Low Bridges
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08-02-2009, 04:48
Post: #1
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Low Bridges
I have recently had a few close calls with low bridges that could easily have
resulted in a bad accident. Does anyone know of a good GPS system or add on for my Garmin that would give a low bridge warning? Something like a speed camera POI list could work, but I can't seem to find anything. Many thanks. |
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08-02-2009, 05:54
Post: #2
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Low Bridges
Jon Mills (?)
I see this is your first post, so welcome to the forum and enjoy your stay. As a reminder of the front page rules, please sign your posts and indicate type of coach when posting so questions can be more precisely answered. We have several members with much familiarity with GPS systems and they will be along shortly to respond. In general, if you are on any roadway where tractor trailers are delivering groceries, you should not have much worry. If you are off the beaten path, IMO nothing beats driver attention to signage. Personally I just do not trust my GPS that much, given all the new construction around here. Just last week it took me into a dead-end road that had been closed off when trying to chart "quickest route". Mike Bulriss 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan" San Antonio, TX --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "o_jon.mills_o" wrote: > > I have recently had a few close calls with low bridges that could easily have resulted in a bad accident. > > Does anyone know of a good GPS system or add on for my Garmin that would give a low bridge warning? > > Something like a speed camera POI list could work, but I can't seem to find anything. > > Many thanks. > |
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08-02-2009, 09:18
Post: #3
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Low Bridges
We purchased a Garmin Streetpilot 7200 (7" screen built for truckers and RVers)
on Amazon for $428. It has a vehicle setting for trucks or buses, which protects from low bridges. Sits on dash with a bean bag and visible to driver & copilot. MoreyZ 99LXi Fulltiming from Green Cove Springs, FL Current Location http://www.bbirdmaps.com/ Location 168 |
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08-02-2009, 10:45
Post: #4
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Low Bridges
Morey,
My Streetpilot 7200 doesn't have ability to plan for clearances, or even alert for them, as far as I can tell. I do have that feature with my Delorme Road Atlas using one of the DiscoveryOwnersGroup add-in files. Can you give more specifics? Thanks, Gary SOB bbirdmaps #66 --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Morey Zuber" > > We purchased a Garmin Streetpilot 7200 (7" screen built for truckers and RVers) on Amazon for $428. It has a vehicle setting for trucks or buses, which protects from low bridges. Sits on dash with a bean bag and visible to driver & copilot. > > MoreyZ > 99LXi > Fulltiming from Green Cove Springs, FL > Current Location http://www.bbirdmaps.com/ Location 168 > |
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08-03-2009, 05:30
Post: #5
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Low Bridges
Low bridges are a serious issue of course, but I have found in my short Birding experience, limited to here in TX so far,that my biggest problem is with low hanging limbs. I love to drive off Interstate when feasible, but so many of thesetowns simply let trucks trim their trees for them. My CB and FM antennas are always whacking something up there. And I predict that no doubt I will be banging morethere when I end this working stuff and start frequenting more camp grounds.
Rick Davis
'93WLSA
in Houston From: o_jon.mills_o To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2009 11:48:14 AM Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Low Bridges I have recently had a few close calls with low bridges that could easily have resulted in a bad accident. Does anyone know of a good GPS system or add on for my Garmin that would give a low bridge warning? Something like a speed camera POI list could work, but I can't seem to find anything. Many thanks. |
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08-03-2009, 12:40
Post: #6
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Low Bridges
I just read a post about this on rainbowrv.com . the author came back
and answered the question. http://www.lowclearances.com/ I dont know how vital this is. like RickD points out they don't map branches and the bridges are always posted. A thing I look for with branches is tree damage while you drive. You can see from a distance discolor and dead leaves on the hangover branch. that is a sign that it was hit prior and may be cause to run the center of the street or stop and have a look. You can also see leaves stripped and a blranch showing when othe tree canapoys do not look like this. that is a sign that the leaves were stripped by a large truck. I just got another fixit ticket for not having a 12.5 foot stack on my truck. I keep it on my trailer but that was on the jobsit. the prob with hitting the stack with a tree is if it is too tight it will damage the exhaust or manifold and if it is brakeaway loose it may fall 12 feet to a passing car. --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Rick Davis > > Low bridges are a serious issue of course, but I have found in my short Birding experience, limited to here in TX so far, that my biggest problem is with low hanging limbs. I love to drive off Interstate when feasible, but so many of these towns simply let trucks trim their trees for them. My CB and FM antennas are always whacking something up there. And I predict that no doubt I will be banging more there when I end this working stuff and start frequenting more camp grounds. > > Rick Davis > '93WLSA > in Houston > > > > ________________________________ > From: o_jon.mills_o o_jon.mills_o@... > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2009 11:48:14 AM > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Low Bridges > > > I have recently had a few close calls with low bridges that could easily have resulted in a bad accident. > > Does anyone know of a good GPS system or add on for my Garmin that would give a low bridge warning? > > Something like a speed camera POI list could work, but I can't seem to find anything. > > Many thanks. > |
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08-03-2009, 17:40
Post: #7
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Low Bridges
After seeing this discussion this morning I ran a simple unscientific test on our StreetPilot 7200. We were driving through Glacier NP in our tow car with the GPS. I had left it set for Truck and Prefer Fastest Time. With those settings it routed us around Going to the Sun Hwy, a slow park road with low clearances and maximum 21 foot total vehicle (inc. tow vehicle) length. I then changed the settings to Car, leaving it on Prefer Fastest Time. No change in the routing. Then I changed it to Prefer Shorter Distance, leaving it on Car, and it took us on the park road. That makes sense because Going to the Sun is far fewer miles than routing around the NP on highways. So far, so good.
Then, leaving it on Shorter Distance, I changed it back to Bus, and then to Truck. In both cases it still routed us through the park on Going to the Sun Hwy! Had we been in the Bird we'd have run into a 9 foot tall tunnel and gotten stuck going around a hairpin turn. It had no data whatsoever about the length or height restrictions, or if it did, the Bus and Truck settings did not utilize them to route us around a road that would have been completely impossible for a 40 foot three axle 21 ton vehicle. Don't know that this proves anything - maybe the data was simply incomplete for that road - but I have learned to not trust the GPS for much of anything off the interstates. I still use it - it makes a great digital speedometer! - but I read the maps and guides first before I drive anywhere! BTW, when we got to our campground in Kalispell (Glacier Pines) there was a newer LXi a couple of spaces down. No one home when we walked by, and it's gone now. Anyone here? Greg Halfway through a six month tour of the continent trying to hit as many Burning Man events, National Parks and Nudist Camps as possible! Currently Kalispell MT 1986 PT-40 Each time you judge yourself you break your heart. -Kirpal Venanji From: trekkersmith1 To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2009 4:45:10 PM Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Low Bridges Morey, My Streetpilot 7200 doesn't have ability to plan for clearances, or even alert for them, as far as I can tell. I do have that feature with my Delorme Road Atlas using one of the DiscoveryOwnersGrou p add-in files. Can you give more specifics? Thanks, Gary SOB bbirdmaps #66 --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Morey Zuber" > > We purchased a Garmin Streetpilot 7200 (7" screen built for truckers and RVers) on Amazon for $428. It has a vehicle setting for trucks or buses, which protects from low bridges. Sits on dash with a bean bag and visible to driver & copilot. > > MoreyZ > 99LXi > Fulltiming from Green Cove Springs, FL > Current Location http://www.bbirdmaps.com/ Location 168 > |
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08-03-2009, 18:40
Post: #8
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Low Bridges
Being ancient as I am, I still rely on the Trucker's Atlas publications - and use GPS as a backup. Good planning of your intended route is a game-saver. The trucker's atlas publications are well worth the price - all things considered. It took one instance of deflating tires to get a 10' 4" bus under a 10' 2" bridge on a back-road charter in 1957 to cure me of not planning for unfamiliar roads. Here is one of many helpful publications that can be of assistance for the "off-interstate" scenic roads.
Regards, Joe (Pappy) Hagan St. George, UT Wannabe http://www.maps.com/map.aspx?pid=3851 --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "o_jon.mills_o" > > I have recently had a few close calls with low bridges that could easily have resulted in a bad accident. > > Does anyone know of a good GPS system or add on for my Garmin that would give a low bridge warning? > > Something like a speed camera POI list could work, but I can't seem to find anything. > > Many thanks. > |
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08-04-2009, 02:09
Post: #9
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Low Bridges
Our son was a independent trucker for awhile. I ran his truck for about ten days when he had surgery. He had a WorldNav GPS. Large screen and it seemed to knowabout low clearances and prohibited routes.
Here is a link to their site:
- Chuck Wheeler-
1982 FC 31SB Fort Worth TX
From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Greg Young Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 12:40 AM To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Low Bridges After seeing this discussion this morning I ran a simple unscientific test on our StreetPilot 7200. We were driving through Glacier NP in our tow car with the GPS. I had left it set for Truck and Prefer Fastest Time. With those settings it routed us around Going to the Sun Hwy, a slow park road with low clearances and maximum 21 foot total vehicle (inc. tow vehicle) length. I then changed the settings to Car, leaving it on Prefer Fastest Time. No change in the routing. Then I changed it to Prefer Shorter Distance, leaving it on Car, and it took us on the park road. That makes sense because Going to the Sun is far fewer miles than routing around the NP on highways. So far, so good.
Then, leaving it on Shorter Distance, I changed it back to Bus, and then to Truck. In both cases it still routed us through the park on Going to the Sun Hwy! Had we been in the Bird we'd have run into a 9 foot tall tunnel and gotten stuck going around a hairpin turn. It had no data whatsoever about the length or height restrictions, or if it did, the Bus and Truck settings did not utilize them to route us around a road that would have been completely impossible for a 40 foot three axle 21 ton vehicle. Don't know that this proves anything - maybe the data was simply incomplete for that road - but I have learned to not trust the GPS for much of anything off the interstates. I still use it - it makes a great digital speedometer! - but I read the maps and guides first before I drive anywhere! BTW, when we got to our campground in Kalispell (Glacier Pines) there was a newer LXi a couple of spaces down. No one home when we walked by, and it's gone now. Anyone here? Greg Halfway through a six month tour of the continent trying to hit as many Burning Man events, National Parks and Nudist Camps as possible! Currently Kalispell MT 1986 PT-40 Each time you judge yourself you break your heart. -Kirpal Venanji From: trekkersmith1 To: WanderlodgeForum@ Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2009 4:45:10 PM Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Low Bridges Morey, My Streetpilot 7200 doesn't have ability to plan for clearances, or even alert for them, as far as I can tell. I do have that feature with my Delorme Road Atlas using one of the DiscoveryOwnersGrou p add-in files. Can you give more specifics? Thanks, Gary SOB bbirdmaps #66 --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Morey Zuber" > > We purchased a Garmin Streetpilot 7200 (7" screen built for truckers and RVers) on Amazon for $428. It has a vehicle setting for trucks or buses, which protects from low bridges. Sits on dash with a bean bag and visible to driver & copilot. > > MoreyZ > 99LXi > Fulltiming from Green Cove Springs, FL > Current Location http://www.bbirdmap > |
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08-04-2009, 03:39
Post: #10
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Low Bridges
After reading this thread, I started thinking how useful a reliable truck route
reference would be.I'm still a bit green with this stuff... just what does 9-Ton bridge ahead mean? I have been using MS Streets and Trips GPS as a guide in conjunction with the RM paper road maps. Found this add on for Streets and Trips called "Truck Stops Plus". Wondering if anyone of you are familiar with it? If it works, Its probably worth the $. Check it out here http://www.truckstopsplus.com/ Thanks, NH Bill --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Chuck Wheeler" > > Our son was a independent trucker for awhile. I ran his truck for about ten > days when he had surgery. He had a WorldNav GPS. Large screen and it > seemed to know about low clearances and prohibited routes. > > Here is a link to their site: > > http://www.teletype.com/c/portable-truck-gps.html > > - Chuck Wheeler- > 1982 FC 31SB Fort Worth TX > > > _____ > > From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Greg Young > Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 12:40 AM > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Low Bridges > > > > > > After seeing this discussion this morning I ran a simple unscientific test > on our StreetPilot 7200. We were driving through Glacier NP in our tow car > with the GPS. I had left it set for Truck and Prefer Fastest Time. With > those settings it routed us around Going to the Sun Hwy, a slow park road > with low clearances and maximum 21 foot total vehicle (inc. tow vehicle) > length. I then changed the settings to Car, leaving it on Prefer Fastest > Time. No change in the routing. Then I changed it to Prefer Shorter > Distance, leaving it on Car, and it took us on the park road. That makes > sense because Going to the Sun is far fewer miles than routing around the NP > on highways. So far, so good. > > Then, leaving it on Shorter Distance, I changed it back to Bus, and then to > Truck. In both cases it still routed us through the park on Going to the > Sun Hwy! Had we been in the Bird we'd have run into a 9 foot tall tunnel > and gotten stuck going around a hairpin turn. It had no data whatsoever > about the length or height restrictions, or if it did, the Bus and Truck > settings did not utilize them to route us around a road that would have been > completely impossible for a 40 foot three axle 21 ton vehicle. > > Don't know that this proves anything - maybe the data was simply incomplete > for that road - but I have learned to not trust the GPS for much of anything > off the interstates. I still use it - it makes a great digital speedometer! > - but I read the maps and guides first before I drive anywhere! > > BTW, when we got to our campground in Kalispell (Glacier Pines) there was a > newer LXi a couple of spaces down. No one home when we walked by, and it's > gone now. Anyone here? > > Greg > Halfway through a six month tour of the continent trying to hit as many > Burning Man events, National Parks and Nudist Camps as possible! > Currently Kalispell MT > 1986 PT-40 > > > Each time you judge yourself you break your heart. > -Kirpal Venanji > > > _____ > > From: trekkersmith1 > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2009 4:45:10 PM > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Low Bridges > > > > Morey, > My Streetpilot 7200 doesn't have ability to plan for clearances, or even > alert for them, as far as I can tell. I do have that feature with my Delorme > Road Atlas using one of the DiscoveryOwnersGrou p add-in files. Can you give > more specifics? > Thanks, > Gary > SOB > bbirdmaps #66 > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ > yahoogroups. com, "Morey Zuber" > > > > We purchased a Garmin Streetpilot 7200 (7" screen built for truckers and > RVers) on Amazon for $428. It has a vehicle setting for trucks or buses, > which protects from low bridges. Sits on dash with a bean bag and visible to > driver & copilot. > > > > MoreyZ > > 99LXi > > Fulltiming from Green Cove Springs, FL > > Current Location http://www.bbirdmap <http://www.bbirdmaps.com/> s.com/ > Location 168 > > > |
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