A'van Caught in High Wind

A'van Caught in High Wind

Just back from a trip to Carnarvon Gorge.

Put the van up in the back yard a couple of days before we were to leave. Went to bed and slept very soundly. So when the 170km hour wind hit we slept right through. In the morning Gerda said " I see you put the van down". Then I knew there was something wrong. Rang insurance co and Camden Caravans. Camden Caravans came down and picked it up on the Monday morning. I asked if they had anything we could take away. Brian said leave it to him for a couple of hours. In that time he had found an older A'van for us to take. It wasn't quite as new and as good as ours, but we got picked it up on the Monday and got away on the Tuesday. They are still deciding whether to fix it in Camden or send it to Melbourne and replace a side.

Brian and Gerda Keast

Thanks for the very graphic photo Brian and Gerda. Well you couldn't get better service than that from any dealer and it certainly makes you glad you bought an A'van! Don't think there would be a van made in Australia that could withstand a wind of 170kph! Thank heavens you two weren't asleep in there. Definitely a lottery ticket job!

Bob Eustace

More High Wind Tips

Poptop and A-Frame camper owners should be acutely aware of the dangers of high winds, particularly during erection and pull down. The photo above graphically illustrates what can happen in sudden gusts during pull down, erection or even just standing there as happened in this case. Dangerous windy areas are mostly signed, and the worse ones, such as high bridges and high ridges, usually have a wind sock mounted on a pole. We have found the most dangerous areas to be exposed headlands jutting out into the ocean, as the wind continually changes direction. We saw a fellow camper blown out the door whilst lowering an A-Frame camper. A nasty spot in Sydney is emerging from behind a pylon on the Harbour Bridge. We avoid using the outside bridge lanes when towing. The Gateway Bridge in Brisbane is another potentially very hairy spot but they do vary the speed limits to suite the conditions and have thoughtfully provided a wind sock! So whenever you see a wind sock best proceed with caution and try to stay in the kerbside lane.