Tunnels and Other Sphincter Tightening experiences?

[Octopus Prime]

Originally Posted by ETCrockett

I can’t stand those road construction lane shifts. They are usually short and quick with a concrete barrier on one side and traffic on the other. Two hands on the wheel and head on a swivel checking mirrors!

Same. I hate those.

[bankr63]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

I ALMOST had the same thing happen!
I had called a parking garage before going and asked about the clearance. They told me what it was and it was close, but OK. We had no problem at the ENTRANCE. When leaving I saw the THE EXIT WAS LOWER THAN THE ENTRANCE but there was no clearance warning!

Parking at the Hotel California, you can check out any time you like, but can't never leave...

[Marshmellow]

The Chesapeake Bay Tunnel was a nerve racking drive. When there is an 18 wheeler coming the other way, not much room for error. made it safely.

[wylan9021]

The Mackinac Bridge had me with a death grip on the wheel. It connects Michigan with the UP. It can get really windy in the Straits of Mackinac and it was. There is no going around the bridge, the Great Lakes are a large obstacle.

[sirrealone]

Originally Posted by wylan9021

The Mackinac Bridge had me with a death grip on the wheel. It connects Michigan with the UP. It can get really windy in the Straits of Mackinac and it was. There is no going around the bridge, the Great Lakes are a large obstacle.

Pretty sure you can request an escort and they will always provide one. Sometimes they are mandatory for semis and RVs if the winds get high enough.

[Jamnpete]

Heading to Liberty Harbor RV park when visiting New York City last year, last time for Google maps, as it routed us through some Jersey City residential streets, one with a tunnel at 12 ft. clearance, my Greyhawk is 11'4".... the folks on both ends held up and let me ride the middle all the way through, VERY much appreciated! Also, NY City is another 'no propane' in the tunnels, got all sorts of help getting off before the tunnel, but we had gone through the gate, and ended up getting the $80 toll charge that never got refunded! BTW, the RV park was great, saw Lady Liberty from the campground, very much a parking lot though, but full hookups! And easy access to ferrys and public transit.

[2nOZ]

Headed to Pigeon Forge last year. The DW usually does all the route planning and navigating. Everything was fine until we came upon 2 very narrow long bridges that crossed the river in Paducah, KY. I was a bit nervous as we approached due to the very narrow two lane road. Everything was as good as it could be until I spotted a semi approaching from the opposite direction. We could have high fived each other as we passed! The DW apologized profusely for picking that route. I told her I didn’t care how far we had to go out of our way to avoid that on the way back. I told my neighbor the story. He has driven that route before. He said there is still a brown streak on the road where we crossed!

[ifallsguy]

Originally Posted by sirrealone

Pretty sure you can request an escort and they will always provide one. Sometimes they are mandatory for semis and RVs if the winds get high enough.

Actually they will supply a driver on request. And there are restrictions put in place during windy conditions.

[RSerendipity]

[QUOTE=2nOZ;752462]Everything was fine until we came upon 2 very narrow long bridges that crossed the river in Paducah, KY. I was a bit nervous as we approached due to the very narrow two lane road. Everything was as good as it could be until I spotted a semi approaching from the opposite direction. We could have high fived each other as we passed!

I crossed those same 2 Bridges for the first time w/Fiver heading into Kentucky. Same Scenario with the Semis. First long narrow 2 lane Bridge started with a curve & crossed the Mississippi River, then 500 ft. further a right turn onto another long narrow bridge crossing the Ohio river. In addition, both sides of the rivers you were riding on a 2 lane on top of Levees (no Guardrails). DW said she never seen me so focused & having such a 'Death' grip on the Steering wheel.

Did not relax for Miles.

[Packerbacker_TX]

I've read about this type of stuff so the last time I hitched up, I got on the roof and measured from the top of the front AC unit to the ground - 12'7" (153"). I read that 18 wheelers can get upwards of 13'6", so I believe most interstate bridges can only be 14' or taller. That gives me about a foot and a half of wiggle room on 95% of the bridges I'll come across. If we do any in town driving, I'll keep my eyes open for any/all bridge height signs before I drive under them. Hopefully I'll never have a story to tell here!

[norty1]

Be sure to look up in Mechanicsville, Pa! We encountered one that was less than 10"

Fortunately I was not towing the rig.

[grantsoo]

Originally Posted by kckohlhaas

Family and I ...
Any other tunnel stories or lessons learned?

Years ago I crossed the bridge into Sarnia Ontario with my 2002 Itasca. I followed the signs for RV's which included cars.
I was very concerned and watched my left mirror going through the custom's booth to make sure I didn't hit. Just before pulling away I glanced over at the right mirror and was horrified to see it had been travelling with about 2" clearance. But I got through ok.
The story does not end.
I went through Sarnia and over to the KOA in London.
Did my walk around the next morning before leaving and the shroud over my AC had a piece missing at the top rear, about a 8" slice of pie gone.
Only place I could think of with potential contact was the custom's booth, but I didn't hear anything.
It happened in 2010 and I'm still puzzled about what happened.

[grantsoo]

Originally Posted by sirrealone

Pretty sure you can request an escort and they will always provide one. Sometimes they are mandatory for semis and RVs if the winds get high enough.

Boy have I been there with my 31' Itasca.
Crossing the bridge under mandatory escort.
My wife and I were talking about how to exit the vehicle before it hit the water.
Seriously! And I paid more attention to that conversation than I EVER did to the flight attendants safety presentation when I flew. We were scared.

[CrowCross]

Did you ever go to Zion National Park?

You have to deal with this tunnel.

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

For RV's and such they stop the traffic on one side and tell you to drive down the middle. But, first you have to deal with the hairpin switchback road.

Zion was well worth it.

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by CrowCross

Did you ever go to Zion National Park?

You have to deal with this tunnel.

For RV's and such they stop the traffic on one side and tell you to drive down the middle. But, first you have to deal with the hairpin switchback road.

Zion was well worth it.

Been there and I totally agree with everything you said