Originally Posted by danny_379

Throughout your driving career, have you ever encountered a low bridge? If so, where? What are some tips you can give to new drivers if they encounter one? I know one is not to panic, which would be kind of hard.

i do not use a gps and that is one reason i do not.i just pull out the trusty ol' trucker's atlas.but then the newer gps set up may not place you in that situation.

you can always drop the air on the truck and on the trailer and move forward/backward a little at a time then drop it all again,all dependent upon how low the overpass is that one has encountered.Let as much air as possible out of all the tires too.great reason to carry an air line for all you newer drivers as one can keep you going through many different scenarios.
This situation calls for the lo pro tires as well which are not on my truck but are on most all mega outfits.my question is the height still 13'6" on a truck/trl that runs 22.5 lo pro? I would think not but actually don't know since in over two decades i have never used/been associated with lo pro tires,at least not on both truck and trl at the same time.
wonder how tall those super single set ups are?
your question purged thought driver because if you are around trucks long enough,you will encounter all kinds of different ordeals.I used the dropping air bags trick last year as i was loading some scrap metal and the scale house was rather low at the canopy and i turned a bit sharp exiting the scale. my trailer scraped/caught the dog-gone canopy about mid way on top of my trailer during the turn.scale lady came unglued BUT at the end of the hollering there was ZERO damage to either canopy nor trailer.you have to move quickly while the air builds back up and stop quickly in order to not get hung up worse or cause more damage.I moved inches at a time until cleared.seemed as though it took much longer than it actually did!
WHEW! we now get along rather well when i go there.funny how things work out sometimes.

Truck and trailer with low pro 22.5 is 13'4". I have actually measured mine.

Another tip if the sign is black letters on a yellow background the bridge is taller than what is on the sign. How much taller depends on the city and state.

Black letters on a white background that is the actual height.

Originally Posted by TLeaHeart

Truck and trailer with low pro 22.5 is 13'4". I have actually measured mine.
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thank you driver.now i know.

Ran containers in the mid 80`s - 90`s, Global 1, Chicago, I knew drivers that took a short cut, to save time, but the viaduct was a low one. These guys would drop the trailer on the frame, and go under the viaduct, then hook back up. First thing I thought, if that thing catches and pulls back, and drops on the ground your in trouble. They did it like that for years.

Originally Posted by FatDaddy

Yup, just stop throw the flashers on and survey the situation. Even if you are in Brooklyn and your route was closed due to construction and you get hopelessly lost and end up approaching a low bridge and you have a ton of cars behind you screaming and cursing.

I still have nightmares about that day

You just described my biggest fear. I'm in NYC once every 2 weeks or so, going to these hold in the wall (literally) shippers and receivers, and am always scared of coming to a bridge, or RR that I cannot fit under.

Speaking of NYC, anyone know if the Borden Avenue Bridge is open in Long Island City? Got to pick up a load off of Borden Avenue in the morning.