Too windy?

[kb0zke]

We're getting some breezes today, 35 gusting to 50 mph. Those breezes are coming straight at the street side of the trailer, so two slides get the breeze before the rest of the trailer (by a few milliseconds). The trailer is rocking some, but not enough to worry us or disturb cooking and eating. We've pulled in the slides at times in the past, and other times we've left them out. Doesn't seem to make much difference, since the wind is coming right at the side of the trailer.

The dealer in Las Cruces said not to worry about the slide toppers - they can take New Mexico winds. Normally, that would be good enough for me, but I don't trust that dealer. One of the other rigs here lost a topper last year and they were oriented the same as we are.

What do you do? Pull slides in when the wind reaches a certain speed, or leave them out and figure that the insurance will take care of any damage?

[trailrydr]

On strong winds 20mph+ we will bring in the slides and ride it out. Not only do the toppers act like sails, but so do the slides. Especially if your high sided on one side to offset the site pitch to get leveled. It can be a pretty scarry ride to feel the trailer rock side to side during high winds - been there done that! Plus, no idea of what possible damage it could do to landing gear, leveling legs and stabilizers. Bringing in the slides eliminated 80% of the sail effect during high winds in our 295RL 5er.

NOTE: If better than 35mph.... pull in the slides, lock it down, shut off water/gas, and head for a hotel. No sense going down with the ship!

If light winds (under 15 mph), we bungy cord over ours and suction cup the ends down to our slide sides (Harbor Freight). Eliminates topper sail and also provides rain water runnoff. Doesnt have to be tight... just bunggy weight laying on the topper secured to the slide sides. Been doing it for 3+ yrs now and works great!

[kb0zke]

We are actually a bit low on the street side. I finally gave in and we pulled the kitchen slide in, at least for a couple of hours.

[Grandesigner]

Haha...welcome to NM in the spring! Slide toppers? No way!
No issues with the slides themselves though.
Good luck!

[trailrydr]

Oh.... this one is a hoot! I bet they (and several others) had a change their shorts right after they stop laughing about it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=5L84aSSHgqg

[Bruce M]

We’re here at assateaque island and the winds kicked up real hard last night, I think 15 sustained and 25 gusts.
I was considering closing the slide and I think if it was to get any worse I would close it.

[WhittleBurner]

We're in Florida and this winter it has been windy. We have had 30 to 35 mph winds and one day it was gusting up to 60. We're not too far off the Gulf so we do get some wind. We haven't taken the slides in but you could feel it. Not enough to be scary though. we do have a tripod, x chocks and the strong arms. They do their job and we haven't felt threatened.

[Second Chance]

You are correct not to trust the GD dealership in Las Cruces. I have several descriptors for them but won't use them here. Cruces is my hometown and we have wintered there many times... also lost a slide topper to the wind. Then I learned to take clothesline/parachute cord and go over the top of the slide, down the middle of the topper, down both sides, and tie it underneath the slide - but not too tight. This stops the flapping and we had no issues after learning to do that.

Rob

PS: if you're at Hacienda and the winds are out of the north, say "Hi" to my brother-in-law's farms as they blow by you.

[RV2600RB]

You are correct not to trust the GD dealership in Las Cruces. I have several descriptors for them but won't use them here. Cruces is my hometown and we have wintered there many times... also lost a slide topper to the wind. Then I learned to take clothesline/parachute cord and go over the top of the slide, down the middle of the topper, down both sides, and tie it underneath the slide - but not too tight. This stops the flapping and we had no issues after learning to do that.

Rob

PS: if you're at Hacienda and the winds are out of the north, say "Hi" to my brother-in-law's farms as they blow by you.

Small world. Our home town is Cruces also.
Yup, wind can get wicked there. Wind gets just as bad here in AZ I never leave the awning out at night or when we’re not home. I’ve seen more than one get folded over the rig. We don’t have a topper on this one, but with some of our others that did we closed up when they started flopping.
Rich

[RV2600RB]

We're getting some breezes today, 35 gusting to 50 mph. Those breezes are coming straight at the street side of the trailer, so two slides get the breeze before the rest of the trailer (by a few milliseconds). The trailer is rocking some, but not enough to worry us or disturb cooking and eating. We've pulled in the slides at times in the past, and other times we've left them out. Doesn't seem to make much difference, since the wind is coming right at the side of the trailer.

The dealer in Las Cruces said not to worry about the slide toppers - they can take New Mexico winds. Normally, that would be good enough for me, but I don't trust that dealer. One of the other rigs here lost a topper last year and they were oriented the same as we are.

What do you do? Pull slides in when the wind reaches a certain speed, or leave them out and figure that the insurance will take care of any damage?

Just curious, where do you stay in Cruces?
Rich