Chicago Low Clearance Map

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by bigredinternational, May 25, 2008.

  1. bigredinternational

    bigredinternational Light Load Member

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    Feb 28, 2008
    omaha, ne
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    I highly recommend all new drivers put one of these in your truck if you might EVER get sent into Chicago. ESPECIALLY if you think GPS will steer you right! It isn't any fun to call 911 and ask for help when you find yourself face to face with one of those low train overpasses.

    Best Wishes

    BRI
     

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  3. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Baltimore, MD
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    Interesting. I wonder if they have one for New York?
     
  4. honor roll

    honor roll Road Train Member

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    Where can you get one at?
     
  5. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Baltimore, MD
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    At truck stops, I would imagine. They probably sell like hot cakes.
     
  6. jess-juju

    jess-juju Road Train Member

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    Amazon has them new and second hand, Starting price for second hand is $2.56 I just ordered one.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 12, 2008
  7. redfang

    redfang Bobtail Member

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    Apr 22, 2008
    Lorain, Ohio
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    Now there is one place that if you dont know how to get into your gonna rake you trailer one way in and another way out....

    For those that have never been there it is surrounded on 3 sides with RR bridges and no where to turn around so lord help you if you dont know where your going...

    Now mind you it may have changed (Doubt it) last time I was there was in the late 80's early 90's

    Red-Fang
     
  8. Big Red

    Big Red Lonestar

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    That's the first city map I bought.

    Saved my bacon more than once.

    Remember to listen to the truck drivers that have already been there and done that as well.

    One place I was delivering had a rail bridge to go under...I noticed a truck cross over to my side of the road to come out of the place I was going(he was empty)...I asked him what he was doing. He told me that the city just repaved the other side of the road and there wasn't enough clearance over on that side anymore. Glad I asked.

    You'll also discover that te shortest distance between two points just doesn't apply when you're a truck driver and in Chicago.

    I was sitting at one particular customer delivering and in comes my next dispatch on the Qualcom. After I read it, I was pleased to see that the place was just across the RR tracks from where I was. Took me 15 miles of driving to find a bridge tall enough to get my truck under. All that for a pickup just 100 yards away.
     
    tscottme Thanks this.
  9. Shep Shiloh

    Shep Shiloh Medium Load Member

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    Ran into a spot of trouble on Lake St. going to Reliable Platers. Lake Street has an elevated track that runs the length of the street. First time up there I came in from Ashland and I was hearing this slamming sound. Turns out it was the roof of the box of my six month old Freightliner. Noticed some trim was bent and an end cap was missing. Next time up there I ran an alternate route that still took me under the track but traveling half the distance. After four trips to the place and having told the boss about the situation after the first trip it was decided if we ever had to go back there we would run an older truck that is 12'6" instead of 13'6" like the one I had been taking there. All in all the damage to the roof was $500. Guess it's a good thing I was driving about 5 mph instead of the speed limit. ffs.
     
  10. Cheryl

    Cheryl Medium Load Member

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    There is something similar...it's called the truck route map. You can either download it or have it mailed to you and it's free.
     
  11. formertaxidriver

    formertaxidriver Heavy Load Member

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    Aiea, HI
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    Went into Wendy my first week solo. Ha. Ran up on the low overpass. God got me out of that on in one piece without law enforcement intervention....

    Just a few weeks ago, couldn't get up with the shipper and Garmin got me buggered up with an overpass that a condo couldn't make under (a flattop with low pipes under an empty flatbed that I had been following made it through). I pulled into a residential neighborhood and a nice lady told me about all of the trucks that came up to that bridge and turned around across from her house. She gave me the directions and actually rode with me to the proper street (she said she was going to work that way anyway!:biggrin_25519:)and I made it where I was to be. I bought the low underpass map from Amazon the same day. Thanks to you here that brought that gem of information to my attention.

    Don't play with Chicago!!!!
     
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