Safe to Travel ?

[USMCJS]

We are sitting in Hays Kansas after a stormy night. Today winds are 25 mph sustained with potential gusts up to 45 or 50 mph going West on I-70. I am pulling a 17b with a 2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (not the Grand Cherokee ). Should I sit still or try to move West in this wind ? I have an older Reese hitch and stabelizer which seems to hold it steady in normal conditions.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by USMCJS

We are sitting in Hays Kansas after a stormy night. Today winds are 25 mph sustained with potential gusts up to 45 or 50 mph going West on I-70. I am pulling a 17b with a 2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (not the Grand Cherokee ). Should I sit still or try to move West in this wind ? I have an older Reese hitch and stabelizer which seems to hold it steady in normal conditions.

Hi: USMCJS... If you stay off I70 maybe you can find a nice "Windy" road. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[cpaharley2008]

It depends on your own comfort level, if uncomfortable then hunker down for a day, the weather changes by the hours.....

[Treblemaker]

If I70 feels too windy with truck traffic and high winds, and depending on your destination, you might consider south on 183 then west on 83 through Scott City, then 287 north to Eads. Haven’t been on that road in 3 years but last time we were it was a good road.

[HarleyD]

Originally Posted by USMCJS

We are sitting in Hays Kansas after a stormy night. Today winds are 25 mph sustained with potential gusts up to 45 or 50 mph going West on I-70. I am pulling a 17b with a 2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (not the Grand Cherokee ). Should I sit still or try to move West in this wind ? I have an older Reese hitch and stabelizer which seems to hold it steady in normal conditions.

As you head west it will get better. It is 45 and calm here in Lakewood, west suburb of Denver. Kansas is known for winds. Both of my parents were born and raised in western Kansas near Prairie View, and we spent many a nights in Grandparents root and canned goods cellars. This storm was here last evening and it is headed east, may be past you by now.

[Bobbie54]

I’d sit it out. The gusts are what will get you. It isn’t fun driving, it kills your gas mileage, too. Not worth it when you have a cozy place to sit it out.

[reetired]

Sit….it out! What’s the hurry? On 80 thru NV and windy Wyoming..we watched the truckers…once they went, we did. Then we got down the road a bit…and saw a stick trailer in one thousand pieces!

All about your comfort level…but you have no control of others sharing the road with you! Be safe!

[Iowa Dave]

I have driven around big storms. I’ve stopped early to let a storm pass in front of me, and especially spent several hours in truck stops waiting for wind to subside, heavy rain to stop and most importantly, waiting for plows to clean and surface treat the road ahead. It’s better than having to pull over, be a setting duck while being stopped because of a wreck ahead and sliding into the ditch. Don’t be in a hurry, make something warm to drink, eat some comfort food and as Bob Denver used to say “Unlax”. There’s no such thing as a bad road driving hero.
Iowa Dave

[Ian and Sue]

Originally Posted by USMCJS

We are sitting in Hays Kansas after a stormy night. Today winds are 25 mph sustained with potential gusts up to 45 or 50 mph going West on I-70. I am pulling a 17b with a 2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (not the Grand Cherokee ). Should I sit still or try to move West in this wind ? I have an older Reese hitch and stabelizer which seems to hold it steady in normal conditions.

Ah yes Kansas and powerful cross winds! If you have to go look around are the trucks staying put? If yes then don't go! If the trucks are going then you probably will be ok but stay put if you have the time...find a local diner where the waitress calls you "hon" and enjoy the good food! Saw a couple at a rest stop in Kansas that was driving a winnebago sprinter van and he was visibly shaking thinking he was going to tip over. Our Scamp 5th wheel handled it no problem although our gas mileage was terrible. This was the only time I had to use the emergency 5 gal can in the back of the truck...we ran out and had to dump in the emergency stash to get to the next exit with gas.

[TTMartin]

Originally Posted by USMCJS

We are sitting in Hays Kansas after a stormy night. Today winds are 25 mph sustained with potential gusts up to 45 or 50 mph going West on I-70. I am pulling a 17b with a 2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (not the Grand Cherokee ). Should I sit still or try to move West in this wind ? I have an older Reese hitch and stabelizer which seems to hold it steady in normal conditions.

According to Google the tow rating on your vehicle is 2000 lbs. So, in reality you're never towing safely.