Bob and I are still in research and dream mode toward his retirement in a couple of years. I was wondering about those thunder boomers. Has anyone been in a severe thunderstorm while in your RV? How does your RV handle that kind of weather? Not that I am afraid of thunderstorms....quite the opposite. Sometimes I will stand outside and watch a storm approach, then head inside before I get drenched! I feel safe and sound inside my sticks and bricks, and was wondering how it would feel if I were in an RV. I sure appreciate all of your input.
Kathy
Bill and Linda said
09:58 AM Jan 19, 2011
Our rig(s) handles them fine and always has.Now, that said, if you’re in a tornado warning area, get out of the rig and find some real shelter.Bath houses are usually a good bet if they are block.In a tornado the last place you want to be is in an RV.Not trying to scare anyone, just reality.Be sure you carry a weather radio in the rig and stay aware of what's going on.
Now, with that warning above said, we’ve been in very high winds without any trouble. We had a severe thunderstorm yesterday here in Florida, no issues. We’ve been in 55+ MPH winds with rain out in the plains as well as the mountains. In that case we do pull in the slides in high winds,obviously lower the big awning in almost any wind, and put everything in the rig basement. Lower those roof vents as well. Don't give the wind or rain anything to "catch on."
One criterion we had when selecting our rig was that we could more or less live in it with all the slides in if we had to, and we have.It makes a big difference with the slides in and if you have toppers (awnings) over the slides, the high winds will beat them to death.Also, if the winds are really high we lower the TV and satellite antenna.I consider high to be around 25-30 MPH or so.But I’m kind of cautious about that stuff as it is expensive and inconvenient to fix.
From years of travel in thunderstorm country that is our experience and advice: Use common sense, set your own comfort level, monitor the weather radio, and enjoy the display of God’s creation.
Safe travels
Bill
Mallo said
09:00 AM Jan 20, 2011
They're fine high winds though I have had to take steps for. We had high winds into the super slide causing it to flex into the unit so we pulled it in for the night put it back out the next day when the wind died down.
Mallo
Dan and Gail said
01:06 PM Jan 20, 2011
We have moved the motorhome out from under trees when the weather turned REALLY windy. Didn't want branches falling on the roof. Pull the slides in and stow the satellite antenna.
Bob and Kathy said
03:11 PM Jan 20, 2011
Thanks for all of the replies. Good idea about the weather radio - would seem like a "must have" for everyone, eh? And putting in the slides would be a safe measure as well. Thanks!
steved44 said
10:25 AM Jul 6, 2011
Think of it this way. With the slides in you are in a 65mph wind all the time when you're driving, so it does a good job of handling the weather.
smdrm said
09:23 AM Jul 31, 2011
Steve44,
You're write about always riding into a high wind when traveling. However, being hit sideways can make you a little nervous when you're rocking and rolling, especially to a newbie. We've been ready to leave our RV in bad weather a time or two, but didn't quite get to the point that we had to.
A weather radio is definitely a must! You will Not sleep through that alarm!
Colorado_Kid said
04:29 PM Aug 24, 2011
I love sitting in my RV during a thunderstorm however driving in cross winds gave me a scare the first time I did it.
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
05:55 PM Sep 3, 2011
First time I've posted !
I went out to our 1996 532RKS Carrilite during Hurricane Irene. We live in eastern NC and received the full brunt for what seemed 24 hrs. I recorded a high wind of 81mph and susstained of 72-74 for hours on end. Sitting inside our 5'er, I was suprised at how stable it was in the wind. It moved slightly but nothing I was concerned about. I had filled all the tanks, fresh, gray, and black, and had lifted most of the weight off the suspension with the landing gear and 2 bottle jacks at the rear. The slide was not out for this "test", but I am sastified that this rv can endure some tough storms. We "fulltimed" in this for 2 days until our power came back on.
LibertyLinda said
12:18 PM Sep 4, 2011
Hey JimsCarrilite - I bet you did fill that black tank during Irene!
That is a great testimony to Carrielite, which we are looking at in comparison to DRV's.
We used our Motorhome when we were out of electric for 3 days this past summer when a supposed tornado went thru. We also were able to help our next door folks by hooking them up to our generator.
Hi everyone
Bob and I are still in research and dream mode toward his retirement in a couple of years. I was wondering about those thunder boomers. Has anyone been in a severe thunderstorm while in your RV? How does your RV handle that kind of weather? Not that I am afraid of thunderstorms....quite the opposite. Sometimes I will stand outside and watch a storm approach, then head inside before I get drenched! I feel safe and sound inside my sticks and bricks, and was wondering how it would feel if I were in an RV. I sure appreciate all of your input.
Kathy
Our rig(s) handles them fine and always has. Now, that said, if you’re in a tornado warning area, get out of the rig and find some real shelter. Bath houses are usually a good bet if they are block. In a tornado the last place you want to be is in an RV. Not trying to scare anyone, just reality. Be sure you carry a weather radio in the rig and stay aware of what's going on.
Now, with that warning above said, we’ve been in very high winds without any trouble. We had a severe thunderstorm yesterday here in Florida, no issues. We’ve been in 55+ MPH winds with rain out in the plains as well as the mountains. In that case we do pull in the slides in high winds,obviously lower the big awning in almost any wind, and put everything in the rig basement. Lower those roof vents as well. Don't give the wind or rain anything to "catch on."
One criterion we had when selecting our rig was that we could more or less live in it with all the slides in if we had to, and we have. It makes a big difference with the slides in and if you have toppers (awnings) over the slides, the high winds will beat them to death. Also, if the winds are really high we lower the TV and satellite antenna. I consider high to be around 25-30 MPH or so. But I’m kind of cautious about that stuff as it is expensive and inconvenient to fix.
From years of travel in thunderstorm country that is our experience and advice: Use common sense, set your own comfort level, monitor the weather radio, and enjoy the display of God’s creation.
Safe travels
Bill
Mallo
You're write about always riding into a high wind when traveling. However, being hit sideways can make you a little nervous when you're rocking and rolling, especially to a newbie. We've been ready to leave our RV in bad weather a time or two, but didn't quite get to the point that we had to.
A weather radio is definitely a must! You will Not sleep through that alarm!
I love sitting in my RV during a thunderstorm however driving in cross winds gave me a scare the first time I did it.
I went out to our 1996 532RKS Carrilite during Hurricane Irene. We live in eastern NC and received the full brunt for what seemed 24 hrs. I recorded a high wind of 81mph and susstained of 72-74 for hours on end. Sitting inside our 5'er, I was suprised at how stable it was in the wind. It moved slightly but nothing I was concerned about. I had filled all the tanks, fresh, gray, and black, and had lifted most of the weight off the suspension with the landing gear and 2 bottle jacks at the rear. The slide was not out for this "test", but I am sastified that this rv can endure some tough storms. We "fulltimed" in this for 2 days until our power came back on.
Hey JimsCarrilite - I bet you did fill that black tank during Irene!
That is a great testimony to Carrielite, which we are looking at in comparison to DRV's.
We used our Motorhome when we were out of electric for 3 days this past summer when a supposed tornado went thru. We also were able to help our next door folks by hooking them up to our generator.
Glad you all are safe!