Too Tall ?

The popular Allstays Camp and RV app also has a setting that marks low clearances. That was pointed out to me today. I tried it, turned it on, and now I can look for low clearances in the states, and cities that we go through when we get off the highway looking for an RV Park for the night.

Having spent 33 years in the installation and repair of traffic signals, I became well versed in verifying the signals we installed met the National Association of Transportation Engineering Standards for the Design and Construction of Roadways and Bridges, etc.

13'6" is the minimum clearance set by those standards. It is not law but it is generally followed including the signage to notify drivers of lower clearances.

Last weekend in DE.. after the Morryde IS.. 13'4-1/2" to top of front AC.. They put a 2' subframe while installing the IS.. I found it odd that a Sabre was that tall , glad you figured it all out.

So I put a long PVC pipe alongside the Sabre Fiver this morning, and marked a line at the top side of the trailer. This is while hooked up to the truck.

Taking it down I measured the pipe. It was 11'7" . But then I have to add for the crown of the roof - say 3 inches. Which gets me to 11'10". Then I have to add 10 inches for the height of the front AC and Vent Cover over the Bathroom. That puts me at 12'8". If I get a chance I'll bring a long 2x4 to the storage yard and lay it across the AC shroud and measure from that - highest point to double check.

So looking at the brochure which says height is 12'7", I'm thinking that they were including the front AC height.

I added the App Smart Truck Route to my iPhone. It has alerts and routes. Haven't yet used it. Thanks for the idea - I searched for "Low Clearance" and the SmartTruckRoute came up in the appStore.

Someone over on the RV Forum sent me a free "Giraffe" device which I had to order a mount for. I tried it, but it didn't work the way the instructions said it would. Maybe it was an early model.Disappointed in that. Might contact the maker.

While still high, I feel a lot better knowing that we're well under 13 feet! If I get a chance before we leave I'll bring a long 2x4 over and lay it across the front AC shroud and measue to the ground - a level also.

Sighting along the top of the AC shroud, I looked at two Montana 5th Wheels, one on each side. They both appeared to be slightly taller than our Sabre.

I think part of why is looks so tall is that it's a relatively short 5th wheel - 28 feet.

I agree that it's very important to know how tall your rig is sitting on it's hitch!

Thanks for your kind thoughts and ideas!

Ron and Joyce

Hammerboy wrote:
You never know when your cruising down the road coming up to a bridge and your thinking is it 12'7' or is it 12' 7 3/16" ;)

You MUST always leave some margin for error because dips, rises and other irregularities in the roadway can end up making your effective height 6 inches MORE that what you measured. :E

dapperdan wrote:
Here's the best example of how you should check your height. Pretty straight forward method, there's NO question as to how high you are after measuring this way.


Dan

I just measured mine the other day with my line laser in the barn hooked to the truck. Very accurate. You never know when your cruising down the road coming up to a bridge and your thinking is it 12'7' or is it 12' 7 3/16" ;)

I use an app called Truckers Path. Has all low clearance and route arounds, fuel stops of all kinds etc. Very good app for smart phone and tablet.

SanMarMor wrote:

High5er wrote:
I purchased an excellent app called lowclearances.com and I use it all the time to plot my courses. I believe the app is constantly updated from a network of truckers, RV'rs etc.. :B

Is this a "Point of Interest" file that loads into your GPS? Mark

Yes Mark, it works on all the major GPS devices or cell phones and it can alert you when you are approaching a low bridge (Just like a point of interest). However, I like to use the app with Google Earth on my PC where I can see all the low spots on my route at the same time. You can also program it to show you anything under your requested height. I myself look for anything under 14 feet" just to add a bit of a buffer. I think it goes as high as 16 feet but I certainly don't need to have alerts for things that are way higher than my 13.7"RV. I believe this app is a sound investment if you are worried about wrecking your RV. I have a lifetime subscription which is a good deal.
FYI I believe the app only works on overpasses, tunnels and bridges. It does NOT identify low hazards such as Gas stations or traffic semaphores that I know of. (PS I have no affilation with this company, I just like the product) Safe travels :C

SanMarMor wrote:

High5er wrote:
I purchased an excellent app called lowclearances.com and I use it all the time to plot my courses. I believe the app is constantly updated from a network of truckers, RV'rs etc.. :B

Is this a "Point of Interest" file that loads into your GPS?

I'm fortunate enough to have a cement floored barn. I can pull my 5er under the door frame. I measured from the ground to the door frame, then from the frame down to the high point of the trailer, and subtract. Very precise.

Mark

Yes, it's a POI database. Entire N America is $75, with lifetime updates. The single d/l includes formats for all major GPS units =and= Google Maps. Neat deal, for sure. Combine that with an "RV" or "trucker" GPS or GPS app, and you're good to go. Over 8,000 low clearance points. It does NOT include low-hanging branches, and such, though. :-)

Lyle

High5er wrote:
I purchased an excellent app called lowclearances.com and I use it all the time to plot my courses. I believe the app is constantly updated from a network of truckers, RV'rs etc.. :B

Is this a "Point of Interest" file that loads into your GPS?

I'm fortunate enough to have a cement floored barn. I can pull my 5er under the door frame. I measured from the ground to the door frame, then from the frame down to the high point of the trailer, and subtract. Very precise.

Mark