Thoughts on bad and severe weather

[merkong]

I am interested in peoples thoughts regarding bad and severe weather when camping.  For instance we are 4/5 with great weather so far this summer and the one time we got the "long soggy weekend treatment" we had no problem being inside and also spending plenty of time outside dressed appropriately hiking, playing ladder golf and sitting underneath our 10' x 10' FirstUp canopy.

What about severe weather?  When do people say "hey this baby might not hold up" and consider packing it down and splitting?  If the rage is already upon you and the safety of the clan becomes an issue, I would probably secure the outside gear, pack up the TV and let the rig be.  I got insurance.  You can't very well pack it down while trees are falling.  Thoughts?

[AustinBoston]

I am interested in peoples thoughts regarding bad and severe weather when camping.  For instance we are 4/5 with great weather so far this summer and the one time we got the "long soggy weekend treatment" we had no problem being inside and also spending plenty of time outside dressed appropriately hiking, playing ladder golf and sitting underneath our 10' x 10' FirstUp canopy.

What about severe weather?  When do people say "hey this baby might not hold up" and consider packing it down and splitting?  If the rage is already upon you and the safety of the clan becomes an issue, I would probably secure the outside gear, pack up the TV and let the rig be.  I got insurance.  You can't very well pack it down while trees are falling.  Thoughts?

Some here claim they have weathered 50 MPH winds.  I rather doubt it.  At 35 MPH, it becomes difficult to even walk.  50 MPH would roll most pop-ups.  At 30 MPH, you might have some real trouble folding down.  Canvas at that wind speed makes an excellent sail.

Heavy snow (the wet kind) can bend the bows (supports) in the bunk ends.  About 4" is time to knock it off.  Probably time to get it off the solid roof as well.  Most have a weight rating (which is much lower when the roof is up than down), and I'd bet 4" of heavy wet snow exceeds it.  

The powdery snow we see most of the time in central Minnesota could go a lot deeper, but that stuff usually means deep cold.  Most manufacturers say not to move the vinyl windows at temps below 20

[SpeakEasy]

I've been camping most of my life, mostly in tents. The severe weather that I'm most experienced with (in the northeast) is severe thunderstorms accompanied by line squalls. I consider lightning to be the biggest danger, with damaging winds running a distant second place. When a thunderstorm gets close, I usually wait it out in the tow vehicle or a nearby solid building. There have been a few times when I've had to go back to the tent and literally pick up the pieces. The equipment can be repaired or replaced. There is no sense trying to fold it all down in the thick of a storm. It used to make me really nervous to watch my stuff get damaged by storms. But, I've become more laid-back about it. I figure, if I wanted to protect my possessions from damage I could always quit camping. To me, the risk, when reasonably assessed and prepared for, is worth the benefits of camping.

-Speak

[AustinBoston]

To me, the risk, when reasonably assessed and prepared for, is worth the benefits of camping.

Here is deep truth.  Those who never take risks never really live, and either endure a boring existence or endure a life where they blame other people for their lifelong misfortune.

Austin

[wavery]

Here is deep truth.  Those who never take risks never really live, and either endure a boring existence or endure a life where they blame other people for their lifelong misfortune.

Austin

YA!!  Kinda like sailing around the world in a small boat....... :eyecrazy:

[willtryanythingonce]

Brings back fond memories of camping at Lake George when an actual named hurricane blew through!  Weather had been great, husband took 2 kids to parasail on Lake George and I stayed behind to "rest and relax".  By the time they returned I was running up the street to get the stove, down the street to get the chairs, etc.  And laughing my head off, we survived fine (though there are some things we never found), and the kids had plenty to talk about when they got back to school!

[pershingd]

If you use any kind of RV in an area prone to severe weather, you should educate yourself on how to respond. I've been through a couple of good thunderstorms in the pup (and am impressed on how well it held up), but if anything worse came up - I'd be out of there.

I was a trained tornado spotter in eastern NM many years ago, so I tend to watch the skies when storms crop up. I was in eastern Colorado last summer when tornado watches were posted - hello Motel 6. If we were popped up - I'd get my family to saftey first and worry about the pup later. Just piling in the tv and riding out the storm isn't the best thing either. Has anyone seen how easily a car or truck is tossed around in a severe storm? My rule is this - if I'm not comfy riding it out in the pup, then staying in the tv is out as well. Most campgrounds have designated storm shelters - that's the best place to be.

Sorry to preach about this, but I've seen what high winds can do to even the most expensive RVs and I don't want to lose any friends that way.

David

PS - Yes, I've made my parents leave their mobile home in the middle of the night for the safety of our basement.