100 MPH gusts expected tonight while camping. What to do?

[Mike Lewis]

Greetings from Guadalupe Mountains National Park. I arrived this afternoon, unhitched, and parked my Tundra next to the trailer. Toward sundown a ranger came by and warned us of 100 MPH gusts, starting tonight at around midnight. He suggested I move the trailer to the opposite side of the parking lot in a more protected place. After mulling this over I did so. I put the stabilizer legs down and left the trailer hitched up. I have about 500 lbs of liquid in the holding tanks. The Tundra weighs three tons (!) Any recommendations?

 

[HABBERDABBER]

YIKES!
Not much you can do, other than try and weather the storm.
Folks in hurricane country have filled their parked boats with water to keep them from going airborne. That ain't possible or advised for you.
Got any stout rope to tie your rig or things down to a tree or other stationary object?

Good luck, and ......fair winds. You won't blow away, but may not get much sleep tonight.

It's a big, strong mid latitude cyclone hitting a good chunk of the country. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.

 

[Donna D.]

Make sure you're away from any trees and if possible point into the wind, rather than have it hit you broadside. Good luck!

 

[splitting_lanes]

Looking forward to your report in the morning, preferably from inside your trailer

 

[RambleOn]

Yes, sincerely, good luck!

 

[brroberts]

High wind warnings at that park are one place I don’t mess with. They can be very strong there. Last time we were there, we, and the whole rest of the parking lot, left. For us, it was a day earlier than our planned departure.

 

[Iowa Dave]

If you don’t have any rope you can buy heavy Ratchet straps or
Tow straps at many places and
Tie off to heavy steel posts if you can find any. Keep the straps low around the frames, axles etc. if you’re able to orient directly into the wind you can cover exposed glass with pink insulation foam and plenty of duct tape. I’ve been in 75 MPH and did ok with the 19 in Colorado once. You can set the brakes on the trailer with the breakaway switch pulled but might have a dead trailer battery if they are on too long.
Good luck
Iowa Dave

 

[Ron in BC]

If you don’t have any rope you can buy heavy Ratchet straps or
Tow straps at many places and
Tie off to heavy steel posts if you can find any. Keep the straps low around the frames, axles etc.

I was in Norway a few months ago in the North where high winds are the norm. They have ground anchors in RV camping places and lot's of trailers were strapped down. So, yes, any strapping down that you can do wouldn't hurt.

Good luck,

Ron

 

[brroberts]

The parking lot there does not have tie downs. It will be an uncomfortable night. My guess is, if nothing gets thrown into the trailer, it will be okay, but that’s a guess having been in strong winds a few times. There are no close places for supplies really. As I said, I would, and did, head for lower elevation and a better weather forecast, but it’s getting late to move now. It’s probably hunker down time.

 

[Iowa Dave]

I have successfully driven around big thunderstorms and also got caught in a few too.
Gotta do the best you can with what you have. Sometimes I wonder what I’m hauling that I never use and should leave behind. Then my inner Scoutmaster kicks in. I repeat
The Motto “Be Prepared” and quit thinking about the word jettison.
Iowa Dave

 

[GinoandLinda]

High wind warnings at that park are one place I don’t mess with. They can be very strong there. Last time we were there, we, and the whole rest of the parking lot, left. For us, it was a day earlier than our planned departure.

That Park is notorious for high winds. Be careful! Stay hitched. Hopefully you made it through the night the best you could.

 

[WillyB]

We’re up by White Sands but haven’t had nearly that bad of wind. 50+ gust.

Hopefully had a chance to rest last night.

 

[alanmalk]

I drove thru the Pecos, TX area 10 days ago in a 65 mph cross wind. It was most unpleasant but other than having to drive at 45 mph on the 75 mph roads, had no real issues. I did intentionally fill the grey tank since I believe it is located close to the axels. Also had about half a tank of fresh for more mass.

 

[GinoandLinda]

We’re up by White Sands but haven’t had nearly that bad of wind. 50+ gust.

Hopefully had a chance to rest last night.

Are you at Oliver Lee State Park near Alamogordo? Love that park.

 

[Mike Lewis]

Well, I survived the night. I haven't been outside yet but I don't anticipate any damage. I think I'll abandon Guadalupe Mountains and head to my next stop, which is Alamogordo, NM.

 

[brroberts]

It’s a great place to hike when it’s nice, but when it’s not nice, it’s really not nice. Good to hear all is well.

 

[Treblemaker]

Glad to hear you made it without damage! We were in the Roswell, NM, area and moved to Elephant Butte State Park due to the forecast-we had a day’s warning. Windy here, gusts to 50 mph, but manageable. We are headed to Oliver Lee Memorial in Alamagordo next Monday.

 

[GinoandLinda]

Oliver Lee Memorial SP was one of our favorite winter haunts when we lived in New Mexico. It consistently has some of the best sunsets in the southwest thanks to prevailing winds out of the south, pushing the smog from El Paso up the Rio Grande valley west of the park on the west side of the Organ Mountains.

 

[Donna D.]

Oliver Lee Memorial SP was one of our favorite winter haunts when we lived in New Mexico. It consistently has some of the best sunsets in the southwest thanks to prevailing winds out of the south, pushing the smog from El Paso up the Rio Grande valley west of the park on the west side of the Organ Mountains.View attachment 978379View attachment 978378

Ooooh, I'm going to New Mexico for my big trip in 2026. What's the site number?

 

[GinoandLinda]

Ooooh, I'm going to New Mexico for my big trip in 2026. What's the site number?

Sites 12-19 and 35-44 all have clear unobstructed views, but they are all non-electric. That said, it's an easy walk around the park, so plenty of opportunities to catch a sunset.