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Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
I have some new RV apps such as “RV Parky” and they list some tunnel heights, what is the minimum tunnel height that’s safe to take a newer 27’ mid bath under?

I remember a recent discussion of RV routing suggestions I’ll try and find, how do you all keep on a proper size road?
Nov 2023, 2012 31’ IB, white/green swoops & swirles, 2009 Mini Cooper, racing green convertible, toad 🐸

We ordered white/gray  2018 27' mid bath 1/3/18 and we are hoping for a July 16th 2019 delivery, sold, and tried a Lithium Travato, wish  I would have kept the Lazy Daze 27’
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #1 –
Tiger,

The 27’ MB unladen hight from ground to the top of the roof air is 10’ 1”

I’ve heard horror stories of a new LD owner driving into an underground parking structure with a newly picked up coach and tearing the roof off along with the AC.

Be careful. 😫 The LD spec sheet on their web site has the dimensions listed.  Don’t let this happen to you.    https://youtu.be/7FjBK9zv1B0 Maybe a rooftop camera pointing forward could be helpful. 🤪 Here’s a pic of the data sheet.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #2 –
Re: tunnel heights. The minimum vertical clearance (the height that's stated on the tunnel face or name sign of the tunnel) is measured from the edge of the 'traveled surface', i.e., the road; height variations can exist if the road surface has been re-paved. The maximum tunnel height is measured at the center line of the road.

Bridge heights are measured in much the same way, depending on the configuration of the bridge structure; bridge widths, i.e., total driving surface, are often noted if the lanes on the bridge are particularly narrow, i.e., the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge across the Columbia in WA. (Yes, the LD mirrors have to be pulled in! A fun ride. Cross at The Dalles. ;) )

Hood River Bridge - Port of Hood River

Many large vehicles hug the center line - or drive down the middle of the road - when going through a tunnel; neither of these, particularly the latter, is a smart choice .

Knowing the actual height of your rig is critical; heights vary, depending on load, the type of AC shroud, vent covers, and whatever may be carried on top of the rig. I suggest not relying on the spec sheet numbers, but measuring the height from the ground to the highest point on your rig when road ready. (A 'rig height sticky' on the dashboard or the visor can be a helpful reminder.)

Just a comment: honking horns and flashing lights when going through tunnels, especially longer tunnels, can be distracting, particularly to oncoming traffic. 



2003 TK has a new home
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #3 –
Quote from: JCT  - 
Bridge heights are measured in much the same way, depending on the configuration of the bridge structure; bridge widths, i.e., total driving surface, are often noted if the lanes on the bridge are particularly narrow, i.e., the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge across the Columbia in WA. (Yes, the LD mirrors have to be pulled in! A fun ride. Cross at The Dalles. ;) )

Hood River Bridge - Port of Hood River


During and for a few weeks after the Oregon Gorge fire  I-84 was closed from East Portland to Hood River in both directions.   This was the only bridge open.   Trust me when I say the bridge was fun to cross but when you added the road on the Washington it made for fun driving.
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #4 –
On my '85, I had a sticker on the dash which indicated the minimum bridge height.  Unfortunately, it didn't do much good for low-hanging tree branches (which I think is the bigger concern).  ;D
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #5 –
I'm very aware that 'miscalculations' happen; I've experienced a few over time, fortunately resulting in minimal damage, mostly consisting of some 'desert pinstripes' and a couple of small dings, to the rig. But, with very few exceptions, every 'oops' moments was on me, and could have been avoided by using better judgement on goat track choice, 'obstacle avoidance', and/or applying the practice of GOAL.  ::)

As ever, YMMV.

 



2003 TK has a new home
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #6 –
Where did the July 2018 guesstamate come from?
After reading your post, I measured our 31 IB.    9' from ground to roofline.   The AC shroud adds another 13".
I get nervous on anything under 14 ft.  ;)
Joel & Terry Wiley
2013  31 IB   ORWAN   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #7 –
 ‘July 2018 guesstimate’ ?  What did I miss?
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #8 –
Quote from: JCT  - 
‘July 2018 guesstimate’ ?  What did I miss?
Tiger's footer ran: We ordered white/gray  2018 27' mid bath 1/3/18 and we are hoping for a July 2018 delivery from LD
Todd's 'early to mid February' turned out to be April 28 on our 31IB  :D
Joel & Terry Wiley
2013  31 IB   ORWAN   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #9 –
How do I find out the height of my LD? It looks really tall. And then there are the antennas and AC unit on top. I don't think I have a tape measure long enough!!
1991 22' LD Multi-Plan
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #10 –
Check Lazy Daze home page.  They have all the dimensions for everything.
2006 31' IB Anniversary Edition; Tow 97' Wrangler
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #11 –
"How do I find out the height of my LD?"
----
Don't "eyeball", guess, rely on a printed number (this can be inaccurate for a variety of reasons), or go under obstacles on faith until chunks fly off; measure the rig's height from the ground to the top of highest point on the rig.

A wide 12' or 16' locking "steel" tape is an essential toolbox item; they're inexpensive and available everywhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XAO00FaY_k
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #12 –
Excellent video, Joan!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #13 –
Great video Joan. Thanks.

Sometimes converting from standard measurements  to metric can be overwhelming. Remembering the calculation formula can be daunting.

I’ve been using a conversion app on my phone for about a decade. Very helpful for a number of calculations and it’s free on the Apple App Store, although pesky adds do pop up unless you pay up. Nonetheless it’s very useful.

Here are some screen shots of the app.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #14 –
Besides bridge issues, have any of you found a tool/app/map/...that tells the maximum length for a vehicle on a given road?  As an example, I saw a sign here in IL the other day that read “No vehicles longer than 30’ allowed”.  My question is how would a person know ahead of time about a constraint like that?  Thanks!
2004 31' Twin Bed
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #15 –
Phylana

With California being my go to reference I'd suggest that you seek the answers your asking at your State Dept. of Motor Vehicles.

 If you have or can find a copy of Trailer Life Campground Directory (at Camping World typically) that volume has the regulations for all states, the last time I looked.

Some road maps may also have that type of info.
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #16 –
The Mountain Directory, East and West are books that are considered reliable resources for truckers. They are available in hard copy or digital, showing grades and describing passes and sections that are difficult to negotiate.  The only place I can recall posting signs about length restrictions consistently is CA, though there are other warning signs out there.  Forums like these where you can ask about specific routes, motorcycle enthusiast maps and You Tube videos are also clues. On Forest Service roads in the mountains I spend some time pouring over maps and researching before counting on being able to drive them.  Even then, I have had a few scrapes. Literally.

In other words, spend time planning routes in the mountains, because this can be a serious concern. If a road is too narrow, turning around or backing down can be a big deal.
Paul
'92 Mid Bath
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #17 –
I second the "Mountain Directory" apps. They may seem pricey compared to your average app, but they are well worth it for the depth of information they provide - up and down grades, bridges, tunnels, etc.
fu
2015TK
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #18 –
Quote from: thefuofus  - 
I second the "Mountain Directory" apps. They may seem pricey compared to your average app, but they are well worth it for the depth of information they provide - up and down grades, bridges, tunnels, etc.
The mountain directory can be ordered Here
Pricey is relative.  What's a medium pizza going for these days?  And the app lasts much   longer  ;)

Oddly enough the website shows a 2015 edition for $16.95 while Amazon has a 2006 version for $44.  Both use the same display link. 
go figure.
Joel
Joel & Terry Wiley
2013  31 IB   ORWAN   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #19 –
The Mountain Directory is an essential resource for anyone who travels off main highways in an RV. I have the print books from 2006, but according to the publisher, the print books and the apps were updated in 2015, so they should be current.

I suggest buying from the publisher at Mountain Directory for Truckers, RV, and Motorhome Drivers
because the print books from Amazon are not the latest editions.

For a resource of this utility and comprehensiveness, $16.99 (per app or print book) is a steal!

YMMV, as always.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #20 –
Just got the combined West/East Mt. Directory on my android samsung..I will use it more than a print copy, and it doesn't add any weight, nor take up any room... was $24.99 for the combined, less than single issue west and east
At 11:23 AM 2/20/2018, you wrote:
Quote

The Mountain Directory is an essential resource for anyone who

Quote

travels off main highways in

an RV. I have the print books from 2006, but according to the publisher, the print books and

the apps were updated in 2015, so they should be current.
I suggest buying from the publisher at >Mountain Directory for Truckers, RV, and Motorhome Drivers

because the print books from Amazon are not the latest editions.
For a resource of this utility and comprehensiveness, $16.99 (per app or print book) is a
steal!

YMMV, as always.
2003 TK

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gini Free and Junah, canine xtrodinaire "CHERRYOTTE" our litte red home on wheels "Growing old is mandatory. Growing wise is optional."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gini Free and Junah, canine xtrodinaire
"CHERRYOTTE" our little red home on wheels
"Growing old is mandatory. Growing wise is optional."
 
Re: Minimum tunnel clearance and route suggestions
Reply #21 –

While the Mountain Directory is a great resource (I have one also), its main focus is on mountain passes.  Remember, there are tunnels and low bridges all throughout the US. 

Another worthwhile resource:

Rand McNally 2017 Deluxe Motor Carriers' Road Atlas (Rand Mcnally Motor...

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264