Navigating low clearances/city roads

[sbergherr]

We recently completed our annual Spring Break camping trip, this year however with a much larger RV in tow. We bought our 5er before Christmas and this was the first tow to somewhere we have never driven before. We didn't have any issues towing in high winds, traffic etc., but I did run into some issues in/around dallas, Tx with a few very low bridges. We measured 14'2" to the top of the A/C unit the highest point. The last bridge we came across was a mere 14' even. So we obviously had to navigate around on the fly in a busy area.

My question....is there a navigating system you guys use to help with this issue? Our coach can't be the tallest RV on the road...

I have read reviews on the Rand McNally, and Garmin Rv Nav units with very mixed reviews, just don't want to spend the 400$ and run into the same issues as we had before. Just looking to lower the stress levels a bit.

THanks in advance.

[laknox]

Texas Roadrunner wrote:

Lexx wrote:
If I download the lowclearances.com POI app onto the Garmin, is there a signficant different between the trucker vs RV version of the Garmin 770?

The RV one seems to be nice because it has the database of all the things that would interest RVers, while the trucker one is nice because it has all the truckstops/FlyinJ's listed.

We did not explore the trucker version, since the rv version was more applicable to our situation, plus the navigation system on our truck shows us fuel stops and names them. I think you have pinpointed the differences, probably either would work in warning you of low clearance sites.

I'd bet you could find a POI list for just about =any= major store that you could add to your GPS, if it didn't already have it. :B

Lyle

[Texas_Roadrunn1]

Lexx wrote:
If I download the lowclearances.com POI app onto the Garmin, is there a signficant different between the trucker vs RV version of the Garmin 770?

The RV one seems to be nice because it has the database of all the things that would interest RVers, while the trucker one is nice because it has all the truckstops/FlyinJ's listed.

We did not explore the trucker version, since the rv version was more applicable to our situation, plus the navigation system on our truck shows us fuel stops and names them. I think you have pinpointed the differences, probably either would work in warning you of low clearance sites.

[Lexx]

If I download the lowclearances.com POI app onto the Garmin, is there a signficant different between the trucker vs RV version of the Garmin 770?

The RV one seems to be nice because it has the database of all the things that would interest RVers, while the trucker one is nice because it has all the truckstops/FlyinJ's listed.

[Jim2007]

SpeakEasy wrote:

Jim2007 wrote:
Hi all... I was able to get through a under pass that was 11 feet 6 inches with no damage. This was a pleasant surprise . . My measurements showed I needed 12 feet ...I had not planned to be on this road at all. I just got kicked off of I25.in Denver. Because of a accident, that closed I25. Jim2007.

You THOUGHT you were 12' and you went in under the 11' 6" bridge anyway? Wow.

-Speak

Yes, That is what I did. Well now I know I can clear 11 feet 6 inches. That is if the clearance is correct. Jim2007

[Texas_Roadrunn1]

Check the website, wwwlowclearances.com. At no charge you can download low clearances at the height you designate onto a Garmin. You may be able to download onto another GPS, we just happen to have a Garmin, so not sure about others. A mile ot two ahead of time a tone will sound and the height of the clearance will appear on the screen of the GPS. We've had it go off twice in actual transit. After DH downloaded the soft ware he drove our fiver near a low clearance bridge he was familiar with, and the software worked as promised.

[catgonedoo]

azdryheat wrote:
Remeasure your trailer as I seriously doubt your trailer is over 14' high. 18 wheelers aren't that tall...

Agreed. If your RV is as delivered from the factory, I'd be shocked. In MANY states 13'-6" is the maximum allowed.

[SpeakEasy]

Jim2007 wrote:
Hi all... I was able to get through a under pass that was 11 feet 6 inches with no damage. This was a pleasant surprise . . My measurements showed I needed 12 feet ...I had not planned to be on this road at all. I just got kicked off of I25.in Denver. Because of a accident, that closed I25. Jim2007.

You THOUGHT you were 12' and you went in under the 11' 6" bridge anyway? Wow.

-Speak

[TGPILOT]

The only thing I can think of besides an extra layer of pavement, is, did you have, or are your axles flipped? If you raised them like I have, that can give you some extra height.

[laknox]

One other thing that I've read about here, is people getting caught by a low clearance that =should= have been OK. Seems clearance signs don't always get updated after roadwork. They can be off as much as 4-6" if new pavement is overlaid on the old pavement. Also, if you know you're going to be close, you can cheat to an inner lane, where there's likely to be a few more inches of clearance than the outer lane.

Lyle

[laknox]

one_strange_texan wrote:
I use a Garmin RV 660LMT and found it to be a good guide. You enter the dimensions of your rig, including height, and it plans your routes accordingly. I am pretty sure Garmin has all the low clearance information on USA & Canadian major roads. It warns you if you start down a road where it lacks verified data.

I too suggest you measure your height again. I attempted to by myself and came up with 14'6" on a conservative estimate due to the difficulty of a solo operation. I have that in my Garmin and have been routed around potential obstacles on a few occasions.

However, I feel I have overestimated my height. In Austin a few weeks back, my Garmin was routing me on a weird path, avoiding an overpass I had travelled under before. I ignored it and, sure enough, the clearance sign said 14' 2" as I approached. I could not stop at that time and proceeded under it without incident. It is possible that I overestimated my height and the highway department underestimated it, both parties being conservative.

FWIW, the RV GPS units only have a d.b. that contains about 1500 data points with low clearance. Adding the Route-1 d.b. gives you over 7,000...

Lyle

[Jim2007]

Hi all... I was able to get through a under pass that was 11 feet 6 inches with no damage. This was a pleasant surprise . . My measurements showed I needed 12 feet ...I had not planned to be on this road at all. I just got kicked off of I25.in Denver. Because of a accident, that closed I25. Jim2007.

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

As mention above you need to remesure your 5er. We have a Cyclone Toy Hauler that measures 13’4”. I use a gps app called Co-pilot on my tablet and smart phone that you can program your RV’s height, weight, length etc into it. Have used it for years and it’s kept us safe even traveling in the northeast which is renowned for Low bridges. Last I check the cost of Co-pilot RV was around $50.00 still cheaper that a stand alone gps.

Co-Pilot gps app

“Happy Trails”
Chiefneon

[one_strange_tex]

I use a Garmin RV 660LMT and found it to be a good guide. You enter the dimensions of your rig, including height, and it plans your routes accordingly. I am pretty sure Garmin has all the low clearance information on USA & Canadian major roads. It warns you if you start down a road where it lacks verified data.

I too suggest you measure your height again. I attempted to by myself and came up with 14'6" on a conservative estimate due to the difficulty of a solo operation. I have that in my Garmin and have been routed around potential obstacles on a few occasions.

However, I feel I have overestimated my height. In Austin a few weeks back, my Garmin was routing me on a weird path, avoiding an overpass I had travelled under before. I ignored it and, sure enough, the clearance sign said 14' 2" as I approached. I could not stop at that time and proceeded under it without incident. It is possible that I overestimated my height and the highway department underestimated it, both parties being conservative.

[Lwiddis]

VERY glad I’m 4 feet lower.