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 > Low Bridges - Avoidance!

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d-mac1

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Posted: 04/11/12 04:26pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

What is the best approach to avoiding routes with low bridges? And is there a good collision avoidance alert system in the event you take an unexpected and therefore unplanned route?

I'd look for something for my Android phone, but its GPS isn't reliable just cruising around town.

Around town (Denver) there are some old interstate bridges where you'd just be screwed if you were in the wrong lane at speed with traffic around you. And of course there are other old bridges that are no where near tall enough for 13'2".

I've read about a Trucker Atlas, and imagine that would help on highways and trip planning to some degree...but do they cover secondary roads? Is there a database with all the bridge heights listed so you can plan a route in advance?

I've also read about a Trucker GPS. Anyone have one? Is it useful?

I've discovered that I should take my ladder with me on a trip in the event of an upcoming, off-highway, low bridge. Via it, someone could climb up to see if going to clear or not vs guess and hope.

Is this any good?
http://www.lowclearances.com/?gclid=CLH7zPDnra8CFYe5Kgod3Xvmnw

Thanks for any pointers.


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docj

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Posted: 04/11/12 04:36pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

We have a Garmin Nuvi 465T which is one of Garmin's Trucker GPS units. You can define the height, length and weight (including axle weights) of your rig and it will attempt to keep you out of trouble. In over 20,000 miles of using it I can say that we have never had a clearance or weight problem arise. Sometimes, you do end up taking routes that are a bit more circuitous because they are approved "truck routes" but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Occasionally it will avoid a road or an area because they have truck restrictions and RV's aren't subject to those, but IMHO if trucks aren't welcome there, I probably don't want to be there either!


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agteacher

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Posted: 04/11/12 05:32pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

The truckers atlas is not going to give you heights on county (back) roads, but will on state roads that are going to be travelled by semis.


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Y-Guy

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Posted: 04/11/12 05:29pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

First off know your height and get in the habit of looking at bridges, tunnels etc before you get to them. The truckers atlas are a very good reference point. Some of the PC mapping programs can import POIs that list low bridges too. I saw one motor home where the guy put vinyl numbers in the corer of his overall height, that was his reminders to be looking.


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mdock2

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Posted: 04/11/12 07:32pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Yes on Low Clearance, it does provide the clearance info. Yes on the truckers GPS, is used by uploading route to GPS after planning trip with streets and trips, where I also have Low Clearance as a poi file.


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Posted: 04/12/12 07:33am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

docj wrote:

We have a Garmin Nuvi 465T which is one of Garmin's Trucker GPS units. You can define the height, length and weight (including axle weights) of your rig and it will attempt to keep you out of trouble. In over 20,000 miles of using it I can say that we have never had a clearance or weight problem arise. Sometimes, you do end up taking routes that are a bit more circuitous because they are approved "truck routes" but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Occasionally it will avoid a road or an area because they have truck restrictions and RV's aren't subject to those, but IMHO if trucks aren't welcome there, I probably don't want to be there either!


X2. I also have the truckers atlas and just glance through it whenever we take a new road or head to a new destination. 15 minutes of planning sure beats paying for a new AC unit or worse.


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mapguy

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Posted: 04/12/12 12:00pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Truckers Atlas helps but watching the signs is still mandatory!

An online source from American Independant Truckers Association. One of the name brand GPS companies has a GPS unit for truckers, too.

http://www.aitaonline.com/Info/Low%20Clearances.html

* This post was edited 04/12/12 12:23pm by mapguy *

d-mac1

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Posted: 04/12/12 01:35pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

docj wrote:

We have a Garmin Nuvi 465T which is one of Garmin's Trucker GPS units.


What mount do those who have this use?

I'd be curious to know what it says about low clearances on I-25 in Denver (from I-225 - I-70). Also, anything listed on Brighton Ave north of I-70 where you turn onto York? Is their database available for viewing somehow?

Thanks.

* This post was edited 04/12/12 04:11pm by d-mac1 *

Isaiah63

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Posted: 04/12/12 03:12pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Allstays Camp and RV app 4.2.1 has a filter that includes low clearance. Works for us as fulltimers.

d-mac1

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Posted: 04/12/12 04:10pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Isaiah63 wrote:

Allstays Camp and RV app 4.2.1 has a filter that includes low clearance. Works for us as fulltimers.


Sounds like at least a good starter. Even though my gps isn't great in my Samsung Galaxy S2, it sounds like its got some features I can use....and it has low clearances as you mentioned...and for $5 how can I go too wrong?

Do you use the RV dump app too?

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