Community Forums

mchero · 07-23-2015, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeJay

Just one word of advice. Had a friend traveling during the winter. He checked all low wires going into an area and assumed it was OK on the way out, except they had plowed and packed snow at the end of a road which raised him up just enough and he took out some wires.

TeJay

Hard to believe it only took out wires, if so he was one lucky person! That would put a damper on the vacation eh?!

We are about 3/4 of the way to full timing!

All that's left is the house that's currently under contract (chewing fingernails).

We like to take the back roads and as soon as we start venturing west we will need to keep our eyes open for both low bridges AND low weight limit bridges, e.g. 2 TON ONLY !! LOL

Bigd9 · 07-23-2015, 10:03 AM

On our way to Frozen Head State Park we encountered a low bridge posted at 13'2". Our coach is 12'8". All I could hear from the co-Pilot seat was "we are going to hit" over and over, louder and louder

.

chiefneon · 07-23-2015, 10:51 AM

Howdy!

If you have a smartphone or tablet with gps you can us Co-Pilot gps app. It has a RV setting in it that lets you set the height of your RV up to 13'. We're fulltimers and have been using it for years and it has not steeredcus wrong. You can start with the free verision but the other onl cost $9.99. Much cheaper than a new trucker gps.

CoPilot GPS Navigation for iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone 8 and Laptop

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

twogypsies · 07-23-2015, 02:02 PM

We, too, always traveled via the secondary roads - rarely interstates.

We figured if a road took us to a town then it was likely that semis also drove to that town with deliveries. We didn't use any apps or publications to steer us the way. In 16 years of full-timing we never had an issue.

We mainly traveled in the West so perhaps the Eastern states would have more problems.

mchero · 07-23-2015, 09:26 PM

Lots of covered bridges where we meander. Looks like the house is under contract so it won't be long before we go wherever! LOL

tim myers · 07-25-2015, 05:29 PM

Whereever sounds like a great destination

Santara · 07-25-2015, 06:58 PM

don;t forget those measurement are taken at lowest point which is usually on r side white line, if in doubt take the middle

Bigd9 · 07-26-2015, 06:00 AM

One thing that got me once, was when traffic was being diverted off an interstate and onto a detour because of an accident. They were holding trucks back but waved me forward. The long line of traffic went through a small town then onto a very narrow road with no place to turn around and then we came to a small overhead abandoned R/R bridge. The clearance was marked and I should have had 4 inches to spare. Problem was three fold. First was they had resurfaced the road and with the resurfacing I probably only had 3 or less. secondly they had not changed the height sign, and the third problem was the road dipped down under the bridge and rose up just after the bridge. All went well and the front end had just passed successfully under the bridge. Then the front end started to climb up the other side, but the rear hadn't gotten to the low point of the road yet. The 4 inch clearance became 3 inch then 2 then 1 then there was a really really really awful noise. No not the destroyed roof antenna or the damaged front air conditioner, the noise was coming from my lovely Co-Pilot screaming

.

Murf2u · 07-26-2015, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeJay

Just one word of advice. Had a friend traveling during the winter. He checked all low wires going into an area and assumed it was OK on the way out, except they had plowed and packed snow at the end of a road which raised him up just enough and he took out some wires.

TeJay

What was he travelling in, an M1 Abrams tank?

Wires are always supported by steel cables, I've seen overhead wires cut the top off a 5 ton truck before they snapped. An RV wouldn't stand a chance.

Besides which wires crossing a road must by law be +13'6" above road height.

twinboat · 07-26-2015, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murf2u

What was he travelling in, an M1 Abrams tank?

Wires are always supported by steel cables, I've seen overhead wires cut the top off a 5 ton truck before they snapped. An RV wouldn't stand a chance.

Besides which wires crossing a road must by law be +13'6" above road height.

Maybe in Toronto.

Here, in the States, power is on top of the pole, then phone followed by cable. They simply string the wire from pole to pole or house, no steel cables.

And the wires don't know always follow the law

336muffin · 07-26-2015, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj.mann

We are in Niagra getting ready to head home to Maryland in a few days. We are driving a 37' MH & towing. I believe my height is 12'8". Touring around in the car we have noticed a number of low height bridges in NY. What is the best way to know our route is safe from this? Thanks, appreciate any help.

The Truckers Atlas that has been mentioned is a great way to avoid many problems. Every state map has routes highlighted in orange, these routes are legal for 13ft 6in height, 102in width, 65ft long and 80,000pound gross. I have trusted RandMcnally maps for over 5million miles. To me this just works and very cheap insurance.

TeJay · 07-26-2015, 10:11 PM

Murf2u,
He was somewhere in the upper area of MI visiting some friends down a side road. I think he hit some phone lines or something like that. They were not power lines but it did take off his vent or AC cover. He was driving a WBGO Chieftan.

TeJay

Murf2u · 07-29-2015, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Maybe in Toronto.

Here, in the States, power is on top of the pole, then phone followed by cable. They simply string the wire from pole to pole or house, no steel cables.

And the wires don't know always follow the law

Maybe a problem in syntax.

Wires (copper or aluminum) are supported by cables.

Cables, as the name suggests are just that, steel cables carrying electricity. They don't run 3/8" copper strand down the road pole to pole.

But now the post has been clarified, it was some light wires, phone or cable tv.

Miramichi · 07-29-2015, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nana25K

Its a good idea to also google earth a bridge if using the Trucker site. As an example it lists a low clearance in PA on Rt 19 south of I-80. That bridge is now brand new and the steel frame isd now gone.

I don't think google earth would be a reliable source as their data could be as old as 7 years depending on the area. Usually the best thing to do is read the signs! I myself get that eerie feeling when going under bridges and low overpasses...dnt like it!