Hi all. Probably another newbie question, what prep, if any, do most carryout when the weather forecast is for rain,wind,hail thunder. Getting some in Shep 2morow
If yu feel comfortable where you are .. out of the wind .. not under trees .. people know where yu are and the circumstances that surround you, then I would stay in that location til you feel comfortable to move .. If you're are on a tight travel schedule, then dont make that your priority.
If you decide to move, then you must be sure that the location you move to is better than your current location .. not forgetting that you need to get there safely .. and don't just look about for a better spot if you cant get back to the one you're now familiar with ..
.. Mother Nature needs to be respected .. then you can love her !
I agree with Jonathon. Also, depending on the severity of the forcast weather
1. take in you awning- or tie it down really well 2. ensure anything that can blow around/away is tied or pegged down or stowed away 3. if it is REALLY bad, I have heard of folk tying down the van, but never done and not sure how to.
Not sure what I would do about the car if hail is on its way- but sure would try to protect against hail damage.
I've tied down my van in Broome but the sites had chains concreted into the slabs. The park people came around to ensure we were all secure. I used chains, shackles and turn buckles. With the tropical roof on the old on-site van I used cable and turn buckles from the roof beams to the chains in the slab. The old slide-on annexe had to be pulled down and stowed. I didn't hoard too much crap so I didn't have to stash that. In Cairns we were on cyclone watch a couple of times but they don't do any preparation there. They will get caught out one day. I was very surprised they don't help the tenants with cyclone preparation. We've had some hairy winds up to 100kph here in Adelaide in the last 2 weeks and I'm hoping it will take my severely aged awning so I can get another one. I have the awning legs pegged down to the ground and ropes pegged down from the roller or cross beams to the van. It's still there. You can't prepare for the sudden squally downpours and storms which surprise us from time to time. Even if it's forecast for your area you may go through all that preparation and it doesn't happen. Then the next time a storm is forecast yo do nothing you may get damage. That's life in a caravan, or in a house for that matter. If everything is well-maintained and secure to the best of your ability, you should be alright, except in the very, most extreme conditons which you can never be prepared for. Just roll the awning away and secure it, block the van wheels to minimise movement. If you still don't feel secure, find a nice pub to settle into for the day until the storm has passed then stagger home.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
When Cyclone Larry came through Innisfail, my friends in Malanda chained their caravan down with star pickets deep in the ground. There was damage elsewhere, but the Caravan was fine.
When a hail storm was predicted here recently, I went down the my local shopping centre so the car would be under cover, but I like the idea of going to the pub to wait it out CG!
My Caravan is stored at my daughters, so just had to hope for the best for it.
I actually bought a cover from Autobarn which is padded on top like the stuff they use on sunshades. It's to protect the your vehicle from hail damage, in particular. I've only used it once,,,damned hard to get it on by myself, and with pre-storm wind blowing.
Not much to add, except if you know the direction of the wind and you have time, move your van/motorhome so that it faces into the wind. Beats copping it broadside!
A pop-top should have its "lid" lowered and secured.
The forcast for Western NSW (we are in Cobar tonight) is for some strong winds tonight and tomorrow, there has been a few of these wind storms of late.