How to know bridge clearances on route?

[Bill001]

Hi,

What (map?) resources do folks use to determine whether the bridges on one's route has adequate clearance?

Thanks,
Bill

[Bill001]

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.

[racer4]

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.

[bpounds]

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.

[darsben]

for planning at home

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[laknox]

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

[We_Cant_Wait]

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.

[Veebyes]

In normal day to day driving from place to place being faced with a bridge less than what is needed for a semi is highly unlikely.

Yes, there are a few covered bridges on very minor roads. There are also low RR bridges but these are very rare & all of them have signs with the clearance. Not many 5ers are over 13' 6".

Like sch911 says, keep eyes open.

[sch911]

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

[Bill001]

Thank you all for the excellent information. I figured there had to be answers out there.

Dandy Dan, I'm not familiar with the Rand McNally 7735. Is that a map, or a module? What does the 7735 represent?

Thanks,
Bill

[laknox]

Bill001 wrote:
Hi,

What (map?) resources do folks use to determine whether the bridges on one's route has adequate clearance?

Thanks,
Bill

Lowclearances.com has a database called Route-1 you can buy that you can install as a POI d.b. in many common GPS units, a number of common mapping apps, (including Google Earth) and various phone apps. For $75 you get their entire U.S. and Canadian d.b. with lifetime updates. The largest d.b. of its kind, so they claim, with nearly 6,000 low clearances listed. No, I don't work for 'em, but I'm a very interested potential customer looking at this when I get my new, taller, FW. 🙂

Also, there are several "trucker" books and apps that do the same thing as well as RV-specific GPS units that have these built in to their d.b. From what I've read, Route-1 seems to have many more datapoints, though.

Lyle

[Dandy_Dan]

I have the Rand McNally 7735 which has a car setting and a RV setting. In the RV setting it will warn you about low bridges and it can also be set to bypass any low bridges. It asks your height,length,amount of propane and gives you selections for type of roads you wish to travel I have been using the Rand McNally for going on 4 years and it hasn't steered me wrong.

[dwayneb236]

For me, I've just purchased a Garmin RV760LMT gps. It has the RV selection that is supposed to avoid low bridges and such. Haven't used it for that yet but have heard decent reports about it. I like the unit itself so far.