profdant139
Southern California
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We are heading for the Rockies this summer and fall -- not exactly sure where -- maybe even up to Alaska -- but we are sure to hit thunderstorms. Being from coastal California, I know almost nothing about lightning. If we are in a trailer out in the open, is there anything I should do to minimize the chance of injury due to lightning hitting the trailer? It has a fiberglass skin, but there is plenty of aluminum in the frame. We will usually have the awning fully deployed (and tilted a little to shed rain).
Are there lightning rods made for trailers? Will the stabilizer jacks serve that purpose? My guess is no, since they are always on wooden blocks.
Thanks in advance for your advice. (And those of you from lightning-prone areas of the country, please try not to laugh too hard at my naive questions.)
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WyoTraveler
Powell, WY
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I never gave it much thought and never worried about it in Wyoming. However, my dog thinks we should be concerned about the sky monsters. All that said, I wouldn't be out in an open field during a thunder storm. I would say just be cautious. I suppose you could get nylon or plastic blocks for under the jacks.
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Two Hands
California's Central Coast
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One of the things in your post that jumped out at me was that you would always have your awning down. If a thunder storm is forecast, or you see one coming, put your awning up. Thunder storms are usually accompanied by strong winds which can tear your awning off. I know because it happened to me in Colorado a few years ago. The awning on my current rig is powered and has a wind sensor causing it to retract if the wind speed increases.
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Salvo
California
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Best way to prevent lightning strikes is not to camp where you are the closest point to the clouds. Much better to camp in a valley than on top of an exposed hill.
In a direst hit, your vehicle electronics will probably get fried.
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vladen
Louisiana
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Personally I'm always too busy worryin about bears eatin me an my gizzards than getting lightnen struck.
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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I think you have a better chance with the bear than lightning. For one thing, I have been in the mountains here in eastern Oregon and some sure, You do not want to park under a tree. You have a better chance in the middle of a meadow than on the hill side with trees surrounding you. I have seen what a tree can do to a tent or a camper if the wind or lightning blows it over or apart. Back in the late 60's we were hunting and the Columbus day storm hit. one of the worst storms Oregon ever had. we had to cut trees up to get out of the hills. wind blew so many over the road. we left a lot of fire wood for the wood cutters.
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vladen
Louisiana
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Well thers always the Bigfoots if the bears dont get me.
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rfryer
Phoenix
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There was quite a lengthy discussion on that awhile back and it can get pretty technical. If you do a search you can likely find it. I’ve been camping in the mountains for almost 50 years and been through countless storms and it’s not something I worry about. Not meaning I don’t take some precautions. I don’t camp in meadows; I don’t want to be the highest object in the area. Nor do I camp in the tallest trees in the area. And as someone said, if you want to keep your awning it best be rolled up if you get a storm of any consequence. If lightening was striking all around me, and it never has, I’d probably sit in the TV. Even then, any hits would probably be spectacular; you’re talking millions of volts.
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mexbungalows
las peñas, michoacan, mexico
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For curiosity I studied lightening in college. It is a very sobering subject. If you can "intercept" the ionization pathway before it strikes your trailer and direct it away to earth, the main bolt always follows the path of the ions. A simple rod, sticking up three feet from your roof is a good conductor. Don't get fancy and stick a ball or a cube on the tip - a sharp point works best. So does a bare wire conductor (I like hot dip galvanized wire) clamped to the rod. Lead it off the roof and down the side of your rig while trying to stay a few inches away from other metals. Lead the conductor to a metal stake(I use re-bar) pounded into the ground at least six feet away from your trailer) The rod should stick down 2 feet. Keep the ground around it damp, by watering every few days.
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popeyemth
owensboro ky
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do you worry about lightning strikes in your truck? same circumstances.worry about fuel shortages UCH more likely.JMHO
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