Low Bridges

Lynnek · Veteran Member

Low Bridges

Baz421 · Guru

Lynnek wrote:
Hi all,
As Australia's newest grey nomad (I set out on Tuesday morning for the first time), I need to ask what is probably a very stupid question, but how do I know which roads have low bridges crossing them? My motorhome is 2.8m high so I need clearance of at least 3ms. I don't want to be faced with the situation of getting to a bridge with a string of traffic behind me and then having to try to turn around and go back. Any tips please?

Theoretically the max height for a truck (without the need for a permit) is 4.3m. Most newer bridges comply and major roads do as well.

Not many major roads that prevent vans going under BUT ALWAYS BE ON THE LOOKOUT.

Often low trees are more of a hazard in the daily drive.

-- Edited by Baz421 on Sunday 5th of October 2014 08:46:12 PM

Big Gorilla · Guru

My MH is 2.8 meters because of the aircon on the roof. I have an ominous sticker on dashboard "Height 3.1 Meters". You will only have this low bridge problem mainly when you get off the beaten track and there will be little other traffic if any. From my experience, most bridges will have a sign giving the clearance height. From memory, I've only struck one bridge that was marked under 3.1 meters, so I had no alternative, other than to find another route. If I came to a bridge that looked low and had no sign, I wouldn't risk. Most of these low bridges I've noticed, carry railway tracks.

Happywanderer · The Master

There are a few around country Victoria mainly in the Castlemaine area. They do have a sign saying the height but I have noticed they always have an alternative route around that bridge for trucks and higher vehicles.

Baz421 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
There are a few around country Victoria mainly in the Castlemaine area. They do have a sign saying the height but I have noticed they always have an alternative route around that bridge for trucks and higher vehicles.

Yes HW good advice I forgot the bleedin obvious.

Radar · Guru

Bridges with low clearance signs are measurement taken at the lowest points, stop look at the bridge the low point maybe in the center of the road in this case drive to the kerbside of the road, from my experience as a transport driver bridges lower then then 3 metres are generally sign posted in advance by a sign reading eg. Low bridge on side road with height.

Some bridges like the Story Bridge in Brisbane has some metal bracing in the outside lanes which have been known to cause some bother.

Shopping center carparks will cause you some grief as will the old service station sites.

johnq · Guru

http://www.poidb.com/groups/group.asp?groupid=527

-- Edited by johnq on Sunday 5th of October 2014 10:00:43 PM

wendyv · Guru

Don't know where you are likely to be driving, but some that come to mind in Vic are: Seymour; a couple of rail bridges in Lilydale, Vic. One on Spencer St in Melb city (I think) that brings trucks undone all the time. A route not to take to Tas ferry.
Just Need to stay vigilant. It helps that you do know your clearance height - a lot don't!
Carparks can be a problem too.

milo · Guru

not only bridges to watch but some car park entries, ie shopping centres have a low clearance...

shekon · Guru

Lynne, as others have said, most bridges have their height on them and if you look at service stations most of them will have the height of the awning on the side of it also. I am 3.2m high, and will not go under anything under 3.5m, and in 12 months of travelling have had no problems. Just a matter of being aware of what is around you and as others have said, it is more the low hanging tree branches that you will have to watch for. Any scratches on my MH, are from trees over hanging rather than anything else. Car parks, just don't do it, park in the street or at the back end of the bigger supermarket car parks. Watch out for the sail awnings in the warmer climate car parks. I got caught with this in Mildura, only because I went up the wrong aisle thinking I could get to the clear area. Managed to do a 5 or 6 point turn and get myself out of it , all a learning curve.
Main thing is to have fun with it all.

GaryKelly · Guru

Shop awnings and poles at the side of the road are another hazard. Park a foot or more from the kerb. Shopping center undercover carparks are often below 2 meters. Get used to watching for low hanging branches.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

In Queensland, just above Townsville, between Balgal Beach and Rollingtone (Bushy Parker Park) there is a bridge that is 2.4m - but it is marked very well, in several spots, though some caravans have been known to lose their air conditioners (and doing a fair bit of damage into the bargain). The alternate route via the highway is only another kilometre or so, no drama. We are 3.3m high, and won't go under 3.5m, to be safe.

Welcome to the community of travellers - it is indeed a learning curve - but a great life!!!

Oz Gypsy · Veteran Member

We have just spent a couple of days in Grafton NSW. There are several low bridges on the city streets and it is wise to follow the "High vehicle detour" signs.

We have on occasion gone down a side road only to be confronted with a low bridge sign (why can't they put them on the road BEFORE you turn off??) and then had to find somewhere to turn around our fifth wheeler - not easy on narrow country roads.

When planning routes in areas we don't know, we often look at Google Maps and get the street view on suspicious looking spots - hairpin bends, river crossings, railway crossings etc - and sometimes have changed our minds due to low bridges. Google is your friend.

exa41 · Guru

I have a Garmin GPS and it notifies us of low bridge , narrow roads , sharp curve etc , very handy at times .

Lynnek · Veteran Member

Wow, such a lot of info, many thanks to you all. It had occurred to me when I dropped my son off home in Indooroopilly and there was a low bridge (a railway line on top) just over from the major shopping centre. There are no warning signs leading up to the bridge. I wondered what the heck I would do if I was in my MH with traffic banked up behind me and traffic coming the other way. Well, they'd all just have to wait while I did a 328 point turn! Thanks again. It's really wonderful how everyone helps out on this site.