Towing in the wind..

[EQUISCENE]

Fed up had to cancel competing at the weekend as it was extremely windy and I'm a bit of a wimp where towing a trailer is concerned. Due to go out training this afternoon and its still flippin' windy grrr I have a good tow vehicle and trailer and the horse travels well but I do have use some bleak exposed roads, is it just me? what are the sensible guide lines when towing in windy conditions are concerned? Any comments welcome

 

[Paddy and Dandy]

We cancelled sunday also....just not worth risking your horse, yourselves, and maybe others if you flip over

 

[ROG]

what are the sensible guide lines when towing in windy conditions are concerned?

There are no hard and fast rules for this

Only the driver can determine whether their own ability and that of the combination can cope safely with the conditions

If not 100% happy then do not go out

 

[Llanali]

I don't obviously know how windy it was, but with a car well within its capacity and a sturdy trailer in good nick, I'd tow in reasonable wind with a good traveller. As always, allow plenty of time, dive confidently and carefully, and watch out if lorries over take etc.

 

[EQUISCENE]

It is forecast 40 mph winds, probably gusty, won't be any motorway travelling so no lorries overtaking etc..

 

[pootleperkin]

I get worried about this too, but aside of skill, I also think that taking where the roads are into consideration too is sensible.

For example, I live very close to the A66 heading over Bowes Moor, one of the most exposed roads in the country. On Sunday, I was worried about the winds, they were gusting about 20 mph or so and we were due to head to dressage. Now if I had had to drive over Bowes Moor, I wouldn't have gone. I have had to cancel trips to Richmond and and other north eastern venues this winter because of gales.

In reality, I had to head up towards Carlisle along the fellside then M6 which is fairly sheltered all the way. The trailer pulled fine and has done in these sorts of winds in the past. OH was driving and can get a bit gung ho, so I told him to slow down a couple of times but all fine and horsy traveled very well.

I drive a Kia Sorento and have a Bateson Ascot, which is quite ergonomically designed. Horsy is 16.2hh warmblood, so a bit of weight. As Llanali said, take it easy and watch out for gusts. If you roads are very exposed, then maybe not go Discretion is the better part of valour and all that!

 

[pootleperkin]

It is forecast 40 mph winds, probably gusty, won't be any motorway travelling so no lorries overtaking etc..

40 mph is a pretty hefty wind.....don't think I would go if you are on exposed roads...... sorry! The weather is being *such* a pain! whereabouts are you - can't be a million miles from me? It's calm over on this side of the Pennines if that is any help (guess not!)

 

[Tnavas]

I hate driving in the wind, even in my horsebox.

Allow plenty of time and so drive slower, be aware of the places where hedges suddenly stop as the wind will jump out and get ya!

Trailers don't tend to get blown over in their parking spots so are not too likely to get blown over in the wind.

Cyclones and tornadoes exempt!

 

[EQUISCENE]

40 mph is a pretty hefty wind.....don't think I would go if you are on exposed roads...... sorry! The weather is being *such* a pain! whereabouts are you - can't be a million miles from me? It's calm over on this side of the Pennines if that is any help (guess not!)

Hi I'm between Thirsk and Helmsley 900 ft up on Sutton Bank! Go to Richmond & NEC regularly..

 

[pootleperkin]

Ummm, Sutton Bank could be quite exposed!!

BBC forecasts for N Yorks don't seem too bad - 20 25 mph.....where you headed?

 

[EQUISCENE]

Northallerton lesson at 6pm - says on my forecast 40mph winds but guess i will have to make a decision nearer the time. If in doubt I will pull out as I would never put my horse at risk.

 

[pootleperkin]

It's so frustrating though isn't it!

I'm due to head over to Camp Hill next week - the number of times I have had to withdraw from competitions at that venue due to the weather just isn't funny! Hopefully I will manage to get my first XC school of the year in. Love their small park course for gaining confidence early season.

 

[stencilface]

I think in a horsebox if you ahve some hefty neddies on board its not as bad, although I don't think I would drive in 40mph - trailers terrify me in zero wind

 

[EQUISCENE]

It's so frustrating though isn't it!

I'm due to head over to Camp Hill next week - the number of times I have had to withdraw from competitions at that venue due to the weather just isn't funny! Hopefully I will manage to get my first XC school of the year in. Love their small park course for gaining confidence early season.

Fingers crossed that spring arrives in North Yorks next week for you

 

[maree t]

I have 3.5 ton box with flat sides. We get blown about easily and only travel a pony or two so not much weight. I use the met office site and dont go out if it is gusting over 35 mph.
I stick to minor roads if its windy and dont touch mtorways. Rather safe than sorry. My trailer is an old (35 yrs) rice and it is heavy enough it feels more stable to be honest but still stay on the safe side and dont take that if in doubt.