I will soon be starting a six month tour of the US and Canada, and will be travelling in a Winnebago Sunstar which is quite big. While I will be on the major routes quite a lot, I also intend to take it off the beaten track. So I’m a little worried about bridges or underpasses with width and weight restrictions.
I have a low clearance POI database, but can’t find anything for narrow bridges or bridges with weight limits. If anyone knows of any (in the US or Canada), I would be most grateful if you could post the coordinates here.
Many thanks.
Second Chance said
10:06 AM Aug 17, 2016
We use an RV-specific GPS (Garmin RV760) for this purpose. I enter the height, weight, length and width parameters in the unit and save them. In RV mode (there's also an "auto" mode that disregards RV restrictions), it steers us around the types of situations you describe as well as tunnels where propane isn't permitted, etc. It's worked well for us. Truckers guides also have this type of information in addition to the percent grades on mountain passes, etc.
Rob
NWescapee said
11:29 AM Aug 18, 2016
Allstays.com also provides info on bridges and low clearances.
MoFro said
05:31 PM Aug 20, 2016
Thanks for all your suggestions. I have the Rand McNally atlas which is useful, but I was thinking more along the lines of a POI database or a website with a list of locations so I could make my own. Failing that, if anyone knows of a narrow bridge location I would very much appreciate it if you could share.
I keep seeing lowclearances.com being mentioned. Has anyone used their bridge height data?
SamK said
04:42 AM Feb 1, 2017
Nowadays I see people using GPS Apps that are meant to help RV drivers avoid low clearance problems. You might want to try one for your trip.
Bridges with weight limits below your total weight will come up occasionally, but it won't be a big issue. And as one police officer advised one of our readers that had no choice but to go over a weight limit bridge "Drive fast!!". :)
Cinn said
02:07 PM Apr 19, 2017
Howard, thanks for the link to the American Independent Truckers Association website, it has a map where you click on a state to get everything from low clearances to scales, truck stops and rest areas/roadside parks! What a valuable tool!
-- Edited by Cinn on Wednesday 19th of April 2017 02:07:56 PM
dream reachers said
10:44 PM Jun 7, 2017
We also carry a truckers atlas which has all truck routes highlighted. If it is good for trucks then it is good for motorhomes. We try to stick to those routes when traveling. Online, I use google maps to plot my route ahead of time and indicate that I am in a truck although I'm in a MH if there is ever a conflict the atlas wins. We also refer to books on grades for mountainous regions. Don't take advise from a non-rver or trucker or you might encounter a surprise like I had.
I will soon be starting a six month tour of the US and Canada, and will be travelling in a Winnebago Sunstar which is quite big. While I will be on the major routes quite a lot, I also intend to take it off the beaten track. So I’m a little worried about bridges or underpasses with width and weight restrictions.
I have a low clearance POI database, but can’t find anything for narrow bridges or bridges with weight limits. If anyone knows of any (in the US or Canada), I would be most grateful if you could post the coordinates here.
Many thanks.
Rob
I keep seeing lowclearances.com being mentioned. Has anyone used their bridge height data?
We use Mountain Directories For Truckers, RV & Motorhome Drivers for mountain passes and the American Independent Truckers Association website (click "Information" tab) for low clearances, bridges, and other restrictions. Of course, we pre-plan all our movements with the RV and only rely on GPS if there are detours we didn't know about in our planned route.
Bridges with weight limits below your total weight will come up occasionally, but it won't be a big issue. And as one police officer advised one of our readers that had no choice but to go over a weight limit bridge "Drive fast!!". :)
Howard, thanks for the link to the American Independent Truckers Association website, it has a map where you click on a state to get everything from low clearances to scales, truck stops and rest areas/roadside parks! What a valuable tool!
-- Edited by Cinn on Wednesday 19th of April 2017 02:07:56 PM