Windy driving, am I just a wimp??

[Mkayers]

Hey folks, first time class a owner here & need a little help. I have a 2014 Thor Challenger 37LX with the F53 chassis. Bought it in Pennsylvania & drove it back to Michigan with no issues other than the sway from passing trucks etc. Here’s what I’ve done so far: Safe-T-Plus on the front, SuperSteer rear Trac Bar, CHF on both front and rear.
I haven’t done an alignment yet because it seems to drive just fine in the few 100 mile trips or so we’ve driven. Have to admit we haven’t weighed it yet either but we don’t carry a ton of gear. Tires are set at 85 PSI.
Anyway, took our first long trip to Martinsville, VA for the race & ran into some crosswinds that from what I’ve seen by searching the sites weren’t really anything, 10-15mph. This thing was getting blown all over horribly. I couldn’t believe it. It almost felt like I lost “feel” in the front end too. Everything feels solid in the front end, nothing seems bent (from what I can see). I know it’s a lot of surface area but I couldn’t imagine driving it in the winds I read people talking about on these sites. Is it just seat time? Is that normal? It still has the stock front sway bar on it, is upgrading that really going to help this? Windy conditions are horrible but passing semi’s really aren’t an issue now. Kinda weird. Any thoughts? Thanks for the help

[16ACE27]

I think it's just seat time. It's not the wind so much as the gusts and change in velocity due to the terrain. When you're traveling a highway that's sheltered by trees and then hit a pasture you're gonna get pushed. I don't know that there's any "cure" for driving a sail in gusting wind conditions. The larger the rear overhang, the worse it seems to be.

[Copterdoc]

Our Thor Quantum rw28 class C has the same issue. Basically you are a large sail so it doesn't take much of a cross wind to push it around. Ours is a Ford E450 chassis. I have found that larger Fords feel light in the front and once you load the cargo , which happens to be in the rear, the front end feels like the wheels are barely touching the road. I have read both pro's and con's about installing stabilizers. I believe it's something that you just have to get used to. Happy motoring and enjoy the trips. Keep both hands on the wheel.

[Bob Denman]

It never hurts to slow down a little bit...

[EA37TS]

Alignment and weight. Until then you don’t know what you are dealing with. I had a 37ND and after alignment and setting tire pressure based on weight it needed nothing and handled just fine. As a note, there is no vehicle on the road that will not feel some effects from a 15 mph crosswind.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

I think it's just seat time. It's not the wind so much as the gusts and change in velocity due to the terrain. When you're traveling a highway that's sheltered by trees and then hit a pasture you're gonna get pushed. I don't know that there's any "cure" for driving a sail in gusting wind conditions. The larger the rear overhang, the worse it seems to be.

100% agree. There is only so much you can throw at "fixes" for this. IMO, the best fix/cure is seat time... and with that experience you will come to realize when it's time to pull into a rest area and take a break.

Driving in windy conditions is both physically AND mentally exhausting. Realizing this and knowing your limits is the best solution!

[Mkayers]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

It never hurts to slow down a little bit...

Oh believe me, I slowed down lol

[Miramar Owner]

I have a Miramar equipped like yours with the Safe-t-Plus and large rear sway bar. I had my rear duals at 92 and front at 85.

With little wind or wind from the rear I pretty much drive the speef limit with my Jeep in tow. When crosswind winds are 15 mph I drop my speed 5 mph and continue to drop until comfortable... As much as 10 mph.

Nothing beats experience. As you learn to recognize landscape issues you can easily anticipate gusts, which are the most unnerving.

I've driven with 15 to 25 mph winds with higher gusts. Much more than that, I park it or get off the elevated highway and take roads less traveled.

I have had my wife following me and commented how little the wind was bothering me, when I felt it was blowing me all over. Although you can feel it in the driver's seat, it may not be as bad as you feel.

[JamieGeek]

Not a wimp...

I'd rather be an alive wimp than a dead..oh whatever.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

It never hurts to slow down a little bit...

I actually find it more dangerous for me to drive slower... Hear me out

The issue of driving the RV being pushed by trucks coming from the rear is a safety risk in my mind. They just kind of sneak up on you and I can feel them; when they impede my draft. I am a lot a better at handling it; but if you drive slower, you will get passed a lot; which for me is more dangerous. I tend to drive about 2 - 3 miles/hr faster than the 18 wheelers; so I am the one overtaking and I am in firm control of the wheel when passing.

But since you have brought it up, on my next trip; I will try to slow it down to 75 or so; to see how it goes

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

I actually find it more dangerous for me to drive slower... Hear me out

The issue of driving the RV being pushed by trucks coming from the rear is a safety risk in my mind. They just kind of sneak up on you and I can feel them; when they impede my draft. I am a lot a better at handling it; but if you drive slower, you will get passed a lot; which for me is more dangerous. I tend to drive about 2 - 3 miles/hr faster than the 18 wheelers; so I am the one overtaking and I am in firm control of the wheel when passing.

But since you have brought it up, on my next trip; I will try to slow it down to 75 or so; to see how it goes

I usually drive about 1-2 mph slower than ambient traffic. This way I can use cruise control without having to turn it off as much when we approach slower traffic.

I usually notice semis approaching in the rear view mirror and prepare...not really that much of a deal (also towing a car tends to really stabilize the Axis).

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

I usually drive about 1-2 mph slower than ambient traffic. This way I can use cruise control without having to turn it off as much when we approach slower traffic.

I usually notice semis approaching in the rear view mirror and prepare...not really that much of a deal (also towing a car tends to really stabilize the Axis).

I love cruise control, but my experience when I try to be a reasonable good driving steward; It seems everyone wishes to pass me, pull over real fast almost swiping the front left of my RV if I a on cruise, and when they do get in front of me, they seem to slow down forcing me to hit the brakes and/or getting wedged with all of the other cars passing me now.

I don't tow, so I am lighter and can stay ahead of the truckers. I don't have a rear view mirror unless you are referring to side mirrors? Yes when I know they coming I get firm with the wheel. I also do the same thing when I know winds are gusting at 15 mphs or higher or if I feel a strong random gust.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Just straddle the line between lanes. That will teach those truckers to slow down... If they do pass you, grip the wheel until your knuckles turn white and yell: "OMG - we're all gonna die!"

Can't be any worse than texting while driving.

... Seriously though - everyone be safe out there!

[Elite Washington]

You are going to get pushed around no matter what you do. The overhang doesn’t help. Or 32ft class c is the same way. When we were driving through Wyoming Montana a few weeks ago we had sustained winds of 20 mile an hour and gust of 35-40. The biggest thing is if you don’t feel comfortable pull over and wait it out if you can. Just remember to park facing the wind. One trick that helps me if you are driving at night is to use a compass. If you know what direction the wind is coming from and compare to your compass it helps you be more aware. For anyone that’s ever driven at night through Wyoming or Montana it can be a little disorientating so I find the compass helps.

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

I love cruise control, but my experience when I try to be a reasonable good driving steward; It seems everyone wishes to pass me, pull over real fast almost swiping the front left of my RV if I a on cruise, and when they do get in front of me, they seem to slow down forcing me to hit the brakes and/or getting wedged with all of the other cars passing me now.

I don't tow, so I am lighter and can stay ahead of the truckers. I don't have a rear view mirror unless you are referring to side mirrors? Yes when I know they coming I get firm with the wheel. I also do the same thing when I know winds are gusting at 15 mphs or higher or if I feel a strong random gust.

Ah yeah your Sunstar is a tad bit bigger than our Axis.

Yeah I meant side view mirrors.

[Gobears]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

(also towing a car tends to really stabilize the Axis).

TOAD or dolly?

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by Gobears

TOAD or dolly?

I would imagine it doesn't matter as its just the weight being pulled.

I dolly tow, however, so I can't speak of anyone's experience flat towing behind an Axis/Vegas.

[Scubawise]

Originally Posted by Elite Washington

You are going to get pushed around no matter what you do. The overhang doesn’t help. Or 32ft class c is the same way. When we were driving through Wyoming Montana a few weeks ago we had sustained winds of 20 mile an hour and gust of 35-40. The biggest thing is if you don’t feel comfortable pull over and wait it out if you can. Just remember to park facing the wind. One trick that helps me if you are driving at night is to use a compass. If you know what direction the wind is coming from and compare to your compass it helps you be more aware. For anyone that’s ever driven at night through Wyoming or Montana it can be a little disorientating so I find the compass helps.

Love the comments. I can't get white knuckles but wife does
We live in montana. Worst wind ever.
No chassis modifications.
In wind we slow down.
45 to 50 right lane works 100%

Stay safe my friends.
We are in Maui and kauai and will be on the road in November.
1st winter in MH

[Elite Washington]

Originally Posted by Scubawise

Love the comments. I can't get white knuckles but wife does
We live in montana. Worst wind ever.
No chassis modifications.
In wind we slow down.
45 to 50 right lane works 100%

Stay safe my friends.
We are in Maui and kauai and will be on the road in November.
1st winter in MH

Enjoy Maui, because it’s cold up here. You are right about the slowing down. There was a good stretch that I was only going 40 maybe 45. Problem was I had to get as far as I could because it was going to be worse the next day. I really don’t think I have ever driven through Montana and not had a windy day.

[MJC62]

Towing the 4300 lb Cherokee seems to keep the rear end somewhat inline in a crosswind though trucks still push us when they pass. And I gotta agree the Dakotas, Wyoming and Montana prairies can be a bear with unrelenting wind.