It can happen to you....

[EdColorado]

Besides the height of your rig, you also need to know the weight.
Weight restricted bridges are quit common in the more rural areas.

In perhaps 2004, we were in rural PA driving a Class C motorhome.

Up ahead was a very old bridge clearly marked with a clearance of 10’ 4”. I liked to see 11’ but could live with 10’6”. I slowly pulled up onto the bridge, climed onto the roof and satisfied myself that I was OK and proceeded across uneventfully.

Later on the dog and I walked the bridge.

I was so focused on the 10’4” sign that I simply missed the 3 ton weight limit sign. I weighed about 5 tons. We made it.

That’s us in the picture on the far side. It was such a nice spot on the river we stayed for two days.

Meant to write a note to the PA DOT telling them I had weight tested the bridge and the 3 ton limit sign was on the conservative side.

Now I carefully read the weight restrictions signs.

We live and learn.

[cpaharley2008]

Excellent point, a standard truck and Escape will be over that limit.

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by EdColorado

That’s us in the picture on the far side. It was such a nice spot on the river we stayed for two days.

I'd think there aren't many bridges with a weight limit as low as 3 tons, but now I'm going to make sure the weight sign "registers" in my brain when I approach an old bridge. I've been paying attention to the clearance signs, fortunately, but didn't think I'd have to be concerned about the weight. Nice Lazy Daze, btw.

[Steve Clark]

That is a beautiful spot, Ed! How did you get back?

[EdColorado]

Originally Posted by Steve Clark

That is a beautiful spot, Ed! How did you get back?

We were just drifting aimlessly around so just kept doing the way we were going.

I wasn't about to press my luck on a 3 ton bridge by crossing it twice.

ED

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by EdColorado

We were just drifting aimlessly around so just kept doing the way we were going.

I wasn't about to press my luck on a 3 ton bridge by crossing it twice.

ED

[EdColorado]

There is, off course, a third dimension. Total length.

Length restrictions are quite common in mountain country due to narrow and twisty roads.

Independence Pass east of Aspen, for example, has a maximum total vehicle length restriction of 35'. A full size pickup towing an Escape 19 or 21 is pushing that number.

The Moki Dugway in southern UT recommends a 28' max length.

Just something else to factor in.

Enjoy.

Ed

[EdColorado]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

I'd think there aren't many bridges with a weight limit as low as 3 tons, but now I'm going to make sure the weight sign "registers" in my brain when I approach an old bridge. I've been paying attention to the clearance signs, fortunately, but didn't think I'd have to be concerned about the weight. Nice Lazy Daze, btw.

The real problem with these restrictions comes up when you are on a narrow country road and are faced with a situation where you can't safely proceed.

You can't turn an Escape around on a two lane wide road with minimal, or no, shoulder.

How many miles will you have to back up before you can find a place wide enough to turn around??

Hmmm

Ed

[KMG]

Bridge near me. 10 ton limit. Signs everywhere. 35 ton tour bus.
They closed the bridge for an inspection after this video was sent to the Arkansas DOT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ7FKYU-cwE

[rotateclockwise]

I've been over that bridge heading to Eureka Springs. It's a unique bridge for sure.

[caddoster]

We get into the habit of reading the clearance sign out loud whenever we are driving, with or without the trailer.

[EscapeBoulder]

I measured our 2018 19'er w/ A/C and TV antenna on the roof at 8'11". So I won't go under anything shorter than 10' to be sure.

There's a famous RR bridge back east somewhere where a guy set up video cameras.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USu8vT_tfdw

[sclifrickson]

Originally Posted by KMG

Bridge near me. 10 ton limit. Signs everywhere. 35 ton tour bus.
They closed the bridge for an inspection after this video was sent to the Arkansas DOT.

Holy crap, you can watch the roadway deflect the whole time the bus crosses! Darwin Awards wannabe [emoji43]

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by EdColorado

There is, off course, a third dimension. Total length.
Ed

According to Washington State Ferries, my 2013 Tacoma + Escape 21 combo is 39 feet, one inch long. That's good, because they charge a higher rate starting at forty feet.


The road to Chisos Basin campground in Big Bend NP has a sign that says trailers longer than 20 feet are "not recommended". I went up anyway with my 21. The campground host said she didn't think I'd have a problem because a 25-foot trailer had been in there the previous week. Later I saw forty-foot tour buses going up and down the road.

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by KMG

Bridge near me. 10 ton limit. Signs everywhere. 35 ton tour bus.
They closed the bridge for an inspection after this video was sent to the Arkansas DOT.

From now on, whenever I approach an old suspension bridge like this I'll wonder if an overloaded bus has just crossed it.

[rotateclockwise]

Originally Posted by EscapeBoulder

I measured our 2018 19'er w/ A/C and TV antenna on the roof at 8'11". So I won't go under anything shorter than 10' to be sure.

There's a famous RR bridge back east somewhere where a guy set up video cameras.

That's South Gregson Street in Durham, NC. The video guy works in Brightleaf Square, an old refurbished tobacco warehouse. Durham has installed a lot of sensors and lights to warn people. Unfortunately, some still test their fate.

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

...
The road to Chisos Basin campground in Big Bend NP has a sign that says trailers longer than 20 feet are "not recommended". I went up anyway with my 21. The campground host said she didn't think I'd have a problem because a 25-foot trailer had been in there the previous week. Later I saw forty-foot tour buses going up and down the road.

95% of those tour bus drivers are real pros, know what they are doing, and never cause a problem. The other 5% - well, lets just say they provide entertainment on the Park radio frequency.

Which reminds me of a 33 foot motor home that tried to navigate the Chisos Basin Campground, with the host being totally ignored. At least until the host told the driver that if he stayed around a little longer he was going to be visited by the authorities. Vanished in 5 minutes...

--
Alan

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by alanmalk

95% of those tour bus drivers are real pros, know what they are doing, and never cause a problem. The other 5% - well, lets just say they provide entertainment on the Park radio frequency.

Which reminds me of a 33 foot motor home that tried to navigate the Chisos Basin Campground, with the host being totally ignored. At least until the host told the driver that if he stayed around a little longer he was going to be visited by the authorities. Vanished in 5 minutes...

--
Alan

Hmm...I'm wondering who that 'host' was Alan. (good job)

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Hmm...I'm wondering who that 'host' was Alan. (good job)

Good Catch, Robert! Alan tried to sneak a fast one on the inside corner, and you turned on it! Roped it into the gap!

[Eggscape]

Another thing to keep in mind is the lack of fuel on step hills.

We had friends come out to our cabin with their old motor home. We tell everybody that vists to fill up with fuel at the local station before you arrive as you never know when the power will be out for days and the pumps won’t work. There is also a chance of a road washout out at which time they lock the pumps and only fuel the heavy equipment to fix the roads so that they can get more fuel delivered.

They did not fill up thinking they could make it back to the major town and save a few cents. Well before this major town is a very long step winding hill on Hwy 20 called Sheep Creek hill. Many twists and turn and slow going logging trucks driving down doing about 10 mph tops.

Moments into this very long hill the little fuel they had moved to the front of the tank and away from the fuel pickup. With the engine not running any more and a few pumps of the brakes they lost all power assist. It took all 350 lbs of this ex football player standing on the pedal to keep the motor home on the road. Luckily they never came across the rear end of a slow going logging truck and oncoming traffic at the same time.

They were also towing a jeep on an old car trailer which as he is not a person for details...may or may not have had breaks. Once they made it to the bottom they thought they were on fire. After a time things cooled down and they added the spare fuel they had on the trailer in jerry cans.

It cost them a few thousand dollars to have the brakes redone.