2023-08-14 14:01:01
When exiting tunnels, when overtaking trucks or when passing in front of large buildings, the force of the wind can appear unexpectedly. These are common situations that can cause mishaps on the road.
If we also travel with cargo on the roof, use a roof rack to carry utensils, or tow a trailer or caravan, we must be especially careful because a gust of wind can scare us.
In fact, the DGT remember that the best way to break the aerodynamics of a car is by placing a roof rack or a trunk on the roof. In the traditional roof rack, objects are usually loaded without order or concert, greatly affecting aerodynamics. And this is not good on a day of strong wind. Not only because said roof rack flies off when it does not support the pressure, but also because that appendage with a strong crosswind can make driving dangerous and very delicate.
You also have to pay special attention if you have a caravan. Special care must be taken when driving when gusts of side wind blow because if they are generally dangerous, their effect is increased when towing a trailer. Passing a truck in a crosswind can cause a drift, as the car may be sheltered from the wind by the truck, but the trailer may not.
On days of strong wind, it would be better not to go out on the road towing a trailer or a caravan, since the stability of the whole could be seriously affected. But if there is no other remedy, the first decision that should be made is to reduce speed and often monitor the movements of that appendage that we are dragging through the rear-view mirrors. However, if you usually move with a trailer or caravan, you should know that many brands already include trailer stability control as an option.
On days of strong wind, it would be better not to hit the road pulling a trailer or FP caravan
Adding a trailer to our vehicle is a good option if we need to expand the cargo space or transport a caravan or some other bulky item. These systems, designed to be towed by a motor vehicle, allow those extra packages that do not fit in the vehicle to be loaded. To use a trailer you have to follow a few simple steps that will allow you to do it safely and legally.
When buying a trailer we must make sure that it is approved and that we are given the ITV card for the trailer after the purchase. The installation of a coupling system is a reform, that is, a modification of the elements of the vehicle. Therefore, when doing so, we have a period of 15 days to verify and legalize the reform. This legalization, carried out in a Technical Vehicle Inspection center, will appear on the back of the ITV card of the modified towing vehicle.
driving with wind
On windy days, it is necessary to hold the steering wheel firmly, be especially careful when overtaking a truck at the exit of a tunnel and be alert to gusts of wind, either by looking at the vegetation or at the flags or windsocks to find out your address.
With strong gusts of wind, it is best to hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands, not get lost for a moment and do not make sudden movements, since the wind can multiply the reaction of the car and move it against the vehicles that surround us.
With a strong gusty wind you have to slow down to be able to control the car in the face of a strong gust. But there is more, because if the wind is in our favour, it will be very easy to exceed the limited speed, so we will have to drive very carefully.
Overtaking a truck in gusty winds requires a simple but highly effective technique. The screen effect occurs more often in these situations and you have to be prepared. The solution is to keep light pressure on the steering wheel against the direction of the wind when you finish passing the truck to avoid this effect.
A good idea to drive with some advantage against a strong wind is to look in the direction that the wind is taking. To do this, it will be necessary to look at the vegetation, flags or usual windsocks in the areas most prone to these episodes. In this way, we will know where it is coming from and its intensity, which will allow us to be prepared.
Together with the trucks, they are another of the “obstacles” that hide the true force of the wind… until we overcome them. At that moment, when the so-called screen effect disappears, we must be prepared for a strong push that we will try to counteract with a gentle pressure on the steering wheel against the direction of the wind.
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