funkoptimus
Rochester, MN
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Joined: 03/02/2006
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I remember reading a discussion on lightning in another forum and the debate was mostly on plugging or unplugging the RV. My question isn't about that. Mine is what happens with the bunkends. In other words my understanding is that a car frame and an RV frame act as a cage which spreads the strike around and absorbs the blow. They also advise to stay away from windows.
So is it best to not be in the bunkend during a storm with alot of lightning?? Turtle or just stay away from the bunkends.
Just wondering as 2 out of the last 3 weekends camping was full of lightning and last night was pretty sketchy in Minnesota weather wise.
Jamie(the Funkster), Amanda, DD, and Mojo the camp' hound.
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cp1971
Martinsville, IN
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Joined: 11/27/2007
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The rubber tires on the car and on a camper should ground the vehicle. You shouldnt have to worry about being shocked if you are inside. There is however a chance of the electrical system on the camper getting fried by a power surge. I am going to buy a surge protector for mine. Saw a post on here with a picture of a burnt up one. This person said the camper next to him got all the appliances fried. His camper was ok just needed a new surge protector.
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funkoptimus
Rochester, MN
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cp1971 wrote:The rubber tires on the car and on a camper should ground the vehicle. You shouldnt have to worry about being shocked if you are inside. There is however a chance of the electrical system on the camper getting fried by a power surge. I am going to buy a surge protector for mine. Saw a post on here with a picture of a burnt up one. This person said the camper next to him got all the appliances fried. His camper was ok just needed a new surge protector.
Actually from articles and TV shows. Rubber tires have no real grounding affect. It is the frame. The electricity travels around the top frame and on the bottom frame the lightning will exit into the ground.
Just what I have discovered.
http://sky-fire.tv/index.cgi/lightning.html
lightning link
* This post was
edited 06/06/08 11:38am by funkoptimus *
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Coyote2cool
Denver, Colorado
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Joined: 07/13/2007
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Tires dont help
2008 Chevrolet Avalanche Z71
2007 KZ Coyote 23 CFK
2008 Total nights camping = 27
Just Remember: When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane 
Me (37)... DW  .... DD  (11) ... DD  (9)...Dog (1)
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robertmeier
texas
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we got a partial hit in the sprint of 2007. we were real lucky. it fried the plug on our power cord. it also fried the recipictal we were plug into. the only thing that got hurt was our electric alarm clock. we were watching tv at the time with the ac running. we were real lucky.
full time
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reneedann
Pepperell MA
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I saw a special on TV about that. Its the steal frame that saves you in a car and the plastic inside that acts like a insulator for the driver or passengers
Happy Camping
Renee & Rich
Pepperell MA
2004 21sb Starcraft Travelstar and loving it
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weathershak
Delaware
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Joined: 12/11/2006
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Canvas would not stop a direct hit.We have seen what it does to a wooden structure, causing fire. I'm not sure how it would act on a direct hit to the HTT, due to it having fibreglass sides. I hope no one finds out. We used to turtle ours during a bad storm if we had time to do so when we had our Orbit HTT. We have a TT now and just a couple of weeks ago we left and sat in our car during a bad storm, facing the wind. We were more worried about high winds at that time blowing us over or knocking a tree down on us.
Don't like the view?? Then change it and Go Camping 
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AutoEngMike
Erie, PA
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Electricity follows the "path of least resistance". If your trailer is not plugged in and all metal objects (jacks, etc.) are not touching the ground that path could be you touching the door handle. This is how some get struck by lightning when grabbing a door handle of a car. Even if there is something "grounded" if it is not a good ground you could still be the path of least resistance. Given the hybrid is off the ground and most times plugged in to shore power there is the most likely path of the current. I would not be concerned with being in the bunk ends but would make sure I was not using the heated cushions and that they were not plugged in.
Rubber tires are insulators so there are no grounding properties. If they were wet the ground would come from the moisture but still a weak path compared to a shore power ground connection (given the campground had it wired properly). People in wrecks involving electrical wires have become electrocuted when exiting their car. The best way to explain this is if you have a good pair of shoes with lots of rubber between you and the ground you could grab a hot wire and not get shocked (given you are not touching anything else).
Did you know that a lightning strike actually travels up from the ground?
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad, 4X4, 5.7L Hemi, 3:55 gears
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2006 Rockwood Roo 23SS, 6500lb GVWR, Prodigy Brake Controller, and Equalizer 1K WDH
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Rookiecamper
Northeastern, PA
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AutoEngMike has it! Rubber tires actually do the opposite of grounding...they insulate. Unfortunately, with the amount of energy in a lightning strike, there is not many things that will do a good job of insulating. When something is "grounded", it is connected to the ground to give the energy a path between the air and the ground. Your house wiring should be connected to a grounding rod so that in the case of a strike, energy will theoretically travel through the wires and into the ground instead of "jumping" out and toasting someone or something. Your trailer has stab jacks touching the ground, as well a chord plugged in. The tires have very little or no effect.
Me~Jim, 44
DW~Patty, no comment
DS~Dave,19
DD~Megan,17
DD~Emily,11
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FlaCracker
Florida
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I live in "Lightning Alley" the area between Tampa and Daytona Beach, and out here east of Tampa, it seems to be worse than in town for some reason. But, I saw this video that describes the "Ferraday Principle" that lightning (or high voltage) will travel around an object within a sufficient metal cage or path. I hope that I can get this link correct. If I do not would someone please correct and relist. Thanks...http://glumbert.com/media/highpower
* This post was
edited 06/06/08 11:43am by FlaCracker *
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