low clearances

Get in the habit of looking up and just stop dead if it doesn't look like you will fit. --I know that sounds funny, but some low underpasses are so poorly marked they will catch you off guard.
I have a 13.0 ft right near my house - gets them every time, i don't know if it looks like it says 13.6 or they just miss the tiny sign.

 

If your company assigned the route for you to drive, you can pretty much expect to be okay -- and if you drive their route and you're not, you've got a really good excuse, especially since they know you're a nugget driver.

"Low clearance to be aware of" may just mean you're close to the limit.

Never be afraid to ask more experienced drivers about low clearances.

 

On highway 47 in Illinois, has a bridge posted 13' you can go under with a load 14' 5" tall. Next bridge up the road unmarked, state maps had it listed at 15' had to go around. This was 10 years ago, I stopped running that route about 5 years ago.

 

I just dont trust the qualcom... I have the Rand Mcnally Trucjers GPS... but I all still trip plan and check for low clearances in the front of my
You never just want to trust the qualcomm or GPS... mine are usually right.. but it is the time that they are not that makes the atlas and youself invaluable..

 

Not sure what company you work for, but I know for Swift any time you are dispatched on a load to Chicago, for example, they will also send a separate message warning you of low bridge clearances. This is typical CYA for the company, so if you do strike a low bridge they can say, "We told you so!"

That being said you should compare the Qualcomm generated route to your RM Atlas list of low bridge clearances. For parts of the route on local streets I study the route using Google Maps and get down into Street View to read the signs on bridges. That's saved my bacon more than once.

I also have a pair of binoculars handy when going into areas with low bridge clearances. This has saved me a couple of times from going down a road that would require backing up when the clearance was too low.

If you call the customer make sure you ask for somebody in shipping and receiving, somebody that is familiar with the routing requirements for trucks.

 

You can also do a quick and dirty search on Google for low bridges in the states you're going through and check them against roads on your route. I did that before upgrading my GPS app to Smart Truck Route. It's not a flawless method, but it gives you a quick idea and you can then check against your truck GPS or your Rand Mcnally.

Allstays also makes an app for low clearances which is $1.99. There's a free one called 'Low Clearances' but I saw some complaints about not being able to set your tolerances at 13'6" or higher.

 

That's a very good point. ANYTIME you're routed where there's a low clearance and you're not 100% sure ONLY rely on YOU. You can ask anyone you like, even the company, and you might get wrong information simply because roads change. The responsibility rests with you and you will be held accountable no matter what was told to you. A pair of binoculars can save you time and the hassle when you can not make it. But if you go down to the bridge and stop and check when you can not clear it you'll need to back out or turn around to get another route. There's tricks you can do to lower your truck, even air pressure in the tires, but the whole point is to get under the bridge without causing damage. Holding up traffic is much better than wiping out a truck and bridge.

 

Good thinking.

 

What also helps is Google Street view. I was planning a route to Coke in Philadelphia and using Google Street View I saw not only low clearance signs but truck route signs.

 

In Google Street View you can also look at the underside of the bridges to see all the damage...