I’m a relative novice in this industry, the last time I drove in high winds was storm Barbara last year. Apparently Ciara is going to be the strongest yet, so I was wondering what tips you guys have?
I drive fridges so are they much less likely to be affected?
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If you think its not safe enough then don’t go. Your boss will blame you if the wagon goes over.
Worst wagons in high winds are tauts, especially empty ones, 16’ tauts are a complete nightmare, again even more-so if empty, even high sided rigids are a mare !
If you’re loaded , make sure the curtains and ratchets are tight. whilst driving be prepared for the buffeting especially when passing under bridges into an open area;
Make sure you are in control of the vehicle, might sound stupid but, both hands on the wheel . Complete control !
Failing that , if you feel like a complete snowflake, sorry only jesting, if not sure , park it up and call the transport office .
stuwozere1:
I’m a relative novice in this industry, the last time I drove in high winds was storm Barbara last year. Apparently Ciara is going to be the strongest yet, so I was wondering what tips you guys have?
I drive fridges so are they much less likely to be affected?
No way will it be as bad as the 1987 storm.I was driving over the M4 Heathrow junction flyover during the height of that with a box trailer full of empty cages.If you feel it lifting whichever side steer to the opposite side.Whatever you do don’t steer into it is the best advice I can think of. 
Radar19:
If you think its not safe enough then don’t go. Your boss will blame you if the wagon goes over.
Youll also get blamed if youre late anywhere.
pierrot 14:
if not sure , park it up and call the transport office
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Not everywhere listens to drivers unfortunately, in spite of the massive amounts of money they pay us as professionals, (pause for laughter), so pass the buck.
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Few years back when we had an unprecedented red weather warning for snow. Our transport office let see how it develops, inevitably all our truck got stuck some for 2 days. I’m due to take empty trailer over Shap tmrw to pick up a load in Liverpool 
stuwozere1:
I’m a relative novice in this industry, the last time I drove in high winds was storm Barbara last year. Apparently Ciara is going to be the strongest yet, so I was wondering what tips you guys have?
I drive fridges so are they much less likely to be affected?Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk
You should be fine pulling a fridge, as stated both hands on the wheel and just watch the trees or lorries in front to try and predict any extra strong wind gusts.
pierrot 14:
Worst wagons in high winds are tauts, especially empty ones, 16’ tauts are a complete nightmare, again even more-so if empty, even high sided rigids are a mare !
If you’re loaded , make sure the curtains and ratchets are tight. whilst driving be prepared for the buffeting especially when passing under bridges into an open area;
Make sure you are in control of the vehicle, might sound stupid but, both hands on the wheel . Complete control !
Failing that , if you feel like a complete snowflake, sorry only jesting, if not sure , park it up and call the transport office .
The op said that he drives fridges.■■?
Empty fridge not invincible either. I think these two last year were box vans. youtu.be/aBkPD9xVD7A
I think the forecast is wind from the south till lunchtime and then from the west thereafter so if I were empty on a very exposed road tomorrow and meeting that wind broadside I’d be taking it steady if getting pushed about and in the unlikely event she was getting too unstable I’d be parking it for an hour or two.
My biggest worry in bad wind is getting slammed by a trailer door. youtu.be/lVXfyJ8xne8
Damaging the cab door by letting the wind catch it or the wind whipping something out of the cab might upset me too but not as bad a a trailer door wipe out.
In extreme circumstances like the following video I reckon they should have faced the wagon against the wind when they were in big trouble but a few pallets of ballast could have got them home safely too when they were empty.
youtu.be/uOwbbsgaRaQ
mjallby:
Few years back when we had an unprecedented red weather warning for snow. Our transport office let see how it develops, inevitably all our truck got stuck some for 2 days. I’m due to take empty trailer over Shap tmrw to pick up a load in Liverpool
Possibly same one I got stuck.in. work decide be a good idea send me from Manchester to Aberdeen…
Despite red warning don’t drive unless necessary.
What should been 2 days took 3. Got snow.bound on the m8 over night.And just to make things worse was taking window frames to buliding site on the Aberdeen coast site was shut down no one there due to.high winds. So had bring them.all back
Tail lift drops - are going to be a barrel of laughs in this wind… 
“Wrong kind of Trampline” on the track near Sevenoaks…
Like that, shorting out the live rail and the main rail - the metal bit will end up welded to the track, and cutting the power along that entire stretch.
No danger of it being hit by a “passing train” then…! 
It’s just blown the felt off of a shed roof next door. That’s it, no way am I taking a death dealing killing machine out in this.
Picked up loaded trailer in Eastleigh with 18t on then headed to Aberdare
After 3 bad gusts which blew the truck off course I turned around at Swindon and went back to Eastleigh as I would have been coming back empty going through Bristol around 12pm [emoji44]
Now back in yard having a split rest before running with tomorrow’s work
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If it continues, going over Orwell bridge tomorrow with a 16’2” decker would be interesting. As I normally come off the A14 at junction 57 and head for the ransoms park area near the car compound. As I’m not familiar with the routes through Ipswich can anyone tell me the alternative route that avoids the Orwell crossing
nothing will prevent me getting to the pub on my mobility scooter, the garden fence has turned into matchwood the kids bedrooms are leaking and the Hull Ferry cannot dock, but there is beer to be drunk.
peirre:
If it continues, going over Orwell bridge tomorrow with a 16’2” decker would be interesting. As I normally come off the A14 at junction 57 and head for the ransoms park area near the car compound. As I’m not familiar with the routes through Ipswich can anyone tell me the alternative route that avoids the Orwell crossing
Already been closed as Traffic England is showing it shut
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Around Yorkshire…Tinsley Viaduct, River Ouse, Humber Bridge and Tees viaduct all closed to high sided vehicles
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the maoster:
It’s just blown the felt off of a shed roof next door. That’s it, no way am I taking a death dealing killing machine out in this.
My neighbours doormat has been folded clean in half outside their front door.
I’m staying in, cant risk tripping over…
i did a wee 400 mile belfast to paddyland drop and swap last night.
cruise control off,two hands on the wheel,and no playing with phones,microwave ,vidoes,tinterweb or general amusement.
fixed 1000 yard stare,and bumhole twitching like a rabbits nostril.
quite a few moments of a muttered " jeeeeessssussssss ,ferkinell,christ on a bike,and other spontanious verbals.
job done,but deffo a nights work instead of a nights passing the time and getting paid for it.
if your a driver,then you use your skill initiative and dare i say professionalism? ,
you decide yourself,and you decide what to do regarding traffic offices.
if your a steering wheel attendant new generation automatic only snowflake,then you do as your told by the office as your paid from the neck down.