bridge clearance for 13' 5th wheel ?

[damon]

I'm in new territory here as far as my towing experience goes. The toyhauler that I just bought is just a couple of inches shy of 13' at the AC unit, and I have never had to worry about anything being higher than 10' before.



So how many places am I going to have to worry about clearance ? If memory serves me, I believe I have seen bridges marked at less than 13'. Most of my driving will be So Cal, and some up North and through Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.



And at what height do bridges have to be marked ?



thanks,



Damon

 

[Dkevdog]

Damon, I tow a 30' Sunnybrook, that, after modifications is at 13'. I haven't come to a bridge that couldn't pass under yet. I beleive in California at least, every bridge is marked if there is a chance of a high profile vehicle hitting it. Nearly all the bridges I've seen marked that I thought looked low to me were at least 14'8" or more. Your toyhauler is no higher than a tractor trailer, and they seldom have problems.



I purchased a truckers atlas at a truck stop and it has a section that lists "unusually" low bridge passes on highways and byways, and every one of them is at least 13'8" that was listed. Low for a semi, OK for most RV's.



NOW- once you get way, way out in the sticks, they might not be marked. I read about guy that made a PVC pole the hieght of his rig and kept it strapped to the frame so he could use it to check before going under. Not a bad idea if it's a concern.



I find that more than anything, I like to prune trees :{ with my rig on regular city streets. Gotta watch them low branches



Kev

 

[Mschevey]

Usually anything under 14' is marked. But if you are on back roads look out. On main highways you should be okay for the most part. But back roads are where you will find low clearances. If the signs noting low clearances are lost/stolen sometime they take years to be replaced.



Also watch out for low tree branches, telephone wires, etc. these are harder to see than big concrete bridges, but will do almost as much damage.



Mike

 

[Barry]

Trust me, those A/C units come off and you never feel it. I know... ... ... ... .

 

[damon]

That's a bad mental picture... . I don't even want to go there.



And of course it would probably drop onto the hood of somebody's new Mercedes behind me - and that would be after it sliced the rubber roof from front to back.



... . exactly the reason I asked !



Damon

 

[damon]

Kev -



Does that trucker's atlas show diesel stations as well ?



If so, do you know the name of that book ?



thanks,



Damon

 

[DBF]

If so, do you know the name of that book ?



Rand McNally Motor Carriers Road Atlas.





Does that trucker's atlas show diesel stations as well ?



Not well; I use the Trucker's and RV'ers Friend for that - it shows which truck stops are RV-friendly, etc. Also all the info on modem, park overnight, all that stuff.



DBF

 

[Mad Bomber]

How high?

I have seen some bridges that were less than 12'. You better get the measurement that is right and not foget it. Eric

 

[QRTRHRS]

When your that high, you need to think ahead. Pay attention to every sign you see. Watch for arched bridges that are marked high enough as long as you stay towards the center but the sides can get you. Best one I ever saw was this RR bridge marked 13'6". The road had an abrubt dip in it. A truck pulling a 40' trailer had no problem but this car hauler took the top of the cab and the end of the bed off a pickup on the tail end.

 

[DBF]

Height of trailer

If you're going to travel in Canada, know your trailer height in meters as well as feet.



I got forced onto a detour around Moncton, NB, that went around a corner, over a bridge and under a railroad track marked 3. 6 meters. My trailer is 11'6" high or 3. 5 meters.



I managed to get around the underpass.



DBF

 

[richardcoxid]

For those wanting diesel fuel locations. FYI



Here are some Diesel fuel web sites.



http://www.flyingj.com/



http://www.loves.com/



http://www.petrotruckstops.com/petro_fuel_price.asp



http://www.pilotcorp.com/



http://www.tatravelcenters.com/ta/display_page.phtml?page_id=102



http://204.255.94.145/default5.asp (Rip Griffin Travel Centers)



http://www.sappbrostruckstops.com/



http://www.speedway.com/TruckStops/Locations/TruckLocations.asp



And finally with Gocomcek plug in the highway #, direction of travel etc. then it will list almost (not “J”) all diesel fuel locations with fuel prices.



http://www.gocomchek.com/



Have fun!

 

[Dkevdog]

Damon- DBF got it right, that's the one I have. And yes, he is right about not showing fuel stops real well. I generally use my GPS for that or get on the radio. Don't let that stop you from buying the atlas though, its a great cab companion and also has all of the towing regulations for each state. It can be had for about $12?? or so at just about any truck stop.



Kev

 

[NVR FNSH]

Damon,

It ain't the bridges that worry me - it's the darn branches overhanging the two lane roads & FS campgrounds. There is a reason I store my pruning pole in the garage - of my trailer.



Brian

 

[Jim Smith]

Originally posted by damon

Kev -



Does that trucker's atlas show diesel stations as well ?



If so, do you know the name of that book ?



thanks,



Damon

For low iesel fuel try FlyingJ.com its shows many stations across the United States and Canada.

 

[Dkevdog]

The problem with website fuel locators is that you have to have a computer and an internet connection... ... ... . while on the road that don't work out to well . Yeah I know, if you plan ahead and all of that, but I enjoy looking at a map, finding a road, and GOING. No idea where anything is, no idea where I'm going. I've found some of most favorite spots that way. The GPS is great at finding a fuel stop where I'm located, at any point in my travels. Next step is an auxillary fuel tank.



kev

 

[damon]

A few good things have been mentioned in this thread.



I like the idea of the truckers atlas, and the price is right for that tool too.



The list of fueling station websites is very good and will be saved.



I also like the idea of having a pre-cut piece of PVC strapped to the frame to check questionable clearance. And if this is done right, that same pipe could be used with a PVC 90 to create an exhaust extension for the generator to put the output above the roofline.



thanks for the ideas.

 

[Forrest]

I was told by an RV'er that uses motorhomes that eastern cities have low overpasses. I guess the older it is, the lower it could be. He came upon one in NY that looked pretty low. He climbed up on the ladder & had the wife take it slow. He said he cleared by inches!

 

[Jim Smith]

Originally posted by Dkevdog

The problem with website fuel locators is that you have to have a computer and an internet connection... ... ... . while on the road that don't work out to well . Yeah I know, if you plan ahead and all of that, but I enjoy looking at a map, finding a road, and GOING. No idea where anything is, no idea where I'm going. I've found some of most favorite spots that way. The GPS is great at finding a fuel stop where I'm located, at any point in my travels. Next step is an auxillary fuel tank.



kev

If you print it before you head out on the road it might help. Most of the prices will hold and be lower at these stations.

 

[WDaniels]

damon,

I haven't seen anyone mentioning this but the legal height limit on U. S. roads is 13'. That goes for the truckers and passenger units. If you want to go higher you have to have a permit and If you are over 13' without one and get caught, you will get a ticket no questions asked. I was hauling hay from Wa to here and at one point on the load I was 13'4". I know that cause the state troopers stopped me and measured. I couldn't talk him out of giving me a ticket until I said that I would lower the load. Had to unwrap 10 tons of hay to remove 2 bales of hay. This is for what ever it's worth. Happy camping.

WD

 

[Reddog1]

Years ago, I was working with a house moving company. We were moving temporary building from San Francisco to Sacramento California.



We had all of the proper permits, and a route designated by Caltrans.



At about 50 MPH, went under an overpass. It ripped part of the roof off, and moved the load on the trailer. After the investigation, it was discovered that the road had been re-paved but the overpass had not been re-marked for height nor was the Caltrans maps.



The length of the trailer and height was just enough.



Do not forget the Service Station overhead. I have seen more than one rig that got hung up on them.





Wayne