trailer and wind

S

stormox

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 May 2012
Messages
3,411
Location
midlands
Visit site
I am nervous about taking my horse in the trailer (Ifor Williams pulled by L/R Defender) when its very windy, although my husband assures me it will be fine with half a ton of horse in!
What sort of weather or wind is it considered dangerous to drive in? Am I being wimpy?
 
Trailers are reasonably stable when loaded as long as your driving sensibly, if you dont feel confident driving in the wind - dont do it!

If you can get an experienced driver to accompany you, or book a trailer lesson if you havent had any
 
Strong wind is considered dangerous, though the driver's experience and expertise also plays a strong part. Snow and ice are extremely dangerous and should only be attempted in absolute dire circumstances, such as mercy dash to vet hospital IMO.
 
how strong is the wind?

I had to take my mare to the vets in my 505 when it was windy, I was so scared but it actually coped really well!! but I wouldn't have gone out if it wasn't a medical reason!
 
It's rather windy here at the moment so I'd maybe do a short trip if absolutely necessary but I wouldn't be going to the beach for a hack or anything. If you do go out be weary of crosswind signs and bridges esp.
 
I'm an experienced and confident tower, with a rock steady outfit, but I don't go out if it's very windy (emergency dashes to the vet aside).

It's getting caught by crosswinds that is the danger, and this coupled with getting whooshed by lorries can be very unpleasant.
 
I dont quite understand what difference having a confident person with me would make, Hanno Varian, if the trailer is likely to blow over in the wind. I am confident and competant during ordinary driving, heavy rain etc but I would hate the trailer to blow onto its side (like a transit van I was following once- a couple of wobbles from one side to the other, and over it went!)
I think the wind is about 60mph, maybe gusts of 70 at the moment.
 
I am obviously not the norm, as I regularly trailer in wind and ice, else I would rarely get out in the winter!

I'm not sure about wind speeds though, if it was very gusty I wouldn't risk it - I two an IW trailer with a Defender.
 
I wouldn't drive over 25mph winds unless it was to get my horse to hospital and even then I'd consider hiring a company to do it for me.

Cross winds on motorways are your biggest danger.
 
I dont tow if its what you'd call a strong wind, just dont think its worth it. All I remember is driving in wind to a BE event up North, it was windy but acceptable until we had to cross a big long bridge, it was terrifying!
 
I've avoided towing in strong winds in the past. I don't think the trailer will blow over, but it does affect handling. However, every year I go to my riding club camp at Stockland Lovell a few years ago, on the day we had to come home there were gale force 10 winds. I was terrified but had not choice - the next camp was coming into SL so we had to get out of the stables and I had to get home to go to work the next day.

I took it slowly and took extra care where I knew there would be cross winds. Going over the Avonmouth bridge, which is very exposed, wasn't my favourite moment but I stuck it in the middle lane (rightly or wrongly) and let others go round me. The Severn Bridge wasn't as bad, it has more protection and I was heading straight into the wind rather than having it blowing across us. I definitely felt the wind, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and the horses got off the other end as calm as ever so don't think they were too bothered.
 
60mph winds? No way.

I was in the 7.5 today just filling haynets - thing was shaking like a barbie horsebox in 75mph gusts. Seriously, had the kids with me and at one point considered getting them out as I thought it was going over.
 
I always have been pretty robust about driving in a 7.5 tonne in the wind. Last time out though it was very windy, and when I was going under a motorway bridge, only about 40mph as it was so windy, one of the front wheels lifted just a tiny bit after we came out from a motorway bridge. It scared the bejesus out of me!
 
Nope. Would not do it unless it was an emergency. I also avoid motorways now as find it far more stressful having to be on constant lorry watch and not getting the trailer stuck in a lorry rut. I cant go any faster on the motorway than I could on a dual carriageway. Seems my friends who pull a trailer a lot have largely come to the same conclusion.
 
Luci07 said:
I also avoid motorways now as find it far more stressful having to be on constant lorry watch and not getting the trailer stuck in a lorry rut.
Click to expand...
Agree. My outfit 'could' tow comfortably at 60mph on an empty road, but IMHO 50mph is the safe upper limit when taking account of lorry ruts and whooshing lorries etc. This would make me significantly slower than the HGV traffic, and therefore a hazard in my own right. (There should be a minimum speed on motorways).
 
If it helps.....I won't tow in wind over 40 mph...unless it is an emergency....I was on the way home once when the wind blew up out of nowhere to 80 mph...it wasn't even forecast! ...I only had about 15 miles remaining on A roads...but I don't mind telling you it was the most terrifying experience ever...it felt like someone was shoving the trailer around behind me...I was never so glad to get home.....the horse was a sweaty mess too....it tested all my skills as a driver....but we made it safe and sound......but never again in strong winds...

Hope that help
Bryndu
 
Tiddlypom said:
Agree. My outfit 'could' tow comfortably at 60mph on an empty road, but IMHO 50mph is the safe upper limit when taking account of lorry ruts and whooshing lorries etc. This would make me significantly slower than the HGV traffic, and therefore a hazard in my own right. (There should be a minimum speed on motorways).
Click to expand...

i think some HGV's , tescos & sainsburys ? are limited to 50mph on motorways ?

i hate towing on motorways and avoid it if poss , combined with winds its a no no for me , especially as the motorways where i would get on are both elevated sections

i think if you are not happy with the conditions then dont tow , just not worth the stress
 
I have a hot food trailer, if winds around 40mph are forecast, we stay home, knowing how my trailer reacts in winds, no way would I risk my horses, winds today got worse as the day wore on, I didn't think we were going to get back to our park up, really scary
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top