uhaul truck routing

Allows you to set an "activity profile" to avoid certain roads such as Interstates and major roads. Part of your decision will have to be based on the size of the truck you are using as well. Moving to an apartment implies there isn't a lot of "stuff" so a small box truck wouldn't be much different from a car on the roads.

The biggest mistake people make when renting trucks is they tend to rent one that's about 2 or 3 times the size actually needed.

You are talking about New York City area parkways that have many low clearance underpasses. I do not think there are any settings on the 775 that would be helpful, nor do I think you should rely on any GPS for planning your route unless it is designed for trucks.

Parkways to stay away from, but the list may not include all -

Northern State
Southern State
Wantagh
Meadowbrook
Sagtikos
Sunken Meadow
Grand Central
Cross Island
Belt
Hutchinson River
Merritt
Cross County
Sprain Brook
Bronx River
Taconic State
Saw Mill River
Palisades

dobs108

Would contacting the local or state DOT allow you to get a complete list of low overhead clearance locations (their website may already have this info) ? If so you could then plan a route that avoids these roads and highways. It could also get you a list of actual clearance heights which you could compare with the dimensions of your moving truck. If the truck will fit under the overpass then you can use that road.

I do believe all U-Haul truck rentals come with commercial plates. This will prevent you from taking any roads that member dobs108 has listed, those roads prohibit Commercial Vehicles

I don't think you can use your 775 to plan the entire route for you since the 6xx Nuvi series was the last units that had the truck mode available.

The only thing I can suggest is to program your son's apartment address into the 775 as a favorite.
Then under avoidances check Highways. Then use the LIE to go as far east or west as you can go. The LIE (Long Island Expressway) is the only highway going east & west to permit commercial traffic. Since you didn't mention the destination or truck size you're renting, it's difficult to offer better advice.
Once you have exited the LIE activate your sons address under favorites. Hopefully it will take you on local roads to the destination.

You MUST keep your eyes open for signs prohibiting commercial traffic or weight limits on some roads.
Also as t923347 mentioned, clearance heights of overpasses need to be observed. Ask U-Haul what the minimum height requirement is on the truck you plan on renting.

If you've got a few hundred dollars to spare you can purchase a 760 that's made for truck and RV's:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Bluetooth-Trucking-Lifetime-Tra...

bsp131, depending on the destination, I can comment on the route to take. I drove a tractor trailer for the Fire Department. If you do not want to discuss it in this thread, use my contact form.

dobs108

I really don't need another electrical device.

I used mapquest and just gerrymandered the route to avoid the parkways LIE to Clearview Expy, Throgs Neck Bridge to Cross Bronx Exoy. Cheated a little and took the Bronx River Parkway and then off at Gun Hill Road. Didn't want to take local streets. Luckily, didn't get stopped.

Would have been easier if there was an avoidance option for trucks. none of the map sites included that option.

You're lucky you didn't get ticketed on the Bronx River Pkwy. Even luckier you didn't damage the truck on a low overpass if renting a large truck.

For the occasional truck rental it does not pay to invest in a GPS with truck capabilities.
It would be nice if Google, Yahoo, or Mapquest offered a truck route option.

Nice to know mission accomplished and your son is now moved.

We were more concerned about your hitting an overpass! Not every overpass near there is a problem but it seems out of dumb luck you avoided the low ones!

dobs108

In my college days (near 1970) I walked across the Harvard Bridge to school everyday. Just past the Cambridge end Memorial Drive passes under Massachusetts Avenue. The bridge clearance is low enough that I saw at least one scalped U-Haul truck there in my years of walking, but I think it was more.

I suspect that problem continued after my days in school, as Google Street View currently shows a rather impressive warning sign scheme, complete with illuminated "cars only" signs, explicit drawings of trucks hitting, and what appears to be "impact alarm" signs hung at a height to hit non-clearing trucks enough in advance to give them time to stop.

I think there are lots of low-clearance overpasses with far less strong warning protection.

Some years ago Breyer's sent a brand new tractor trailer with a stainless steel freezer box on its first delivery of ice cream to Long Island, New York in a summer heat wave.

The rig was on the Northern State Parkway and hit the I.U. Willets Road overpass where the clearance is 8 ft 4 in. Both tractor and trailer were totalled and the trailer was ripped apart from front to rear with the ice cream all over the road at close to 100 degrees! The driver received non life-threatening injuries.

dobs108

Good thing you did not take the Hucherson pkway, near Exit 1. I live near that one and there is almost every week a truck hits that overpass and makes a mess of the traffic.

Good thing you got off when you did.

I think they get a huge fine for doing that. Actually several fines.

This site should be required reading for anyone renting a truck: http://11foot8.com/

bsp131, if you ever get stuck under a bridge like this, just let some air out of the tires. You can lower the truck by up to 2 inches. Remember to put the air back later.

dobs108

Take it home for a souvenir!

(Here's your sign....)

Luckily, there were no overpasses for the short time that I was on the parkway. I hope the mapping sites add on a truck option for the next time I have to do this.

We are glad you got the job done!

dobs108