If u're 13'10 or 13'11, would you risk going under a 14'0?

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
81

Rotherhithe has had a width limit on it for years, that mob on aggregates with the orange motors used to run special narrow FIAT 13tonners as artics so they could run from Limehouse to Surrey Docks through the tunnel :wink:

I bet your old man was pulling a fast one, mind you I’ve been through myself in an artic when the Blackwall has been shut down and traffic goes ■■■■ up, not a good idea now though as the scameras are waiting for you, oh and they got dirty great concrete bollards at each end too, so you’ll need a good run up :laughing:

82

Harry Monk:
I’ve been under a 3.1 metre bridge with a 4 metre trailer. :wink:

I can beat that. I took my 4 meter tanker under a posted 2.8 meter bridge on the SS15 toward Genoa. I saw the warning sign and figured it wouldn’t be on the main road.

It was.

I was sat there looking at the bridge (which looked no higher than a brick fireplace) and the dustcart went by and straight under. Then they stopped and guided me through… And the next, and the next, and the last.

That was a bit tense.

83

My truck is 13ft high and it goes under 13ft bridges JUST but i always take it slow.

84

Foxstein:
Interesting, if you were to go through the tunnel at 13’ 4" and you got stopped by Vosa or the Police and they measured you at 64mm above 4m (4064mm) which is 13’ 4" . Could they try and do you for being too high as you have clearly driven through a prohibit sign.?

Utter tosh :open_mouth:
The height marked on any bridge or overhead obsticle is the ‘SAFE HEIGHT’ not the actual height, which means it is safe to pass under even if it says the same as your actual height … because as I said earlier any overhead obstruction has by law to be at least 3 inches above the posted height.
I can’t believe this riddiculous post has dragged on so long because some of you have no idea about the actual law. :question:
You dont’ know the laws ? try a different job.

85

Pat Hasler:

Foxstein:
Interesting, if you were to go through the tunnel at 13’ 4" and you got stopped by Vosa or the Police and they measured you at 64mm above 4m (4064mm) which is 13’ 4" . Could they try and do you for being too high as you have clearly driven through a prohibit sign.?

Utter tosh :open_mouth:
The height marked on any bridge or overhead obsticle is the ‘SAFE HEIGHT’ not the actual height, which means it is safe to pass under even if it says the same as your actual height … because as I said earlier any overhead obstruction has by law to be at least 3 inches above the posted height.
I can’t believe this riddiculous post has dragged on so long because some of you have no idea about the actual law. :question:
You dont’ know the laws ? try a different job.

Your clearly not reading the post properly. I was refering to a prohibit sign, which means if you pass through over the stated height you are breaking the law in metric but not in imperial. :unamused:

86

Afaik the relevant measurement for UK law is imperial, the metric measurement is in addition to this, Metric signs seem to be rounded down to the nearest 0.1 metres from the official imperial measurement. Surely you’d set the cab height indicator at 4.0m (under and incorrect) or 4.1m (which means your too high :wink: ).

87

newmercman:
Rotherhithe has had a width limit on it for years, that mob on aggregates with the orange motors used to run special narrow FIAT 13tonners as artics so they could run from Limehouse to Surrey Docks through the tunnel :wink:

I bet your old man was pulling a fast one, mind you I’ve been through myself in an artic when the Blackwall has been shut down and traffic goes ■■■■ up, not a good idea now though as the scameras are waiting for you, oh and they got dirty great concrete bollards at each end too, so you’ll need a good run up :laughing:

a lad i used to work with apparently did both steps on a premium on said concrete :laughing: :laughing:

88

Foxstein:

Pat Hasler:

Foxstein:
Interesting, if you were to go through the tunnel at 13’ 4" and you got stopped by Vosa or the Police and they measured you at 64mm above 4m (4064mm) which is 13’ 4" . Could they try and do you for being too high as you have clearly driven through a prohibit sign.?

Utter tosh :open_mouth:
The height marked on any bridge or overhead obsticle is the ‘SAFE HEIGHT’ not the actual height, which means it is safe to pass under even if it says the same as your actual height … because as I said earlier any overhead obstruction has by law to be at least 3 inches above the posted height.
I can’t believe this riddiculous post has dragged on so long because some of you have no idea about the actual law. :question:
You dont’ know the laws ? try a different job.

Your clearly not reading the post properly. I was refering to a prohibit sign, which means if you pass through over the stated height you are breaking the law in metric but not in imperial. :unamused:

You cannot pass through a prohibited (circular) sign without breaking the law if your vehicle is higher than the sign indicates. The actual height of the bridge is irrelevant…it is the height the sign says against your vehicle height that counts.

The OP asked for advice not a barrage of abuse incidentally… good old tough truckers that have such big balls they can abuse peeps for asking a question that is perfectly reasonable - especially if you are new to driving.

Well done fellas :unamused:

Whatever the right and wrongs, none of your arguments would pass muster if you hit the bridge in question - you try getting the council to take the blame if YOU hit a bridge, good luck with that one…

89

Truckulent:
The OP asked for advice not a barrage of abuse incidentally… good old tough truckers that have such big balls they can abuse peeps for asking a question that is perfectly reasonable - especially if you are new to driving.

Well done fellas :unamused:

Actually, a dose of ‘■■■■ it up buttercup’ is going to be of more use to the OP than a load of mollycoddling tickling under the chin crap :bulb:

If the lorry is 13.9 high it will fit under any bridge that is marked 13.9 or more, if it isn’t marked at all then it is more than 16ft or whatever it is, put simply, stop being a [zb]ing nancy boy and get on with driving the lorry :unamused:

90

newmercman:

Truckulent:
The OP asked for advice not a barrage of abuse incidentally… good old tough truckers that have such big balls they can abuse peeps for asking a question that is perfectly reasonable - especially if you are new to driving.

Well done fellas :unamused:

Actually, a dose of ‘■■■■ it up buttercup’ is going to be of more use to the OP than a load of mollycoddling tickling under the chin crap :bulb:

No it isn’t, the OP will just think you’re a ■■■■

If the lorry is 13.9 high it will fit under any bridge that is marked 13.9 or more, if it isn’t marked at all then it is more than 16ft or whatever it is, don’t you know the height for unmarked bridges Mr Trucker? put simply, stop being a [zb]ing nancy boy and get on with driving the lorry :unamused:

Et tu, brute…why don’t you instead of abusing people you know nothing about. I’d enjoy watching you stammering at the plod when you smash into a bridge and try the above excuse as a reason… 'well officer I was sucking it up and I’ve got hairy balls so I assume everything will be OK…followed by

‘you’re nicked sonny…’

:laughing:

91

Truckulent:

newmercman:

Truckulent:
The OP asked for advice not a barrage of abuse incidentally… good old tough truckers that have such big balls they can abuse peeps for asking a question that is perfectly reasonable - especially if you are new to driving.

Well done fellas :unamused:

Actually, a dose of ‘■■■■ it up buttercup’ is going to be of more use to the OP than a load of mollycoddling tickling under the chin crap :bulb:

No it isn’t, the OP will just think you’re a [zb]

If the lorry is 13.9 high it will fit under any bridge that is marked 13.9 or more, if it isn’t marked at all then it is more than 16ft or whatever it is, don’t you know the height for unmarked bridges Mr Trucker? put simply, stop being a [zb]ing nancy boy and get on with driving the lorry :unamused:

Et tu, brute…why don’t you instead of abusing people you know nothing about. I’d enjoy watching you stammering at the plod when you smash into a bridge and try the above excuse as a reason… 'well officer I was sucking it up and I’ve got hairy balls so I assume everything will be OK…followed by

‘you’re nicked sonny…’

:laughing:

Only trouble with that is, I have never and will never smash into a bridge, because I am aware of what is going on around me. I did touch a bridge ever so gently once, but as I was fully aware of the height of both truck and bridge, no damage was caused. Now before you get on your high horse, I never had an alternative route, the delivery was in a dead end road, the bridge was half way down the road. I only made very slight contact after making the delivery because the empty lorry lifted on its springs once the weight was off it. As I was alert to the possibility of a problem and had taken appropriate action, i.e. slowed right down to a crawl, I noticed that there was only minimal contact and I scraped under, if however it was going to actually hit the bridge, I would’ve returned to the delivery, got them to put some weight over the front of the trailer and then removed it once past the bridge, I would’ve been quite able to do all that, because, you see, I’m not scared of my own [zb]ing shadow like some of the ‘drivers’ that post such crap on here :wink:

If the OP is offended by my comments, well hey [zb]ing ho, hope it hasn’t scarred the poor little thing for life :unamused: You nancy boys like to call it abuse when you hear something you don’t like, my statements have been factual, a 13’10" lorry will fit under a 14’ bridge, that is a fact, there is nothing to be scared about, so all the OP needs to do is get a grip and stop being scared of things that are not scary at all, if he can’t manage that, then he should get out of the industry for good :bulb:

If the question was would you risk taking a 14’ lorry under a 14’ bridge, then my answer would have been totally different, I would still do it, but I would come to a complete stop and get out and check, then I would proceed very cautiously at a snail’s pace until I was clear of the bridge. That my pedigree chum is professionalism, driving miles off route because you’re scared to go under a bridge that is only a few inches taller than your vehicle is not only unprofessional, it is ridiculous :wink:

92

Very well said Mark :slight_smile:

93

newmercman:

Truckulent:

newmercman:

Truckulent:
The OP asked for advice not a barrage of abuse incidentally… good old tough truckers that have such big balls they can abuse peeps for asking a question that is perfectly reasonable - especially if you are new to driving.

Well done fellas :unamused:

Actually, a dose of ‘■■■■ it up buttercup’ is going to be of more use to the OP than a load of mollycoddling tickling under the chin crap :bulb:

No it isn’t, the OP will just think you’re a [zb]

If the lorry is 13.9 high it will fit under any bridge that is marked 13.9 or more, if it isn’t marked at all then it is more than 16ft or whatever it is, don’t you know the height for unmarked bridges Mr Trucker? put simply, stop being a [zb]ing nancy boy and get on with driving the lorry :unamused:

Et tu, brute…why don’t you instead of abusing people you know nothing about. I’d enjoy watching you stammering at the plod when you smash into a bridge and try the above excuse as a reason… 'well officer I was sucking it up and I’ve got hairy balls so I assume everything will be OK…followed by

‘you’re nicked sonny…’

:laughing:

Only trouble with that is, I have never and will never smash into a bridge, because I am aware of what is going on around me. I did touch a bridge ever so gently once, but as I was fully aware of the height of both truck and bridge, no damage was caused. Now before you get on your high horse, I never had an alternative route, the delivery was in a dead end road, the bridge was half way down the road. I only made very slight contact after making the delivery because the empty lorry lifted on its springs once the weight was off it. As I was alert to the possibility of a problem and had taken appropriate action, i.e. slowed right down to a crawl, I noticed that there was only minimal contact and I scraped under, if however it was going to actually hit the bridge, I would’ve returned to the delivery, got them to put some weight over the front of the trailer and then removed it once past the bridge, I would’ve been quite able to do all that, because, you see, I’m not scared of my own [zb]ing shadow like some of the ‘drivers’ that post such crap on here :wink:

If the OP is offended by my comments, well hey [zb]ing ho, hope it hasn’t scarred the poor little thing for life :unamused: You nancy boys like to call it abuse when you hear something you don’t like, my statements have been factual, a 13’10" lorry will fit under a 14’ bridge, that is a fact, there is nothing to be scared about, so all the OP needs to do is get a grip and stop being scared of things that are not scary at all, if he can’t manage that, then he should get out of the industry for good :bulb:

If the question was would you risk taking a 14’ lorry under a 14’ bridge, then my answer would have been totally different, I would still do it, but I would come to a complete stop and get out and check, then I would proceed very cautiously at a snail’s pace until I was clear of the bridge. That my pedigree chum is professionalism, What, stopping in the middle of a busy road, getting out and holding up other vehicles?? Nah mate, it’s stupidity…driving miles off route because you’re scared to go under a bridge that is only a few inches taller than your vehicle is not only unprofessional, it is ridiculous :wink:

So you don’t know how high the bridge has to be to be unmarked then?? :laughing:

I actually more or less agree with your comments about the height but, unlike you, I have the intelligence to see that confidence comes from experience, - something the OP may lack. Ridiculing him or her is just arrogance - typical of so many folk. Remember that despite your claim to have 'not smashed into a bridge ’ in your first sentence, you then admit further down your post that you have indeed hit a bridge!!! :unamused:

You speak about professionalism and then admit you’ve ‘scraped under a bridge with miminal contact’ - your methods are clearly not foolproof then are they? You scraped under because you tried to get under a bridge that was too low for your vehicle…this is obviously very unprofessional surely? If you had planned the route accurately, you wouldn’t have hit any bridge at all. Did you report it? I’ll bet you didn’t 'cos you know your excuses would be lost on PC Plod…

How about this for an excuse? 'Well officer, I knocked down a pedestrian but there was only minimal contact so it’s not a problem is it…? :unamused:

Do you reckon you’d get away with that as well?

94

Truckulent:
How about this for an excuse? 'Well officer, I knocked down a pedestrian but there was only minimal contact so it’s not a problem is it…? :unamused:

Do you reckon you’d get away with that as well?

No chance of getting away with that, which is why I would reverse up and do a proper job…no witnesses then :wink:

Look, we could go all Carryfast and keep saying the same things over and over, so let’s not go there. Technically speaking, yes I did hit the bridge as contact was made, but it was only the rivets protruding from the girder that were hit by the slightly raised corner post of the container, once that went under it was plain sailing and I had a few inches clearance under the rest of the bridge. I judged that no damage would be done to either bridge or container, so I went for it. Would I have done it in front of witnesses or the law? No chance, Would I put it on my C.V.? Again, no chance. Do I think it’s the right thing to do? That depends who is watching :laughing:

Our views on the confidence/ridicule thing are also different. Personally I have no problem with the Drill Instructor approach, you obviously prefer the more subtle methods. My methods don’t translate into the written word as well as yours, but mine are more effective. It’s a tough world out there, sometimes a reminder of that can be all you need to overcome a fear/phobia/whatever you want to call it :wink:

Oh and the bridge height is 16’4" I think, anything above that doesn’t require markings. Apart from Hi Cube containers which are always 9’6" higher than the trailer you put them on (usually around 5’) I have never pulled a trailer higher than 4.2m which is 13’9" in old money, so it has not been something I needed to take much notice of. If I was to start pulling 16’ trailers I would definately find out though, and not by waiting for the bang :laughing:

95

Unmarked bridge is at least 16 ft 6 inches.
FFS get a grip your working as a lorry driver not as a girl guide leader someone somewhere is going to let rip at you at some point if you ■■■■ up. I’m not advocating screaming and shouting for the sake of it but you can’t mollycoddle people all the time.
Logicly the powers that be are going to leave a little leeway for error so if your under the stated height no problem. A firm I used to work for bought a new pushouts trailer we measured it empty as we had steel sprung tractors and it was 15ft 6 one of the routes to the yard had a 15 ft 6 bridge so we went down to the bridge early I’m the morning not to cause any inconvenience and checked it and had about 4 inches Clearence. Even after they resurfaced the road it still had a couple of inches Clearence.

96

a rough 30 years trundling around Europe and further afield I have always used two things to avoid bridge strikes

eyeballs, might sound ridiculous but that is what they are there for

oh and I never hit one either

97

@kr79 I quite like the idea of Girl Guide Leaders as lorry drivers…

W

98

Without repeating what everyone has said…

The A358 between Taunton and Watchet has 4 bridges at 13’9".

I go thru there at 40 ish as I know that my truck is marked at 13’9".

No issues,no doubt,zero risk. Period.