Wind

Basically, if you blow over, then you're too light. Just like you'll get cited for driving too fast for conditions for sliding off the road because of ice, even if you're going 5mph.

 

Imagine what that was like with a 250hp truck. I can remember lots of times driving from Winnipeg to Calgary down 1 or 2 gears, only get both boxes up in OD on the downhill side of the coulees.

 

I'll address this part real quick. It will just blow over again if we attempt to recover it and transport it. Usually the winds die down around sunset so you'll see us out around 6-7pm starting to get to work. The caution tape is to allow the highway patrol and people driving by know that the accident has already been attended too and there is no one like stuck in the truck or anything. Yet they will still get calls every 5 minutes from people reporting it. lol

 

Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgement.

Here is a chart I found online showing dangerous windspeed and wind gusts.
The warning signs are not measuring the windspeed at every foot of the road, they are cautious, by nature. Also, the wind doesn't call the highway patrol and tell them the highest speed he plans on blowing today, and where. I use Windy App on my android. You touch a spot on the mad and it will report the windspeed. But I notice it seems to show a slower speed than it feels. Weather is the 2nd most complicated thing on earth. It's YOUR job to protect you and your CDL.

 

That same chart is used at Swift.

The wind apps like Windy usually show the average wind speed, not the gusting speeds.
NOAA weather radio will give a good indication of expected gusting wind speed, and it should be listened to. Most truck radios tune in to that band.

And experience does not only come from bad judgement.
It also comes from common sense observations and understanding.

 

Depends how much you have in the box, and how it's hitting you.

Head on, tail wind if you're that lucky, no biggie.

If it's hitting you flush, and you're empty or light, 35 MPH gusts will have you're seat cushion up your ###.

If you're loaded, you can deal with 35, over that if it catches you right, you're going over.

Far better just to stop, IF YOU CAN. You need to be very careful you don't help the wind and just pull over where now you've added some pitch to the trailer.

 

I just drove through Oklahoma and Texas, many places windy there as well the past few days. 35-40 mph gusts.

 

I’ll add to this conversation, look at what an airplane wing is. Basically a flat surface and allows wind pass over and under it creating Lift Lift that can fly 100 ton airplane through the sky with ease. Then go look at the side of your trailer. It’s basically a giant flat wing turned sideways. What do you thinks gonna happen 50 plus mph wind gusts hit that giant flat “wing”

Take a sheet of plywood sometime and try carrying it around in your yard when there’s a 35-40 mph wind. It’ll take you wherever it wants to. Lol you trailer is no match for anything about 35mph or more.

 

Lenny...not trying to be a Richard but the specific shape of a wing is what contributes to a plane's lift.


Maybe that's what you were saying. Certainly, your example of the plywood hits the nail on the head.