Overhead Hieghts....Carry Lots of Underwear!!

[The Gritz Carlton]

I meant..."heights"...it won't let me change the spelling...

Over my vast career I've driven my share of commercial vehicles from gasoline tankers, charter buses, full size sleeper trucks, etc. BUT, for the most part these have been limited to relative and established routes designed for same. My new MH at 12'-6" is the highest personal vehicle I've owned. I now find myself, even in personal cars, looking at everything as I travel about. Are there standards for fueling station canopy heights, power lines on residential routes, etc.? I know there is lots of software available that supposedly route you around your programmed profile but, what do you experienced veterans of thousands of miles do or use to minimize this fear. We're taking the first 10 day road trip next month for my daughter's wedding in Asheville, then on to actually officiate a niece's wedding in Charleston the following week. There's lots of route options but I fear being on the "11 Foot 8" video in some small town with a low RR overpass or something similar. We would like to venture around a bit but I don't have that many clean pair of drawers.

[Bob Denman]

Good luck with your trip: have fun!
There are GPS units that will allow you to input your rig's height. It will then attempt to keep you away from any situation that'll make for an annoying Youtube video!
Check out Garmin and Magellan: those those are two that I know have that capability. There probably are others out there as well...

[BradnKaren]

https://www.amazon.com/McNally-Delux...rs+atlas&psc=1

Bought that for my husband after our Oct 2017 trip.

We're pushing 13ft in our Challenger. We took a 2 week trip with stops in Talladega AL, Helen GA, Pigeon Forge TN, Chattanooga TN and other places. Using Google maps we generally avoided the more mountainous routes and tried to stick with Interstates. We did do some lovely back road travelling. Sometimes the power lines over those back roads looked like we would surely grab them but the trip was uneventful.

As for gas stations, all the canopies were plenty high enough, but we always look in advance before we need fuel to find a station with easy ingress and egress. The larger stations work best. Small town gas stations not so much.

We do know a couple who lost an A/C unit on an underpass. lol He stopped before he took off the second one. 40ft DP pulling a 20ft cargo trailer. They had to unhook the trailer and back up several miles. The state police were not happy.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Right up my alley! I love books and charts over electronic devices. Was just looking at the Garmin 770. I wonder if the same data from Trucker's Atlas is in the GPS units.

[jpmihalk]

The only issue with printed material is that it is dated unless you buy new every year. Many of the low bridges, etc. get changed as paving and construction is performed and then data is updated slowly after. Electronic devices get updated but they are almost all sharing the same common map databases, so it is always a matter of watching out and looking for signs. Even the electronic updates can be years before they get corrected.

[The Gritz Carlton]

I think both the book and an updated GPS is a minimum.

[Bob Denman]

I doubt that you need any motivation...
But; just in case you do!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzkWTcDZFH0

[Laco]

Don't know how long you are, but we had a 41 foot DP that was 12.7 in height. I never fueled anywhere but at truck stops. In general any gas station, with a few exceptions are just too tight for any oversized vehicle. Also watch tree branches on any road that is not a state or natiional highway.

[Travelin' Texans]

Typically all interstate overpasses will be 13'6"+ unless otherwise marked. Some may require you to be in a specific lane , but at 12' you should be good to go just about anywhere except the railroad overpass in the previous video. My 5er is 13'2"+/- & have not had any problems all across the country. I carry/view the truckers atlas, have Google maps on my phone & built in GPS in my truck & the phone & the atlas are the most beneficial, the truck tries to always cut corners through residential areas or narrow back roads.

[TurnerFam]

I think that you're overly concerned about your height, and any 'obstructions' you think RVrs like youself might run 'into'(no pun!)...

people have been traveling all over the country, like ourselves, and have RARELY, if EVER, come into any close encounter with any type of low obstruction in all our years and miles of travel. While some overpasses may 'seem' low, they're usually not. If any are posted, they are usually WELL above your 'high' spot of your RV's roof air conditioner covering. Since 13'6" is the 'standard' non-posted height of any highway overpass, tunnel, or similar obstruction, it's very doubtful you'll even ever seen many, if almost any, less than that.
Are there special places for lower height tunnels and overpasses? of course, but you're not contemplating getting off the 'beaten' path for any of those, especially in your 'normal' travels to 'normal' locations. Those are very special locations and with a lot of forewarning, even though most of THOSE are actually not as low as you might fear, it's just that they have to post the height of the 'lowest point on the outer roadway edge', not what the true 'height' of the middle of the lane is.

If you are traveling normal road/highway/interstate routes, you're not going to have to be concerned about height, though I know you may be anyway. If a 13'6" semi-truck and trailer drive them everyday, you will certainly be able to as well.

Don't fret it. Go and enjoy.

[Bob Denman]

I agree with the fact that the chances of anything happening are pretty darn small! But you STILL don't want to be the one that does get the pie in the face...
Frankly: it's worth the investment in some safety precautions: just keep your head in the game also.

[The Gritz Carlton]

"overly concerned"...not overly but concerned. If you're not concerned...problem!
"'normal' travels to 'normal' locations...what fun is that?
Federal Standard for Interstate System is 16' unless otherwise posted.
I watched this video a few weeks ago, thus the reference to it in the OP. Someone has it out for Ryder. And, the 5er that ripped 3 A/C's off...and kept going. Idiot category. That bridge is posted with vehicle specific flashing warning lights. I've driven the normal routes for thousands of miles. My question was what do you do for "off the beaten path" routes. That welder for the steel bar at the bridge can get a job anywhere!!

[JamieGeek]

Not just bridges, but banks too you have to beware of:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n75I-XyBqrM

(no one was hurt in this)

[The Gritz Carlton]

I really think this guy thought he was outside of the canopy. Either way...big mistake.

[Bob Denman]

I agree...

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1525980554

[Laco]

Another thing to aware of are tunnels, especially those with round ceilings. I got into one, I believe it was in Oregon, the center clearance was sufficient, but the clearance as it rounded to the side was not. I had to straddle the center of the tunnel to clear, which some oncoming drivers were most unhappy about. Have to do what has to be done.

[Muggs]

Is a very real concern. Some of the roads around Charleston towards James Island are real narrow and low overhead. I figure I can go anywhere a Fed Ex or UPS truck can go but I am a foot shorter.

[Muggs]

I have also put the Vegas in spots where wife covered her eyes.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Muggs, we're heading down 26 to Foley Island. I'll check that area close as well be off interstate a good bit. I grew up my summers in Savannah Beach, GA. Same there nearly everywhere. Trees rule and they've taken over lots of local routes.

[JamieGeek]

One thing you can do before any trip--if you have a decent enough internet connection--is to use Google's streetview along the route to check for low spots.

I frequently review the route we're taking; especially if its unfamiliar or we haven't been that way before.