nhshep
New Hampshire
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Joined: 03/28/2007
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I Did a search could not find the answer. Maybe a silly question.
I know a car occupants are protected in a lightening storm by the steal frame (not the tires). A convertible car is not protected.
In a lightening storm. Are people in a travel trailer protected in the same way people in a car would be. I do not think it has to do with Aluminium or Fiberglass siding.
I would think it has to do with frame contruction. Asking as I do not hear of many lightening strikes to Travel Trailers and their occupents. Thanks in advance for feedback.
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reno82
Cardiff by the Sea, CA
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I sure wouldn't have anything electrical running (TV,radio,ect.) and I wouldn't be sitting on anything made of metal. Good time to lay down and read.
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mosseater
Dillsburg, PA
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I would not pretent to hazzard a guess as to what that level of voltage is going to do. I don't think you can nail it down. No guarantees with lightning, it does really weird stuff.
"It`s not important that you know all the answers, it`s only important to know where to get all the answers" Arone Kleamyck
"...An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." Col. Jeff Cooper
Sunset Creek 298 BH
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Frame construction isn't the reason. It's called the 'skin effect' meaning basically current is carried (majority) on the outer surface of conductor.
When lightning strikes a vehicle the cage (outer surface) carries most of the electricity.......a convertible doesn't have a cage and fiberglass vehicles (poor conductor) may not be an idea place to be in a lightning storm.
Same principle would apply to RV's.....aluminum (good conductor) 'skin effect', fiberglass (poor conductor) not so good 'skin effect'......
Don't know why we don't hear of lightning strikes & RV's but they sure do seem to attract tornadoes.
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reno82
Cardiff by the Sea, CA
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I know the weather bureau says don't take cover in a shed, I guess a TT would be a cross between a shed and car. Same as in a car, don't touch metal, same as home don't take bath, watch TV or use any electrical devices. My guess is you would be better off than outside, but probably not a whole lot safer than in a car.
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nhshep
New Hampshire
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I know people can sit in a car in the worst of lightening and they are pretty safe from a direct strike. (not safe from blowing debris). There must be lots of campers in lightening prone areas. I would assume people would turn off all electric power but are they safe to stay in the trailer given the option to going someplace else (building, camp store). curious. again, thanks for the replies.
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reno82
Cardiff by the Sea, CA
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Well you got me wondering and I found out this.
Q: Is a travel trailer safe in lighting?
A: Yes, provided it is earthed (metal legs, not on wood or on rubber tires).
I guess that means have your jacks down in the earth on all four corners.
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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At the end of the day it doesn't matter if the RV is sitting at 0v or 50,000v. What kills people is the potential between body limbs (not counting a direct strike). If you're in there during a storm and a strike seems imminent, don't go grabbing stuff. Feet together and hands in pockets.
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
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ol Bombero-JC
USA
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"reno82" - Wrong answer to the question!.
Interesting discussion here:
Clicky
If you don't want to read it all - Scroll (*way*) down to the paragraph that begins,
"All that said, the easiest way to protect an RV is to simply unplug it when a storm approaches!"
Also some good info in the paragraph just above that .
"Tires, though somewhat conductive, insulate enough for this purpose. Leveling jacks need to be *ON WOOD*."
~
Here's another - covers fiberglass RV's, skin effect, etc.
Another *Excellent* Read! - "Lightning and RV's"
Note in this pdf -
"They (RV's) are mostly vulnerable when connected to shore power and/or when they have their jacks deployed *without* at least five inches of wood or some other insulator between the jacks and ground."
In the section - Some General Recommendations for RV users include:
"If parked, make sure the RV jacks are retracted and the shore power lines are stored and disconnected."
Actually that info is repeated several times throughout.
And -
"Consistent with lightning's capricious nature, situations alter results.
Are the RV jacks deployed directly on the ground?
Is your generator on?
Both of these situations increase your chance to attract lightning."
~
IMO - I'll go with jacks *ON WOOD* "as usual".
Retracted if I have time - and everything else "DC'd" - with me inside.
~
* This post was
last
edited 06/15/11 02:20am by ol Bombero-JC *
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Burp
St. George's Island, MD
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This is like having a discussion about shark attacks while swimming in a lake. Has anyone ever heard of a direct lightning strike to an RV? I would be cautious of lightning in the area coming through a power connection. But then, your stick house has the same vunerability and I don't think you unhook it from the power pole in a storm. Good surge protectors can help in many but not all storms.
2007 Winnebago Voyage 33V (Workhorse, W20)
2008 Suzuki S83 (VS1400)
Me, the Wife  , Edgar and Sarah 
Places we have camped in an RV
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