Is it better to be heavy (loaded) or light in windy conditions?

I pulled doubles and the old hands swore it was better to loaded than empty in those conditions.

I never really figured it out - I was so psyched out by the question.

I do remember crossing Wyoming and getting thrown into the hammer lane by the wind. Just luck, no one was there - they would have been wiped into the grassy median. The entire truck 'scrubbed' into the opposite lane - the steering wheel never moved :shock:. Blue skies, middle of the afternoon, no noticeable wind, until that incident.

Some guys in a 4-wheeler that saw it happen passed me with dropped-jaws and eyes as big as pancakes. Crazy.

 

From My Experience, It is better to be Loaded. I drove a Dry Van, and like I stated befor, west Tx is the worst place I have driven when it comes to winds.. I have seen unloaded or light loaded trailers in the other lane, while the tractor in it's lane.

But to tell the truth I only have 2 years under my belt, would have more but was injured. So there are a many more qualified drivers on this board that can give better advice than I.

 

Figure, if you're pulling a dry van, the surface area of the rig is the same, loaded or empty.

So, a 32,000 lb empty tractor-trailer is affected by the wind with the EXACT SAME FORCE as an 80,000 lb fully loaded one is.

the difference is the loaded one has more weight to be acted upon by the wind, so it will react less and hold it's line better.

You want to be HEAVY in windy conditions!

 

Dumb question.....Are empty flatbeds or flatbeds with low center of gravity loads subject to the same abuse the wind dishes out as a regular van trailer?

I would THINK the flatbed would be better off in the wind. :?:

EDITED: UNLESS of course, the wind scoops up underneath the trailer, and lifts it straight up into the air/into the other lane. WHOA!! :shock:

 

I tick a lot of drivers off in high wind. Going through Montana about 2 months ago the cb weather band said winds of 40-is, with gusts much higher. Lot of crap talking on the CB. What they don't realize is my trailer (moving van) has a dop deck and belly boxes, so very little (if any) wind can pass underneath. Slowing down makes you havier, per se.

Always listen to the weather band and tough it out if its moderate or park if its dangerous. Oklahoma is a bad place for rogue winds that can sneak up on you. Like GMan said, the west is notorious for gusts that are sudden and unexpected. if you fight a gust too hard you are a recipe for a roll over.

 

The difference between loaded or empty? That's easy.

Look at the difference between a baloon and a rock in the wind. It's a bit more exagerated, but the same effect.

 

Okay this may be stupid question and Not to belittle the size of a rig ...but I guess it is much the same as handling A high center of gravity vehical ...like a Jeep or SUV ...too much compensations sets you up and cases a whiplash or fishtail effect ???

Shawn

 

Its kinda like being 200lbs and a 300lb guy is trying to push you over. Its better to go the opposite direction and get away or else the inevitable will happen.

 

Anyone know how an empty and a loaded tanker handle in high winds (30mph) and above do they handle better than a box??

 

I don't think you'll have issues in wind with a tanker cause the wind should go around the trailer. Atleast that is what I've heard from a tanker driver and thought it was interesting myself.