We are travelling in a 27 ft travel trailer (Mallard Sport 25RL) and happen to be sited in Gander Newfoundland approximately in the path of Hurricane Bill. What are tiedowns and should be get some? We've been travelling with this trailer since 2008 and have logged about 20k miles, but we are relative newcomers nevertheless especially with respect to hurricanes!
Doug
If your location allows it,
face the trailer into the
wind.....this, except for
tornados, will withstand
VERY strong winds. It works
on the gulf coast !
L NORMAN WADDELL
30 FOOT ALLEGRO
SATURN TOAD
WIFE AND 2 DOGS SUGAR BEAR & COCO BEAR
I don't know much about handling hurricanes - but I think if I were going to have to deal with one in a trailer then Gander, Newfoundland isn't a bad place to be.
Guessing what I would do (and failing better advice):
- locate the trailer onto ground that will accept a cork-screw tie-down
- face the trailer into the direction of the expected wind
- disconnect - but leave the vehicle in front of the trailer.
- tighten stabilizers as tight as then can reasonably be
- get 4 (or 8) of the biggest cork-screw tie-downs I could get my hands on from the local Walmart or PetSmart store (the only reason I say this is that we have a huge cork-screw for our dog that digs into the ground a foot - it is incredibly strong).
- set the corkscrews to accommodate ropes thrown over the back and front of the trailer.
- tighten the ropes.
- find a safe place to be - that is not in your trailer
- work on your relationship with the Creator.
Good Luck,
Jay
2002 Bambi 19' - the "Toaster"
2003 Nissan Pathfinder - the "Buggy"
I would get further inland as fast as possible. Trying to park a trailer into the wind on a circulating hurricane is very difficult. The wind direction changes depending on where the hurricane is and on what side of it you are on. If they eye goes over you the wind then comes from a different direction. Hurricanes are also known to spawn tornadoes.
If you can't get the trailer out of harms way in time, leave it there and head for a solid structure further inland. Do not ride out a hurricane or tropical storm in a trailer! You also do not want to be towing a trailer in the gusty winds of an approaching hurricane. The storm bands can start hitting you a good while before the actual storm arrives.
Really. If it is still going to be a hurricane when it gets there. It would be smart of you NOT to be there. A TT is not the place to stay in a hurricane, Actually. There is no safe place to be in a hurricane. Get as far away as you can. Leave NOW, Or better yet. yesterday.
I realize y'all don't have hurricanes much up there. But trust me. You do not want to be close to one in a TT. We live about 200 miles inland, and Hurricane Hugo literally tore our town, and surrounding area apart. Trees down, and buildings leveled. So be smart leave. It is not a little thunderstorm, or even a Noreaster. It is serious. And if you are on the coast. Your TT won't float a real long time.
* This post was
edited 08/22/09 04:47pm by Terryallan *
I would be worried but not panic. The storm will hit Nova-Scotia before NF, so it will loose strenght and will probably be just a good tropical storm especially with cold water in your area.
The trailer has wheels for a reason...hook up and move. No way could you tie it down and have the structure hold up to a hurricane.
Move it or leave it and hope for the best, but do not stay there.
Ken.
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
A couple of years ago, we thought a hurricane was headed for Rockport, TX. The managers of our RV park had an emergency meeting to discuss evacuation plans. One person asked about tie-downs and the park manager said there is an old saying that if you tie down an RV in a hurricane, after the storm is over, the only thing left will be the tie-downs. I strongly encourage you to leave the area, with or without the RV. Best to you and let us know when you are safe.
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