Going Through Tunnels With A Motorhome?

[tilldee]

Being a totally new motor home owner, I need answers regarding travel and tunnels. Can you take the motor home through the tunnels? We usually go south on 25E through KY and into VA, but have to go through the Cumberland Gap tunnel.

Can we take the motor home through the tunnel? I googled Cumberland Gap tunnel but it did not have any info regarding what vehicles can go through.

[tilldee]

I saw on another forum that as long as you have the propane turned off, you can go through the tunnel. Has anyone else been through there?

[tbutler]

I have never seen restrictions on propane on tunnels in the open road. Restrictions on propane are almost always in place for tunnels in urban areas such as New York and Boston. In some places you are not allowed to use the tunnels if you have propane on board, propane on or off, you have to find a different route.

Of course, the height of the tunnel is something to be very conscious of, there is a tunnel near Zion Canyon National Park which has to be closed for motorhomes to go through. You have to contact authorities, pay a fee and then be escorted through the tunnel. In order to get through that tunnel, you have to drive in the center of the tunnel. I've also been in the Black Hills when a motorhome was stuck in one of the tunnels approaching Mount Rushmore.

[huffypuff]

I been through Baltimore, MD and had to bypass a tunnel on I-95. It was clearly marked restriction before getting there. I stopped at a rest area before and no propane even travel trailers. I got a detour map and went on my way over key bridge.

[deecee]

Many places have restrictions on propane in tunnels. Falling under transporting hazardous materials. Has little to do with whether you "turn it off" or not, I think. (Unlike fuel-stations)

It is more an issue of what the hazardous material might cause, if you happen in an accident in the tunnel and the tanks get damaged.

The Baltimore tunnels (described here: http://www.mdta.maryland.gov/propane.html) also see propane as a hazardous materials transport and state the below.

vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, significant amounts of radioactive materials, and other hazardous materials are prohibited from using the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) or the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895). The Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695, the Baltimore Beltway) is a convenient alternative route for crossing Baltimore's Harbor.

FYI. Notice that with the right RV GPS, many of these concerns go away, although none are to be trusted (always watch for signs, I hear the ticket can be extreme).

I travel with two RV GPSs and have been comparing.

Garmin's RV 760 (new as of June last year) is too dumb to take propane into consideration. Despite multiple hazardous materials routing being in its brother the Dezl 760 (truck GPS).

Rand McNally's RV GPS has a specific propane configuration (tank size and number of tanks).

When testing a route forced to cross the water at Baltimore, the Garmin will consistently tell you to use the tunnels (illegally), while the Rand McNally RV GPS will route through the tunnels only in car mode (no propane consideration) and ALWAYS send you over the bridge when routing in RV mode. (at least with my configuration, with a 38 Gallon propane tank)

[dickandlois]

One has to wonder how many large trucks running CNG for fuel are being affected, when on roads they travel?

Saving on fuel cost but going the long way around in some cases.

Rich

[huffypuff]

I seen truckers taking different route as I follow map to key bridge. There wasn't many there and no wonder as I got dinged hard for flat towing my Jeep. Triple the 2 axle truck price for having a toad. I told my wife if we had to go back that way we would unhook at the before rest area and hook back up at after rest area and save enough to make it worth it. Lucky we didn't have to as I hit avoid tolls on the GPS when we headed back down to go to New Orleans, LA

[netop43]

I take 695 W around the Baltimore tunnels, a little longer but no toll.

[huffypuff]

On return I was in Bear, DE I took US-40 to MD-272 to I-95 took exit 67 to US-1 then straight to 695 W to I-70. Shorter route and no tolls even though there was two in the area on I-95.

[blairsbounder]

Common sense tells me if a semi tractor trailer can fit thru then a motorohome should fit.....just sayin!

[wayne77590]

I avoid that region when we travel to New England. I use I-81 and I-84.

Much lighter traffic. And driving in Houston I don't mind the traffic, just a nicer ride on 81 and 84.