travel elevation

[funbiz4all]

Does anyone know of an app, dvd, or publication to help with warnings on mountain passes, steep grades, or elevation issues to help plan your routing in the US?

[Jim_Shoe]

The mountain Directories (East and West) are published in hard copy as well, but they're outrageously expensive. I have both. The problem (as far as the publisher is concerned) is that you only have to buy them once. You really only need the West, though. The eastern mountains are relative babies.
Personally, I've always appreciated knowing when there's a runaway truck ramp at the bottom of a long, steep hill, but that's just me.
BTW, Amazon sells the books.

[funbiz4all]

Thanks to all of you. I will try some of these options. It appears the mountain directory will only work with a laptop with windows, and not hand held devices or tablets.

[2gypsies1]

We have always used the "Mountain Directory West for Truckers & RVers" with 100% success.

For Hwy 74 it states: "Between Lake Elsinore & San Juan Capistrano, CA - tractors-semis over 30' kingpin to rear axle not advised. There is a 5 mile 6-7% eastbound descent into Lake Elsinore with a T intersection and stop sign at the bottom of the grade. This road is cut into the side of the mountain so there are long steep drop-offs and dramatic views of Lake Elsinore far below. The descent on the west side is spread over many miles so there are short descents with mild grade in between. The entire road is rough, narrow and winding with heavy traffic including many trucks."

This book is geared for truckers who are bigger than RVs. So if truckers are not advised, RVers are not either.

If you travel the western roads it's worthwhile to buy the book. There's also an Eastern version. We love mountain driving and we always referred to this book before taking off for the unknown. We always knew what to expect. No surprises. We would not take the 40' motorhome on this road.

[Two_Hands]

Although there certainly haven't been many responses, it would seem that from the replies to this post that there is no publication available which meet these needs. The copies of the directory I have state that they are published to help the trucker and recreational vehicle driver. It would seem that it would be a great idea for you to suggest to the publisher that they add rv route restrictions to the directory. That would help the rv driver a lot more and make the publication more popular. You should be compensated for your idea.

[Allworth]

Every DOT District Office I have ever been in had telephones. Call and ask.

[WyoTraveler]

That is why I was specific on hwy indicated. I was about to drive on route 74 south of Palm Desert. Maps app and other maps say truck restrictions noted on sign at top of grade. DUH!. I would like to know before I get to the top. I searched through CA DOT and couldn't find too much. Finally found a site that shows MH restrictions in CA. That highway is limited. No MHs over 40' and no MHs over a overall length of 45' including tow vehicle. That includes most MHs with a toad. Probably could make it over but it is illegal and very difficult to locate specifc info.

If it is just tunnels and bridges we have apps. Grades we can guesstimate based on elevation on a map and squiggles on the map. Restrictions for length should all be part of a good book. JMHO.

[Bumpyroad]

in google earth you can set the route and follow it along determining elevations at each point.
bumpy

[lbrjet]

I found the mountain directories OK for very general travel but the information was limited and a lot of highways I traveled were not in there at all. I use the IPad app TopoProfiler (5 bucks) for map routing. Set two points on the map and click profile. An elevation profile appears. Click anywhere on the profile then double click somewhere else on the profile. You can now slide either point left or right and move them to the bottom of the hill and top of the hill. It tells you the grade and distance. Move the points to the steepest section of the hill to get the steepest grade you will encounter. My mountain directories (they were not cheap) are now paper weights.

[drillagent]

The All Stays camp and RV app shows all steep grades. Just have to go to the filter and put a checkmark next to it. When you go back to the map view, viola. It also shows all the low bridges. Hope this helps.

[WyoTraveler]

Two Hands wrote:
Mountain Directory East and Mountain Directory West.

Does it actually show MH length restriction routes? For example: Restrictions on MH and MH/toad length on highwy 74 south of Palm Desert, CA? The problem is lots of books out there but do they really cover what we need to know?

[Two_Hands]

Mountain Directory East and Mountain Directory West.

[WyoTraveler]

Usually DOT in the states indicate what restrictions there are on passes in their state. Sometimes it is difficult to locate info. I heard about the "Mountain Passes" book and going to check it out. My concern is mountain passes that have restrictions like in CA and difficult to find info. I am referring to restrictions like no MHs over 40' or total length, including toad over 45'.

The trucker's maps show truck routes but not always MH restrictions for length restrictions.

Most passes are just another grade to go over but having listed restrictions would be very helful.

[Calicajun]

Not A Clue, nice find, thanks for posting.

[Not_a_Clue]

Check this out Mountain directory