Driving in heavy winds

Hello everyone looking for someone with more experience than me to help me out here. I am supposed to be making a 300 mile trip later tonight. Family is going on vacation. There is a wind advisory going over the grapevine (pass from Central Valley in California to SoCal) 40mph winds. I have my family with me (5 of us) so and a little bit of luggage for a 3 day vacation. What would be the better vehicle for driving conditions between a 2018 doublecab tundra or 2016 prius. Mpg goes to the prius. Comfort goes to the tundra. Expecting heavy rain also so i would have to figure out how to keep cargo dry in the tundra. However, most important is safety. Your thoughts on what would handle better?

 

I would always opt for the heavier, longer wheelbase vehicle in high winds. My crewmax is way less affected by crosswind than my reg cab was. I don't have comparative data against a Prius though. I'm also biased to my Tundra and would choose it over most vehicles for a road trip.

 

I doubt either of them are going to blow over. Low to the ground in my eyes may be better especially with all the weight. But I would probably still take the tundra. That’s why I ordered a $200 Tyger cover for the bed. It’s been holding on pretty good for the last three years. If it failed tomorrow I think I got my moneys worth.

 

40 MPH crosswinds are nothing for the Tundra. You'll feel it, of course and correct for it, but it will be much more comfortable with the wind than the Prius, IMO. I drive with that kind of crosswind all the time, especially in the spring and fall. But also have driven my wife's VW Beetle in those winds. While it is also able to handle it okay, it'll wear you down a lot quicker. Of course in inclement weather, carrying stuff in the back of the truck is an issue, one that I also had until I recently bought a cover for it. All in all, for just 300 miles, I'd opt for the Prius. Twice that, and I'd say the truck.

 

You’ll be fine. Just stay alert and watch for other drivers swerving.

You’ll feel it for sure, but just correct for it.

As far as for the rain/wet luggage, maybe a bed cover or just wrap said luggage in garbage bags (thats how we used to do it back when I was a kid before bed covers!)

 

Sounds like an excuse to buy that tonneau or topper you've been eyeing for the tundra

 

Yep^^^

 

We used Scotch Gard on our covered wagon canvas back in the day....

 

Uber

 

I had 30-40 mph cross winds when I was crossing NE after Christmas. Tundra DC with tonneau cover and was all good. Just pushes a lot and got around 11-12 mpg at 75mph. Still way more comfy than our 4Runner.

 

Have you watched twister? Yea I know, the Prius was grounded in that movie and didn’t go anywhere . Take the tundra, in all seriousnessing.

 

Yeah, but that Dodge tho

Took a beating and kept on going. Elk Hunter should have bought that truck.

 

Had 50+ winds last night driving my tundra. I came across a tree obstructing 2 of the 4 Lanes mud and rocks in the other 2 Lanes. Glad I was in my truck. A car blew a tire trying to get around it.

 

Huh....all this time, I figured you borrowed sealant from the Flintstones??

 

I would take the Truck. Both vehicles will feel the push but both can handle it as long as you slow dow and drive worth your attention on the road and other srives.
I've had the tundra in 64+ mph gusts driving past Pyramid lake off the Grapevine.

 

I noticed that my regular cab isn't as easy for side winds to push around now that a tonneau cover has been installed. Slow down a bit, stay focused and drive the Tundra.

 

Tar pit sealant...

 

Duh...nope...

 

Don’t forget to feed the brontosaurus crane after you’re done!

 

...and feed sabre tooth squirrels to keep washing machine going....

 

Want a fun ride, try these kinds of crosswinds in an 18 wheeler. Got that 53' sail attached to your tail.

 

It's no fun with 30FT trails behind the Tundra either.

 

You should be good to go with either vehicle. When I was in AK I'd listen to my friend who had over 6000 hrs flying bush planes and trying to land his rinky dink bush plane with 50+ mph crosswinds and could barely see the landing strip...just sayin....

 

I'm sure!

 

Buy a couple plastic tubs with nice fitting lids at Target and throw them in the back of your Tundra and call it good.

 

Nah, they can skim a little from when I need a can opener

 

....or that multi $billion high speed Kali train....oh wait....that got canceled yesterday...

 

Yeah, and he's keeping the money!

 

The Elon musk hyper train dingy