Wind

[AzRon]

Ok how much wind is to much, before you start damaging your pup?
Is there a manufactures rating or limit?  AzRon

[TheViking]

Ok how much wind is to much, before you start damaging your pup?
Is there a manufactures rating or limit? AzRon

I think they can take quite a bit.  I had a friend that had a Coleman PUP that had to tether down one side so it wouldn't blow over.  The canvas came out fine and no metal supports bent .

[GrizzlyTaco]

Ok how much wind is to much, before you start damaging your pup?
Is there a manufactures rating or limit?  AzRon

On our Maiden voyage we had to set up the PU in winds that were a constant 45 mph that lasted for over 24 hrs. Our PU came through it just fine, I didn't even try to set up the awning, i knew if i did that it would have wound up in Kansas...........Ed C.

[TheViking]

On our Maiden voyage we had to set up the PU in winds that were a constant 45 mph that lasted for over 24 hrs. Our PU came through it just fine, I didn't even try to set up the awning, i knew if i did that it would have wound up in Kansas...........Ed C.

That was some of the funniest camping stuff I've ever seen ED. The left side of my brain said..."You should go help him".  But the comedy section of my brain is in the right side. :J

[OC Campers]

We went to an RV show a couple weeks ago and ask a popup dealer this same question.  Since we do a lot of desert camping we were curious.  He said they would withstand pretty high winds (40-50ph) but after that it would be wise to pop the camper down.

Jacqui

[motoboss2002]

Same thing here. I asked the dealer when we got our pup and he pretty much said it would be OK in 40-50 mph winds, anything more he advised to fold.

Happy camping.

['tiredTeacher]

Same thing here. I asked the dealer when we got our pup and he pretty much said it would be OK in 40-50 mph winds, anything more he advised to fold.

Happy camping.

My experience is the folks inside fold before the pup does.
Mine made it fine in a summer microburst and subsequent thunderstorm. The storm tore down a dining canopy that was supported by six poles, a ridge pole and 10 guy lines.  Unfortunately I was under the dining canopy. :yikes:

[Used 2B PopUPTimes]

We've camped in big storms with high winds and they are certainly exciting. I've asked the mfrs about the best time to pop down and they all skirt the question for liability reasons. I guess someone was killed when their camper blew over and rolled a time or 2.

Your awning can turn into a big sail when the wind gets under it so I roll mine up if storms are forecasted. I'm also concerned with tree limbs falling and crashing through the bunks.

I met a guy who parks his van up-tight against the off door side to either block the wind or keep the camper from tipping backwards. Sounded like a good idea.

D.

[flyfisherman]

I've been caught in a couple/three different storms where I know the wind gusts were exceeding 50mph (that's what was published in the paper later) and the little Starcraft did some rock'in & roll'in but stayed in tack and did'nt leak a drop!

I should think there would be a point of "no return" in folding down the PU as the wind velocity increased. For example, I've set up the camper on a lake shore with a steady breeze coming in and the Starcraft will bellow right up full of air until I can get the door in place. Based on my past experience it's best to close everything up on the side(s) the wind is coming in from.

Seems some of us have to learn the awning "thing" the hard way. Back when the Starcraft was near new (the first season in use), had the camper set-up and the awning out when word came through the C/G that a weather "front" was coming our way and to expect some strong winds with it. Well, I lolly-gaged around about rolling up the awning when all at once the winds were there! I tried by myself to take the thing down when all at once a strong gust of wind jerked that awning right out of my hands and started to whip around and the awning rail punched a hole in the aluminum roof. Thank goodness for duct tape as that was the remedy for the hole until I could get back home and patch it correctly. Now, of course, I don't even think about putting the awning up until the weather and wind are on the placid side. And then, the awning is the first thing to be secured when there's any hint of strong winds coming our way!

But the bottom line is I think popups can take some strong winds. Afterall, that had to be a big consideration in their designing and engineering. Since mine is insured (have a policy added to my auto insurance just for the camper), and some real big, bad stuff was on the way I'd retreat to the C/G bath house and let nature take it's course.



Fly

[GrizzlyTaco]

That was some of the funniest camping stuff I've ever seen ED. The left side of my brain said..."You should go help him".  But the comedy section of my brain is in the right side. :J

Brian, I knew you would add something  about that trip :J

[Jaxx]

When I was a kid we camped on the beach in Texas. A storm came in with 70 mph winds. My parents didn't start evacuating us until the water was almost into the trailer. My dad carried us all the the Astro van and then put the PUP down. We were on an island, padre island I think , but I really am not sure. We slept in the van that night in a parking lot. Later my dad told me he was worried that we wouldn't make it off the beach because the water was so deep. He said the water elevated really quickly. Nothing was damaged. 73 venture trailer FTW!

[jstaddwtr]

My youngest daughter had a spring break and the rest of the family could not get free so we went together to Cape Hatteras for what we thought was going to be wonderful weather.   We set up and then realized the wind was coming so we took it down.   Thinking it was not going to be bad, we popped up again and the storm hit with what we later learned was 70 mile winds.   The A next to us lost his awning that broke free from the closed position and banged every part of his poor vehicle.  All the banging through the storm from the loose awning did not help our nerves.

We were getting scared but decided to lean from the inside on the windward posts. They seemed to be bending inward from the middle.    It felt like it lasted for hours but it was certainly a good hour of experienceing the water thrust through the zippers in small quantities.   All I kept thinking about was what a bad father I was for choosing to stay.....but my daughter and I held in tight and hoped it would be over.   The unit held together quite amazingly.  

When it was over many of the A's came over us talking of various damage and incedible shaking that they thought was going to send them over.  Everyone including me......was amazed at how well it all turned out.  Hermes, which we long ago named our PU held firm. he folks in the A's said that amid their shaking we looked steady.

I just kept thinking about all the comments I have read over the years and the pictures of crushed PU's!!!!    Of course, early in the morning we drove south until we found sun in Myrtle Beach.  I never slept much that night worrying about whether the wind was going to whip up again.   A very unreal but interesting spring break.