Just to get back on thread, one of my first jobs on artics was pulling 40’ single axle with the axle on the arse end, step frame foam carrier box vans. They were evil bloody things in strong winds, your unit traveled in the nearside lane with trailer in middle lane 
A few blew over on a regular basis, luckily I never did. One of the old hands that never blew over used to tell me not to slow down but keep the foot to the floor, he was either correct or had just been lucky.
They sorted the problem in an unusual way, they actually paved the trailer floor from front to back, none blew over again 
The looks on peoples faces when you opened the back doors, and they saw paving stones was a picture.
robroy:
Just to get back on thread, one of my first jobs on artics was pulling 40’ single axle with the axle on the arse end, step frame foam carrier box vans. They were evil bloody things in strong winds, your unit traveled in the nearside lane with trailer in middle lane
A few blew over on a regular basis, luckily I never did. One of the old hands that never blew over used to tell me not to slow down but keep the foot to the floor, he was either correct or had just been lucky.
They sorted the problem in an unusual way, they actually paved the trailer floor from front to back, none blew over again
The looks on peoples faces when you opened the back doors, and they saw paving stones was a picture.
J Mac A King in Ripponden used to run big furniture vans on foam in the 60s. After a couple went over on the A1 in N.Yorks they put a layer of concrete on the floor.
Regards. John.
If running empty I’d rather take a decker than a standard tandem in a wind, 3 axles and deck on the floor makes them more stable
Contraflow:
This thread ain’t going too well for you Conor.
You’ve got no fans.Time to bring in another one of your usernames perhaps? Can you bring Chas back? You were comedy gold posting under that name.
not bin on tn very long but i have to say reading contraflows posts jf he stod 4 minester of transport i will vote 4 him happy new year all rod 
I had one or two arse clenching moments when driving a wagon an drag for Alstons of Ipswich, but it wasn’t my superior driving skills that got me thru but sheer bloody good luck, but then my name aint Co…
Taking yer sheet off on a Bulker in the wind is fun. NOT 
Contra flow is one of my favourite posters on here. Just has funny bones.
Anybody any probs up Scotch last week, I’m sure that I heard on radio that in some parts it was the strongest winds on record in the UK.
robroy:
Anybody any probs up Scotch last week, I’m sure that I heard on radio that in some parts it was the strongest winds on record in the UK.
A9 Perth to Dunblane was a wee bit blowy. Down to 30mph with an empty decker and guys still overtaking me. I would rather get there 10 mins later than not at all.
M9s hermes motor jackknifed on hard shoulder.
M&H motor hit a falling tree and smashed the windscreen.
Lots of fallen trees half blocking the roads. Over all though, I didnt see much in the way of carnage.
Driving down the A1 on Friday night with 12 ton of Scania parts, was still getting blown all over the road.
we have a terrible forecast tomorrow on wards for upto 80mph winds i do not like strong winds, just a question will they blown you over with say 18 tonne on the back of a class 1 curtain side trailer.
sweeper1gg:
we have a terrible forecast tomorrow on wards for upto 80mph winds i do not like strong winds, just a question will they blown you over with say 18 tonne on the back of a class 1 curtain side trailer.
18 ton? I don’t think so but I would take it slow. I’m off to Manchester tomorrow so I’m the M62 which I’m not forward too.
sweeper1gg:
we have a terrible forecast tomorrow on wards for upto 80mph winds i do not like strong winds, just a question will they blown you over with say 18 tonne on the back of a class 1 curtain side trailer.
Absolutely. They’ve blown over fully laden 44 tonners with containers on the back. Weight isn’t going to save you because the force being applied by the wind to the surface area of the vehicle can be quite serious.
Conor:
sweeper1gg:
we have a terrible forecast tomorrow on wards for upto 80mph winds i do not like strong winds, just a question will they blown you over with say 18 tonne on the back of a class 1 curtain side trailer.Absolutely. They’ve blown over fully laden 44 tonners with containers on the back. Weight isn’t going to save you because the force being applied by the wind to the surface area of the vehicle can be quite serious.
Well the wagons which ended up on their sides on the A1, M6 and A74 had more than 18 tonnes on the back.
sweeper1gg:
:shock:Conor:
sweeper1gg:
we have a terrible forecast tomorrow on wards for upto 80mph winds i do not like strong winds, just a question will they blown you over with say 18 tonne on the back of a class 1 curtain side trailer.Absolutely. They’ve blown over fully laden 44 tonners with containers on the back. Weight isn’t going to save you because the force being applied by the wind to the surface area of the vehicle can be quite serious.
I assume your wide eyes are because you’ve learnt something new.
sweeper1gg:
we have a terrible forecast tomorrow on wards for upto 80mph winds i do not like strong winds, just a question will they blown you over with say 18 tonne on the back of a class 1 curtain side trailer.
Afraid so but there is a few things you can do to reduce the possibility.
As I’m a crap driver these are just from my experience others may know better.
1st and most importantly its always in your hand to proceed or decide to wait it out, ignore any pressures or delivery times.
Get those curtains as tight as possible, both hands on wheel, CC off, be aware of overtaking heroes, watch whats happening around you (wind direction etc), watch other vehicles ahead, be aware of sudden powerfull gusts, don’t fight the wind to hard be flexible within reason (not 2 lanes of carriageway though), avoid any sudden panic corrections, watch your speed (although there is an argument for just going full pelt I prefer to ease off slightly), look out for sudden exposed stretches (no trees etc), also watch out for flying debris (not much you can do but duck really.
Basically 80mph on the bumtwitch scale is puckered up quite firmly.
Wind is unpredictable the only thing you can know for sure is its going to be a challenge.
At the risk of being accused of trying to teach you guys to ■■■■ eggs
I look out for gaps in the buildings, landscape, trees, long valleys where the wind can be funneled M74 at Elvanfoot where the wind is funneled by the Dalveen Pass or further up near Douglas, exposed stretches of road - hill tops, bridges…
Trees, spray and debris can give me an idea of the true direction of the wind
Head/tail winds don’t seem to be much of a problem, most, but not all, of the outfits I’ve seen on their side seem to have been on a bend turning towards a crosswind (i.e. bottom of hill at Junction 38 on the M6)
I always keep the driver window open at least a little bit so I can hear what’s happening and any changes. If conditions are tricky the radio is OFF
I’m always prepared to back off and let the heroes get on with it. Not had to yet but wouldn’t be afraid to park up if I felt it necessary. Changes of sound from the wheels can indicate black ice and other conditions which can affect traction.
Use ‘feel’ a lot to tell me if something has changed, the vibrations coming up through the floor, seat and steering wheel.
Sorry if that sounds like being holier than thou but its just what I do
Unlock your doors.
If it does go over, I’d like to know someone can get in to help me if needed…
Was windy Friday night but very warm then wind turned Saturday and very cold with abit of snow! 
UPTO 110 mph up Scotland! 
puts hairs on your chest!