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Topic: GPS with accurate weight avoidance? (was THREE TON BRIDGE) (Read 1521 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: GPS with accurate weight avoidance? (was THREE TON BRIDGE)

Reply #25 –
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I pretty much ignore limits that show pictures of trucks or the word "truck", and those that say "commercial vehicles"  I do not ignore hard limits that only mention pounds or tons.  I'm driving an RV or "house car", not a truck, and not for commerce, without commercial plates or drivers license.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: GPS with accurate weight avoidance? (was THREE TON BRIDGE)

Reply #26 –
I used to pay little attention to the Commercial signs until we were in NY and ended up on a Blvd that had  arches supporting cross roads that were 12'6" in the center and 9'6" at the edges.  I expected to have our A/C units and some of the roof peeled off.  Luckily we were able to maneuver to the center of the roadway.  After two of those we were able to exit and it took about two hours driving through Westchester and a couple of other towns before we got back on the Commercial roadway, higher overpasses and ultimately through NYC.  Pucker time.
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: GPS with accurate weight avoidance? (was THREE TON BRIDGE)

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Tom Lang –
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I pretty much ignore limits that show pictures of trucks or the word "truck", and those that say "commercial vehicles" 

Why is that?  If you were on a parkway in NYS (which just says no commercial vehicles), you would get pulled over (if you were lucky), you would get yourself jammed under an overpass (if you weren't as lucky).

Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: GPS with accurate weight avoidance? (was THREE TON BRIDGE)

Reply #28 –
In Cal. the overpasses are posted at their lowest point if they are under 14'6" and motorhomes are not considered commercial vehicles and can run on "no commercial vehicles" streets. The reasoning is to limit the truck traffic in certain areas. The overpass warning is for all vehicles. The signs posting "no commercial vehicles over 6000 lbs." is all over Los Angels but motorhomes can travel on them.
I don't know the laws of other states.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: GPS with accurate weight avoidance? (was THREE TON BRIDGE)

Reply #29 –
I was referring to weight limits.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: GPS with accurate weight avoidance? (was THREE TON BRIDGE)

Reply #30 –
As I was saying, I abide by signs stating " weight limit 6000 pounds" but ignore "no commercial trucks over 6000 pounds".

Height limits are absolute, never referring only to trucks or commercial vehicles.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: GPS with accurate weight avoidance? (was THREE TON BRIDGE)

Reply #31 –
I have a question into CoPilot about how often they update their bridge databases and whether they receive input from state and local sources.
1997 U270 34FT Build 5140 Cummins 8.3 Allison 3060R
Solar 1920Watts, 14KWH lithium. Orion BMS.

Re: GPS with accurate weight avoidance? (was THREE TON BRIDGE)

Reply #32 –
I use the truck routes as a guide on US roads, state roads, county roads , etc.  I figure if they are approved for trucks then I can get through the overpasses and bridges with weight limits.  I don't pay attention to the commercial part of it since I am a motorhome, but simply use the saying, " if they can do it, so can I."

Have fun and cya down the road......................................... ^.^d
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: GPS with accurate weight avoidance? (was THREE TON BRIDGE)

Reply #33 –
Quote from: Tim –
I have a question into CoPilot about how often they update their bridge databases and whether they receive input from state and local sources.
If you get a reply, expect to have to read between the lines to decipher their answer.

P
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: GPS with accurate weight avoidance? (was THREE TON BRIDGE)

Reply #34 –
Our son-in-law is an app developer, so I asked him what it would take to create a routing app that would take into account the low weight limit bridges AND low height crossings. He said $30-50,000 depending on bells and whistles. If someone wanted to do a Kickstarter to raise the necessary funds (or wanted to fund it themselves) he'd be glad to do the work.

Another good reason to keep each day's travel time short so that you have time to research the next day's travels. Save stress AND money.

Re: GPS with accurate weight avoidance? (was THREE TON BRIDGE)

Reply #35 –
Bought CoPilot RV, which factors weight into routing.  It's not perfect, but between this and vigilance, we should be OK.

It's $39 worth of insurance.
1997 U270 34FT Build 5140 Cummins 8.3 Allison 3060R
Solar 1920Watts, 14KWH lithium. Orion BMS.

Re: GPS with accurate weight avoidance? (was THREE TON BRIDGE)

Reply #36 –
It's important to remember that a GPS is only as good as the database it uses and how that's implemented in its algorithm.  There are only a couple of database providers; neither set of data contains all the caveats, particularly in areas that don't see a lot of commercial/heavy/tall traffic.

If headed off the Interstates, particularly in an unfamiliar area, using a truckers' atlas is always a good idea and if part of your route, especially the roads leading to RV parks, isn't marked as truck-friendly, take a moment to check Google Maps satellite and street views.

Also - always check a park's website for their recommended directions.  Sometimes you will find they explicitly tell you NOT to follow your GPS.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320