Not the answer you are looking for but my answer would be that I would pull over when I no longer feel I can drive safely and remain in control. A 20 mph headwind is more manageable than a 20 mph crosswind. I have pulled our 2970RL in winds gusting to 15 mph so far. I felt pretty good with those, they didn't move the trailer at all but I could feel them hit the trailer.

I know the crews for our City do not go out after a hurricane until the winds are below 35 mph. But that certainly does not apply to an RV.

When pulling our TT sustained crosswinds were not as bad as gusting crosswinds. 20MPH cross wind is rough, but I think I was pulling in 25 MPH winds. Worst ones were south of Stratford, Texas. I was pre-warned about the grain silos in town, a lot of people lost control on the other side as they got a false sense of security when they passed behind the silo and the wind died for a few seconds. I was in the right lane, no one to my left, and as I came out the south side of the silos (they were on the west side of the highway), the winds hit me and I ended up in the left lane.

West Texas I10 the winds were pretty bad. All I can say is sway control is a must in cross winds.

It is the answer I am looking for! At least one of them. Anybody's experience that they can share will be helpful to me. Thank you for taking the time to post.

Bob

Well, info and confession time. First year with our 297RSTS last year. Left to come home in 20mph wind and all was ok til taking them at full cross wind with gusts. A storm was coming up so gusts started and topped at one of approx 50. Most were 30ish gusts. A semi ahead of me slowed to 45mph as did I and stayed behind him. Did not feel safe at all and should have pulled over. I was getting pushed prob 2 feet over in the lane at times. In retrospect, we were very lucky.

What has been done in the meantime???

Got rid of my F150 and went to an F350. No matter what the numbers say on the F150 (we were right at payload and under max tow) bigger is better.

Balanced my trailer a bit better. I had 10% on the tongue last year but trying to go easy on the F150 payload since we were right there at 1800 with wife, dogs, tongue, bla bla. Now I am at about 13 or 14%. Payload be damned. I have 3680 to play with now.

Ordered a brain enhancement online. I was too caught up in the moment and too stupid to just pull over and wait. NEVER again. From years of boating and some of flying, the worst thing to do is push it. You'll get bit.

Tried out the new truck yesterday for the first time and with steady 20 cross winds, no problems at all. Better balance and more truck beef made a huge difference.

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RJAPCOK As the others have said, what you are comfortable with. There are so many variables that it is hard to put a number on a particular wind speed. Cross winds getting knocked around, head winds with poor fuel consumption and higher vehicle operating temps, following winds that can give you a weird downhill sensation and better fuel milage, they all present different issues. Out here in the west we seldom get no wind towing done. I have decided that if I need both hands on the wheel constantly it is time to slow down and change plans. Lunch, shopping or a long nap are viable options for us when it gets dicey.

Dave

RJAPCOK Like mentioned by Dave, one of the biggest factors is what are you comfortable with in putting yourself and other passengers into. 2 had driving as a must is never a good thing.

Like i mentioned in my other post, steady winds are challenging, but much easier to deal with than changing gust.

Not trying to scare you, but let me put wind forces into perspective, 30 mph wind exerts 2.3 lb / sq ft of force on an object (its a squared factor force), negating the shape factors as they can increase or decrease the force seen by an object quite dramatically. Average TT at 25ft x 11ft plus TV at 20ft x 5 ft (average ht) = 375 sq ft. Net force acting on the combination is 863 lbs. That may not sound like a lot, but its a steady force pushing on the combination sideways. It is enough force to flex the tire sidewalls and push you off the road quickly. If we apply the force just to the TT, thats 275 sq ft and 633 lbs. That 633 lbs is roughly divided by the percentage of tongue weight to axle weight respectively to the ball and the axles (some will say its at the center of area). Either way you are putting a side load onto the TT and TV.

While those numbers do not sound like a lot, comparing to a 15 mph wind, the force is 0.56 lb / sq ft (force divides by 4). At 20 mph the force is 1 lb / sq ft.

Remember the 2 biggest factors are SAFETY and comfort.

trkester , flyfshrockies Jlawles2 , Thank you all for the feedback and sharing your experience. It is my hope to be able to use those experiences to make a better decision about when to tow it and when to park it, or stay parked. Getting into a wind while enroute is one thing, leaving from home or a campsite on a windy day is another. It has been my experience that when people get themselves into unfortunate circumstances, it is usually because they didn't have enough information to make a good decision. That is what I hope to avoid.

Bob