Community Forums

Monacoach · 07-22-2012, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Just a point of information I keep an eye out for commercial/18 wheelers coming towards me it give me some sense of security that if he made it thru, than I should be okay........no guarantees but it helps

Excellent method because there is no RV on this planet built higher then the average semi truck.

Lug_Nut · 07-22-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgsc

A good investment is a truckers GPS I use the Rand McNally 5510 and find it works great, after my old Garmin directed me to a low bridge and 1 way street in downtown Syracuse one satellite dome later I invested in a new GPS. Remember to measure to the top of the satellite dome, my overall height is 13ft.2in.

Hmmmmmm......... 13' 2"? I doubt that. Better measure it. You will probably find it almost a foot lower actual measurement.

Lug_Nut · 07-22-2012, 08:17 PM

Sorry, I'm not trying to slam you, but put you to rest, your worrying about hitting something you can't. IE: A 42' 2013 tag axle Winny Tour is shown only att 12' 2", and that may allow slush! There are various translations of this height, but all are below 13'

Muddypaws · 07-22-2012, 08:24 PM

You learn to drive in three dimensions or you hit stuff. I'm always aware of low hanging branches and so far I've only lost one refrigerator vent in 40+ years of RV'ing.

People in cars don't seem to understand that sometimes you have to change lanes to avoid trees.

Perhaps if they looked up from their texting

xctraveler · 07-23-2012, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Canter

I posted this on another thread because I didn't see this thread. Just came back from a trip which included going to Niagra Falls which was wonderful. Came up from Buffalo on I-190 and following the signs and GPS to Niagra Falls Goat Island parking Lot #2 for RVs. Turned off I-190 onto Robert Moses Pkwy on a cloverleaf. In the middle of the curve there was a warning sign (the first one) saying the overpass that I was going to immediately go under had a 12' clearance. My MH is 12' 6" to the top of the SAT dome. Then another sign with flashing yellow lights and 12' warning. This overpass is right there with no warning coming off the clowerleaf. I stopped in the right hand lane with my flashers on and got out to take a look. Nowhere to backup and couldnt without disconnecting the toad and having the police stop traffic. There are actually three bridges right together and the middle one is the lowest. I climbed up the bank to look at my 12' 6" MH and it looked close. I dumped my air suspension and put my wife out there with the walki-talki. With the suspension dumped I cannot turn the front wheels because it will hit the body and crack it. I watched my DW's face for bad indications and none seen so I went under the bridges. I made it OK. We went on to the Falls and parked and I walked over to a tour bus driver and asked him about the overpass. He just looked at me in amazement. Said they didn't go that way. Gooing back the sign says 11' 8" clearance but you make a turn before the overpass so you don't have to go under it. Just as a warning to people going to Niagra Falls. It was worth the heart attack. Rode the Maid of the Mist and it was great.

Mike, and others,

Be very careful in NY. Avoid ANY road shown as a "Parkway" Robert Moses was a great builder of parks, roads and other grand projects for 30 years. all of his Parkways were designed to "PREVENT" use by trucks, they all have low clearance bridges. The Lake Ontario Parkway is a wonderful road that we love to travel, but we never take the coach out on it, even though it is legal since we are not commercial, because there are at least 4 bridges with clearances less than 12' 2"

The good news is that there are always acceptable alternate routes, just not as pretty.

Mike Canter · 07-23-2012, 07:33 AM

It would have been great if there had been a signpost before the exit indicating an alternate route required. Once I took that exit and then saw the sign I was committed. That is the same as taking the George Washington Bridge on I-95 through Manhatten. After you cross that bridge and go down into the I-95 trench through the Bronx there is a overpass less that 12' 8" and there is no warning beforehand. There is no way that any cars are going to let you stop. The only thing that saved me was the overpass was arched and I was in the middle lane. I was committed and just shut my eyes and went for it. I did hear my CB antenna scrape on that one so it was close. I didn't have time to dump my suspension.

Doug Sage · 07-23-2012, 07:37 AM

I have measured my motorhome at 12' 8", so I use 13' as my minimum height.

xctraveler · 07-23-2012, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Canter

It would have been great if there had been a signpost before the exit indicating an alternate route required. Once I took that exit and then saw the sign I was committed. That is the same as taking the George Washington Bridge on I-95 through Manhatten. After you cross that bridge and go down into the I-95 trench through the Bronx there is a overpass less that 12' 8" and there is no warning beforehand. There is no way that any cars are going to let you stop. The only thing that saved me was the overpass was arched and I was in the middle lane. I was committed and just shut my eyes and went for it. I did hear my CB antenna scrape on that one so it was close. I didn't have time to dump my suspension.

Advance signs you want?? Don't you know those cost money and require planning and thought? After all once you decide to put up a warning sign you have to make sure to plant a large bush or tree in front of it to obscure the view so only locals might know it is there. This is NY

Mike Canter · 07-23-2012, 07:58 AM

They sure as heck can pay to put up a sign after a Toll Booth Speed Limit to tell you to resume speed. Without the sign telling you that you can increase speed would people continue at 15 mph in New York?