Community Forums

RVNeophytes2 · 02-04-2012, 02:55 AM

News item from WFAA TV in Dallas HERE

I drive under that 13' 6" bridge at 360 and Division on the way to DFW, have actually seen a tractor-trailer parked by it, the rooftop peeled off and hanging off the rear like a wrinkled gum wrapper. Remember those signs!!

Notice the bent pallet edge, on the back of the generator carried on the second trailer. Wow.

Wayne M · 02-04-2012, 09:03 AM

It's not enough to remember the signs, they should also know the actual height of their vehicle or/and vehicle with load.

Regular trailer boxcars are 13' 6". A bridge sign saying 13' 6" and a vehicle that is 13' 6", well, you hope like the devil that someone did not drop a 1" x 12' board on the highway. Not much tolerance then.

We have one bridge in this area on the way to Galveston on Hwy 146. It is 13' 7" and it has lights that will come on if a vehicle is higher than that, and there is a turnaround.

Thanks for the picture (link), and information on 360. If I'm leaving the Interstate Highway system, I always check AITA on-line for the route I'm going to take.

mgscott4 · 02-04-2012, 09:30 AM

There is a bridge that connects Texas and Louisianna over the Sabine river on State road 63 TX and 8 LA about 17 miles west of Leesville, LA. that is only 12' 3". It has warning signs for miles before the bridge.

I have crossed it 2 times in my 12' tall Hurricane. I think it is really higher in the middle but has corner gussets that are only 12' 3". First time really slow, just to be sure.

Wayne M · 02-04-2012, 09:38 AM

Here is a link to the American Independent Truckers Assocaition - low clearanences

AITA On Line

Dadeaux · 02-04-2012, 09:51 AM

We had just driven about a hundred miles in Canada a couple of years ago and I came roaring off a Provincial Highway exit that wrapped very tightly to the right onto a small town road and about 400' in front of me was a low railroad overpass labeled in meters.

In that instance I forgot everything I ever knew about converting meters to feet. Thank God for air-brakes.

wa8yxm · 02-04-2012, 10:11 AM

There are several things you need to know.

One, when the sign says 13'6" it may mean in the center of the span, or on the left lane, or right lane, only.

Two: If they just re-surfaced the road, 13'6" may be 13'2".

Three, it may also be the lowest point on the bridge.

Four: The real height of your house on wheels.

I have driven my rig, advertised height 12'6" under a bridge with the same advertised height.. and came out unscathed.. I run on the maximum vehicle weight side of the scale though so my actualy height.. A bit lower.

Still........ I would rather not go under that bridge again.