Low Bridge YIKES

2Susan · 07-10-2011, 08:36 AM

So we decide to take a side trip to Niagra Falls -

We follow the signs and exit onto a Parkway. Half way down the curving single lane entrance ramp is a sign that says bridge 12 ft. HUH??? Our rig is 12' 6". OK so I pull into that little trash filled triangle between the entrance ramp and the road we a joining, traffic whizzing by on both sides to figure out what to do. Can't back up - a fast stream of cars is exiting like I did. No shoulders. I'm facing 3 bridges which indeed look short. While I'm sitting there a tour bus, about our height, whizzes off the exit ramp and heads across 2 lanes of traffic to the middle of the bridges and at full throttle goes underneath (obviously he's done it before). It looked like he had plenty of room for a sheet or two of paper to slide between the top of the bus and the bridge. A utility truck, clearly shorter than we are heads towards the middle and slides under again with no daylight between the top of his bucket crane and the bridge (did I see it rub?).

We see another tour bus again about our height head towards the middle lane and slip under. What exactly is one supposed to do in this situation?

Sweet husband takes a walkie talkie and climbs the ladder. I inch across the two lanes to the middle in a miraculous break in traffic to the middle lane, left tires scrubbing the curb. We make it under the 3 bridges with not a finger width over the A/C and properly sober after the experience are again on our way.

**herk7769** · 07-10-2011, 08:44 AM

I carry a pancake compressor with plenty of hose to check and fill tires while traveling. I also have a few air powered tools (like the grinder I use to trim our GHP's Velociraptors nails).

You might be able to "buy" a few inches by deflating the tires for that "creep" under the bridge then reinflate on the other side. I doubt a few yards would hurt the tires more than getting killed or crushing the camper's roof.

Hopefully there "won't be a next time".

2Susan · 07-10-2011, 08:52 AM

1,500 miles from home we're not familiar with the local bridge heights and clearly waiting until you can read the numbers on the bridge is too late. Anyone have a great source for learning height restrictions beforehand? We've got another week in Mass and PA where tight twisty roads and low bridges aren't uncommon. Right now we're in Boston

**herk7769** · 07-10-2011, 08:58 AM

There are GPS recievers that have all bridges less than 14 feet built in to the unit. When you set them up you input your height and it will not route you down a road with a low bridge. They may be available at a "box store" near where you are camping.

http://www.lowclearances.com/

lindy · 07-10-2011, 12:01 PM

Here's a hint for New York state bridges etc from a NY Truck Driver. Posted heights for NY bridges are one foot less then the actual clearance UNLESS there's a sign posted with the height sign that says "ACTUAL". So if it says 12' it's really 13' unless marked ACTUAL. This is done for 2 reason, 1) Insurance reasons, and 2) So that they can give tickes to truckers that know a 13' bridge is really 14' and go under it with a 13'6" trailer, and they do this in New York City all the time. Also trucks are probibited from ALL PARKWAYS in NY - reason, numerious low overpasses there. SO best bet with a 5th wheel is stay off all NY Prarkways.

Hybrid21SS · 07-10-2011, 01:21 PM

Lived on Long Island for 40 years..At least once a week a truck is hitting a bridge somewhere on a parkway. Most on-ramps have multiple lighted signs approaching them warning of low bridges and no trucks, but it makes no difference. Traffic woes is on the long list of reasons for moving away !!

jimh · 07-10-2011, 01:37 PM

i have the garmin 465t and it warns me abt a mile before getting to one in tn that is 11'. i don't know if the warning would give u time if there wasn't a place to go.
there are others: cobra and megellan come to mind.