My First Over Height Load - 14'2"

14'2" is no problem up through there. Neither is 11 wide. No need for mirror extensions unless you want them. Shortest bridge on 85 is 14'5" (it's in gaffney, sc) in ga,sc,nc. Been awhile since I've been up 95. Don't remember any short ones

 

Do you have a height stick?

Adding on to @Big_Red, come up to a questionable bridge, stop and hazard light. Put a triangle out if need be. Measure the bridge. If you need help with traffic, call the local cops. Drop your suspension and determine if you can squeeze under. When you get to the other side, air back up the suspension and REMEASURE the load. Whenever you make changes to the suspension, get into the habit of always remeasuring the load.

 

I did a 11'3 wide and 15'2 tall.

I'm no expert,.. so not trying to step on any toes here. I used a permit service. Gave my dimensions and the basic route I wanted to take. They emailed me the permits and I just followed the route planned out for me. For me it was the fastest way to get the permits since I had just booked the load that morning.

For me it was pretty simple,.. I was going from Tx to Ms. ALL bridges in Tx are marked. La and MS not so much. At 11 wide and 15'2 I did not need an escort or a pole car,.. the width didnt bother me as much as the height did.

The tactic I used was to tail slower trucks like Schneider, Stevens and such that I knew were at least 13.6 tall. I stayed back far enough to where I could watch them go under a bridge. Any bridge that looked like there was less than 2 ft of clearance,.. I took the exit and passed over top. I also set my GPS to avoid anything under 15'5. GPS gave me a green light for the whole route,.. how ever I remember 2 bridges looked too close for comfort so I did a better safe than sorry and exited to pass over top.

I havent done anything tall like that since.





At 11 wide with standard mirrors,.. no,.. you cant see squat behind you. Changing lanes requires some foresight. I used the wiggle method to peak and make sure it was clear to come over.

Hurst

 

Never fully trust a permit.

Now re-read my first sentence.

I have been led up to bridges below my height and into roads that trucks are not allowed in. Always read bridge heights.

 

Before you take any exits not on your permit. Research the lay of the land, you don't find yourself in a pickle. Such as exit only or heading toward another bridge.
Too many possibilities.
Out of route, permit violation is possible.
Good luck.

 

Or you tear down an overhead wire, exiting without being on your permit can be a bad idea.

 

Sounds like you speak from experience

 

Fifth Amendment

 

Seriously though advising existing off to avoid a structure is a really bad idea, I've had permits specify to do so but even the states that allow exiting for services advise about power lines. If your permitted on a specific route you should stick to that route. That's not saying don't pay attention but going off route is suicide.

 

Virginia is good about telling you to exit and ramp if need be. Other than that, as long as you measured correctly stay on route.