Securing trailers from wind gusts

[Pippi]

I was driving westbound through the Southern California desert near Blythe on I-10 yesterday. A storm rolled in from the south and the wind gusts were so strong it blew over 4 tractor/trailers that were rolling down the interstate. It was all in the matter of minutes and the storm was gone.

Freaky!

Has anyone ever seen any empty trailers blown over on the playa from high wind gusts?

[Bob]

Lightweight ones eg pop-up tent trailers will jog downwind if you don't secure them to stakes.

[MikeGyver]

Not much to do other than tie your stuff down really good and keep your center of gravity low if possible.

[dragonpilot]

Yeah...most camping trailers are OK in high winds on the playa. Unlike the trucks, most campers are part of a mass of tents, campers, and other structures that go a long way in breaking up the wind coming across the playa...you'll be ok as long as you're mixed in with others and not out on the SW edges.

[Bob]

Lightweight trailers wander around if not staked down, same as airplanes.

http://www.burningman.com/on_the_playa/airport/tie_downs.html

[Jackass]

I haven't staked my tent trailer yet but then again it's only been to the burn the last two years. Looks like I'm going to have to come up with a remedy for that, probably 2ft rebar at a 45 and ratchet straps on each corner so I can tweak the tension, I can't tie tensioned knots for shit.

[CapSmashy]

Another option would be steel form stakes.

http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Mater ... CpWWJ1lQ3g

[Jackass]

I'll then weld two nice chain links (one welded the other loose) on the side flush with the top and drive them flush with the ground, easy way to run a rope through or hook a ratchet strap to. I have scrap metal around here, maybe some two foot chunks of 1-1.5 in. angle iron. Anyone ever staked with angle iron care to share?

[Just_Joe]

I haven't staked my tent trailer yet but then again it's only been to the burn the last two years. Looks like I'm going to have to come up with a remedy for that, probably 2ft rebar at a 45 and ratchet straps on each corner so I can tweak the tension, I can't tie tensioned knots for shit.

I hate to say it, but the (1/2") 2' rebar I used for my carport last weekend didn't give me much confidence. I added a couple of 3' concrete stakes which ended up making me feel warm and fuzzy.
If you use 2', expect to pound it "below grade". The top 6" of the playa are/will be very crumbly. Welded chain links sound like a good idea.
Ropes are easy. Stop by for a knot lesson or just learn a truckers hitch (bowline, alpine butterfly and two half hitches).

[Jackass]

Yeah, I think the 3ft concrete stakes with chain will instill some confidence. I've got some practicing to do on my knot work. I know the truckers hitch, I just cant seem to secure a good knot after I'm under tension. By the time I get a knot on it the ropes not that tight any more, maybe I need thinner rope. The top of my tent trailer sits around 8ft. so I imagine the wind force gets fairly wicked up there, better safe than sorry.

[portaplaya]

The trailer for a tractor/trailer combo is about ten feet high, plus 3 feet for the wheels underneath. And up to 52 feet long.

That is a much bigger wind profile than any camping trailer, all of which have a lower bottom edge so you can step in/out. I have never heard of a playa wind rolling a trailer or RV during the event, ever.

[Jackass]

The trailer for a tractor/trailer combo is about ten feet high, plus 3 feet for the wheels underneath. And up to 52 feet long.

That is a much bigger wind profile than any camping trailer, all of which have a lower bottom edge so you can step in/out. I have never heard of a playa wind rolling a trailer or RV during the event, ever.

I wouldn't expect the trailer to flip but I could see the top and canvas getting ripped off after repeated gusts

[Gonzo Frothwood]

Nail the tires down.

[Bob]

Just drive two stakes so they make an X. Lash w/ rope or tie wire.

A tautline hitch is easy to cinch. Don't use a trucker hitch unless you're tying something down on a truck.

[Jackass]

Just drive two stakes so they make an X. Lash w/ rope or tie wire.

A tautline hitch is easy to cinch. Don't use a trucker hitch unless you're tying something down on a truck.

What length stakes might you recommend in this case?

P.S. I need to study your rigging section a bit closer.

[Bob]

At least 18", I'd guess.

[Just_Joe]

A tautline hitch is easy to cinch. Don't use a trucker hitch unless you're tying something down on a truck.

Tautline is easy, but if you use cheap polypropylene rope (which is what most people buy), it can slip.
http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/truckers-hitch/