is there something about low bridges

my truck and trailer say 13'6 yet i went under a 13'6 bridge. why in michigan are the bridges 12'6? and some in new york 12'6 yet semis go under it???

 

In some cases, the road under the bridge or the bridge itself has been redone, resulting in more clearance, yet the signs are not changed. With the 13'6" bridges, sometimes one section of the road actually allows more clearance.

 

another reason I was told about the east coast thing ....now "DO NOT TAKE THIS AS GOSPEL"....on the east coast I was told they measure from the top of the curb......or from the top of the snow pack......but my advice on that is NEVER ASSUME get the proper info from the proper sources!!

 

I was always taught that the height listed is what can fit under it. 13'6" will fit under a bridge with that sign. Don't try it with packed snow on the road though

 

Hey you can also fit under some shorter bridges too, depending on how you are loaded. I've been under 13'4 and 13'5" bridges with heavy loads. I've also encountered ones that were not marked in any way. Best bet in that bad situation is to throw the four ways on and creep up to it in low. I went under one in Ohio like that once. Right down the street from Kent State University. 2nd gear with the four ways on, hanging out the driver door, with foot riding the clutch hahah!

 

I hear some areas have a mandatory snow tolerance. in New York, city it is 12"

 

Yes a lot of posting on the east cost are with snow pack. also if you come up to a bridge that is marked 13 but is empty you can sometime clear it. I did that with a 12ft 9 train bridge cleared it with a few inchs to spare. but if the train is on it which I have been at that same bridge with a train and you cant make it. I had to wait for the train to clear and the bridge to spring back up

 

Only in NYC (city) key part city the 5 boros
You can get away with that for sure
From NYC & yes it's due to the snow expectations
But don't try it anywhere else too risky
Unless you want a convertible

 

i mean really, get the most packed snow you have ever driven on

was it ever more than 1", if that?

 

don't take any risks with bridges. on a load to maine to a customer I used the same road for years, same rig no changes. last trip I went
under the same train bridge and almost bit my lip off when I scraped the top from stem to stern. When I checked for damage I was lucky
nothing major. an old local came out and told me I was one lucky "flatlander". He told me "did you ever tink da bridge is tarting to sag!
AH-YA now when I can, I use tank stick to measure