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Old 10-07-2011, 05:08 PM   #1
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A Rig for Extreme Towing

We came down from Colorado to New Mexico yesterday and encountered a 50 + mph crosswinds on State Highway 17 between Antonito and Alamosa.
This highway runs just west of the Great Sand Dunes National Monument.
I wondered how the dunes in the Monument were formed and now I know. The wind generated a huge dust storm. Visability was barely adequate to drive safely. When the wind hits the mountains just east of the dunes and slows as it is pushed up, it drops all that dust it is carrying and forms the dunes.
The crosswind generated extreme towing conditions. My streamlined Airstream and big, old, stiff springed diesel Excursion pushed right through it, tracking straight as an arrow with the steering wheel pointed straight ahead. I would have been stranded by the side of the road with an average rig.
Consider overkill with your rig if you are going to tow a lot of miles in all conditions.
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Old 10-07-2011, 05:26 PM   #2
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I agree!
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Old 10-07-2011, 06:21 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handn View Post
Consider overkill with your rig if you are going to tow a lot of miles in all conditions.
Or, consider a Hensley or ProPride hitch. A number of years ago we were in a sandstorm in the Mojave (pitted the finish on the Airstream) and our Hensley kept us "arrow"-straight (sorry about the pun) while motor homes and big-rig trucks were swerving all over.

Tim
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Old 10-07-2011, 06:39 PM   #4
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Living and towing around the Great Lakes it always seems as though we are dealing with a cross or head wind.
We thank our lucky stars for having a very aerodynamic combo that reduces the wind effects to a mere wimper.
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Old 10-07-2011, 06:44 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handn View Post
We came down from Colorado to New Mexico yesterday and encountered a 50 + mph crosswinds on State Highway 17 between Antonito and Alamosa.
This highway runs just west of the Great Sand Dunes National Monument.
I wondered how the dunes in the Monument were formed and now I know. The wind generated a huge dust storm. Visability was barely adequate to drive safely. When the wind hits the mountains just east of the dunes and slows as it is pushed up, it drops all that dust it is carrying and forms the dunes.
The crosswind generated extreme towing conditions. My streamlined Airstream and big, old, stiff springed diesel Excursion pushed right through it, tracking straight as an arrow with the steering wheel pointed straight ahead. I would have been stranded by the side of the road with an average rig.
Consider overkill with your rig if you are going to tow a lot of miles in all conditions.
TEHO....

Is it me or is it getting hot in here?

Bob
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Old 10-07-2011, 06:45 PM   #6
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We hit the same winds coming from Antonito to Alamosa on 285 and our Tundra with Equalizer hitch towed straight. When we got out the the truck, we were blown around and I could hardly open the truck door. Gusts were 53 at that time.

Several years ago we were going east on I-70 in a snowstorm in eastern Colorado with strong crosswind and even on wet snow, no problems except the anxiety that goes with such weather. The road was so slick large trucks couldn't make the small hills of the plains, but we just kept going.

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Old 10-07-2011, 06:47 PM   #7
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TEHO....

Is it me or is it getting hot in here?

Bob
TEHO means many things: teho - Google Search

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Old 10-07-2011, 07:03 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim A. View Post
Or, consider a Hensley or ProPride hitch. A number of years ago we were in a sandstorm in the Mojave (pitted the finish on the Airstream) and our Hensley kept us "arrow"-straight (sorry about the pun) while motor homes and big-rig trucks were swerving all over.

Tim
Ditto, I've been in high cross winds with my X5/Hensley/ASCL 31' without any affect.
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Old 10-08-2011, 05:18 AM   #9
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Thumbs up

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TEHO means many things: teho - Google Search

Gene
Gene,

I was on my Big Wheel toeing the Radio Flyer being chased by a Great Dane...handled like a dream.

End of tail...

I've always been a hobo...

Bob
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Old 10-08-2011, 06:13 AM   #10
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I was wondering about the comparative costs of just stopping for the day for that one storm that year, vs. the cost of driving and feeding the overkill truck for the other 364 days of it....

but then I'm a cheap SOB...
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Old 10-08-2011, 06:20 AM   #11
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We had the same winds that day driving from Cortez, CO to Gallup, NM. When we stopped just south of Shiprock to walk the dogs the wind was unbelievable. The Tundra with the Reese hitch did just fine.
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Old 10-08-2011, 06:40 AM   #12
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Bob -

Thanks for that visual image of you on your big wheel. Our oldest son (always in some sort of mischief) did something just like that. Can just picture him on the sidewalk in front of our house...sunglasses and all.

BTW Gene IMHO the most common meaning of TEHO is: "to each his own." But Bob will need to confirm that.
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Old 10-08-2011, 07:12 AM   #13
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Bob -

Thanks for that visual image of you on your big wheel. Our oldest son (always in some sort of mischief) did something just like that. Can just picture him on the sidewalk in front of our house...sunglasses and all.

BTW Gene IMHO the most common meaning of TEHO is: "to each his own." But Bob will need to confirm that.
TT

Hobo's....."tail end hop off"

Bob
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Old 10-08-2011, 07:53 AM   #14
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Does an air cleaner for a big diesel cost more or less about the same as a night in a KOA?
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Old 10-08-2011, 08:28 AM   #15
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Hmmm, and I thought our Ridgeline does great in the crosswind.
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Old 10-08-2011, 08:35 AM   #16
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Let's see . . . if I were heading into extreme crosswind conditions, I should have one of the least aerodynamic passenger vehicles I can find . . .

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Old 10-08-2011, 11:27 AM   #17
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Nothing quite like a trip from SoCal to AZ when the Santa Ana winds are blowing at full force!
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Old 10-08-2011, 11:40 AM   #18
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I agree with the excursion. Very stable in rough conditions. Most of the 250/2500 trucks handle well in bad conditions.
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Old 10-08-2011, 06:57 PM   #19
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I don't disagree with the Excursion (much), but have certainly not been left alongside the road with our Tundra either in some really serious conditions. I think some major credit here is also due to our Airstreams' ability in these conditions.

My greatest concern is at what point does the crosswind suddenly overcome the resistance of our rig. I'm fairly new at Airstreams; the only fellow I know personally who lost the whole rig (everything blew over) was pulling his Airstream with an F250 diesel, two years ago in Arizona.

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Old 10-08-2011, 07:08 PM   #20
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Quote:
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Does an air cleaner for a big diesel cost more or less about the same as a night in a KOA?
Excellent point, and my big worry down here when we run into the winds and dust; accidents are also dime a dozen (and deadly) in those storms. Find a spot to pull over, open a bottle of (your choice) and ride it out. Interstate 10 between Tucson and Phoenix is a case in point.
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