Can you tow a caravan in 40mph winds? (9+ tips for a safe journey)
By
Elaine Knight
This blog post will answer the following question: Can you tow a caravan in 40mph winds? The wind can cause an accident if we do not consider that it is one of the most adverse atmospheric effects that we can find on the road. Here are some small tips that we trust will help you practice safer driving in circumstances of strong gusts of wind.
Can you tow a caravan in 40mph winds?
The short answer is yes; you can tow a caravan in 40mph winds. The general rule is to avoid towing a caravan/trailer in winds that exceed 50mph, as it can pose a real danger for yourself and other drivers.
Although an increasing effort has been made to reduce the number of accidents on the road in recent years, it is in our hands to have responsible and calm traffic to avoid possible driving problems.
Suppose we already do it when we circulate with our utility vehicle. In that case, when we have a hooked caravan, we must take extreme precautions, especially if the weather conditions are not favourable.
Why you shouldn’t tow a caravan in high winds
The wind is one of the great enemies of caravan routes and you have to know very well what to do to be able to complete your journey safely;
- If the wind comes from the side, we must firmly hold the steering wheel and reduce speed to avoid possible overturning. The longer the car and caravan set, the more we will notice its strength.
- Faced with a headwind, we must not forget that the resistance presented by our car added to that of the caravan is great, so you have to drive slowly and firmly.
- If the wind comes from behind, we must reduce the speed as much as possible to prevent the caravan from rocking and overturning.
- The experts in driving with caravans point out that in general in a windy situation it is necessary to follow certain guidelines;
- Although it is a necessary recommendation before embarking on any journey, it is important to check the wheels’ condition, their pressure, and the brakes’ condition to drive as safely as possible.
- In the caravan, you have to check the condition of the anchors and the closures of the windows and doors.
- You have to slow down until you notice the steady caravan on the steering wheel. The swaying is noticeable and as soon as we perceive a little movement, it is essential to slow down.
- We can modify our route to avoid strong gusts, so we will have to leave freeways and clear roads or near the sea to look for other more sheltered paths.
- Better to avoid overtaking, especially other large vehicles. The wind can play a very trick on us.
Apart from all these tips, if necessary, better stop and wait for the wind to subside or in any case, change direction or its strength to be able to drive better.
Other questions you may be interested in
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What can happen if you tow a caravan in high winds
Before going out, always check your tires’ condition and check the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. This simple review will allow a better adherence of your motorhome to the asphalt and will avoid any scare.
In strong wind situations, overtaking can pose a risk, and even an inadvisable manoeuvre, if the vehicle to be overtaken, is a heavy vehicle.
If the wind blows from the left, the movements of the steering wheel to the right to try to counteract the force of the wind will have to be stopped gently when overtaking, since the truck to overtake will function as a screen, which will protect us from the wind while the overtaking manoeuvre lasts.
Suppose these steering corrections are maintained to the right. In that case, the steering could lead us violently towards the truck when the wind resistance ceases thanks to the momentary wind protection provided by the truck to overtake.
Similarly, sudden exposure to the gust of wind once the heavy vehicle to be overtaken has passed, can cause our vehicle to overturn. In any case, you must hold the steering wheel firmly, and even be prepared, if necessary, to turn the steering wheel slightly towards the vehicle to be overtaken when we overtake it, in order to counteract the force of the wind that we will meet again more than predictably.
Above all, the best precautionary measure to take is to adjust the speed of our vehicle until we perceive a better grip of the tires on the asphalt.
If the wind blows in our favour, we will have to control the speedometer more assiduously, since it is more than likely that thanks to the help of the wind we will exceed the allowed speed limits. In these cases, it is recommended to use a lower gear (higher engine rpm improves grip on a trajectory) or to a lesser extent, continuous and smooth braking.
If, on the other hand, the wind is against us, this will mean higher consumption of our vehicle due to greater resistance, also knowing that a motorhome is not a vehicle with optimal aerodynamics. In this situation, hold the steering wheel firmly and avoid searching manoeuvres, adjusting your speed at all times.
Of course, to improve the vehicle’s aerodynamics, remember to keep windows, skylights and doors tightly closed.
A poor speed adjustment to the strong wind is usually the perfect combination to overturn our vehicle, especially in curves, where the centrifugal force added to that of the wind can be fatal. At this point, it should be remembered that correct load distribution is very important.
Another dangerous situation would be the exit of a tunnel or circulating in viaducts, where we can suddenly find strong gusts of wind.
Final thoughts
It is more than recommended, if you drive a motorhome or caravan, to plan your route well according to the weather forecast, and even modify it towards more sheltered secondary roads that are not so exposed to gusts of wind.
Finally, pay special attention to plastics or other objects that are blown by the wind and possible landslides or falling trees on the road.
We recommend that you take these tips into account as soon as you perceive strong gusts of wind. Remember that we are here to advise you and good insurance for your motorhome is essential to be able to enjoy our vacations with total peace of mind.
Please let us know if you have more questions or comments on the content.
FAQ on Can you tow a caravan in 40mph winds?
What wind speed is dangerous for towing?
Wind speed that exceeds 50mph is considered dangerous for towing. Sudden exposure to the gust of wind once the heavy vehicle to be overtaken has passed, can cause our vehicle to overturn.
Are 40mph winds dangerous?
40 mph is not considered very dangerous winds, however, you must be careful while driving, because it can be strong enough to break trees, to damage power lines and small structures.
Can a caravan be blown over in the wind?
Yes, a caravan can be blown over in high winds. If necessary, better stop and wait for the wind to subside or in any case, change direction or its strength to be able to drive better.
Are static caravans safe in strong winds?
Static caravans are relatively safe in strong winds, however, everything on the surface (such as satellite dishes or roof lights) may be easily blown in the wind.
References
- Towing in Wind? Advice – Discussions | The Caravan Club
- How to Tow a Caravan | Beginners Guide to Towing – The Camping …
- To Tow or Not to Tow? – Is it Safe to Tow in High Winds? – World …
