70 MPH wind gusts near Weed tomorrow on I-5. I have 40K. If it was gusting 55 MPH I would roll without worrying about it, but the 70 MPH concerns me.

I've never seen any data about what wind speed will blow over a truck at a certain weight. Also, will CHP shut down the highway at a certain point?

 

My personal limit is around 50 mph, but so much of it has to do with my weight and what type trailer I'm pulling. No way for me at 70 mph gusts. I realize some drivers will continue with higher wind speeds, but I'm not one of them. I have seen the damage that can be done and its just not worth it.

 

I don’t run much Cali anymore but back in the day they would put up restrictions for high profile vehicles.

@otterinthewater
Can you help out here sir ?

 

I ran an 8,000lb load across North Dakota westbound with 50 mph gusts from the south slamming the driver's side of the truck this past May. It wasn't fun, but I slowed down to about 50-55 mph and kept it upright.

 

I just checked the MyRadar app for the forecast in Weed. The steady wind will be 35-45 mph from the south by southeast. If you are headed north bound then boogie, taking care in the gaps and any time you start getting broadside. Your fuel mileage should be great. Southbound would be a struggle. Max throttle downhill.

Part of your decision should be based on how high your center of mass is, do you have a top heavy load? I wouldn't run winds like that if I had 8' tall paper rolls in a dry van. If I had a load of water in one liter bottles, that's a pretty low center of mass and I would be apt to run that in high winds...but I used to do a lot of sailing. I enjoy the feeling of heeling over.

 

You have to remember where you’re at. If you’re at weed and headed south, you’ll be in a canyon all the way to Redding and it won’t effect you much. If you run north of weed and get out between there and Yreka it’ll hit you hard and you’ll not like it until you start climbing Mt. Ashland. If you’re running 97 then it’ll be miserable for awhile.

 

I just checked on the National Weather Service website. There is no mention of that kind of wind along I-5.
Since I am going through there tomorrow I was naturally interested.

Up around Medford, OR there will be some wind, but in the 40-45 MPH gust range.
Empty might be a problem, but not with weight in the trailer.

 

I’m going through there tomorrow too. I’m shut down in southern Oregon tonight. Southbound I-5 through Shasta tomorrow. So If u guys see a super good looking dude in a red Volvo who could also be a model..that’s me.

 

Forecasting actual [max] wind gust potential speeds is difficult to impossible. But we can assume it will be problematic for many especially depending on mean direction.

With 40k on, I’d say you’re safe to proceed and make tactical decisions on the fly based on the situation on the ground as it exists for you. When sustained winds exceed about 45-50 mph and above 75k gross then that’s where I start to seriously assess the situation before proceeding beyond points of no return.