Community Forums

bassoneman · 03-09-2012, 10:49 PM

Ok I pick up my RV today. I am a very Newbee.. Very new.. So I an driving home which is about an hour and it is back roads, Well it is funny I had a conversation just before I went to pick her up with my neighbor and he mentioned bridge heights. Well wouldn't you know it. coming home going down the road I see a sign bridge height 12'9". Motor home 12 on sticker. I went under the bridge.. The about 45 minutes away bridge 11'6" nope anit happening.. So this is my question. Why aren these on Google map? And two.. What is the rule of thumb for bridges. I mean was it safe that I went under abridge that said 12'9" what if it said 12'3 or so.. Common sense says well hell no.. need some help on this one. And please excuse my ignorance..

Mr_D · 03-09-2012, 11:40 PM

Measure the height of your rig, that's the only way to know.

Arch Hoagland · 03-10-2012, 12:25 AM

You best be out there soon measuring the height of your rig. Nobody can possibly tell you the real height.

Just as they can't tell you the real weight on your tires.
You need to weigh your rig and set the tire pressures accordingly

My rig is 11'11" so I put a label on my windshield inside up at the top, that says 12'

However if I get to a bridge that says height 12'5' I'm gonna stop and eyeball things a while.

Bruce C · 03-10-2012, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

You best be out there soon measuring the height of your rig. Nobody can possibly tell you the real height.

Just as they can't tell you the real weight on your tires.
You need to weigh your rig and set the tire pressures accordingly

My rig is 11'11" so I put a label on my windshield inside up at the top, that says 12'

However if I get to a bridge that says height 12'5' I'm gonna stop and eyeball things a while.

Agree fully. Far better to be safe than sorry. It could ruin your trip and be mighty costly.

wb7auk · 03-10-2012, 05:08 AM

If you want to avoid a major problem measure the MH as it would be driven air rides up
and such. If you come to a bridge that is less than one foot clearance be careful I have
seen bridges signed for one height but due to resurfacing of the road were a lot less.
Also be careful of the sides of bridges their height may not be what is indicated.

336muffin · 03-10-2012, 05:18 AM

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new MH. I use a Commercial Carriers Atlas for this reason. The roads are hilighted in orange, this means the bridges are 13,6 or higher. If a tracter trailer can use the road, it will be OK for me. Sounds like you have traveled this road before maybe.

Bob and Inga · 03-10-2012, 05:40 AM

You must live in the Northeast somewhere. I use this site:

Low Clearances

It has the main routes only. There are still lots of low bridges on side streets and out of the way places that you have to watch out for. But for US and State highways it is pretty good. Also, in the mountains a lot of tunnels need to be watch for as well.

Bob

rbracing60 · 03-10-2012, 05:41 AM

you can't be newbee, a newbee wouldn't have noticed the sigh until they heard the crash, welcome to the forum.

safe travels

Richard

baraff · 03-10-2012, 06:06 AM

The newer GPS receivers such as the Rand McNally RVND 5510 or the new 7" screen model one allow you to program in your vehicle "specs", such as height, weight, etc and it will select routes accordingly. Of course as we all know relying on these things 100% is a recipe for disaster. Use them as a guide only.

shortlance · 03-10-2012, 06:24 AM

If I'm going to use a road that I'm not sure about I'll check google earth to see if I can spot any tractor trailers on that road. If a TT fits I know I'll fit.

GaryKD · 03-10-2012, 01:10 PM

Hi bassoneman,
In addition to the posted advice, you'll need more room that what you measure with the coach just sitting idle. As the coach travels down the road it is going up/down and leaning left/right constantly. Bridge height measurements are suppose to be taken at the lowest point over the road surface. This could be anywhere over the road surface.

sdennislee · 03-10-2012, 04:54 PM

Hi and

When measuring your coach be sure it's level and at ride height.

wa8yxm · 03-10-2012, 06:16 PM

Another thing to remember, Many truckers had been going down a stretch of road without problems.... THEN the state re-surfaced the road by putting an inch of blacktop or so on top of the somewhat worn concrete... The result is the bridge they had been flying under with half an inch to spare... Was now half an inch TOO LOW and WHAM.

They change the signs AFTER they pave the road.. sometimes many months after.

bassoneman · 03-10-2012, 06:47 PM

Thank you for your comments. As a young buck I my ex father inlaw used to let me use his Mini Winnie. You know the old Class A short ones. I was lucky back then. Never thought about bridge height.. WOW!!!!