Community Forums

Ramblin · 08-11-2013, 07:54 AM

I wonder how clearances are affected by dips in the road.. For instance, if a clearance is posted at 13'6", but the road rises up a hill after the overpass, a very long rig might be affected if the front begins the rise before the rear clears the overpass.

In my area there are many like this, where the road falls before the overpass and rises after.

TwelveVolt · 08-11-2013, 08:19 AM

The telescoping ladder must be hard on the DW as you drive under the bridge. Perhaps you already have a reminder stuck on the dash :-)

As a newbie (haven't found our DP yet), I have considered constructing and carrying a segmented PVC pole to get out and check a clearance. Thoughts?

As a natural born techie, I anticipate mounting electronic proximity sensors on the roof. Does anyone offer this option on new coaches?

Although I have not had the experience of threading a 12'6" coach under a 13' bridge, I have many years of experience motoring a 61' mast under alleged 65' bridges and know the feeling well. No, I have never sent a crew member up there to watch.

mel s · 08-11-2013, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwelveVolt

The telescoping ladder must be hard on the DW as you drive under the bridge. Perhaps you already have a reminder stuck on the dash :-)

TwelveVolt
I know that my KingDome will clear the top of an overhead garage door opening, (but not with out "touching" it).
My motto is: "When in doubt, turn about"!

My wife is 5" 2" and "vertically challenged"..... (in more ways than one).
She's so afraid of heights that she won't wear high-heel shoes.
She even steps over, or walks around, throw rugs.

Mel
'96 Safari

TdogKing · 08-11-2013, 10:09 AM

I built Freeway Bridges for a living for 37 years in Southern California. We measured height during construction and put up temporary signs and then after the bridge is done its measured at all 4 corners of each traffic direction and signs are installed before being opened to the public. Keep in mind one thing , the State who owns the Bridge doesn't want you hitting and damaging their bridge either !

geezerb · 08-14-2013, 12:14 PM

As the original poster, I have to admit that I was reluctant to make the world aware of what a totally asinine act I had pulled. I was really hard on myself so I finally decided to post and see if others could beat me up enough to assure that I would never do it again, or any other stupid act.
It has been quite a surprise that I have suffered none of the abuse I felt was coming (deservedly) from my fellow members. Additionally, most people I have talked to have done, or come close to doing, the exact same thing. It should have been apparent from the RV shop had stocked enough spare A/C's that this happens more often than thought.
I feel I have learned my lesson by this but, if I ever screw up like this again and it doesn't involve body count or maiming, I'll post and you can pummel me until I stop breathing or RVing.

geezerb

TwelveVolt · 08-14-2013, 12:52 PM

Just wondering, since I haven't tried this myself YET, but have seen the videos. Do the A/C's generally come off cleanly, or do they cause roof and electrical rewiring issues? That is, how much of the repair is the new A/C and how much is the rest? Is the 'easy detach' feature something manufacturers should be offering as an option?

TdogKing · 08-14-2013, 01:31 PM

My take would be removal by a bridge would inflict some damage .

D Lindy · 08-14-2013, 02:05 PM

FYI in New York state ALL clearance signs are 1' LESS then the actual clearance UNLESS there is a sign right below the height sign that says "ACTUAL" So it the bridge is marked 13' the actual clearance is 14' unless there is the "ACTUAL" sign attached to it also. Also if you go under a bridge marked i.e. 13' knowing it's is 14' and are in the broughs of NYC and a cop sees you, you might just end up with a ticket, at least that seemed to be their favorite past time to ticket commercial trucks for doing it, even though they had plenty of clearance. Also I drove commercial truck for 20+years and am licensed in NY.

Ray,IN · 08-14-2013, 02:40 PM

While in Thermopolis, WY, we were walking along the street intersection where you turn to go to the park. There is a RR overpass there marked 12'. We head a crash, looked at the overpass and a guy pulling a 5er tried to drive under it, hitting the A/C unit.

He got out, walked around the rig, got back in the truck, backed up about 20', put it in D and drove under the overpass,

shoving the A/C unit back about 2' on the slanted roof in the process. He never stopped on the other side, just kept driving towards the park. That was a large gaping hole in the roof too__.
geezerb, after you do a stunt like that, come back and post it, we will then be happy to oblige you.

geezerb · 08-14-2013, 06:10 PM

In my case, I came incredibly close to making it through without doing any damage. (I said incredibly close). My roof is rather sturdy fiberglass so it was able to take a bit more abuse than a plywood and rubber membrane roof. The mounting bolts were driven back into the fiberglass a half inch or less on both units and a crack was filled with self-leveling caulk. If there would have been a break-away system, it would have caused a heap of trouble with the vehicles behind me.
As near as I could tell, the cars behind me came along for the chuckles. I'll admit it must have been something to see.
Ray,IN; Thanks for the reassurances about the pummeling. I'm counting on you.

geezerb