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Old 07-19-2018, 12:42 PM   #1
Hey Louie
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Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

They list their overhead clearance at 13' 6". Our height is 13' 4". They get plenty of tractor trailer traffic. Is 13' 6" accurate? Not sure I'm comfortable with a 2 inch cushion. I got to believe we can get more than 2 inches of vertical travel when moving . We've been thru before but that was with our last 5er that was under 13 feet. What are your experiences?
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Old 07-19-2018, 02:35 PM   #2
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I haven't personally driven there (we're on the west coast), but I have read that quite often these clearances are measured when the tunnel is first constructed and never updated, even though resurfacing or other road maintenance can cause the actual clearance to be reduced. With only 2 inches to spare, I think you're wise to proceed cautiously!
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Old 07-19-2018, 02:59 PM   #3
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My rig is also 13’4”. I’m not going to try it. It’s a long way to drive around the bay but worth it as far as I’m concerned.
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Old 07-19-2018, 03:07 PM   #4
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I haven't been there but wouldn't try it; I would have traffic backed up trying to inch under it or trying to turn around. I wouldn't want to be THIS guy;



Shorter bridge but you get the drift......
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Old 07-19-2018, 03:37 PM   #5
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^^^^That isn't going to buff out!
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Old 07-19-2018, 03:45 PM   #6
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Hey Louie, Howdy;

I HAVE been over the bridge tunnel complex numerous times both as a regular
motorist and as a Over the Road driver. Plus I used to live in Va. Beach. Generally the lowering (re-paving), of a bridge underpass can squeeze a clearance height.
However, VA. Dot keeps a very tight eye on that complex. If you have any
questions you should be asking Va.DOT. Personally, I'd be more watchful of the
weather. Squalls come up with very little warning and can and have blown Big rigs off the bridge. Hard to blow ya off of a tunnel,

hankaye
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Old 07-19-2018, 04:33 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbos View Post
My rig is also 13’4”. I’m not going to try it. It’s a long way to drive around the bay but worth it as far as I’m concerned.
We were thinking of an Outer Banks trip next year. Not using the CBBT adds 2.5 hours to our drive time. Not to mention driving around DC. But I'd rather show up whole a few hours later than busted up sooner.
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Old 07-19-2018, 04:34 PM   #8
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I live in Virginia and have been thru the tunnel many times with my rig which is 12' 8". I would contact VDOT Customer Service Center: 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623)
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Old 07-19-2018, 04:49 PM   #9
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So I called V DOT, the person I spoke with said the maximum height allowed is 13 6. They makes me believe that the ceiling is actually taller than 13 6. I asked the representative if that meant the ceiling was higher than 13 6 and he said the only information he had was the maximum allowable height.
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Old 07-19-2018, 05:34 PM   #10
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I take my 3820FK (13'5" high) to Camp Hatteras every year. You have to take the 64 tunnel when heading south and the 664 tunnel on your return trip north. The 64 northern tunnel and the 664 southern tunnel are restricted at 13'5".
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Old 07-19-2018, 06:01 PM   #11
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Here it is from the bridge/tunnel website:

"Gates are also needed to stop over-height trucks. Both of the tunnels can only accommodate a maximum height of 13’6”. District personnel have to inspect and measure any vehicle over that height requirement so that the driver can be turned around or properly adjust the height of the truck. Typically, this happens about 15 times per day. Allowing a truck to go unchecked is not only a safety issue but could also be very expensive."

Read it yourself at: http://www.cbbt.com/gated-lanes/

How have each of you measured your height?

On edit, both your tanks must be turned off before proceeding.
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Old 07-19-2018, 06:01 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by KParadis View Post
I take my 3820FK (13'5" high) to Camp Hatteras every year. You have to take the 64 tunnel when heading south and the 664 tunnel on your return trip north. The 64 northern tunnel and the 664 southern tunnel are restricted at 13'5".
KParadis,
On a side note how do you like Camp Hatteras? That's where we were thinking of going.
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Old 07-19-2018, 06:06 PM   #13
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How have each of you measured your height?[/QUOTE]

What I did was hitch up on level land, sat a 2x4 on top the ac unit with a 4 foot level on top the 2x4 then measured from the ground to the bottom of the 2x4. Yes no maybe?
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Old 07-19-2018, 06:12 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by notanlines View Post
Here it is from the bridge/tunnel website:

"Gates are also needed to stop over-height trucks. Both of the tunnels can only accommodate a maximum height of 13’6”. District personnel have to inspect and measure any vehicle over that height requirement so that the driver can be turned around or properly adjust the height of the truck. Typically, this happens about 15 times per day. Allowing a truck to go unchecked is not only a safety issue but could also be very expensive."

Read it yourself at: http://www.cbbt.com/gated-lanes/

How have each of you measured your height?

On edit, both your tanks must be turned off before proceeding.
Thanks Jim,
Good info. Makes me believe that at 13 4 I should have no problem.
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Old 07-20-2018, 06:50 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hey Louie View Post
How have each of you measured your height?

What I did was hitch up on level land, sat a 2x4 on top the ac unit with a 4 foot level on top the 2x4 then measured from the ground to the bottom of the 2x4. Yes no maybe? ?
If you're sure the 2x4 is level, then it's probably fairly accurate. What I do is find that "level place" with the trailer hitched to the truck (not all rigs tow level, many tow "nose high") and use a 10' 2x4 placed as level as I can get it over the highest point on the roof. Then I measure BOTH sides of the 2x4 and use the average of the two measurements. (old adage: Measure twice/cut once)....

By measuring both sides, you get a tad bit better assurance that the 2x4 is level and some "redundancy" if it isn't. But, if you're positive the 2x4 is level on the highest point, then measuring one side is also an accurate way to determine the height of your rig.
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Old 07-20-2018, 12:29 PM   #16
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This thread has brought to my attention that upgrading my tires has likely (read, absolutely) raised my clearance height. My rig is listed as 13'4" going by Keystone's spec info. I'm sure it has raised it by at least two inches.
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Old 07-20-2018, 12:48 PM   #17
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Badbart, " I'm sure it has raised it by at least two inches." Tell us how you upgraded your tires and I'll bet you are simply mistaken. Upgrading tires/wheels on an RV generally would not involve a better than 4 inch diameter increase.
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Old 07-20-2018, 01:01 PM   #18
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I went from a 235/80/16 to a 235/85/16 to get the 14 ply. The first thing you notice is how close the tires are to each other now.
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Old 07-20-2018, 01:31 PM   #19
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One quick point... One Question?

Trailer height is not a definite predetermined thing. The factory measure is done "level". With a 5er, if you're nose high, you will be taller. Also if you check the factory brochures, my 2013 is 12'9". Apparently they grew some (grew sum LOL)! Check the stat's on a 2018, with the same frame, same tire size and same A/Cs?

NOW the big question. Has anybody ever been "side lined" for LPG on board? I've never challenged it when they restrict HAZ-MAT and Propane? I've always taken the long way round, but as mentioned, its a pain in the Butt to go all the way around, AND the F.S. Key bridge scares the H*LL out of me!

Geo Washington Bridge in N.Y is a double decker, and directs LPG/Haz Mat to the upper level, but they have never (to my knowledge) enforced it for RVs.

Good Luck,
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Old 07-20-2018, 01:34 PM   #20
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Looks like the difference between the 235/80r/16 and the 235/85r/16 isn't that bad. From what I've found it is 30.8" vs 31.75" respectively.
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