How to avoid height restrictions?

[Stvchurch]

Hey guys.

My wife and I were driving near Cincinnati today and we went around a curve and all of a sudden the was a low bridge. No warning, no posted height on the bridge, just bam...there it was! Lucky for us we weren't towing at the time, just cruising up to hike at the local county park. On the way back we noticed a road sign with the height 13' 6". Again nothing on the actual structure though. After going under we looked back and sure enough, there was a sign, but it was totally 100% obscured by tree limbs.

We had been depending on an app called Trucker Path Pro to help us avoid these issues, but we had not had a chance to see it actually work as we have been almost exclusively on interstate so far. I asked my wife to check and see if this one was listed and it was not! If we had been towing I surely would have put a lovely new sunroof on my 13' 8" Monty...

So...my question is, what does everyone use to manage these low clearances? A book? An app? A really quick break reaction? There must be something out there right? I can't fathom that no one has put together anything reliable...right?

Thanks as always!

[WeBeFulltime]

Have you actually measured it at 13'8" ? Mine is 13'3" with front a/c.

[onekla]

We use the Rand McNally Trucker's Atlas as well as the Good Sam Trip Planner.

[mamestra]

If you have Street and Trips from Microsoft or any GPS that will accept POI (points of interest) the Discovery Owners group has a great Megafile that lists low clearances and tons of other stuff. I use Streets and Trips to plan my route then import it into my Garmin GPS. If you go to the Discovery Owners site they will explain how to download the files to your GPS.

[Stvchurch]

No Dave...it was listed as TBD in the brochure but the dealer told us 13' 9'. The other day we barely squeezed through a 13' 9" bridge, so it must be less, but it was REAL close. I'm going to try to get a real measurement this coming weekend when we move out of here.

[Mark N.]

I am amazed that there isn't clearance data, such as that listed in the trucker's atlas, or within the trucker's GPS database, found in an app. for a phone! It seems odd that someone hasn't done an app yet with all of this available data.

[Lkelly3400]

Lowclearances.com has an extensive database that you can download onto your GPS. I also use the AllStays app on my iPad and iPhone. Also the Rand McNally Truckers Atlas.

[halfwright]

I do not believe that they would build anything over 13' 6" since that is the federal limit.

[DQDick]

I wouldn't even trust the sign if it's close. Once in a while they repave the road and don't think to change the sign. Another driver in a company I worked for found that out the hard way. We use both the trucker's atlas and a Rand McNally RV GPS. So far neither of them have failed us.

[JandC]

If you are basing you height on what a dealer told you, then to be honest you have no idea how tall your unit is. Unless that dealer had your truck hooked up to your Montana and did a physical measurement then it would be impossible for them to know your height.

I am guessing you are between 13'3" and 13'5" actual height to top of front air. The only way to know is to pull out the 10' step ladder, long level, tape measure, and do it yourself (with truck hooked up).

Even though I utilize the Rand RV GPS I would not blindly trust it while traveling. The only reference I fully trust is a current Trucker's Atlas.

[dboo]

I use an app called allstays its $10 and has been priceless on every trip I have made so far. highly recommend it.

[mhs4771]

I know of several bridges in our Home Base area that we can't fit under and neither is listed in any data base or hard copy book that I have been able to fine.
As long as you stay on major highways those tools are probably 99.9% correct, but once you venture off the beaten path I find that you are on your own.

[Stvchurch]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. 2 things...1) I know better than to trust the dealer...I've just been lazy. We'll get a good measurement when we hook up next (Friday). 2) I ran across a post on another forum that will allow me to load custom POI files into my RAM's UConnect nav. I'm going to give that a shot and I'll post my results back here.

Thanks again!

[Annaoinga]

I also use AllStays and have been very happy with it! I noticed on our last trip to MD that several of the diesel stations weren't listed on it. Not sure if they are new or just missed out when the app was done. It would be nice to be able to notify someone to add them as we travel.

[RKassl]

Our new 2015 3440RL is 13'5" we measured it hooked up to the truck.

[Mynabird]

quote:Originally posted by Annaoinga

I also use AllStays and have been very happy with it! I noticed on our last trip to MD that several of the diesel stations weren't listed on it. Not sure if they are new or just missed out when the app was done. It would be nice to be able to notify someone to add them as we travel.

There is a place on the app for you to "update" or add info. It is in the "tabs section...under the map tab. It shows as update. Tap it and follow instructions. It is actually pre-loaded with the location ...and it asks more questions.

On a side note... We were in NY a couple years ago and the train trestles in the country were not marked....in the ALLSTAYS app. I should have "reported" it then.

[Jimmer]

Mynabird thanks for the information on Allstay. I have the APP and after reading your comments I opened it up and played around with it. It is a good App and I can see how it would be helpful on a trip.

[DonandBonnie]

We have a Garmin RV GPS with our rig height and length plugged in. It's suppose to avoid substandard clearances and tight turns. We had our height measured at last year's MOC Rally. We constantly watch for clearance signs and semi's. If the semi can fit, so can we.

[chris199]

We are on a PA to Quebec trip right now. My sister in law drove her class B from Charlotte. We met at Niagara Falls, Ontario. When leaving KOA at Niagara, my daughter checked Google maps for route and duration for my sister in law. ...9 hrs. I checked my Rand GPS and it said 14 hrs! I eventually realized it was likely height routing us around low clearance obstacles. ( I set height to 13' 10".) I dropped height by 3 cm....gps converted to metric in Canada automatically...and pooof....3 hrs came off of trip.
I found a RV dealer using Points of Interest on route..happened to be a Keystone dealer. Asked them to measure my rig. 13'4". I set gps to 13'6" just for peace of mind. I originally "estimated" my rig at 13'9" but set it at 13'10".
Bottom line....the gps.routed us just fine around Montreal where my sister in law was able to drive straight thru. She hit a ton of traffic...I was crusing on the loop around the city. Difference: she saved maybe 10 min. Arrived with no issues.

Another measurement tip:
Measure heigh of tallest structure (mine is ac)....measured 12".
Measure height from peak to ground...dont forget to add 3 or 4 inches of tape measure housing (noted on tape measure housing).

I'll say though...I cant imagine travelling to an unfamiliar place without an RV GPS or good phone app! Even close to home I recently had a close call. I'm thankful I loaded to LowClearance.com poi's!!! Using books and assuming no detours anywhere along the route? Why? When you can have all of that info available on a moments notice that adapts automatically to where you are....

I still get nervous about low clearance...even with the gps. I guess it's best not to take anything for granted.

We also use poi' along "My Route" to find campgrounds, fuel, etc. Used it this trip when the Class B threw two belts in the 2 rear tires. She said the ride turned very very rough. Here the rear tires were LT tires...per spec. She replaced them both with E rated. Canada Tire was EXTREMELY helful to her!!! That store is great!

[PackerFan]

Stvchurch: You care to share the info on how to load POI's into your RAM's UConnect system? Would like to add this to my RAM's system also.