Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Pages: 1 2

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.

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.
>

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

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" wrote:
>
> 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
>

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.

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 wrote:
>
> 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.
>

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" wrote:

>

> 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

>

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" 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.
>

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:

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 netcom.com>
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" wrote:
>
> 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
>

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" wrote:
>
> 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" wrote:
> >
> > 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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Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

o_jon.mills_o

mbulriss

Morey Zuber

trekkersmith1

Rick Davis

Gregory OConnor

Greg Young

whistles_n_bells

Chuck Wheeler

Bill Garamella