You find yourself at a low bridge - now what?

Stop as safe as possible.
Take a minute or 2 to calm yourself.
Then look around for what is the safest way out.
If needed call the cops.

 

You call 911 they'll direct you out safely and hope your backing skills are good.You may have to back along ways.

 

Call 911 set up triangles flashers etc... you haven't been in an accident and the cops will probably get a chuckle and help you back it out of there without ticketing you.

 

I backed out for over a half a mile in a farm road that had no way out. GPS pretty much stated it was off route but that was the road to use, except I had gone in from the wrong side of town.

 

I bet that half a mile seemed like 10 miles didn't it?

 

Yea it was fun around the corners.

 

I've had a couple of times I had to call 911 and get patched through to local LEO's to help me out. My experience with LEO's has always been a positive one in these situations. They were GLAD I didn't try to run under the bridge OR try to extricate myself from the situation myself. As has been noted earlier in this thread, you aren't the first one and you won't be the last at that overpass.

One thing I carry is a good set of binoculars. For low overpasses it's a handy thing to have if you can stop, put on the 4-ways, and look at the clearance BEFORE you are committed. I also use them for reading rig signs when my turn by turn directions aren't crystal clear and I find myself approaching multiple oil rigs. They can also be useful for looking at UFO's, birds, and women.

 

Joe, you have posted a number of threads asking questions about how to add features to your truck. Have you started a thread on "pimping your ride"? I would like to see pictures.

 

Safest way to back out is to pull into the oncoming lane and back up. That way, you don't have to worry about that simple minded idiot in the car that sees you backing up, sees your hazard lights and still drives up behind you.

 

Yeah Joe, happened to all of us years ago. If it's close, and you can drop your air, you might make it (unless you can't drop the wagon air, if any) Some are marked pessimistic, or have been dug out and the sign never changed ( had that in Chicago several times) If you know you aren't going to make it, yeah, probably best to call the cops, unless you can swing it around( so that's how those cab extenders get bent), and as stated, they may not be too happy about it. It's a hassle, but much better than making your wagon an open top. Quick story, did a lot of Chicago, and the going joke for years (possibly based on a true story) a truck had run under a low bridge, and the cops and towing company were arguing on the best method to get it out, when a kid on his bike stopped and said, "why don't you just let the air out of the tires?"