Height clearances of overpasses and bridges

Kit Carson wrote:

n7bsn wrote:

6dot6 wrote:
get an atlas like stated. typically highways are fine. remember to check for heights. main problem would be back roads. but highways and interstates are atleast 13'6.

Exactly Truckers Atlas (I have one) is great for major roads. They don't cover backroads, say like the one that might lead to a campground. The reason is long-haul truckers don't take those and locals would know all the clearances.

You have some options. There is a place that sells a POI "add on" to a GPS that can alert you to underpasses. The down-side is it alerts you based on distance, so that low overpass may be on a side road, not the road you are on (link).
I have this and it works, and works well.

Then there are RV or trucker GPS's which have this (and sometimes more) built in.

*Garmin is going to sell (in a couple weeks) the RV-760 LMT, which has over-passes, campgrounds, etc, built in.

*Rand has a series (5510, 7710, 7715, 7720, 7725) that also have this, but the older models have a rep for crashing, freezing and dying. Hopefully they fixed this in the newer models.

*Garmin also has Trucker GPSs, that have an RV mode (but no campgrounds, etc). The Dezl series is their current line.

I would not think someone would build a campground on a road that had a low overpass...JMHO

My TT was only 11 ft. A 12 ft 6 inch overpass was no big thing.

n7bsn wrote:

6dot6 wrote:
get an atlas like stated. typically highways are fine. remember to check for heights. main problem would be back roads. but highways and interstates are atleast 13'6.

Exactly Truckers Atlas (I have one) is great for major roads. They don't cover backroads, say like the one that might lead to a campground. The reason is long-haul truckers don't take those and locals would know all the clearances.

You have some options. There is a place that sells a POI "add on" to a GPS that can alert you to underpasses. The down-side is it alerts you based on distance, so that low overpass may be on a side road, not the road you are on (link).
I have this and it works, and works well.

Then there are RV or trucker GPS's which have this (and sometimes more) built in.

*Garmin is going to sell (in a couple weeks) the RV-760 LMT, which has over-passes, campgrounds, etc, built in.

*Rand has a series (5510, 7710, 7715, 7720, 7725) that also have this, but the older models have a rep for crashing, freezing and dying. Hopefully they fixed this in the newer models.

*Garmin also has Trucker GPSs, that have an RV mode (but no campgrounds, etc). The Dezl series is their current line.

I would not think someone would build a campground on a road that had a low overpass...JMHO

Johno02 wrote:
Bridges and overpasses that were built to specifications 50 years agomay not be high enough now. Roads have been repaired and repaved many times, in some cases reducing the clearance somewhat. If an 18 wheeler at 14' can get through, you can too at just 12'6". Just send him through first. Aside from that, the route you want to take is OK, but as you travel, watch out for crowned overpasses, which may be a lot lower on the sides than in the middle.

Some of those in WA east & west north of the columbia river. I believe 12' 6" on edges. I'm at 12' 11"

Check www.rvparkreviews.com for Branson MO and you will find some reviews for Treasure Lake RV Resort.

xray0111 wrote:
We are new to RV'ing and have just purchased a Class A 45' RV. with the vertical height of 12'9". Our plans call for us to travel from Jackson, MS. to Branson, MO. using I55-I40-US65. Are there any bridges or overpasses that would hinder us with the 12'9" height of the RV.?

Also, any opinions on Treasure Lakes RV Resort in Branson?

Thanks,
Xray

A little OT, but, you are new to RV'ing but you jumped directly into a 45 footer? God Bless you sir, you are truly a brave man.:B

I would watch. For a couple of years, the vac we took, if a 18wheeler can make it we can.always have something to go back on.now it's all happy-camping

..and another thought..we've been full-timing for 16+ years and our preferred way of traveling is off the interstates and we have a 40' motorhome. We've gone to Alaska, also. We choose public campgrounds - national forests, etc. We have never 'checked' the overpasses by various means and don't use a trucker's atlas. However, we don't get into big cities (the interstates going through them are all o.k. - truckers do them all the time), but we don't get off on a small city street and wander through town. I think if you use common sense you'll really be o.k. Just think how all the delivery trucks delivery their goods to places. Good travels!!

Bridges and overpasses that were built to specifications 50 years agomay not be high enough now. Roads have been repaired and repaved many times, in some cases reducing the clearance somewhat. If an 18 wheeler at 14' can get through, you can too at just 12'6". Just send him through first. Aside from that, the route you want to take is OK, but as you travel, watch out for crowned overpasses, which may be a lot lower on the sides than in the middle.

donkeydew wrote:

mpfireman wrote:
Federal law ,all interstate bridges must have at least 16 feet of clearance from roadway, to any useable portion of that roadway, this includes the shoulder. These rules were put in place when the interstate system was started during the Dwight Eisenhower administration. The General saw how well these roads were constructed in Germany for there war effort, thus we also started this same system, allowing rapid troop transit during an emergency . But today it is outdated, except for us who use them

you might talk to the gentleman that collapsed the interstate bridge
in washington last month. he was well under 16 feet.

Come to think of it, as a former OTR Truck driver, I have also seen a few big trucks delivering a bridge or two :S :h :? :E

Good point about WA. "The state DOT said there were 21 bridge-strikes involving trucks last year, 24 in 2011 and 14 in 2010." the state Does Not Guarantee Height Clearance, old article http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/24/i-5-bridge-collapse-caused-by-oversize-load_n_3331363.html