Vertical Clearance on roadways

[Dale777]

Having traveled about 95,000 miles in 2 different motorhomes over 11 years, one of my big concerns was always vertical clearances when driving off the Interstate Highway system. Vertical clearance standards on the Interstate Highway system require a minimum 14', but with some grandfathered lower clearances. I've seen a few that were 13'6", so no problem. But on surface streets, watch out!

My motorhomes had a clearance of 11'9". My R27 on the trailer is 11'8", so I continue to have the same big concerns about vertical clearances, especially since backing up when trailering a boat is a major issue.

What brought up this subject is a video link sent to me by an old motorhome friend. Check out this link for a major problem involving one accident per month in Durham, NC:

http://11foot8.com/

As you can see, the city of Durham has put up extensive warning signage and the railroad company has put up a barrier, but to no avail to about one person per month.

When I get off the freeway, I become paranoid about vertical clearances. Do others trailering have these same concerns when driving on the surface streets?

 

[South lake]

Wow... I haven't had that concern. Until now... Thanks for sharing.

 

[walldog]

We have dealt with that concern for years. Our first motorhome was 12'3". Not long after we got her, we crossed over the Sabine river from Texas into Louisiana. As we came around a curve just before the bridge, the clearance sign on the bridge came into view. It was 12'3" clearance! Horrors, as we could not stop in time and just coasted over the bridge and under the supports. Nothing touched. I considered myself blessed and it made a believer of me watching for clearances along our route and knowing how high our vehicles are. Our current motorhome is 12'6" clearance. Needless to say we avoid that particular route into Louisiana. We carried our trikes out and back from Washington this summer. We measured our height before we left, 13'3". We puckered as we slowly went under unmarked canopies and other possible hazards. Many times Willie was out on the side watching as I drove under. I think we will leave the trikes at home next summer. This is one of the many factors to consider when towing rigs the size and weight of our boats.