How safe am I, camping in a LIGHTNING STORM?

[boonsur]

What are my odds of getting hit, and what would happen to the unit? It's an aluminum frame, with steel legs going to the ground, plugged into power. Does this make me a sitting duck?



Is lightning attracted to RV's? Are there things I can do to prevent a strike (unplug, lightning rod, etc. )? Am I safe in the event of a hit (the golden rule on sailboats is not to touch anything metal)?



I know it's unlikely, especially since I usually camp in wooded areas. But, what's your thoughts/experiences?

 

[Helohauler]

We takes our chances under those conditions, I'm sorry to say.

Having tall trees around our camper isn't too much surety. Haven't we all seen evidence of a tree strike that pulsed thru the ground and clobbered an adjacent house? Granted with perhaps less force, but I did see bricks blown off the exterior face of a fireplace chimney in one case.

 

[bighammer]

Would you feel more comfortable in a tent?



(that's how I camp)

 

[Peter Campbell]

I would be a lot more comfortable in a "faraday" can- a metal box- then exposed. An aluminum shelled camper grounded in dirt will not electrocute you if you are inside. An insulated wire that takes a ligtning stroke can go to ground anywhere itt wants. The person touching the TV or microwave, the person on the land-line phone. In a seat or bed inside a metal box is as safe as you can get. The trees above your camper or house, the wiring in a house or camper, the gasoline powered genset- those are things that can get you indirectly (falling trees and fires in walls )

When it comes to a ligtning stoke ther is no reasonable "property" protection that keeps everything damage free and unaffected. But metal frames and such protect you, the appliances just have to take one for the team. Not camping at the top of a hill, under a tall tree also help.

 

[klenger]

If you got'a go, you might as well be doing something you enjoy.



I really don't think that aluminum or wood contrcution would make much difference. If it's really bad, you might want to consider staying in the middle of the bed, as far away from any metal on the camper as you can. Of course, in my case, that's right on top of 80# of propane.

 

[OTRPU]

Wifes father has a neighbor, three houses down, guys son was manually changing channels on the TV when lightning hit. . . blowed up the TV, killed the young kid. Really a sad story. Don't know about campin, I get outta the pool and off the course in case of lightning. Have always heard you're relatively safe in a rubber tired vehicle. Then I saw on "Believe It Or Not", park ranger's been struck 6 times riding around in his government vehicle. Still alive, just knocks the crap outta him. They can't determine why lightning likes the dude, but I wouldn't want to ride around with him. I've actually been in a campground and seen lightning strike a tree, bout a hunnert feet from me. Dam ground trembled, tree split down the trunk and smoked. Close as I care to be to it if you want to know.



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[jimnance]

You are much safer in the trailer than being outside. The aluminum exterior actually gives the electricity a path to ground assuming the aluminum is somehow connected to the gear legs.



Keeping your hands off of electrical devices is probably a good idea. In fact, unplugging devices such as TV's can help prevent damage to them.



I'd be far more concerned about being in an RV in a Tornado generated by a thunderstorm!

 

[DOUGMartin]

I would be more worried about the trees around the camper coming down on ya.

 

[Fireman]

jimnance took my line! Don't worry about the lightning (it can get you no matter where you are) but those tornados look for trailers!



Seriously, you can't hide from your fate. Enjoy life and when things arise use your head and leave the rest to God.



Fireman

 

[99guy]

We have an uncle that is a full-timer. Had just bought a new class A. Was hit by lightning and did major damage to electronic on the rig and all the stuff in the living quarters fridge, tv, microwave. He has since then attached a heavy lead to the frame and stakes it to the earth ground. Don’t think he has been hit since then to test it but I think one of the camper dealers suggested it.

 

[PC12Driver]

A couple of years ago I was hit by lightning while flying the company plane. Didn't feel a thing. Hair didn't even stand up. Wasn't even really sure we were hit 'till I found the entrance and exit holes. And the scorch marks in the paint right along my side window. Screwed up some of the electronics, though.



Every bit of metal on an aircraft is bonded to its neighbor so there is a constant path, therefore no arcing. Arcing is where fires are started. So, if the camper was hit, the current would follow the aluminum shell, through the legs, to the ground. Unless there is a poor bond between layers or the legs are isolated somehow, and that's where you'll have a problem. Probably would just catch fire, though. You won't be electrocuted. Cooked, but not shocked. Just hope the neighbor's RV is taller than yours!



Unplugging the power and disconnecting the water might not be a bad idea (unless the storm has started, then leave it alone), that way the electrical current won't try to follow those paths and will stay along the metal camper structure to ground.



Very unlikely that it'll go for your camper in the first place though. Trees develop unbalanced charges easier than a grounded metal structure and will probably be the first hit. But I'm not going to sign anything to that effect...

 

[JNailor]

Leaving the electric line plugged in is safer. The campground power service is grounded much better than the units legs just resting on the earth. The units ground wire is also lugged to the frame securely. It's a good idea not to sit right up against the campers skin, but maintain air space around you.

 

[Spooled-up]

Peter Campbell beat me to the Faraday cage effect.



Here's a good explanation:



Faraday cage

 

[dewdo]

PCdriver was saying he was hit by lightneing while flying the company plane.



I was a radio operator on several unpressurized military aircraft and since we were limited on altitude we often were hit by lightening.



One time we were flying over France and near a thunderstorm when there was a loud bang and a ball of fire the size of a basketball came out of the pilots console and rolled pass my position, through the door and out the tail of the plane. When we landed there was a small hole where it had struck the radome and several small holes in the rudder. I alway take a crap now before a flight.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[DBrickel]

Originally posted by OTRPU

Wifes father has a neighbor, three houses down, guys son was manually changing channels on the TV when lightning hit. . . blowed up the TV, killed the young kid. Really a sad story. Don't know about campin, I get outta the pool and off the course in case of lightning. Have always heard you're relatively safe in a rubber tired vehicle. Then I saw on "Believe It Or Not", park ranger's been struck 6 times riding around in his government vehicle. Still alive, just knocks the crap outta him. They can't determine why lightning likes the dude, but I wouldn't want to ride around with him. I've actually been in a campground and seen lightning strike a tree, bout a hunnert feet from me. Dam ground trembled, tree split down the trunk and smoked. Close as I care to be to it if you want to know.



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[DBrickel]

I saw this guy in an interview on tv several years ago. It was quite noticable that he had taken a few hits. Not all his cells were working at full speed. --- if you get the drift.

I wouldn't worry about the lightning. Just use normal caution. It can be a bit intimidating being in the woods in a lightning storm though. Somethings gonna get ya at some point. Might as well enjoy what time you have

 

[DBrickel]

Don't know what happened to the attached quote. I am refering to the ranger that had multiple lightning strikes in above post

 

[Loren]

Several others have said the same thing, but here's more anecdotal evidence.



I fly airplanes for a living and my planes have been hit by lightning several times. No one ever got anything except scared by any of the strikes. The lightning will often leave a hole, usually small, at the point where it enters or exits, or both. The thunder crack will definitely wake up any sleeping passengers.



I agree that you are safer inside the trailer than most other places, even if you are more likely to be hit there because of its conductivity.



I've heard stories of fireballs floating down the center aisle of airplanes, but haven't seen it yet. I hope I never do.



Loren