Clearance when towing under bridges

[pcmb]

I have a 2006 Macgregor M and need to know what clearance is required when towing the boat under low bridges.

I am also having a shed made and can design the door height to clear the boat with the mast set for towing

You may ask why I don’t measure this ? – The boat is in the water until Easter


Any help would be much appreciated

Thanks

[bubba]

I just went out and measured and it is between 10 feet 6 inches and 11 feet on our 07M to the top of the mast at the back of the trailor.

[pcmb]

Thanks very much

[Kelly Hanson East]

There is some standard height for bridges in the US that Scott will know (being in the trucking business) - I know these boats fall way under this, so its pretty hard to find a road that you wont be able to clear, I think.

[School House Steve]

I just went out and measured and it is between 10 feet 6 inches and 11 feet on our 07M to the top of the mast at the back of the trailor.

I just went out and measured my 2006 M and found the tail end of the mast 9' 6'' above the ground but my radio antennas are 12' 6'. I move oversize loads (manufactured homes) for a living the largest of which are 15' 10' high, 16' wide and 70' long, so I have some experience with clearances and permits. Legal heights for trucks are 14' high and 8' 6' wide. Larger loads need permits and possibly pilot vehicles. Most bridges, stoplights, and cable TV wires are set for 16' above the pavement, lower bridges are often marked with the actual height. On the freeway if I come to an overpass too low for my load, I have to "Ramp" it taking the exit and then on ramp on the other side of the overpass. Once when pulling my M26 past the pre-clearence/weigh in motion sensors before the Washington port of entry, it activated the "Trucks must stop at weigh station" sign. The only problem I have with the M26 are not bridges but tree branches in my drive way, and some boat ramp parking lots. If in doubt, measure your own boat because unless Bubba has a higher mast support than mine, I think some one cut a foot off Bubba's tape measure.

[bubba]

I think my trailer tongue is set lower which makes the difference.

Hi Steve did it snow there too today.

[Hamin' X]

Legal height and width vary on a state by state basis. The Federal government has some control over this on the Interstates and certain other highways that receive Federal assistance. Generally the following is true:

Maximum allowable vehicle height for Interstate and major highways: 14'
Maximum allowable vehicle width for Interstate and major highways: 102"

Maximum allowable vehicle height for secondary roads: 13' 6"
Maximum allowable vehicle width for secondary roads: 96"

As I said, this varies on a state by state basis. Check your local regulations.

~Rich

[Chinook]

There are places where you can't rely on bridge clearance standards. While trailering south on the east coast a few years ago, we found ourselves in New York State, trying to skirt around the NYC metro area. We crossed into New Jersey and were navigating on the fly, relying on an official New Jersey state highway map. We were on a high volume 4 lane state highway, and wanted to turn right onto another designated state highway. A railroad track was paralleling our route on the right. The junction approached, and was well signed. I flipped on the turn signal, but before committing to the turn, I saw to my dismay that the intersecting state highway crossed under the railroad tracks. The underpass clearance was under 10 feet. No advance warning at all. If I'd committed to the turn, I'd never had been able to back the boat back out into all that traffic. Like in the old Bill Cosby comedy routine, they would have had to turn that place into a used car/boat lot.

[bubba]

I know in Seattle by Shilshole Bay marina there is a railroad underpass that is too low and all around the country there are railroad underpasses that are too low.

[School House Steve]

Bubba,
It's been snowing lightly all week end, had to put my boots on to go measure the boat yesterday. Tomorrow I'm supposed to pull a 70 foot double wide to Waitsburg, road conditions permitting.

Steve