towing in the wind question

[DGamelin]

I agree I don't use one either, but for someone who is being bothered by the wind there is something you can do about it. I use a gooseneck ball myself I like the articulation and don't like changing hitches. We have welded a few frames, it also seems to loosen up the whole box (body) of the RV from extreme twisting. Thats where it would be nice to have one you can lock in and out. It is a shame you can't have your cake and eat it to. A few of these high dollar hitches out are a lot of hype look. We hade a rep in here selling a hitch that weighted over 300lbs. I would want a 45 or 5500 to carry a hitch that heavy. I haven't used one but that B&W hitch has gas shocks and rubber bump stops on the rocker seems slick.

 

[BIGNASTY]

It might be time

I stoped by the scales on I 10 banning ca to talk to an old friend (he is a CHP) and some guy about 75 yrs old came in the scale house and asked the very same question how do you know when the wind is blowing to hard. My buddy said if it takes you 20 min. to let go of the SEAT and you have both hands on the steering wheel it might be time to pull over. :-laf

 

[RMaynard]

Ok all you 5th wheel towers out there, have you used these wind deflectors on the roof of your rig. I'm debating the issue about buying one. I too have been out on I-40 and got the wind kicked out of me also. Are these deflectors as good as I hear ?? Thanx, Roger !!

 

[Barry]

Mr. Maynard,



You have opened up a can of opinion worms. With that said, I am an RV dealer and have pulled RVs for years. I install the lay down, flip up wings on my trucks. I like them.



Drilling into a headwind or fighting a crosswind, IMHO and for me, it makes enough difference that I use it every time I tow a high profile unit.



But again, opinions are like belly buttons, most folks have one.

 

[RMaynard]

Ok all you 5th wheel towers out there, have you used these wind deflectors on the roof of your rig. I'm debating the issue about buying one. I too have been out on I-40 and got the wind kicked out of me also. Are these deflectors as good as I hear ?? Thanx, Roger !!

 

[RMaynard]

Sorry about posting the same thing twice Barry, Do you notice any decrease in fuel use

with these deflectors ???? Thanx Roger

 

[Barry]

Hard to say. Don't know if there is anyway to calculate that. However, based on the manufactures data, it will take about 30,000 towed miles to pay for the thing.



For me, it is not the fuel savings that interests me. It's the handling. I don't like duallys so I run a 3500 SRW. The wing takes the side to side buffet out and for the most part helps to make the rig run straight in the lane without a lot of steering wheel input.



It works for me. I do a lot of deadhead miles so I have the unit that lays down when not in use. It is not as pretty as one of those stainless fixed wings... ... ... but for me a stationary wing just would not work.

 

[RMaynard]

thanx Barry, Roger

 

[Bill Carlyle]

All this reminds me of one afternoon we were passing through Russel, Kan. and stoped at a corp of engr park on a big lake. The ranger said it was a good thing we wern't here the night before because they had a bad storm and the wind blew 80 miles an hour. we found a good camp site right on the water and watched the sunset over the lake after eating. Guess what, that night another storm came up and the wind blew just as hard for a good two hours. Several times we thought the 5th wheel was lifting off the ground on one side. We did a lot of praying that night.



Bill