Why it's really important to know how tall your trailer is.

[kstock11]

I can't believe how many times that GPS has said "passing your destination on the right" only to find out that the destination was on the left or vice versa!

[davescape]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

Haven't encountered any bridges/obstructions lower than 11'7", but Stupid (my Garmin's name) does inform me when I am approaching a rest area.

We really like our Garmin but we do refer to her as Delilah because sometimes she's a little deceptive.

[thoer]

Our Garmin is mostly now left unused whenever we have a cell phone signal. We have had much better luck with Google and then Waze when in city settings. The crowd sourcing of Waze has been really helpful in city congestion.

But Mary with map in hand is still my most trusted navigator by a long shot!

[Greg A]

I'm with Eric, so far the Google Maps and Waze have not led me astray. The retired Garmin did, but perhaps it is because that woman inside it is from the UK and just doesn't really know our roads.

[Brian B-P]

The original post is in FiberglassRV: Oh no! Scraped the AC off our Escape '19!!!

This update was posted today:

And about the map... the gps has a habit of making us go in weird circles to turn left in Arizona. We need to learn to actually look at the map, not just get into interesting conversations and follow the voice commands blindly!

In this case, gps sent us into a hotel parking lot to make a big 1/2 block circle. There was a roof over part of the lot, supported by 2' black ibars. The roof was high enough, the invisible bars were not. We got just close enough and rrrrrip! Crash! (Dang!)

So the bars were part of a building structure in a hotel parking lot.

No navigation system should be expected to contain information about structures within a parking lot. A paper map is even more likely to be out of date and much less likely to indicate the existence of low overhead clearance on roads; it probably won't even show the existence of parking lots, let alone clearance within them. The driver needs to look.

Regardless of navigational information available, no system - GPS-based or otherwise - relieves the driver of the responsibility to choose where to drive, and if the path is not sufficiently visible, it's not suitable.

In this case knowing the height of the trailer was not the problem - seeing what clearance was available and choosing a suitable route were.

[freespirit]

Originally Posted by Cypherian

Go here

it is the toughest bridge in the US it is only 2.50 min long that if you wait you will see someone clean the top of their 5th wheel off completely at about 1.39 min This is a longer version if you want to be entertained:}

. As for GPS accuracy ... one story of many Bad GPS Directions May Have Caused This Deadly Car Accident


Cypher

that is absolutely hilarious.......and a bit sad for those involved...

something those that purchase Pop-up trailers need not worry about!

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by freespirit

that is absolutely hilarious.......and a bit sad for those involved...

something those that purchase Pop-up trailers need not worry about!

Saw a pop-up ( tent trailer ) on the shoulder near my home. Somebody forgot to latch the top and the entire canvas and the roof were laying on the road behind the trailer. Just another bad day for somebody. It's a good chance they were on their way to Whistler or to the ferry to the island for family vacation.

[nathanj04011]

So remind me again, now that I've stopped laughing at the YouTube video, how high exactly is a 2016 5.0TA?

[mdnf]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

If using a GPS, there are add ons that can be installed on the GP S to warn you if there are low bridges ahead, and they are customizable to display the minimum height you want. There are any number of databases available such as one which tells you that you are approaching a rest area or even a quilt shop. It has been a while since I "customized" my Garmin, but if anyone wants to do so please post saying so and I will refresh my "poor" memory by looking at my computer and then provide greater detail. Haven't encountered any bridges/obstructions lower than 11'7", but Stupid (my Garmin's name) does inform me when I am approaching a rest area.

I would appreciate the help!

[tractors1]

The road to Widget Works passes under a railroad trestle with 10-10 clearance next to a tavern. I know the owners, and they said they pick up at least a dozen RV air conditioners every year despite the warning signs over 1/4 mile away (and on the trestle.)

[davescape]

Originally Posted by freespirit

that is absolutely hilarious.......and a bit sad for those involved...

something those that purchase Pop-up trailers need not worry about!

Unfortunately the bridge does not peel their driver's license with the top of their rigs. They missed the numerous signs and flashing lights

[davescape]

I've got a towing checklist (similar to the one ETI provides) that I go over before towing. I've included the height of my trailer (metric and imperial) as well as things like lug nut torque, tire pressure, etc. Its always there for quick reference and a good reminder.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by davescape

I've got a towing checklist (similar to the one ETI provides) that I go over before towing. I've included the height of my trailer (metric and imperial) as well as things like lug nut torque, tire pressure, etc. Its always there for quick reference and a good reminder.

Well crap. I just redid my checklist and had it laminated, and now I have to do it again, adding that information.

[Cypherian]

Why not post it in the vehicle / on the corner of the camper in reverse so you can see it when you look in the side mirror.. Mine is on a clip on the rearview mirror the clip sits on top of the brake controller . You have to move it to adjust it after you hook up. Easy Peasy


Cypher

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by davescape

We really like our Garmin but we do refer to her as Delilah because sometimes she's a little deceptive.

Dave.......your name for the Garmin is far more clever than ours.
We knew our Garmin was "quirky," but it got named Stupid after it tried to bring us down a gravel road, downhill, to a an area I was later told was washed out with no place to turn around. I never would have gotten out of there. It was near Nolin State Park outside of Mammoth Cave NP in Kentucky. I was angry enough at the time that I instantly named it Stupid before any creative mind I might have could kick in!

[Abeltaine]

Originally Posted by Loren & Cathy

A lot of low bridges and overpasses have a very heavy I beam or channel iron in front of the bridge; This serves to bring your over height vehicle down to the correct dementions so you don't damage the bridge. Loren

Lol
This post was me. And Loren that is exactly what we hit. Lol
Amy


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[Abeltaine]

Originally Posted by float5

I guess that people sometimes do forget that they are towing a trailer, the same way many forget that they have loaded the car roof and can't fit into the garage. I have to be careful about that myself. Hope the trailer does not have any really bad damage.
In this case, they could not see the obstruction in the dark.

Yep. Could not see the steel hanging below the roof. The gps sent us into a former mall to turn around. Well... we turned around!

We replaced the fan with an awesome fan with a remote control. Really moves the air!

Amy


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[Abeltaine]

Originally Posted by float5

I guess that people sometimes do forget that they are towing a trailer, the same way many forget that they have loaded the car roof and can't fit into the garage. I have to be careful about that myself. Hope the trailer does not have any really bad damage.
In this case, they could not see the obstruction in the dark.

And thanks for sticking up for me float!
Amy


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[maurerl]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

On another note, a GPS is a poor substitute for eyes, ears, and situational awareness

Which were obviously lacking on the part of the guy who followed his GPS instructions to dive down into the Toronto subway tunnel a week or so ago. Shut down the subway system while they extricated his car.

Man fined $425 for driving SUV into streetcar tunnel was 'following GPS' - Toronto - CBC News