Height of Tom Cat 255 on trailer?

Doryman

Has anyone taken a measurement of how high the Tom Cat 255 is on the trailer, to the top of the cabin? I have a radome mounted on an extender, on top of the low-profile rocket launcher and want to make sure I'm not going to have freeway height problems.

Thanks,
Warren

Dreamer · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:54 pm Post subject:

Warren, I'll try to get that measurement for you this afternoon and report back. The TC can get up there. With the tall arch, my anchor light hovers around 13'8". I'm thinking of a bar, possibly removeable, that protects that area from lines and branches when trailering. WA vehicle code limit is 14'. Roger

Dreamer · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 11:43 pm Post subject:

Warren,
From ground to the cabin top measures 12' 10". Trailer coupler raised to just above trailer ball level. Hope this helps. Roger

Doryman · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 12:22 am Post subject:

Thanks so much Roger. I see from your album that you have the tall radar arch and a radome on top. Did you take a measurement to the top of the radome, by any chance? Reason I ask is I want to make sure the Lori Ann is not overheight. I have a radome mounted on an 18" mast which is mounted on a low-profile radar arch.

Originally I thought that clearances on the interstate were a minimum of 14 feet, which would only be 14" more than what you measured. So I went to the wikipedia where I learned that on the interstate highway system:

Minimum vertical clearance under overhead structures (including over the paved shoulders) of 16 ft (4.9 m) in rural areas and 14 ft (4.3 m) in urban areas, with allowance for extra layers of pavement. Through urban areas at least one routing should have 16 ft (4.9 m) clearances. Sign supports and pedestrian overpasses must be at least 17 ft (5.1 m) above the road, except on urban routes with lesser clearance, where they should be at least 1 ft (0.3 m) higher than other objects. Vertical clearance on through truss bridges is to be at least 17 ft (5.1 m).

I'll have to measure the height of my setup and add that to the 12'10" you so kindly calculated and see how high everything is. I suspect that it is fairly close to the height on Dreamer. Have you had any problems while trailering? Do you have to look for the high clearance route in urban areas as described in the wikipedia? How about away from the interstate?

Hopefully I am have no need to worry about this but better safe than sorry!

Thanks,
Warren

Doryman · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:29 am Post subject:

drjohn71a · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:34 am Post subject:

Warren.... Did you know you can go to a big truck stop and get a national map/directory of overhead clearances on all highways? This allows you to find those odd, old, reduced height areas and plan around them before you're right there looking at the bridge!

John

Doryman · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:45 am Post subject:

Sea Wolf · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 4:52 pm Post subject:

Reduced hieght clearances are also a problem at gas stations.

Here in California, most gas stations have about 14' high clearances on their overhead roofs. I know of one at least in the Redding area with 15'1".

The local truck stops are no help because all they have is diesel under the higher roofs, and their gas pumps have the same 14 ' clearance of everybody else.

There are a couple of "cardlock" outfits without roofs, but you must purchase paid credits that are recorded on the plastic card well in advance.

Not much fun to find you've torn your bimini top and bent up the frame (BTDT2X!!!)

Best procedure is to have someone on the ground back with the boat or even on the top of the boat with a cell phone to guide you safely into the fill up position.

Joe.

lloyds · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 5:16 pm Post subject:

Most state DOT websites have a source for freight mobility conditions. All the trucking companies monitor those sites.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:35 pm Post subject:

And another danger point:

Car washes.

Nice to have the high pressure hot soapy water and rinse, but you have to remember to THINK! before entering.

How about a truck car wash? Anyone use them? Ever had the wash crew hand wash the boat for you? I know some folks that take their bus sized RV through.

Joe.

Dreamer · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 7:28 pm Post subject:

Warren,

Sorry about the misinformation Embarassed

12'8" versus 128". In my defense, it was during the Florida-Ohio basketball finals that I measured it! And we did have a keg operating.

I have the boat hooked up to the truck now and it indeed measures 10' 7" to the cabin roof and 13' 8" to the top of the anchor light. We've never had a clearance problem(except when I left an antenna up Embarassed

) even on back streets. I steer to the sides of the road to avoid the lowest part of hanging lines. I pay more attention now to marked underpasses and such. I've seen nothing under 14'

We'll be heading out Monday for a 4 day cruise with our club. We'll hit Mystery Bay, Pt. Ludlow, Poulsbo and Kingston. Looking forward to Lopez gathering. Roger

thataway · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:57 pm Post subject:

You want the Rand McNally Motor Carrier's Atlas. It lists all heights, overload requirements etc for each state. It will outline the roads which are legal for trucks (this will include the TC with trailer)--and give those places which have restricted height. I carry one in the RV and one in the truck I tow the TC with.