Camping in TC off truck

matilf wrote:
I should start a new thread but....just found that I am going to be over 11 feet tall with camper on truck. It seems that is going to limit what underpasses I can go under, plus present a danger in wind. How do people handle these two things?

And....I will have to develop skill in loading the thing. I assume that just takes as many tries as it takes to get a procedure going that guarantees proper alignment. Is a backup camera a huge help? I was going to get one anyway just to see behind me.

Since you're in Tucson you won't have issues with freeway overpasses in the West. The East could be more challenging and it could be an issue in town. However, be careful when pulling up to the pumps in old service stations. I nearly did myself in at an Exxon station in Eastern New Mexico once, Demming I believe.

Yup, loading will take patience and practice. Check out a thread I added a few days ago entitled something like "My favorite Truck Camper Thread ever" to see an amusing, but pretty true threaf on the subject from 10 years ago.

I can't imagine that the backup camera would be much help in loading. It's a matter of going slow, watching your clearance on the wheel wells and being certain the TC is high enough, but not too high.

matilf wrote:
I should start a new thread but....just found that I am going to be over 11 feet tall with camper on truck. It seems that is going to limit what underpasses I can go under, plus present a danger in wind. How do people handle these two things?

Im 12'4" high and seldom have an issue with low under passes. I can think of only one in the last 5 years. Most of them can easily accomodate a rig your size. I dont recall ever having a problem at any fuel station either. If anywhere you might run into a low underpass in some town. Just pay heed to low overpass height signs if you come to one.

New rig is 11'7" to top of AC add another 8" if the Kayaks are on the roof

12'8" not including antenna...

The law require all underpasses to be at least 13-6
If they are lower, they should have big warnings and flashing lights.
That might not apply to farmers road.

You've got two choices on the underpass thing:

1. Stay home.

2. Know how high you are, and PAY ATTENTION as you go down the road, looking for those orange/yellow diamond signs that indicate the height of the upcoming overpass when it is less than the DOT minimum. When you come across an overpass that you won't fit under, STOP before you pass under it. Use your GPS navigation to find an alternate route.

Same deal with the loading:

1. Stay home.

2. Practice and patience.

clearance signs are not always correct. They are not always updated when roads are repaved or repaired.

zcookiemonstar wrote:
clearance signs are not always correct. They are not always updated when roads are repaved or repaired.

That's where common sense should prevail. You should already be diverting if the clearance is even close.

One easy tip.
When you see overpass with lot of scratches on it, you better stop and check.