How safe is your Airstream during a storm?

Sitting out a severe storm in your Airstream is a very different experience compared to sitting one out in your home. In a house, the average thunderstorm can be a bit exciting, and usually your biggest concern is whether you'll lose power. 

In an RV of any type, when the sky turns black and begins pelting you with hail and lightning bolts, you suddenly have a sense of just how small and fragile your shelter is. One begins to wonder about the life choices that led to you spending the night under such circumstances ...

But really, there's not much reason to worry. I've weathered many a severe storm in my Airstream. Here are my top take-aways:

It always sounds worse than it is

The first few times you hear heavy rain pounding on the aluminum roof of an Airstream trailer (or the composite roof of a motorhome), it's pretty disconcerting. But there's no reason to worry. Your Airstream is a pretty sturdy thing and it won't be harmed by pounding or heavy rain. Relax and admire the strength of the riveted construction that an aluminum Airstream trailer shares with battleships and bridges.

High wind is rarely the problem

An Airstream is built to barrel down the road at high speeds all day, every day, so it's pretty chill about a 60 or 70 MPH wind gust. The aerodynamic shape helps a lot. 

I once abandoned my Airstream in a parking lot when a hurricane came through. The winds were strong enough to knock a large motorhome parked next to me flat on its side. (The occupants, who had chosen to stay in the motorhome, had to be rescued through the windshield.) But the Airstream was still there, serene and undamaged.

You'll be safe from lightning if you stay inside

A lightning strike is pretty upsetting, but you won't get electrocuted if you stay inside the Airstream and avoid touching metal that is connected to the body of the Airstream. This is not because of the rubber tires, but because of something called the "skin effect". Essentially, the bulk of the lightning passes over the surface of the Airstream and down to the ground—meaning that the metal body of the Airstream protects you!

But that doesn't mean you get off scot-free. A lightning strike is serious business. It's very rare, but if it happens very likely there will be damage to electrical items. There may be burn marks, or even a hole in the skin of the Airstream that will need to be patched. 

You won't lose power

In a house you expect to lose power in a severe storm, but of course the Airstream has independent battery power, so you'll still have lights, heat, water pressure, refrigerator, etc., even when the campground power goes off.

Storms can cause havoc in the power supply, with brownouts and voltage surges that can damage your air conditioner and other expensive appliances. To help protect your Airstream's systems, either get an Electrical Management System or unplug the Airstream before a serious storm arrives.

Take shelter from hurricanes and tornados

So far, we've covered the high winds, rain, and lightning that comes from thunderstorms. Those are pretty benign events compared to hurricanes and tornados.

But don't mess around if the forecast warns of hurricane or tornado potential. Get out of the Airstream and into a sturdy building. 

If you're in a campground where such events are common, ask the camp host or staff where the designated shelter can be found. Keep an eye on the weather with an app, a weather radio, or TV, and have what you need on hand so you're ready to bail out quickly.

Hail sucks

There's not much you can do when hail arrives. You can't drive away from it without risking more damage, and you usually can't find shelter on short notice that's large enough to protect the Airstream. But there are a few strategies that might help you avoid it in the first place. For more on that, see our blog on hail. 

Consider changing sites or bailing out entirely

If the Airstream might be in danger of being trapped by flooding, or having a large tree limb fall on it, consider switching sites or bailing out entirely. A heavy tree limb can crush an aluminum Airstream like a soda can—and it would definitely disturb your sleep.

Campgrounds will generally be understanding about this, but even if they aren't, who cares about losing the cost of a night or two compared to what could happen? 

Flooding is also important to consider, especially in low-lying or coastal areas. Keep in mind that while flooding at your site might be minimal, your escape route to the mainland might be cut off.