Driving in strong winds

[faraway]

Supposed to be driving in my motorhome from Canterbury area to near Hastings tomorrow morning, returning later in the day. The wind is forecast to be between 20 and 33mph at the times I’m supposed to be driving. I’m a confident driver and used to the motorhome but wonder if it’s sensible under these conditions?

 

[Chris]

That’s not very strong winds is it??

 

[faraway]

I think 33mph is getting quite strong...

 

[DBK]

According to the Ventusky weather app it should be fine tomorrow morning but the wind will really pick up later in the day with gusts of 70 to 80 mph or even more.

 

[scotzsue]

No idea what the speed of the winds were, but drove from Narbonne to Benicassim a couple of years ago, 7.3 M and 3.2 high knew it was windy, got a bit concerned when i saw overturned wagons, but was ok, felt less safe when driving through town in my romahome, and yes I was driving.

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[f6c]

Cut down on the Brussels sprouts ?

 

[Podney]

Shouldn’t be a problem at those speeds.imo.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Looking at your avatar, you are used to being a bit sideways ?

 

[klaatu]

No idea what the speed of the winds were, but drove from Narbonne to Benicassim a couple of years ago,

It gets pretty windy there at times. A few weeks ago I was driving down the AP-7 to Alcossebre, with side winds gusting to around 70 mph. It was... interesting.

It got more interesting when the awning started to come open and I had to pull onto the hard shoulder and try to push it back in.

 

[Manxcat]

Earlier today a bin wagon blew over on the Isle of Man...

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[Nanniemate]

keep both hands on the wheel...….....

 

[DBK]

Earlier today a bin wagon blew over on the Isle of Man...

I hope no one was hurt but a bit like your flag do your bin lorries only have three wheels?

 

[tandc]

Personally I would not be worried about driving in those conditions but if you are don’t do it.

 

[pappajohn]

Earlier today a bin wagon blew over on the Isle of Man...

Looks like it was blown off the road then turned over on the slope.... Its a long way from the road.

 

[Mrsambulancekidd]

I wouldn't worry about it, we had winds today that were roughly double that and I just put the recycling bin at the bottom of the drive instead of on the pavement, it keeps them out of the worst of it.

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[dulvil]

My wind speed is above that and don’t lift the quilt

 

[faraway]

Thanks all

 

[Kingham]

The mean wind speeds you mention in the OP aren’t too high, but it’s the gusts that can catch the unwary out.

I use the Met Office app for kayak planning and always check the ‘gust speeds’. They’re the lighter grey figures under the darker ‘mean speeds’.

You can see in today’s forecast for Hastings, the gusts are strengthening as the day goes on and are reaching 62 mph later. Most of England is on a yellow warning for wind today.......

 

[filopastry]

The "actual" wind speed is irrelevant, it is your comfort zone that matters.I have driven 16'2" high double decker artics in horrendous winds much higher than this, but my comfort, skill and experience levels may be above yours. NOT to say, I am a better driver than you, simply, I have a different risk aversion and life experience. If YOU are not comfortable with the winds, do not drive. Do not stress yourself simply to comply with the views and opinions of others, life is far too short. ...... shit !!! I must be getting old and soft, once upon a time I would mock a posting like this ...maybe ... I've grown up

 

[Lenny HB]

I take it you don't live near the coast 33mph that's a nice strong breeze it's only force 6-7. If I didn't drive in those wind speeds I would never get the Motorhome off the drive.
If driving in winds really worries you get full air suspension fitted it takes stability in winds to another level.

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[Welsh girl]

When driving along a causeway in France the sideways wind threated to take our skylight out. We had to pull in to tighten it back up again. I was never so glad to get to the aire and then we had to park bonnet into the wind it was so strong.Frightening. We saw caravans overturned along the way.

 

[Drexxer]

We were supposed to be at the aire at Foz, on the front of the estuary, N Spain last night but binned it to move inland as the gusts were getting very strong, driving across some of the viaducts was interesting

In doing so we found an excellent alternative

 

[faraway]

Actually I don’t mind the wind, just wanted a bit of reassurance really that higher vehicles would not be too affected.

 

[ryan_flea]

I'm in Dover currently and its not too bad to be fair- yes, blustery but not awful. If you can avoid the A20 over/past Samphire Hoe- that bit does indeed get a bit heavy on the side wind.

**Edit ** Re-read you were Hasting's bound not ferry bound.

 

[Jev88]

30mph winds ,. Just keep your own speed in check and you will be fine.
Also look for High Sided Vehicle warnings as a guide.

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[marrod23]

Got caught in a mistral wind in the south of France the most scary bit of driving I have ever done

 

[ryan_flea]

Just driven back to Deal near Dover and its minging. Eughhhh

 

[faraway]

Not nice weather but my trip was fine. Thanks for all the advice and reassurance.

 

[ryan_flea]

Not nice weather but my trip was fine. Thanks for all the advice and reassurance.

Brilliant. Glad you got there safe and well

 

[TheDogMan]

I am taking mine in for MOT & service next Monday, on the motorway from M1 Junction 19 to 26 so if there is any wind I will fill the water tanks up before I go

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