Last year we went to our "favorite fishin' hole" for our anniversary. We parked the fifth wheel in one of two of our preferred sites in the state forest campground and set up for a week of relaxation. Launched the boat and decided to take a quick run around the lake to see how things looked at our favorite places to fish. About halfway across the lake (maybe 2 miles) the sky suddenly turned black and before we could even turn around to head back we were in 3' waves with sleet and high winds. It was over in less than a couple of minutes and the sun came out, clam water but we were soaked. We headed back to the boat launch, tied up to a tree and started walking up the path to the trailer to change clothes and get warm. There were a couple of trees across the road from the campground to the launch... Hmmmm oh well, I could drag them out of the way with the truck tomorrow...
We crested the hill and saw the trailer with a 40' tall tree laying on top of it. I thought, DAMN.....
I unlocked the door so my DW could go in to change while I backed the truck up next to the trailer to get on top. While I was getting into the truck, my DW screamed. I ran into the trailer to find her standing there looking at several big branches that had punctured the roof and were sticking through dripping water and moss all over the inside.
Things were a mess. I went back out, got on the roof and after cutting the tree into manageable size pieces I got it off the roof. There were a total of about 10 holes that I could stick my arm through into the trailer.
So, yes, it can happen in an instant. Our week long camping trip actually lasted less than 3 hours.
We got the Springdale repaired, traded it in and our first trip with the new Cougar was to that same lake, same RV site. After all, the dead trees were down, we felt safe LOL
It's really an eye opener to realize just how fragile these RV's really are in that type of situation. They may be "sturdy" bouncing down the road, may even hold together in an accident, but they're no match for a 1500 pound tree.