RV High Wind Tie-Downs: How Do I Secure My RV in High Winds?
It is a common-sense idea but not everyone is on board with it. Making sure your trailer or RV does not move during a storm seems logical. But is it practical to tie it down? You may be setting yourself up for more damage if you do tie it down.
How do I secure my RV in high winds? Some RV owners go out and buy Home Depot tie downs ratchet strap style, some nylon rope, and other needed supplies. All of this expense was to secure his RV for the upcoming hurricane. It is possible to do but most people don't agree with the effort.
To learn more about tying down your RV during storms, just keep reading our article. It explores the issue and gives you both sides of the story. Tie-downs may come in handy but then as most people have said, so does your insurance.
How Much Wind Can an RV Withstand?
Like most answers in this category, it will depend on the size, weight, and shape of your RV. Don’t forget the weight of the trailer as the lighter it is the easier it is to flip. The good news is that a gust of wind is not normally powerful enough to flip an RV.
The wind speed has to reach roughly 91 mph before it is strong enough to flip over a travel trailer or self-drive RV. That speed is for the least stable model and it is stationary. That speed limit is not for when the trailer or RV is moving.
When you are on the road and moving at a good clip, winds as slow as 20 mph can affect your rig. Then driving when the wind speeds reach 30 mph is not recommended. If you doubt those figures, ask the many semi-trailer truck drivers about their experiences with gusting winds.
To put your mind at ease, we are not talking about those slow winds flipping your RV. they will just influence how they handle. It can be fairly rare to see an RV flipped by the wind. Especially when they are stationary.
How do I Secure My RV in High Winds?
The majority of answers we saw was for you to move your trailer to a new location, out of the storm’s path. That may not be a practical solution for most RV owners but that is the type of thinking you should run into when you bring this topic up.
One good suggestion was to make sure your trailer was hitched to your tow vehicle. The added tension and weight should make it fairly hard for your trailer to move during the storm.
Another suggestion was that you close all your hatches, windows, and any storage compartment. By doing this you keep the wind from getting a handhold on your trailer and shaking it.
Then if it is possible, you can point the nose of your RV into the wind. The back and sides seem to be easier places for the wind to get a good hold on your trailer and flip it. Or you can park it near a windbreak, like a building or a hill. RVs have a high center of gravity so park it right.
Do not park under any trees as broken tree limbs can fall and damage your RV. Also, parking near other trailers may not help as the wind can push yours or your neighbor’s trailer into each other and cause more damage.
Finally, you can go to Amazon or some other marketplace and buy RV anchor kits. These are not supposed to be that expensive and they will give you a little peace of mind. Don’t forget some RVs have stabilizing jacks that work in high winds and retract your slides.
How do You Anchor an RV to The Ground?
In looking at the different anchor kits that are on sale right now, you have some very good options to choose between. Some anchors need to be screwed or bolted to a solid object like concrete, a tree, or a building as well as your RV. Then attach your nylon or metal cable to your RV and then to your anchor.
Others are designed to screw into the ground. The blades dig deep and make sure it has enough dirt covering it to provide some protection. Then just attach your wires, etc., to the anchor.
Some of the alternatives would be to not deploy your stabilizing jacks as those that have done that didn't get any anchoring protection. Others say they had, so this will be up to your judgment.
Another good option would be to hook your trailer up to your tow vehicle. That extra security will add weight and stability making sure your trailer does not go anywhere. Then you can use ratchet-style straps to secure your trailer. Just make sure those straps are placed in ideal locations and won’t cause any damage when you tighten them up.
There are suction cup anchors you could invest in but it is hard to tell how effective they are. Suction cups tend to provide mixed results even when trying to hang onto your bath towels.
How to Tie Down RV for Hurricane
As you know, hurricanes can produce fairly heavy winds. Those winds have been known to destroy many buildings during the duration of the storm. Taking the right precautions will save you money in the long run.
The first step you need to take is to protect your windows. It is possible to place plywood over them so the wind or flying debris does not break them. If the windows break, the wind gets inside and can start shaking your trailer.
Then retract your slides. The less surface the wind has to grab onto the safer your RV will be. Plus, this step will help the anchors hold onto your trailer. If you know the direction the wind is coming in, move your trailer so its nose will face the oncoming wind.
Because of the high center of gravity most RVs have, the back and sides of the rig are more vulnerable to the wind’s force. The front is more aerodynamic and can deflect the wind somewhat.
Finally, you should have a set of anchors in one of your storage bays. That set should be more than one or two as your trailer can be quite large and heavy. If you are not on concrete, then you will want the screw-in design. These go deep into the ground and make sure there is plenty of power to hold your trailer in place.
If you do not own the concrete pad your trailer is on, screwing into the concrete may not be an option. The cable or ropes you use to secure the RV to the anchors should be able to withstand 4,725 pounds each.
Make sure to attach the tie downs according to any manufacturer’s instructions and tie to the frame or go over the top of the trailer from anchor to anchor. You will also want to have a balanced tension so each tie-down is holding equal weight. The proper tension prevents damage.
RV Tie-Down Anchors
These items sound expensive but in reality, you can get top-quality ones for a very inexpensive price. When you shop online though, it is hard to tell if the material is top quality and the manufacturing process ensures those anchors will do the job right.
Amazon has quite a selection of RV anchors, both the screw to hard objects type and the screw into the ground versions. Their cost ranges between $7 and $50 with the better options at the higher end of the scale.
Keep in mind that there really is no one size fits all type of RV anchor. There will be ones made to fit smaller trailers and RVs and ones that will handle the larger, heavier models. You will have to do some research as well as know the weight and size of your trailer in order to find the right anchor for your windy needs.
If you want to inspect the anchors before you buy, just go to any RV accessory outlet or hardware store and ask them about the best ones they have in stock. Shopping by mail may be convenient, but it is not always the best option in many situations.
RV Hurricane Strap Kit
There some of these available in the same locations as anchors are found. yet, these strap kits are not really designed to hold your RV in one spot throughout the storm. Instead, they are made to hold your RV cover where you put it until the storm ends.
There are some made to work on your RV and keep it still during a hurricane. These ones will hold up to 8,000 pounds each making them ideal for your trailer. Just make sure to buy enough of them as two won’t do.
Then some people may use hurricane strap kits interchangeably with anchor or anchor kits. Different regions of the country tend to do things like that so be aware that if the person gives you a blank look, you may need to rephrase your question.
They may know what an anchor kit is for RVs but never heard of an RV hurricane strap kit. It would be the best idea to purchase those options that hold the most weight. Even if you have a smaller trailer, the stronger the straps, the safer your trailer or motorized RV.
The ratchet version seems to be the strongest of all the ones you can buy. Their web design adds a lot more strength than normal rope or cable.
Securing Your RV While Driving
Sometimes it cannot be avoided. You break camp on a fine-looking morning and by the time you get 10 miles down the road, the weather has changed and the wind kicks up. it is important to secure your RV while driving until you can find a safe spot to park and ride out the storm.
- Step 1: Close your windows, hatches, and vents - this keeps the wind from getting inside and destabilizing the trailer or RV.
- Step 2: Know the wind direction - this will help you navigate a little and if you are having a tough time driving, then the wind is coming right at you. If driving seems like a breeze, then you are getting a boost as the wind is coming from the rear and giving you a push.
- Step 3: Make sure your tires are good - having good tires under you while driving means you have great traction and should be able to hold onto the road better. If they are getting old, it will be time to change them.
- Step 4: Know the size of your RV - If it is large then you will have a hard time negotiating the road and keeping your trailer and RV going in a straight line. The larger the trailer the harder the drive.
- Step 5: Also keep your hands on the wheel - two hands in windy conditions are always better than one. You also have better control over your vehicle.
- Step 6: Slow down - the slower you can go the safer you and your family will be. Don't be afraid to downshift.
- Step 7: Drive in the middle of the road - this gives you more maneuvering room and keeps you away from hazards
- Step 8: Do not pass - this is just a safety precaution as you never know what the wind will do.
Some Final Words
Even though the majority of opinions say to avoid tie-downs, this may not be a practical option. Forget what others say and buy the right tie-downs for your trailer so you can be safe.
