How to know bridge clearances on route?

Wonder how many of us consider our height when we do things like flipping axles, putting taller tires on, increasing wheel size, installing things like Correct Track?

Flipping axles will sure add some height. Taller tires an inch maybe. Wheels, an inch. Correct Track, 3".

All things to think about.

I also have the Garmin 760RVLMT along with a motor carrier atlas. Can't be too sure. I actually had a little run in with a bridge last month. The bridge had plenty of clearance at 13'9". Our 5er is 13'5". There was plenty of signage before the bridge and one on the bridge itself. Well...the one on the bridge was broken and hanging down. I heard it hit the front A/C unit. Thank God all that happened was a scratch on the A/C unit cover. It could have been real ugly!!

The kayak is quite low, but given the curvature of many 5s not sure how it could work. I was thinking of a tow behind since that roof would be lower and flat but I just like the space of the 5s.

If I could keep the kayak I would prefer too. Hard to find classic hard chine sea kayaks like this one...

Bill001 wrote:
I'm planning on buying a 5er this Fall, but I also have a 18" sea kayak that I'd like some way to transport so i could keep it. One top of the 5er..(?) .. that will be pretty high, but if it's do-able... I'm may be crazy enough to try.

Really don't want to keep the kayak do you. Depending on the 5th wheel adding 18" on the top could put you over the max height of 14' on interstates. On top of mine it would be 14'9" high. Tall enough to require a permit and get it wiped off on a lot of bridges.

I'm planning on buying a 5er this Fall, but I also have a 18" sea kayak that I'd like some way to transport so i could keep it. One top of the 5er..(?) .. that will be pretty high, but if it's do-able... I'm may be crazy enough to try.

I am thinking also about a better way to have advance notice of low clearance.

I have a TT now (11'6") and am buying a FW (expected height 13'5").

On three recent trips I came across low clearance bridges (less than 13'5") that had signs posted too late to easily turn around.

On one road, it is 4 lane divided with the height clearance sign just before the bridge and the grass median is too deep and not level enough to to do a U turn.

On another road, I-87 north of Albany - exit 30, at the bottom of the exit ramp, ready to do a left turn under the highway, the bridge height sign is too far off to be read. So I turn left (with my 11'6" TT) and as I get close enough to read the sign I see the height is 12'9". So I wonder if I was pulling a 13'5" FW could I do a U turn here?

I think Co-Pilot has a height setting of 13'0". That is not good enough for a 13'5" FW.

The Rand McNally RVND 7730 does not work with a free standing bean bag mount without using an unreliable suction cup. So, that is out.

The best choice, from what I can find so far is a Garmin RV 760LMT or RV 660LMT.

I just watch for the signs. Our rig is only 12'-2", and I think I have only ever seen one bridge that we would not have made it under. And it was super obvious.

I worry more about older gas station canopies, which are not always well marked. And no 3rd party resources for things like that. I've gotten out and looked many times.

for planning at home

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sch911 wrote:
I go old school. Keep my eyes open for the signs. They always have signs!

Unless the signs are wrong! Not uncommon for roads to be re-paved, adding several inches of new over old pavement, and the signs not to be updated. That 4" clearance you had before just became ZERO clearance! One tip, that I've seen posted any number of times, is to try and move to the center of a bridge, as that's where clearance will be the highest; stay out of the curb lanes whenever you think you'll be close.

Lyle

Stop at any truck Stop and buy a Rand McNally Motor Carriers Atlas. It will list all low clearances by state in numerical sequence. It will also list those routes that restrict truck usage thus a good hint it might not be a good idea to use that route with a large 5th wheel camper.