New Bounder

[Bullrider24]

Hi all - I am back after being off the group for a little while. Our new Bounder is in and we pick it up on Monday. I am not sure if I am more nervous than excited but either way - I am looking forward to hitting the road with it. Speaking of that - I was wondering today - while trying to figure out how to organize my new life with an RV - is there a resource for planning trips that take you on RV-friendly routes. I can just imagine getting detoured or going somewhere unfamilure and getting on a road where low and behold there is an 11' high overpass? We have a garmin gps- is there a program that we can download or a road atlas made for RVers? Thanks - Joe

[Bullrider24]

Hi all - I am back after being off the group for a little while. Our new Bounder is in and we pick it up on Monday. I am not sure if I am more nervous than excited but either way - I am looking forward to hitting the road with it. Speaking of that - I was wondering today - while trying to figure out how to organize my new life with an RV - is there a resource for planning trips that take you on RV-friendly routes. I can just imagine getting detoured or going somewhere unfamilure and getting on a road where low and behold there is an 11' high overpass? We have a garmin gps- is there a program that we can download or a road atlas made for RVers? Thanks - Joe

[lhill]

Hope you really enjoy your new Bounder!
Lots of people use MS Steets and Trips software that can help with trip routing.
The Rand McNally Road Atlas for Truckers clearly marks roads that are suitable for big rigs and have a seperate section on low clearances listed by state. They can be found at Flying Js amoung other places.

[tmar10]

Always nice to meet a new Bounder owner and hope you enjoy yours as much as we do ours. I found a site with low clearance info but it only gives info as it is reported to them.

http://www.aitaonline.com/Info/Road/...learances.html

I know of one local bridge that is not included on the site, so the trucker's atlas may be the way to go just to be safe.

[dickfrompasadena]

Congratulations on you new Bounder. I use my Garmin. It has an option for truck routes.

[Gary RVRoamer]

If you are west of the Mississippi you probably won't encounter any low underpasses, but east of the MS you had better check every non-interstate route in a Trucker's Atlas. There aren't all that many low ones, but there are enough that you will get caught sooner or later.

[GerryB54]

Low Clearances is one source for what you are looking for...welcome to our Bounder world!

[Monty W S]

Bullrider 24

We have had our new '08 Bounder 35H for about three months now and truely love it. We have had not issues oither than some wind noise and dealer has been great. I hope your experience turns out great as well. Let us know

[Great-Dane]

DO NOT put total trust in GPS and that trucker feature won't help. If you trust that your asking for trouble. I could post some examples of people who blindly followed GPS instruction. Here is just one example of someone trusting that feature you described. Blindly following GPS equals trouble

I can post some more.

1st you have to understand GPS and the HYPE! There are only two companies that provide GPS mapping used by "ALL" GPS units. What that means is they are all flawed! I won't get into Garmin vs. Tom Tom debate but both are equal not one better than the other. Just features and both offer same so lets stop any branding of GPS, ALL are good. That said don't follow them blindly use them as designed, driving aid!

I've had my rig almost 4 years now and have yet to find over pass too small. Thats more the exception vs. the rule if you stick to major highways. Then you just do some research in advance on the roads off freeway you will travel.

When in doubt, approach slow so you can read, stop if necessary and turn her around. Its really not a problem, just use common sense and you'll be good to go.

What ever you do, DO NOT put your trust into electronics. Trust your gut and use some common sense and plan your trip. JMO nothing more..

Good luck and enjoy that rig!