Towing in high winds????

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SecretSquirrell379

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Please don't laugh at me but just seen the weather and I'm a little worried. I havn't been towing very long and only been going out on my own for the last 6 months. I'm fairly confident and can actually go backwards now quite well
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The forecast for tomorrow is 30mph winds with big gusts. I am meant to be taking my girl for a lesson tomorrow afternoon and we use the trailer to get there. Is it safe to use in winds that high?
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I know it will probably sound like a stupid question but I'm a little worried.

Thanks for not laughing
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Tricksy xx
 
If you are worried don't do it - there's no point in upsetting yourself or your horse.

If you do really want to go, then just take it really steady - ignore all the idiot cars that attach themselves to your back bumper and go as slowly as you need to.

xx
 
I'd say it hugely depends on how far and what roads you are going on. I once drove my lorry in high winds and wished I hadn't - it was scary! But having said that it was fine on the local roads, it was going along a dual carriageway that was tricky because where it was built up or woody, it was fine, but by open fields there would be a sudden gust and I was really feeling the pull and fighting with the wheel - and this was in a lorry!

So if it's local and down little lanes, you'd probably be fine, but if you have to go on a fast open road/motorway, I would cancel. It's only a lesson, after all!
 
See how you feel tomorrow and exactly how bad the weather is and then make your decision. It probably would be OK to tow in, but personally I would probably try and cop out of it if I wasn't feeling too happy about doing it.
 
I'm only worried because I don't know if I'm stupid to do it, does that make sense. If I know that my trailer is not going to blow over in the wind then I'm happy to do it.

I always take it easy, its a windy road and I normally have a nice long queue behind me by the time I get to Sudbury
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I believe the Southwest / Wales will be hit the hardest so wait and see, I am sure your instructor would understand if it was a 'last minute' cancellation.
I personaly never tow in high winds..........but again that is personal choice.
 
I used to tow in windy conditions but I used to carry stock for my business (so wasnt to worried as my beloved horse was not in there) it was worse when there was nothing in the trailer.

if you are not happy dont do it you will only lose your confidence or if something should happen you would always have it on your mind that you were doubting whether to go.

Maybe hitch up and take the trailer out when the weather is bad that way you get a feel off what it is like to tow in windy conditions without the worry of having horsie in there.

Hope this helps xxx
 
I don't tow in windy conditions, I got caught out once and it was really scary!

For me, better safe than sorry! If it was an emergency (get to vets) I would suggest you risk it, but a lesson can be rescheduled, can't it?
 
Very sensible of you . It is highly unlikely that the trailer could turn over,but the wind can make them yaw back and forward, if this becomes too strong it can jacknife a trailer and roll it.What vehicle are you using to tow with. Short wheelbase is much worse than long wheelbase.
 
I just don't know how much trailers move around in the wind? that sounds so thick but I've never had this before, I think that I'll see how windy it is when I go down there and maybe take the empty trailer around the block before I load her up. My girl is a fantastic traveller not nervous at all and I am a confident driver. I just didn't want to be silly and take the trailer out when you shouldn't tow in over 30mph winds or something, does that make sense
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[ QUOTE ]
Very sensible of you . It is highly unlikely that the trailer could turn over,but the wind can make them yaw back and forward, if this becomes too strong it can jacknife a trailer and roll it.What vehicle are you using to tow with. Short wheelbase is much worse than long wheelbase.

[/ QUOTE ]

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at the jack knife/roll over bit I've got a Disco, TD5
 
I think that I am thinking a little bit too much!! just checked the Met Office and Metcheck and the winds are not getting to us until around 6pm, I'll be well home by then so should be ok.

Thanks for your help and advice though
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My husband was towing his Landrover on a trailer with my Landrover on a day that didn't seem that windy when he set off. It was all legal, in weight limits and he was driving at around 50mph on the dual carriageway. He has been towing since he learned to drive. The wind got up, caught the trailer, sent it into a snake and flipped it, dropping his Landy on its roof and smashing into the back of mine - both written off. Trailer twisted, husband thankfully undamaged.
I never tow in wind now.
 
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