An unintended consequence of using GPS is threatening Vermont's historic covered bridges... 2

[waross]

typically ~33k GVW chassis derated to 26k

The dividing line between bog trucks and little trucks is set at 26,000 or 26,500 lbs. GVW depending on the state.
A new set of compliance issues kick in if the truck is registered for over 26,000 lbs. GVW.

--------------------
Ohm's law
Not just a good idea;
It's the LAW!

 

[Tuckabag]

And in true Aussie fashion we have our own beer:

Mate, who makes this beer? I need to get hold of some!
Good Old Montague St Bridge has claimed so many victims.......

 

[Brad805]

Below seems to be a very common occurrence in Vancouver. No amount of signage can fix this problem.

 

[3DDave]

That sort of impact is because there is some failure in the hydraulics or the operator securing them, not because the bridge was too low.

 

[Brad805]

True, a bit off topic. These are usually the operator forgetting, but I digress.

 

[waross]

The driver dumps his load, slams the valve control handle to the down position and drives away.
It takes awhile for those boxes to come down.
The three most common issues:
1. Something jams the valve handle (often a rod with a loop on the end protruding up through the floor of the cab)and it doesnot fully open.
2. The last route had no overhead obstructions. this route leads under the overpass and the driver arrives before the box is fully down.
3. It is an unexpectedly cold day and the viscosity of the hydraulic oil has increased and the lowering time is much longer than it was yesterday.
I remember cutting our hydraulic fluid with diesel fuel so as to get much smaller boxes to lower in a reasonable time in cold weather. (A lot of diesel fuel!)

--------------------
Ohm's law
Not just a good idea;
It's the LAW!

 

[TugboatEng]

Usually it's because they forget to disengage the PTO. The bed is down when the leave the site but it slowly rises while driving due to leakage past the control valve.

 

[3DDave]

The best part is using wirecutters on the alarm wiring to keep it from making that racket when the truck is out of park.

 

[cranky108]

At least it is a bridge, and not power lines. With power lines, it sometime will blowup the truck tires, and mess with the electronics.

 

[CWB1]

I've been wondering for years if there isnt a hidden nuance in FMVSS applicable to this situation, but admittedly I've never taken the time to read/consider further. Some PTOs are thoroughly integrated for safety - engage the PTO and it causes a fixed high-idle, touch the gas, brake, or clutch and PTO is disengaged automatically. Most PTOs tho are still dumb systems, you can drive away with them engaged so its easy for dump beds to raise without the driver noticing. Similarly, some dump beds have locking pins while others dont. As a wrecker operator and farm and log truck driver in my youth, I occasionally drove a dump or rolloff truck/trailer and always used the locking pins bc I felt they limited bounce and stiffened the chassis, but believe most professional drivers dont. Regardless, it seems like we have the technology but simply dont use it and the dump-bridge issue remains common.

 

[XR250]

The 11'-8" bridge is in my neck of the woods. I have been a few cars behind an RV who decided they did not want their A/C unit anymore.

 

[cranky108]

So is there a GPS setting for larger vehicles?
Anyone see the news about Google earth driver in a high speed chase?

 

[phamENG]

A setting? On high end, stand alone models yes, there is. You can set parameters for your vehicle so it won't take you where you don't have enough overhead clearance, turns are too tight, etc. So, in theory, it shouldn't take a tour bus under the can opener or around really tight switch backs. Google maps has no such setting. But then again, it's a 'free' service.

 

[cranky108]

Is that why UPS keeps driving up to the gate on a private road, and getting mad because they have to take another route? Maybe if they kept notes on the areas they serve that would not happen.
As far as motor homes, they deserve all the fines, fees, and AC removals, as so many don't know there own vehicles.

 

[phamENG]

Totally agree on the RV front. I have a small pop up I tow, and I have to be extra mindful even with that. The idiocy of some of the people I see pulling large travel trailers really bugs me. Especially the folks pulling a fully loaded three axle toy hauler with a Kia because the "tow capacity" is 5,000lbs and the 'dry weight' of the camper is 4980lbs...

 

[geesaman.d]

I'll never forget the day my (ex) wife called me urgently to ask how tall our pickup truck and her new horse trailer is. "Is it taller than <insert number>?".

This horse trailer, of which I was excluded from selection, delivery, or financials.

You can't fix stupid. If you're lucky, divorce is an option.

 

[cranky108]

I think just about every Walmart sells measuring tape. Just in case anyone asks.

That said, there are a few people who should not have those.
We had an incident a few months ago where someone was measuring things in a substation with a metal measuring tape. He lived through the event, but it should not have happened (I was not there at the time, but what about the people that were).

It is like when I was younger you could find torque wrenches, but now you can't.
It is now hard to find tire pressure gages.

 

[IRstuff]

It is like when I was younger you could find torque wrenches, but now you can't.

HD torque wrench 11 results

HD tire pressure gauge 30 results

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

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