Low Clearence

[Eagleback]

[:0]Getting time for the snow birds to head home make sure you watch the clearance before you proceed!!! Copy and paste this in your browser......[V] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkJQckNZ13U

[DQDick]

Great point and many of the "just a little too low" ones aren't marked or they've done something else dumb. There's one by a Walmart off I40 in OK somewhere that had the height close enough and then put security cameras with protective cages on them for each set of pumps that will take an AC unit right off.

[Eagleback]

This fail was at a bank and most people look for the clearance at the bridges and gas pumps but this shows you I can be anywhere. the driver looks as though they were just driving around it. as I see way to fast for being in a parking lot.

[BB_TX]

Almost did one of those a few years ago. At a Sonic drive in in Childress, I pulled in from behind and nosed the cab of the truck up under the end space awning to order, parked parallel to the row of spaces. There was a large shopping center parking lot behind so I was not blocking traffic. (if not familiar with Sonic, they have side by side covered spaces you pull into and order from a speaker and they bring your food to your vehicle). Casually ate our lunch discussing world affairs and all other important matters. Got ready to leave and thought gee I can just go straight out the front. Put it gear, hit the accellerator, immediately hit the brake, and caught my breath. Another couple feet and I would have bought an awning. And probably a new trailer. [:I]

[Eagleback]

I have a clip on flag I place on my shifter to remind me of anything before I pull out. its my just incase insurance.

[kevin50]

OMG, that's terrible. I am a bit anxious with that also as the new monty seems to be awfully tall. Think Ill put a forward facing camera on the roof hooked up to the back up camera monitor...Not really but as high of a clearance as these rolling motel rooms has I do think about it all the time I am driving

[Bigboomer]

Oh my....that is not a good one...hopefully no one was seriously injured. Pretty frightening though how litter it took to bring that down....wonder where the engineering was done?

[padredw]

OK, but that was not at a gas station; it was at a bank! Happened at Teneha, Texas I believe (we were just through there today.)

He was coming to the bank to complete some financial papers related to the purchase of the fifth wheel.

There are some more interesting details, but this is what I remember. His young son was with him in the pick-up. Neither was hurt.

[padredw]

OK, I was partly wrong. It was in Center, Texas on Teneha STREET. Here is an article with more details:



At approximately 3 PM, Tuesday, July 2, a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 pulling a new travel trailer, hit the corner of the Texas State Bank Drive-In on Tenaha Street, causing the complete awning to come to the ground. Luckily, the driver of the Dodge, Mickey Miller of Garrison, and his 10-year-old son were able to exit their vehicle uninjured. According to Miller he was circling the bank to park on the other side when the corner of his travel trailer caught the corner of the bank awning. Next thing he heard was a rumble as the awning started falling against his driver's side door. Somehow he was able to unbuckle the seat beat and exit the other side of his truck as it was falling. Mark Ivy of Texas State Bank stated that the main lobby would be open for business while the drive-in is being repaired.

[1retired06]

Lesson learned to pay attention. Looked like truck and likely the fiver were both totaled

[Artemus Gordon]

I was shown that video the day I picked up my Montana in Texas. I was sure nobody could survive. I am relieved it's was a non fatal event. We go to truck stops and never even attempt to buy at regular stations. I even carry 10 Gal of fuel in cans. Onetime we misjudged fuel and found the truck stop we planned to visit had closed. Having 10 extra gallons and two portable cans, came in handy when only other station could not accommodate our rig. Parked on street and filled up the cans and refueled. Beat dropping fiver and taking truck to service station!

[Rondo]

This is a great reminder to all of us- new owners and experienced owners alike. At the Fall Rally last year in Goshen we had one of our members volunteer to measure the height of units that wanted to know what their exact height was when hooked to the TV. Thanks to Jim Fischer and Ron Ames the rigs were measured and the owners were told what their exact height was from the highest point on the rig which was normally the front A/C if they had one. Our 3582 measured in at 13' 1", about five inches higher than the books said it was. So, if you don't know the height of your rig when it is hooked up, have it measured or do it yourself with the help of the DW or someone else. It just may save you from putting on a new A/C or even worse!

[JandC]

I could be mistaken, but if I recall correctly most of the listed "factory" heights for Montana models are around 12'11". I am not sure how they would ever arrive at that measurement, maybe while hooked up to a 3/4 ton low-rider or something, or maybe that is the actual height while the trailer is not hooked up. Not sure but I do know it is a useless measurement.

I am actually shocked anyone would actually even leave the dealers lot without knowing the exact height of their rig.

[Eagleback]

That video was a reminder of not just the damage you can cause BUT just think if another vehicle was parked under the canopy and this story could have taken a turn for the worst. Thank god no one was injured, but it goes to show how a decision that you make might involve other people. So remember to look as every bridge or over hang or canopy you come to as you are going to hit it so you will be alert.

[twindman]

JandC -- The current specs list all (or most) Montanas at 13'5". I assume this would be WITH a front AC unit. And only 1 inch under the Federal limit, I think.

[Eagleback]

Just want to repost this so all the snow birds are aware that low clearances are every ware even banks. PLEASE DRIVE SAFE.

[DmaxDually]

Now might be a good time to check your vehicle insurance policy to see how much property damage and personal injury coverage you have. I'm sure that bank awing won't be cheap to rebuild or even worse if someone get injured.

[JandC]

quote:Originally posted by twindman

JandC -- The current specs list all (or most) Montanas at 13'5". I assume this would be WITH a front AC unit. And only 1 inch under the Federal limit, I think.


Yes and no. If you pull up an individual model on the Keystone Montana site and click on "specs" it will list the height at 12'11" or something like that. If you just pull up the general "specs" for all Montana's it will list them as you say, 13'5".

But the point is that height information on their site is worthless. There are too many variables that effect your actual height, the major one being what truck you are towing with. No fiver should leave the dealers lot without the new owners having an actual measurement done with their TV hooked up.

[Eagleback]

The only dealer that I know of the offers driving class is camping world. but I agree after the TV is hooked up they should take a measurement and place a Yellow info sticker on the dash with the height called out.

[Artemus Gordon]

J and C I have measured mine with its additional 15k Air Unit. Tires full under a measured 14 ft shop door, we are 13.9. It has caused us some concern back East. Not much in the west. We do remove tree limbs from time to time before highway maintenance does their annual trim. We have a program within my IPAD to help us remember to be in the middle lanes of some turnpikes! Got an official escort "turnaround" at the entrance to a tunnel outside of DC! That was fun....

[Eagleback]

I'm looking at getting a rv style GPS. Will the units know if you have low clearances and try to avoid them? What brand and model would be a good fit? I have always had the Garmin but maybe the tom tom or rand or the good Sam might be a good choice. Any thoughts?

[chris199]

We have been using the Rand McNally RV version. Get low clearance warnings sll the time when on interstates and passing low bridges etc. nearby.
I know what you mean regarding low clearances on the PA turnpike. Headed from Philly to Pitt and was shocked to see low vlearances below 13'6"....more so on the shoulder.

[richfaa]

When you have the Mor Ryde IS installed they measure the height of the Rv before installation and after installation.They can adjust the height a bit depending on the model.

[richfaa]

We have never seen a overpass on a tpk or interstate under 13.6 except in a couple of cases on the shoulder. Going through Denver a huge sign said .. Trucks use center lanes because the far right lane was under 13.6.

We use the Garman 465T trucker GPS. and you enter all your dimensions.

[Eagleback]

Hello again. SORRY to keep reposting this but we just had some one leave our park and decided to pull through a non pull through site and took the air off the camper along with 10 feet of the roof. So remember snow birds as well as the rest "WATCH THE CLEARENCE" and look before you leave..

[bigred715]

One reason why I use Pilot or Flying J to fuel up at. There are a few other stations I use and if not sure, the wife gets out and checks as I pull forward. In the video it looks like the front cap is ripped off. Remember 5th wheels don't track like a travel trailer and you need to swing extra wide when turning.

[Eagleback]

Its that time of year again. look before you move.

[Art-n-Marge]

Yup, only stop at truck stops for refueling otherwise, if I'm towing ALWAYS avoid any business with an overhang!!! I'm trusting that when enroute, all thruway underpasses, will fit my rig so I don't worry about them.

[Artemus Gordon]

My wife was reading an old fashion map while driving on Parkway in NJ. I had moved to center lane because the overpass ahead was 12 6 at each end. My wife looked up, saw the bridge and sign on overpass, screamed then ducked down in the cab! I laughed and said, you are fine hon, it's the poor guy behind us who gets hit with debris! She
Punched my arm and said warn me next time !!! Lol

[Wheelhouse]

I wish I could remember where I was back east, when a guy was honking his horn for me to pull over. I did and he informed me that the highway we were on was a no truck, trailer or vehicle pulled trailer road because of the low-low clearances of over passes and I was going to get a big fat ticket, so I hot off at off ramp. Apparently, when they had built-up the pavement, they didn't realize they were lowering the clearances of the overpasses. If anyone knows where this is, please pass the location on. Also, exit 147 I think in Arizona has a low NO clearance rr overpass. I have a story for that one. The highway sign indicated trailer camping???

[Bill.vannuys]

I use the Rand McNally RVND 7720 that allows me to enter my Unit height, width, propane capacity, etc. and "allegedly" puts me on a good route. I trust it sometimes, but other times not at all so far as road choices and clearances. It has given me reason not to trust it. It does have nice features like the campground directory and I can actually display the weather as an overlay.

So, I usually enter my trips into an online travel planning tool that provides warnings of tunnels, bridges, etc. with low clearances to double check my GPS and make any route adjustments.

I still never fully trust the tools, and my wife helps me watch all upcoming clearances when not on the interstates. I have trouble believing the clearance signs sometimes...what if they just paved the road and forgot to change the clearance sign?

[waynemoore]

I posted this last fall. While driving in Northern N Y I drive under a low bridge. I am 13.5 tall and I think the bridge was about 12.8 tall where I hit it do to the damage. sat antenna and top of AC gone. No roof damage so was lucky there. Repair was $3700.00 but $1500.00 of that was an up date to the sat antenna. As a side note the Good Sam insurance company paid about $1750.00 I have $1000.00 deductible. I just got my renewal and the insurance price when up from $465.00 to $1150.00. Guess I will be looking for another insurance company.

[Artemus Gordon]

On tonight's news Cal Trans is spending 9.6 million dollars to lower freeways under over passes in Northern California. Up to seven inches in some locations. Guess nobody did the math after the last repaving projects ! Several accidents over last couple years, all stated trucks were too high! Guess someone is in trouble!

[Carl n Susan]

Caltrans does not repave the roadway beneath a bridge/overpass when the highway is repaved. Look close the next time you drive on one and notice the original cement roadway with asphalt leading up to it. Often there is a significant bump when making the transition due to the differences (I-5 is a major example). The primary reason is to not affect the existing clearance. Plus they save big $$$ by not having to change all the signs.

I haven't heard about a $9.0M project. There is a soon to start project to raise 6 overpasses and lower the roadbed on 3 more on I-80. That project is a $30M effort. The project will raise the clearance to 16' 6" from the current minimum of 14' 9". The intent is to benefit interstate commerce (movement of commercial modular buildings is the example given) and national security, both of which occasionally require oversized loads.

[waynemoore]

Just a quick update re my post on the up charge to my insurance due to driving under a low bridge. I had GoodSam $465.00 before the accident $1150.00 renewed upcharge. I whent to AAA and got it for $588.00 and I made sure they knew about the accident even had them check on my drivers license. So all is good.

[Wheelhouse]

Oh yeah, on another side note here. Stay out of the neighborhoods in New Orleans. While there we missed our turn for the freeway, so did a turnaround through a neighborhood and didn't notice the high power lines sagging low enough to catch my A/C unit and yanked the power lines from the pole rather then the house. Unfortunately the occupant of the house was an elderly lady on a breathing machine, deaf and couldn't speak, she was not harmed. Police report was written on a torn piece of spiral notepaper, lol. Also, the electric company refused any responsibility because they hadn't any reports of sagging lines. The lineman came out and raised the telephone lines and made sure no more were going to a problem. Last inspection of lines was a year ago then. It was only $150 to reseal and rest the A/C. Being in California, it wasn't worth the fight. Lesson paid.