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High winds, any problems?


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#1 bike4mee

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Posted 11 January 2019 - 10:43 PM

I've recently returned from a month long baja trip with my 4wc Kestral on a 03 tundra. It was fantastic down there. It is nice to have the peace of mind getting down on the playa (beaches) with 4wd to get you out. There is a lot of sprinter vans these days. We helped dig a few of these guys out.

My question is; what is the wind velocity max that the popped up 4wc can take? We were in 40mph winds on the beach many of the days with no problems. Anybody ever heard of a 4wc having wind collapse problems? What would be the weak point? What would be the best orientation into the wind?

 

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#2 Bjammin

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Posted 11 January 2019 - 10:52 PM

We've only been in the wind speed you've listed, but I know that more than one FWC owner has reported accidentally driving down the freeway fully deployed with no problems, so perhaps 70 MPH winds could be the topper?


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#3 Alley-Kat

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Posted 11 January 2019 - 10:52 PM

The classic case is the driver on Hwy 395 going north bound at 65 mph against a 40 mph head wind with the top up.

I can't count how many times I've seen both FWC and ATC owners do that.

With me going south bound leaning out the driver's window pointing alternative to my roof and their roof, to no avail.

The roof stayed up for as long as I could see them approaching me and then as they disappeared in my rear view window.


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#4 buckland

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Posted 11 January 2019 - 10:54 PM

Nice photos! Where was that? We have had the 2011 Eagle in winds up to 40 + Mph as well all a-ok. if it is possible (in the woods near a lake hard to orient the truck where one wants) on a beach setting I would try to orient it to either of the front two corners so a "V" positioning offering a rear door easy opening, a shelter area and a cleave to there brunt of the wind. takes the stress off the panel and stop the broadside shake.


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#5 bike4mee

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Posted 11 January 2019 - 10:57 PM

Nomading on the sea of Cortez, baja


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#6 buckland

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Posted 11 January 2019 - 11:00 PM

Lucky dawg.... 


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2016 Duramax 2.8 Diesel long bed Colorado 4WD with 2011 Eagle

Lordwoodcraft  instagram        Rob
The only people who ever get anyplace interesting are the people who get lost.
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"Work to achieve not to acquire"

 


#7 ski3pin

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Posted 11 January 2019 - 11:05 PM

Since this question comes up time and time again, perhaps a FWC owner would conduct an experiment to find that elusive failure point owners are seeking to know? :)

 

I have only read here about owners growing concerned during strong winds, some dropping the top to possibly prevent damage. I don't remember anyone reporting an actual failure or damage.


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#8 Vic Harder

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Posted 11 January 2019 - 11:20 PM

I've done the 70mph on the highway thing...  :blink:   No issues with the top's strength/stability.  

 

When parked, think about where the wind is coming from.  Popping the top/up down with a strong wind blowing into the back door could be surprising.


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#9 buckland

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Posted 11 January 2019 - 11:33 PM

I have a speaker stand crank (carried in case I hurt my back) If I ever was in fear of it coming down I'd crank that stand up and go back to sleep!


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2016 Duramax 2.8 Diesel long bed Colorado 4WD with 2011 Eagle

Lordwoodcraft  instagram        Rob
The only people who ever get anyplace interesting are the people who get lost.
Henry David Thoreau
"Work to achieve not to acquire"

 


#10 Taku

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Posted 12 January 2019 - 04:10 AM

Always interesting to hear about campers going down the road while popped up. I guess I could imagine me doing that sometime, but luckily many years of working around helicopters  and fires has ingrained checklists so deeply in me that I feel nervous if I don't do a walk around and check the latches. Now if I could apply that to the rest of my life, it might go a bit easier!


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