Is it too windy for the pop top?

Explorer · May 5, 2021

We are heading to Dorset this weekend and the forecast is for winds about 20-25mph with gust to about 40mph for most of day and night.

is this too windy for the roof to be up?

my partner wants to use a hurricane strap around the roof for extra support but I am worried about damaging the roof that way.

We are three so we need both sleeping areas ideally.

Trying to decide whether we cancel - but we would also quite like to know we can still get away in crappy English weather..that was one of the main reasons for getting the Cali in the first place!

Just useful to know what people do? Will park with the wind as advised on here.

thanks in advance
Yv

Drpps · May 5, 2021

I would be happy with the roof up so long as parked tail to wind. If it heads towards 60 that is a different matter. I also have a topper for windy wet weather as the driving rain can work it’s way through the canvas eventually.

soulstyledevon · May 5, 2021

Nope.
But you won’t get much sleep. I’ve camped in some wild conditions, prepare for a long night of the wind is strong...

Saesneg Shaun · May 5, 2021

We came home early from East Fleet Dorset on Monday because of the high winds.
They hit 50mph Sunday night which was ok for the pop top (parked with the roof slope towards the wind) but the forcast of 65mph+ gust scared us off.
I was more concerned for the Awning tbh.

soulstyledevon · May 5, 2021

Saesneg Shaun said:
We came home early from East Fleet Dorset on Monday because of the high winds.
They hit 50mph Sunday night which was ok for the pop top (parked with the roof slope towards the wind) but the forcast of 65mph+ gust scared us off.
I was more concerned for the Awning tbh.

Always roll the awning in if the winds become anymore than brisk...

Saesneg Shaun · May 5, 2021

soulstyledevon said:
Always roll the awning in if the winds become anymore than brisk...

Yes would have normally but the trouble was it meant packing away the awning room and moving all our stuff into the van.
I have a couple of Fammia awning tie down straps that came in useful.

altvic · May 5, 2021

Explorer said:
We are heading to Dorset this weekend and the forecast is for winds about 20-25mph with gust to about 40mph for most of day and night.

is this too windy for the roof to be up?

my partner wants to use a hurricane strap around the roof for extra support but I am worried about damaging the roof that way.

We are three so we need both sleeping areas ideally.

Trying to decide whether we cancel - but we would also quite like to know we can still get away in crappy English weather..that was one of the main reasons for getting the Cali in the first place!

Just useful to know what people do? Will park with the wind as advised on here.

thanks in advance
Yv

View attachment 77936

I like the free app (on my iPhone) called PredictWind to give a detailed visual of wind speeds for several days. Very accurate in Pembroke last week. The big problem around gusts of 40 mph wind is the noise upstairs; the roof and fabric should be safe. I would be sceptical of using the wind out awning - if you do make sure you have the Thule tie down straps for extra support. I always use the Thule straps on the wind out awning no matter the wind speed.

a892374923874 · May 5, 2021

Can I ask a related question? At what wind speed would you all want to be facing tail-into-wind? Reason for the question is that with most of our stuff on a sliding drawer, I'd want to park nose-to-wind to get shelter at the back of the van. But that might mean more noise and buffetting with the roof up and possibly rain coming in through the canvas if there is any wind. At lowish wind speeds does nose or tail to wind make much difference?

Saesneg Shaun · May 5, 2021

a892374923874 said:
Can I ask a related question? At what wind speed would you all want to be facing tail-into-wind? Reason for the question is that with most of our stuff on a sliding drawer, I'd want to park nose-to-wind to get shelter at the back of the van. But that might mean more noise and buffetting with the roof up and possibly rain coming in through the canvas if there is any wind. At lowish wind speeds does nose or tail to wind make much difference?

Depends on the site. Some will tell you which way they want you to park.

ArunAlec · May 5, 2021

It’s the gusts that’ll get you!
The roof may well be able to take it, but the problem comes when you decide it’s too windy and you need to get the roof down in a blow.
Best to err on the safe side and get the roof down before it becomes a problem.

campandfly · May 5, 2021

You can also use the terrain to your advantage. eg. Line of trees, high hedgerows, buildings taller than your extended roof, a dip in the landscape or one of those bloody great big motor homes, in the middle of a forest can be almost no wind on a very windy day, windy on the coast move inland, the list goes on. Overseas we once had a violent thunderstorm with hail coming that we saw on the radar we dropped the roof and headed to the nearest multistory car park for half an hour. Dodging weather is all part of Caliskills. ;-) (Please don't park under large trees in high winds as branches etc may drop on your vehicle)

Red wine lover · May 5, 2021

We've had the awning up in stronger winds, those forecast here aren't that bad. I've an older callie and didn't have a problem. But park tail into the wind, we use strong ties for our awning/safari room and we've survived some heavy wins and rain at Norman's Bay and Harian's Wall.

Prycey13 · May 5, 2021

We had a pretty rough night in slapton last year (slightly worse than you’ve got forecasted). As everyone has said park tail into the wind. I’d put the awning in - I had mine strapped down with the Thule straps (twisted the straps to reduce flapping) which held it no problem but the flapping of the awning top was so annoying I took it down in the middle of the night. Think the pop top will withstand most conditions and I’ve only had rain come in through the side vent during driving rain (40mph winds in Northern Ireland). Enjoy your trip

Alan Andrews · May 5, 2021

Drpps said:
I would be happy with the roof up so long as parked tail to wind. If it heads towards 60 that is a different matter. I also have a topper for windy wet weather as the driving rain can work it’s way through the canvas eventually.

I agree. We did the NC500 in the Scottish Highlands in 2019 and encountered very high winds. Those winds exceeded 40 MPH. Park as recommended here. I always fitted a topper. The high winds do make fitting and removing topper a greater challenge though.

When winds were worse we simply slept downstairs.

Explorer · May 5, 2021

Really thanks for the replies. Will keep an eye on the forecast - sounds like I am worrying a little too much - if it starts to look even worse then I may bottle it!
Will be prepared for a noisy night (though used to it in a tent!) and definitely will not be using the awning. And hopefully search for a more sheltered spot if the site is willing - great advice!

Charlotterobin · May 5, 2021

65mph at Nicholaston Farm last, ahem, "summer"! Storm followed us to Cardigan and Abereiddy. I struck the (drive away) awning and left the roof up; it was noisy but stable... I wouldn't leave the (wind out) awning out in anything more than a farty breeze for fear of it whipping over the van!

GrannyJen · May 5, 2021

Explorer said:
We are heading to Dorset this weekend and the forecast is for winds about 20-25mph with gust to about 40mph for most of day and night.

is this too windy for the roof to be up?

my partner wants to use a hurricane strap around the roof for extra support but I am worried about damaging the roof that way.

We are three so we need both sleeping areas ideally.

Trying to decide whether we cancel - but we would also quite like to know we can still get away in crappy English weather..that was one of the main reasons for getting the Cali in the first place!

Just useful to know what people do? Will park with the wind as advised on here.

thanks in advance
Yv

View attachment 77936

No.

Mine was up in 40MPH + two nights ago.

However be prepared for impaired sleep quality when it gets to 40mph. It's shake, rattle and roll in the van and the wind on the canvas always sounds worse than what it is. You will think the van is having it's head ripped off when in fact it's hardly moving.

Jim2007 · May 5, 2021

GrannyJen said:
No.

Mine was up in 40MPH + two nights ago.

However be prepared for impaired sleep quality when it gets to 40mph. It's shake, rattle and roll in the van and the wind on the canvas always sounds worse than what it is. You will think the van is having it's head ripped off when in fact it's hardly moving.

Exactly our view. Safe but noisy.

Had it up in a sudden daytime thunderstorm on the continent last summer, probably 70+mph winds for 10 minutes. Caravan awnings demolished left and right. Roof didn’t mind it at all. Wouldn’t have wanted to be upstairs in it at the time mind.

Anthony1 · May 8, 2021

Explorer said:
We are heading to Dorset this weekend and the forecast is for winds about 20-25mph with gust to about 40mph for most of day and night.

is this too windy for the roof to be up?

my partner wants to use a hurricane strap around the roof for extra support but I am worried about damaging the roof that way.

We are three so we need both sleeping areas ideally.

Trying to decide whether we cancel - but we would also quite like to know we can still get away in crappy English weather..that was one of the main reasons for getting the Cali in the first place!

Just useful to know what people do? Will park with the wind as advised on here.

thanks in advance
Yv

View attachment 77936

I believe it can withstand 60mph. I had the roof up last year in St David's (always windy there) and although the wind was very strong 40mp, the roof hardly fluttered.

Wannabecamperman · Jul 15, 2023

Red wine lover said:
We've had the awning up in stronger winds, those forecast here aren't that bad. I've an older callie and didn't have a problem. But park tail into the wind, we use strong ties for our awning/safari room and we've survived some heavy wins and rain at Norman's Bay and Harian's Wall.

Was Harian a friend of Hadrian?

Red wine lover · Jul 22, 2023

Last weekend we were camping in the Purbecks (Woodyhyde) and had some serious rain and winds. Bellowes didn't leak and survived the wind. The safari room was double pegged but they were pulled out even with the storm guys. Considering throwing a storm strap over the top of the awning.
Didn't use the driveaway as we'd had problems with rain ingress a few weeks earlier in the Lake District.

briwy · Jul 22, 2023

I would be very careful of leaving the roof up in anything over 25mph. At that windspeed it can gust up to 50. The other thing to be careful off is taking it down in high wind as it can sometimes not fold correctly and trap the fabric in the pantograph which not only tears it but may cause the roof to get bent.

NickAero · Jul 22, 2023

We've had a gale while parked on a coastal campsite, and felt it was prudent to drop the roof as the bellows was taking a hammering. We hadn't brought our over-the-roof cover that does quieten things down a lot.
We've found that dropping the roof and de-camping to the rock n roll bed in night-time gales makes for a much better night's sleep. Very much more peaceful esp with the double glazing.

Hawthorn37 · Jul 22, 2023

You need to use judgement and prudent parking when windy. Parking the rear of the van facing the prevailing wind is highly recommended. Also, try and get shelter from hedges etc. If it’s raining as well as strong wind, you might see a little water ingress, including the mesh air vents if rain is driven on the sides. We’ve seen a few drops come in but nothing disastrous. If there are strong winds with even strong gusts, the gusts can swirl, so buffet the sides. As someone has already commented, it’s the gusts that are mostly an issue.

We’ve had the roof up in 40mph winds gusting to 50-60mph, but we had a bit of shelter from a tall hedge and we were parked correctly. The same night 2 caravan awnings were flattened. Other times we’ve felt too exposed to take 40mph gusts. So there’s no hard and fast rules

California Dreamer · Jul 23, 2023

There are lots of posts on being cautious but has anyone with a Cali actually experienced any damage to their pop top from high winds? We have been in winds up to 40mph with no problem- no choice but to leave roof up as there are four of us. The pop top screen (pucer) definitely helps with feeling more protected up top and as Hawthorn says it depends on how you are parked and how exposed the site is.

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Is it too windy for the pop top?

Explorer

Drpps

soulstyledevon

Kennycalifornia

Saesneg Shaun

soulstyledevon

Kennycalifornia

Saesneg Shaun

altvic

a892374923874

Saesneg Shaun

ArunAlec

campandfly

.....

Red wine lover

Prycey13

Alan Andrews

Explorer

Charlotterobin

GrannyJen

Jim2007

Anthony1

Too young to be old

Wannabecamperman

Red wine lover

briwy

NickAero

Hawthorn37

Retired, and working hard at it

California Dreamer

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