Safe routes for tall rigs

[mnolasco]

I'm a new owner of a 13'-6" tall fifth wheel. I'm worried about taking roads with 12'-13' bridges. I'll be traveling in unfamiluar areas. Is there a smart phone AP that solves this problem? Or a map book with routes for tall rigs?

[timfromma]

Low Clearance POI - GPS Data

[W5CI]

Stay on the Interstates and Truck Routes you will be fine, my Cedar Creek is 12'11".

[ChipBruce]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Low Clearance POI - GPS Data

Looks interesting. Wondering if you have used it.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by ChipBruce

Looks interesting. Wondering if you have used it.

I've loaded Low Clearances into my Garmin GPS and set the height limit to 13' (user selectable) and a 1/2 mile warning. (also selectable) It works OK but isn't as ideal as I'd like. But, still worth the money.

Mine won't reroute you when calculating a route but it does give a warning when you get within a 1/2 mile radius of the obstacle. You load the data as POI's (points of interest) and configure your GPS to alert on them when you get within the pre-determined proximity.

The proximity radius is something to be considered.
If you are on a highway where there is a low bridge on ANOTHER highway a 1/4 mile away, it will alert. You then have to zoom to see if it is on your route or another road.

[ckabrahamson]

The Good Sam GPS in configurable with the size, weight, and clearance of your rig. It has always routed me around low clearances. You should never run into clearance issues on an Interstate Highway (The Feds mandated minimum clearances for all obstacles on an interstate).

Side roads and campgrounds are a totally different animal. I've had issues with campgrounds that, even though they have deep sites and pull-throughs for big rigs, they are not very friendly to them... One beautiful campground I stayed at had 110' deep pull-throughs, but at the front end of the site had these beautiful raised rock-rimmed flowerbeds right on the corners of the site. Made it totally impossible for me to pull out of the site at the front. Had to back out in a gut-wrenching maneuver...

[5picker]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I've loaded Low Clearances into my Garmin GPS and set the height limit to 13' (user selectable) and a 1/2 mile warning. (also selectable) It works OK but isn't as ideal as I'd like. But, still worth the money.

Mine won't reroute you when calculating a route but it does give a warning when you get within a 1/2 mile radius of the obstacle. You load the data as POI's (points of interest) and configure your GPS to alert on them when you get within the pre-determined proximity.

The proximity radius is something to be considered.
If you are on a highway where there is a low bridge on ANOTHER highway a 1/4 mile away, it will alert. You then have to zoom to see if it is on your route or another road.

Note:
I should have included that the GPS I loaded the Low Clearances into is just a run of the mill Garmin GPS.
It is not one of the RV specific GPS's they build like the RV760 or the newer RV660 which have low clearances (as well as other routing restrictions) built in.

[Telstar]

I had the Magellian and switched to the Rand McNaley Good Sam which I like better. You can also download info from DOT and state websites. Since our Cardinal is 13' 1" I'm very cautious.

[DrLewie]

I've got an older Magellan GPS that was marketed by Good Sam and supposedly can be programmed for height. I've set it to 13 feet, but it's led me to low bridges twice so I no longer trust it. As others have written, the interstates and truck routes will be fine, and keep your eyes open for clearance signs on local roads. I've been in almost all of the contiguous states with my fiver and most give you warnings well before the bridge. Local officials don't want trucks and RVs to get stuck under overpasses almost as much as we do.

[Grandebill]

I use the Allstays app on my Ipad, it allows filters for many heights. Plus it is a great finder of campsites. It does require a fee to download.

[jtesta1]

any bridge lower than 13.6 must be posted .

[WilliamG]

Originally Posted by mnolasco

I'm a new owner of a 13'-6" tall fifth wheel. I'm worried about taking roads with 12'-13' bridges. I'll be traveling in unfamiluar areas. Is there a smart phone AP that solves this problem? Or a map book with routes for tall rigs?

I bought a Garmin 760 LMT GPS. When you first set it up you list your height and length. Also can be set to avoid toll roads. A great investment. We just pulled our 5th wheel across the country from SC to WA state and back with no problems. I bought it on Amazon at a cost of 315.00. Another great feature is that it prompts you on upcoming lane changes and turns a mile and a half in advance so that you have enough time to move into the right lane, and if there are 2 or 3 turning lanes it will tell you which one of those you will need to be in. It looks ahead at traffic slow downs and accidents and projects the amount of time that will add to your route. It sounds a tone at every speed limit change and lets you know a half mile in advance that it's coming. Something my wife liked is that it also tones to tell you that you are 5 miles from the state border. That way she never missed getting a picture of the state sign to post on FB.

[RetiredAF1955-1981]

I have Good Sam GPS and I always add 3" to my RV actual height in it to assure clearances incase of a road repaving.

[tuxedo]

Besides the GPS, I carry and check the Truckers Version of Rand McNally Atlas (paper) bought at Pilot I think . I always check this even though using GPS.

Funny Story: Wrong Interstate by mistake, and now quite a ways along. Pull over on a ramp. 2 lane road at exit. Everything (Atlas and GPS)shows ok to cut across. Go 10 miles and no traffic. Now a busy 4 way stop. Continue a few hundred feet and now see a sign 4ft x 8ft saying "DANGER LOW BRIDGE AHEAD, 10FT something CLEARANCE". I am 13ft 5in. Traffic blocked. No place to pull over. Holler to only opposing vehicle w windows down. "How do I get out of here". Says "you're ok. Keep going. They raised bridge a few weeks ago to 14ft". Further on reach bridge. No height sign. Wife out to watch as I creep through. Yeah, the guy was right. But heart pounding, clothes wet w sweat. But remember, GPS and Atlas said no low clearance.
Heart MD did not answer when I later asked if this kind of stress was good for my heart.
Keeps us young doesn't it? (I hope)

[ben31]

Smart Truck Route is a very good smartphone GPS app. Garmin RV760 is also an excellent stand alone GPS. You enter your parameters and it gets you around any bad situations. Mostly, if you stick with the truck routes, you will generally be safe.

[phil falls]

I have the Garmin 760LMT also. What I have just added is undoutitable the best trip planner i'v ever come accross. RV Trip Wizard Home of the Best RV Trip Planner Ever - Give it a try!. I am currently planning a 7500 mile trip starting Jan 1, 2017. Well long story short, this program shows all low clearance on your route. It may show a low cleaarance on your route but ussualy it's for the road crossing underneath you. You can use the POI feaature to show rest areas, Walmartd that allow overnight RV parking and so much more. Check it out. It's not fee but I thinks it's pretty cheap for all you get. Good Luck and safe travels. Keep all 4 wheels down and eyes up.

[tkmi]

Originally Posted by mnolasco

I'm a new owner of a 13'-6" tall fifth wheel. I'm worried about taking roads with 12'-13' bridges. I'll be traveling in unfamiluar areas. Is there a smart phone AP that solves this problem? Or a map book with routes for tall rigs?

Truckers Atlas, good for every state and canada

[DJP6371]

Garmin and Rand McNally make RV GPS' that you enter all of your rig details in, so you won't get into trouble when driving.

[speedcat]

Thanks!!.all good info 2 know. I bite a hole in the seat each time I go unnder an overpass near 13.5ft

[wahoonc]

I follow truck routes, force of habit, have driven big rigs. Even follow them when driving my pickup truck.

I use the RV Parks & Campground app for Android, it lists low clearance bridges too. It is also available for the Fruit Fones. Best part is the price... FREE!

Aaron