Had to call the cops today

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Skate-Board, Oct 30, 2014.

  1. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    I delivered steel beams to a construction site in Worcester, Ma this morning. Following my GPS I made the turn then all of a sudden there was a bridge. 12' 8". I was like holy crap. No way to turn around. Small street and heavy traffic. I caused a good jam with only one lane open. Called 911. Two cruisers showed up and stopped traffic. I said let me give it a try. I made it with lots of room to spare. Thanked the cops and once again they thanked me for calling them instead of doing something stupid.

    Got to the delivery site and was wondering why my GPS let me go down the road. Then I realized. My truck is 12' tall......DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    That's the 3rd time I've called the police for help and every time it was the right call
     
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  3. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    Better to be SAFE than SORRY ( as well as stuck under a bridge )
     
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  4. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    I ran into Boston once and I forgot which road I was on,.. but they had a pedestrian bridge at something like 12'5. Soon as I saw the sign I pulled over to what they called a shoulder. Traffic was crazy. No chance trying to back up with out risking someone hitting me.

    I too called the police. Took them about an hour to show up. But once there,. they let me turn around,.. then escorted me going the wrong way on the shoulder. Then stopped traffic again so I could maneuver over and onto the exit ramp. There was a sign at the merge ramp that said low bridge and the clearance,.. but it was knocked over by someone who ran it over. So I never saw it. Else I would never have gone that way.

    I'm in a Columbia Condo. The tip of my exhaust is 13'6. I can drop the air and I've gotten under bridges posted at 13'2,.. very slowly and very carefully. But no way I was going to try something under 12'9.

    I feel ya brother. Do the right thing and every now and then it ends up well.

    Hurst
     
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  5. j_martell

    j_martell Light Load Member

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    Centre Wellington, Ontario
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    Good on ya.....Could have been an embarrassing "news" article.....
     
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  6. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    Here's a better story. Delivered log cabin garage materials to a professor who teaches at Purdue. I can't remember where Purdue is but this was really really nice country and not far from complete traffic chaos.

    I make the corner and go down a steep short hill and under the rail road tracks and turn right down the road to deliver. After I deliver I head out the same way. Go down the steep short hill then proceed to hit the bridge with my stacks. Made it under the bridge but now my stacks look really cool. Both bent back like a race car.

    Call the cops and the whole place comes out. It was more like Andy from Mayberry RFD. (Young people ask your fathers if you don't understand).They knew exactly what happened. The rail road built an access dirt road off to the right then went up to the tracks on an angle. The road had to be dug up and re-graded and paved. What they did was moved the down angle of the road so far forward my truck could not get level. They were all like HOLY S***.

    This was a major problem since you can't just change the clearance of a bridge. It takes over a year to get approval so maps can be changed. They called the DPW to come out right away and dig up the road.

    So, what's the city council guy tell me? Get your truck fixed. Don't say anything and send the bill to Gladis at this address. I was like Gladis? Really? I was laughing. The only damage was my two stacks and the flange at the top of each muffler. It was a cheap fix. Two mufflers, clamps and that's when I went to short stacks.
     
  7. OFTOTR

    OFTOTR Medium Load Member

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    Toccoa GA
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    I remember when I first started driving, I thought I'd wash my tractor in a coin carwash that looked like it had plenty of clearance.
    It didn't. Bent the stack as I was pulling in. (this was a cabover) I looked around,nobody was watching. I backed out, turned around, and backed into the same bay, and straightened it out again. :)
     
  8. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    Ha ha ha ha ha, LMAO
     
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  9. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Here ya go,.. not trying to steal your thread.

    [​IMG]

    .

    The fuel truck sat at 14'4 back there. I was like no way I'm going down the road like this and I dont feel like getting a permit either.

    I let all but 10 PSI out of the tires and then used my snap binders to crunch down on the suspension. Front was easy,.. but the rear was a sum botch,.. it did not want to squat. I got it down to 13'9. Good enough.

    Low and behold I'm maybe 20mi from delivery and see a bridge posted at 13'10. In my infinite wisdom I convince myself that they always show it lower than what it really is. It was almost dark and I did slow down, but not enough to not bounce on the hump under the bridge. I saw sparks as the fuel truck scraped the under side of the bridge. Fortunately it was a flat concrete bottom. Nothing to hit or get hung on.

    Since then I set my GPS to avoid anything within 4 inches of what ever my height is. I dont want to end up on YouTube,.. LOL

    Hurst
     
  10. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    Don't mind. I like hearing peoples stories.
     
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  11. sdaniel

    sdaniel Road Train Member

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    I'm reading this. Have not heard any voices? Settings wrong ? Just have some fun !
     
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