When Your Vacation Gets 'Storrowed': Tales of the Parking Garage Can Opener

In this vibrant anime scene, witness the chaos as a van misjudges its height in a parking garage, leading to a dramatic mishap. The clearly marked warnings couldn't save this driver from a costly mistake, as the fiberglass roof peels back like a sardine can.

Picture this: you’ve finally escaped to the beach for a well-earned family getaway. Laughter, sunblock, sandy toes—and a borrowed van packed to the brim with kids and gear. But before you can even check in, your vacation takes a sharp, metallic turn: the van’s fiberglass roof peels back like a can of sardines, courtesy of a glaringly marked “Low Ramp—Check Your Height” sign you somehow didn’t see (or chose to ignore).

That’s the scene described by u/FCCSWF in the classic r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk post “Van mishap.” What follows is a saga of height-blind optimism, hotel desk diplomacy, and the universal pain of learning the hard way. And as the comments reveal, this is far from an isolated incident—it’s practically a rite of passage for anyone driving something taller than a sedan.

The Low-Clearance Club: Where Everyone’s Welcome (Eventually)

If you’ve never heard of the “can opener” bridges and garages of America, let’s just say they’re infamous for a reason. In this tale, our protagonist—let’s call him Mr. Borrowed Van—steered his neighbor’s van right into a hotel’s parking garage, ignoring not only the yellow-and-black stripes but also a billboard-sized warning. The result? A shredded fiberglass roof and a very public, very loud confrontation at the front desk.

“Don’t be mad at me, I wasn’t driving,” the front desk agent quipped, perfectly capturing the spirit of customer service professionals everywhere. As u/SpecialFeeling9533 observed, front desk staff seem to develop a sixth sense for these moments: “The ‘here-we-go-with-this-sh!t-again’ look was palpable.” For many, it’s an occupational hazard—one that’s met with a mix of empathy and exasperation.

11-Foot-8: The Bridge, The Myth, The Legend

But wait—this isn’t just a one-off. As u/SkwrlTail highlighted, there’s a whole subculture (and several subreddits!) devoted to “can opener” bridges: those notorious overpasses that shear off the tops of unsuspecting trucks and vans. The most famous? The 11-foot-8 bridge in Durham, North Carolina, which has claimed so many victims it’s become a viral sensation. Even after being raised to 12’4”, it’s still the bane of overconfident drivers.

If you think this is a uniquely American phenomenon, think again. As u/HisExcellencyAndrejK points out, some bridges were intentionally built with low clearance, like those on New York’s Southern State Parkway—historically to keep buses (and, by extension, less affluent city dwellers) away from the beaches. Talk about a “height barrier.”

And if you’ve ever moved into a Boston college dorm, beware the infamous “Storrowing”—when U-Hauls meet the low bridges of Storrow Drive. Every fall, the city soundtrack shifts to the sound of aluminum crumpling.

“But I Just Borrowed It!”: Why Height Amnesia Is Real

It’s easy to poke fun at drivers who ignore clearance warnings, but as u/lapsteelguitar and u/jonesnori noted, most of us have been there—or could be. Whether it’s a borrowed van, a roof rack you forgot about, or a rental RV, remembering your vehicle’s height is an acquired (and often painful) skill. As u/HaplessReader1988 confessed, “I’ve SEEN the results of a truck peeling its roof on an underpass and never want to be the cause!”

There’s even tech for that now—u/Kitchen_Name9497 mentioned apps designed to warn RV drivers about low clearances, tight turns, and other hazards. Still, in the heat of vacation logistics, who among us hasn’t succumbed to a moment of “that won’t happen to me”?

Hotel Staff: The Unsung Heroes of Vehicular Mayhem

If there’s one group that deserves a medal (or at least hazard pay), it’s hotel front desk agents. Not only do they have to keep a straight face when someone marches in, furious that physics failed to bend to their will, but as the OP [u/FCCSWF] dryly noted, “somehow it’s the FD fault.” Whether it’s a jammed card reader or a shredded van roof, the blame inevitably lands at their feet.

But here’s the real magic: after the storm, hospitality wins. Days later, the same guest—now duct-taping a blue tarp over his neighbor’s ruined van—was all smiles, telling the front desk agent he was having a great time at the beach despite the rough start. Sometimes, a good vacation is just about rolling with the punches (or the can openers).

Lessons from the Low Ramp: Don’t Let Your Trip Get Peeled

So what can we learn from this rolling tale of woe and redemption?

1. Know your height—especially if you’re borrowing or renting.
2. Heed the signs—yellow and black stripes aren’t just for decoration.
3. Front desk staff are not wizards—but they might just save your vacation anyway.
4. Embrace the chaos—sometimes, the best stories start with a little disaster.

As for Mr. Borrowed Van, the family still made it to the beach, blue tarp and all. And next time, maybe they’ll double-check the clearance (or at least buy their neighbor a nice bottle of wine).

Have you ever had your own “can opener” moment? Share your tales—and maybe a photo or two—in the comments below. And remember: the next time you see a low clearance sign, it’s not just a suggestion. It’s a warning from everyone who’s ever left their roof behind.

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Original Reddit Post: Van mishap