Low underpass

[H3Jim]

Alright, I admit it, I never thught I'd run into a low underpass situation here in the west, much less in San Diego.  My coach is about 13 feet tall with the solar panels, air horns and low profile air conditioners, and even the lateral arm awnings on the top.

I was driving a bunch of my family to the airport after a family renion - seemed natural to take a high passenger capacity vehicle, not to mention eveyone always seems to love riding in the bus. 

Terminal 2 where most of the flights leave from these days, and one that was built in the last 20 years, has a pedestrian overpass that is only 12' 2" high.  I had to back out while the trafic cops stopped traffic.  They were very nice, said it happens all the time.

Very irritating, and I guess I won't drive the bus there again.

[FloridaCliff]

Jim,

Always one of my fears having a taller coach!

Glad that you stopped in time......

Cliff

[belfert]

I'm worried about the same thing when I get to the Reno Airport at the end of September.  There isn't any place else besides the airport to rent a car that is open reasonable hours.  The rental lot isn't in the airport, but the rental counter is.

Off airport rental places aren't open very often or they charge a lot more than the airport rental places.

[Busted Knuckle]

I'm worried about the same thing when I get to the Reno Airport at the end of September.  There isn't any place else besides the airport to rent a car that is open reasonable hours.  The rental lot isn't in the airport, but the rental counter is.

Off airport rental places aren't open very often or they charge a lot more than the airport rental places.

Brian your bus was under 12' when you bought it! I don't have a clue how tall yer roof air(s) are but I don't think you'll have problem! Beside haven't ya heard of parking nearby (at a hotel or any place for that matter) and using the free airport shuttles?
  BK 

[belfert]

[Brian your bus was under 12' when you bought it! I don't have a clue how tall yer roof air(s) are but I don't think you'll have problem! Beside haven't ya heard of parking nearby (at a hotel or any place for that matter) and using the free airport shuttles?
  BK 

I haven't measured, but I would guess I am right around 13 feet now.  13 feet is pretty tall for most airports except for deliveries.

We really want to get a rental car and go without hassles of finding a shuttle to the airport.  As it is we're already spending an extra 2 hours to drive into Reno to pick up a rental car.  Towing a car isn't an option because we have another trailer to tow already. 

[TomC]

Wow-that's pretty weird having that happen in California.  New York or Chicago I'd expect it.  But considering that California has a 14'0" height, someone wasn't thinking.  Glad to see that you were thinking though and didn't end up like a sardine can.  Good Luck, TomC

[boogiethecat]

Hey Jim, whatever you do, if you're driving up University avenue just north of Park Blvd, GET IN THE LEFT!!!  There's an old (very arched) bridge that I swear is only 8-10 feet high in the edge of the right lane.  I don't even drive a truck on that side! It's arched enough that the left lane is fine for anything.
Yes, there's a few of them in San Diego... although truthfully I never thought of driving my bus to the airport... I'd be worried that they'd think it was something they didn't want on the property, and be much less than friendly about it !!  You're brave!!
Cheers
Gary

[Hi yo silver]

Man, that's scary, Jim.  I was cringing when I clicked on that headline...wasn't sure whether I wanted to know the rest of the story!  Glad you didn't abreviate your bus...
Dennis 

[white-eagle]

because someone asked or commented:  when we've needed to rent, we've found Enterprise to be reasonable, cooperative and they pick us up.  last couple times, they've been less than avis or hertz.  the important is that they pick you up.

allow plenty of time, they're slower than molasses in january.

thank goodness you saw the sign and overhang in time, Jim.

[H3Jim]

Gary,

Yes I know that bridge, and it is very arched.  I have no interest in driving my bus there on University, but  you never know where I'll end up.  I have a ways to go to be nearly as adventurous as Sean, but I do like to use the bus whenever I can.

The airport has chains dangling down that set off lights and a orn if you touch them with the top of yoru vehicle.  Its embarrassing to confess that without that, I might have tried to go forward closer to the bridge.  My passengers were goading me to go on.  But after this experience, I am more chasened, and I realize more definetly that no matter what, you can always stop, and there is a way to deal with it, and no matter how much pressure you feel to go on, its still better and cheaper to back up or turn around.   Sounds obvious, and like a no brainer, but in the moment, its not as clear.

oh well confession is over.

[FloridaCliff]

Jim,

I am about 12' 8"-10".

My future plans are to put one of Petes level systems on and I COULD dump the air out to crawl under something that was really close.

I just can't convince Julie to look out the roof hatch to verify I will make it...LOL

We have been under a few 13' bridges and I just yell "DUCK"

All kidding aside, being able to dump the air would be a great option to have.

Cliff

[H3Jim]

that's a really good idea, beter than letting the air out of your tires. 

The only thing that is stopping me from getting Pete's system is I'd sure like it if he had valves with the permanent magnet at each end of the throw.  That way they would stay open or closed wthough any power requirement.  Kind of like a latching relay. I like his first system without the gauges better.

[brojcol]

My passengers were goading me to go on.  But after this experience, I am more chasened, and I realize more definetly that no matter what, you can always stop, and there is a way to deal with it, and no matter how much pressure you feel to go on, its still better and cheaper to bvack up or turn around.   

Ok, I have a little story about that.  I won't bore you with details, but I was hauling my singing group around in my 4107 and we were in the hills of North Alabama.  Went to eat breakfast on a winding little dirt road.  I didn't want to park in the drive way, but the guys were GOADING me with "if you can't make it in there, we need a new driver..."  Well I made it, but I was soaking wet with sweat.

Then as we left, I said, I don't think I can make that turn at the bottom of the driveway...

AW SURE YOU CAN!  YOU CAN MAKE IT, GO FOR IT...

Of course I did, against my better judgement, and it's a good thing our hosts had a heavy duty tractor, or we'd have missed our next date.  I learned a valuable lesson that day.

LISTEN TO YOUR INNER VOICE!  You know you're bus better than anyone else.  I know I will from now on.

[buswarrior]

Pictures of an H3 on the FDR in Manhatten, where it absolutely did not belong, forbidden, go straight to jail....

[buswarrior]

another