Low Clearance Solutions

[Trooper-D]

I have been trying out various low clearance avoidance tools after witnessing a horrible accident and having a close call myself. Obviously I look out for the signs ahead, but not all bridges are posted and it's no good for planning a route anyway.

So what are the options?


Rand McNally Motor Carrier Road Atlas

Pros - Much more than a low clearance list, with an abundance of useful information.

Cons - Limited to just over 1000 low clearances. Can't use while driving. Costs around $50.

Available at: amazon.com


POI-Factory.com low clearance POI database for GPS

Pros - Free to download. Accurate. Ready to install.

Cons - Limited data, not much more than 300 entries.

Available at: poi-factory.com/node/1154


DiscoveryOwners.com low clearance POI database for GPS

Pros - Free to download. Accurate.

Cons - Limited data, approximately 400 entries. Many duplicates across several databases. Only available in text format.

Available at: discoveryowners.com/cginfolinks.htm


LowClearances.com low clearance POI database for GPS

Pros - Huge database, up to 10 times larger than the others available. Accurate. Regularly updated. Ready to install.

Cons - Costs $20 for annual subscription.

Available at: lowclearances.com



There are also a few fully integrated GPS systems available, but these are very expensive and I cannot vouch for their accuracy or the number of low clearances in their databases.

Hope this is of use.

[Gonfercoffee]

don't waste your money
after you get a few miles under you belt
it's not that big of a deal
you are not going to hit a bridge
just use common sense

[Wrabbit2000]

I agree with Gonfercoffee. Get some experience and it isn't hard to avoid doing. Most places in the United States have few if ANY low clearances unless you get into places no truck should ever be anyway. Those places that do, like New York or Chicago among others, usually mark them well as their bridges still get hit regularly. After decent experience driving tho, you can see at a glance a crossing MAY be too low and anything low enough to make your cab a convertible is obvious from quite a distance with or without signs.

[outofworkjoe]

Having to live in the north east,and ran alot of NY,you just have to take you time.There are at lease 1/4 away from an low clearance ,if you run nyc these maps are paper wts.12,6 is really 13 6 . 1 foot higher is the case.THIS ONLY FOR NYC ONLY,And dont always trust your GPS .

[WanabeTrucker]

Air bags: Dump / Run

Just messing around

-Joe