Author Topic: Have You Been Caught In A Hailstorm When Camping ? (Read 5916 times)

WaituiRob · « **on:** February 15, 2012, 01:13:24 PM »

As there have been a number of bad hailstorms in NSW lately, I just wondered if anyone has been caught in one while camping and if so how did their camper fare ?

We`re going to be tripping around Southern NSW for about four weeks and wondered if a silver tarp might offer some protection against hail.

Thanks, Robyn.

Bird · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2012, 01:15:30 PM »

Not in a camper, but in a 9x9 canvas el'cheapo tent out at Swifts Creek...
I was Shitting diamonds I can tell you... but did fairly well, no damage.. apart from many brown stains from the thunda/lightning around us... We'd only setup camp for about 30mins when it came over the mountain like a tidal wave...

The boys had enough hail to fill eskys after the storm...

Matto · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2012, 02:32:23 PM »

Nope, but I would expect a silver tarp would be a godsend. Even if it shreds the tarp (which it's not likely to do), your canvas will still be OK. I'd imagine the bigger threat to a camper is the weight of the ice building up on the roof and bending/collapsing the tent bows, if the roof is not super-taut.

Aside - I've been caught a couple of times in hail storms while out on the bike. NOT fun. A leather jacket doesn't give you as much protection as you'd think, with ice flying at you at 100kph. Slow down and make it hurt less? Or just plow on through and get it over with quicker?

Cheers!
Matto

Blinky Bill · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2012, 03:02:58 PM »

I was actually returning home from Brisbane the other day when a hail warning came over the ABC for the area I was entering.

Crikey......their advice was if caught head for a shed. Fat chance! :'(

I reckon I'll invest in a good tarp to carry with me & that way I'll have it ready when camping or just getting caught driving. Surely a tarp tied to a tree and secured has to beat absolutely nothing.

Cheers - Wayne

oldblade · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2012, 03:07:00 PM »

Yeap last time we were in the watagans sitting around the fire next minute the sky's open and we start getting hit (only small) so we got inside the camper waited till it stopped then went back out to the fire

Campa · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2012, 03:49:34 PM »

We have a shade sail that we got from bunnings that we use for our cars. It's big enough to be doubled over and acts like a big sponge and absorbs the hail really well. The other bonus is that it has good eyelets so it can be tied down really well, we bought another for the camper and take it with us when we go camping. I guess it would work well for the camper, havent had to use it yet.

RichardW · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2012, 03:54:30 PM »

Got caught in one at Manning River Camping Area on Saturday night.
Only fairly small hail though so no damage.
Only lasted about 10 minutes and we all stood under a tarp.
Sorry no pics.

ozbogwam · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2012, 04:42:38 PM »

Have been caught in a couple of hailstorms in tents with no dramas. Also in a few blizzards. Woke upon emoting with the top of a 6 foot high done tent about 6 inches from nose due to the amount of snow buildup

McAbouts · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2012, 04:58:23 PM »

Hi WaituiRob,

Had just set up camp at Yadboro Falls last Oct long weekend and fortunately a tarp in the middle of the campers for the social get-together stuff, when down she came. Not big hail mind you, but plenty of it. Kids loved it. No damage to either campers or a tent. Took photos but I don't know how to put mine on either. We've camped in the rain a lot and have had no dramas yet (touching some wood right now). Only time we've used a tarp over the top is to stop twigs and bird do-do at a caravan park. A tarp would be good idea for this too.

Cheers
Louise

Blinky Bill · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2012, 07:33:48 PM »

Quote from: bnk08 on February 15, 2012, 03:49:34 PM

We have a shade sail that we got from bunnings that we use for our cars. It's big enough to be doubled over and acts like a big sponge and absorbs the hail really well. The other bonus is that it has good eyelets so it can be tied down really well, we bought another for the camper and take it with us when we go camping. I guess it would work well for the camper, havent had to use it yet.

Shade sail eh? Mmm now THAT is an idea well worth investigating.

Bunnings here I cum.

Cheerio from Bello - Wayne

brocky05fj · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2012, 08:04:57 PM »

G'day,

Have been caught in a couple of hail storms but the best was at Riverwood Downs.

Set up our old Great Outdoors canvas tent and put up a huge blue tarp to cover the tent and make a carport for the car as well.
Was getting ribbed by everybody for making a carport for the car while camping when the hail storm hit.

Needless to say while my tent and car barely even got wet, I got my own back watching everybody else run around try to cover their cars.
Nobody hassled me about the carport after that......

Cheers

WaituiRob · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2012, 09:15:01 PM »

Thanks Everyone for your replies, looks as though it`s not as bad as I thought it might be.
We have a storm cover / roof protector that came with our tent which we`ve only used in really hot weather.
Given the changeable weather lately I think we need to make the effort and use it this trip instead of being so lazy.

It seems to go with the territory as you get older, you tend to make setting up as simple as possible

especially when you`re only staying three nights in each place.

, Robyn

briann532 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2012, 09:15:42 PM »

Yep Riverwood Downs on the weekend.
Went there for a 50th and spent a lot of time under the awning watching the storms.

When it did hail, I had some concerns over the skylight / roof hatch, but it held out.
River rose to about 200mm below my ground level.
I rested in solace that there were people tenting it, and a lot of soft floor campers so my beds were a lot higher.
At least I'd get a bit of ~~notice~~ screaming from the tenters if it rose any more....

I do love to watch a good storm, but strewth I'm over all this now!!!!

Brian

loshde · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2012, 05:17:41 PM »

Quote from: oldblade on February 15, 2012, 03:07:00 PM

Yeap last time we were in the watagans sitting around the fire next minute the sky's open and we start getting hit (only small) so we got inside the camper waited till it stopped then went back out to the fire

We were driving through the Watagans last Friday and run into a huge hail storm. Had to pull off the road as there was that much ice on the road it had become really dangerous. Hail about 1.5cm in size, thought the car was going to be stuffed, but we survived unscathed, very suprising.

Loshde

speewa158 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2012, 05:27:46 PM »

Last year in the Whroo State forest after the fire pit filled with rain water for the 3rd time & the fire went out decided to go home . On the way out packed up wet & covered in mud we decided to geta burger for lunch , read the paper to find out about the storms that ripped Melb apart .
Oh yes & Willmington catch up . That was a bit of a chore

Kit_e_kat9 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2012, 06:30:57 PM »

Yep.

You are obviously not reading my blog or you'd know already.

And you'd know we were in his new car at the time and the camper was the least of our worries (apparently).

And you'd also know if was my fault we went for a drive (apparently).

Kit_e

Desert lover · « **Reply #16 on:** February 16, 2012, 08:22:51 PM »

Yes but only small hail thank goodness! We carry a huge tarp which covers the entire camper and annex and extends far enough out to 'sheet' any water away from the immediate area. Hadn't thought about the shade sail idea though - will be investing in one of those too after experiencing Melbournes Christmas Day storm....

cheif carlos · « **Reply #17 on:** February 16, 2012, 08:48:19 PM »

have been stuck out in a couple of small hail storms (10-15mm) the tent back then, a boots dome tent, brushed them off. but have been in one hail storm that I would not have want to been under canvas in. The hail caused $14,000 damage to the Hilux I had at the time it was at a point that insurance company were considering a write off - every panel on was damaged, and the windscreen was smashed. Very scary situation

grc · « **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2012, 07:27:31 AM »

a couple of times both when camping in tents and both late afternoon had the silver tarp over the tent and no problems collected the hail for the esky

WaituiRob · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2012, 08:09:38 PM »

Thanks for all the replies, we were hoping the storms were over but a lot of NSW has copped hail again today.
Just have to cross our fingers that we don`t get caught.

Chief Carlos, sorry to hear about your vehicle, that`s a shame

:cheers:Robyn.

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Author Topic: Have You Been Caught In A Hailstorm When Camping ? (Read 5916 times)