Tight Squeeze: Top Ways to Bypass Low Overpasses
09-14-2017
Author: in The Road Less Traveled
Can you make it? Just how big IS your RV anyway? No matter how long we've been traveling, it still unnerves us when we approach a lower than usual overpass. The first time we encountered one, we sat in front of it for about five minutes trying to decide whether we could make it without shearing off one of our air-conditioner units. It was the only route that we knew of to get where we were going, so eventually we slowly rolled through. By the second time we came upon a low bridge, we were completely educated about the height of our coach and we knew there was no way we could make it. Fortunately, there was a cross street that we could easily back to (and no other traffic in sight), and we were able to find another way around. Low overpasses are just one type of nuisance among many that only plague drivers of big rigs. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to minimize your risk.
Understand Minimal Vertical Clearance
In order to ensure that commercial vehicles can easily make it to their destinations, interstate highways maintain overpasses with a minimal vertical clearance of at least 16-feet (many are around 17-feet). Plus, cities and towns must have at least one route to major destinations (such as big box stores and restaurants where semi-trucks deliver merchandise and supplies, FedEx, UPS, and USPS offices, etc.) that accommodates the bigger vehicles. Most other urban roads are only required to offer 14-foot clearance. With this information, you can usually plot a fairly direct course with little effort.
Oftentimes, however, in older or less populated areas, overpasses don't provide as much clearance. For example, in rural areas, small towns, and urban areas train trestles and older highways cross over the road. Generally, when an overpass is lower than 14 to 17-feet high, it displays a flashing light to draw attention to the fact or at least has a posted sign stating its height. This warns oncoming traffic, enabling drivers of large vehicles to assess the situation and determine whether they can easily fit.
It makes sense that you know precisely how tall your RV is at its highest point. Read through your owner's manual and then actually measure the height of your RV. Use (borrow, buy, or rent) an industrial tape measure. With the help of a second pair of hands, measure from the ground to the top of the highest point whether it's an antennae, satellite, or air-conditioner. That is the amount of clearance your motorhome requires.
Unfortunately, even if you know your RV's height and the advertised height of the overpass, you still may not have a 100% accurate interpretation of the scene. If the road has recently been tarred—or has been tarred many times since the height was figured—there may be less clearance than the sign states. Additionally, if you have air suspension or your tires are slightly over-inflated, your rig may be taller than you believe it to be. Did you factor in the added height of your air-conditioner units? These are all elements that you want to anticipate and account for.
One of the best ways to minimize your risk of encountering a low bridge is to plot out your course ahead of time. Use an app like AllStays Road Guide that indicates where low bridges and overpasses are with a little icon. This allows you to choose a different route and bypass the low overhang. Another option is to get a trucker's GPS, which also provides that information. However, it's still a good idea to research your route before driving it especially if you suspect it will take you through small towns or older parts of cities where low bridges and train trestles are most likely to remain.
Additionally, if you are driving in one of those areas, be particularly cautious. Most of the time when there's a low overpass, the city or county will post a sign before the crossroad directly before the overpass so you can turn around if need be. This enables you to revise your route to avoid any tricky situations that may damage your rig, such as trying to squeeze through or back down the road.
In Conclusion
Low overpasses aren't prevalent in most areas that RVers drive, but that means you must be that much more vigilant. It's easy to become complacent, and that's when you round a curve and find yourself in a dilemma. Use a good atlas or an app like AllStays to research your route ahead of time, keep an RV or truck-driver GPS available to navigate around these low bridges, and keep your roof—and your sanity—intact.
Understand Minimal Vertical Clearance
In order to ensure that commercial vehicles can easily make it to their destinations, interstate highways maintain overpasses with a minimal vertical clearance of at least 16-feet (many are around 17-feet). Plus, cities and towns must have at least one route to major destinations (such as big box stores and restaurants where semi-trucks deliver merchandise and supplies, FedEx, UPS, and USPS offices, etc.) that accommodates the bigger vehicles. Most other urban roads are only required to offer 14-foot clearance. With this information, you can usually plot a fairly direct course with little effort.
Related Read: Understand the Differences between Class A, B and C Motorhomes
Assessing Minimal Vertical ClearanceOftentimes, however, in older or less populated areas, overpasses don't provide as much clearance. For example, in rural areas, small towns, and urban areas train trestles and older highways cross over the road. Generally, when an overpass is lower than 14 to 17-feet high, it displays a flashing light to draw attention to the fact or at least has a posted sign stating its height. This warns oncoming traffic, enabling drivers of large vehicles to assess the situation and determine whether they can easily fit.
It makes sense that you know precisely how tall your RV is at its highest point. Read through your owner's manual and then actually measure the height of your RV. Use (borrow, buy, or rent) an industrial tape measure. With the help of a second pair of hands, measure from the ground to the top of the highest point whether it's an antennae, satellite, or air-conditioner. That is the amount of clearance your motorhome requires.
Unfortunately, even if you know your RV's height and the advertised height of the overpass, you still may not have a 100% accurate interpretation of the scene. If the road has recently been tarred—or has been tarred many times since the height was figured—there may be less clearance than the sign states. Additionally, if you have air suspension or your tires are slightly over-inflated, your rig may be taller than you believe it to be. Did you factor in the added height of your air-conditioner units? These are all elements that you want to anticipate and account for.
Related Read: Get Your Signals Right (and Left) Straight
How to Avoid Low OverpassesOne of the best ways to minimize your risk of encountering a low bridge is to plot out your course ahead of time. Use an app like AllStays Road Guide that indicates where low bridges and overpasses are with a little icon. This allows you to choose a different route and bypass the low overhang. Another option is to get a trucker's GPS, which also provides that information. However, it's still a good idea to research your route before driving it especially if you suspect it will take you through small towns or older parts of cities where low bridges and train trestles are most likely to remain.
Additionally, if you are driving in one of those areas, be particularly cautious. Most of the time when there's a low overpass, the city or county will post a sign before the crossroad directly before the overpass so you can turn around if need be. This enables you to revise your route to avoid any tricky situations that may damage your rig, such as trying to squeeze through or back down the road.
In Conclusion
Low overpasses aren't prevalent in most areas that RVers drive, but that means you must be that much more vigilant. It's easy to become complacent, and that's when you round a curve and find yourself in a dilemma. Use a good atlas or an app like AllStays to research your route ahead of time, keep an RV or truck-driver GPS available to navigate around these low bridges, and keep your roof—and your sanity—intact.
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BumbleBeeAZOctober 5, 2020 | 09:39 AM
Now, if only AllStays was still available on Android!
Author: Carrie Todd
