Where/how to check RV height - RV-Dreams Community Forum

arcaguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Where/how to check RV height

Dutch · RV-Dreams Family Member

I used the level board and tape measure method plus 6" for safety. The reminder note on my dashboard lists both the imperial and metric measurements since we travel in Canada fairly often.

LarryW21 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm 10'1" as Winnebago said in their literature and measured it a number of times on different "level" ground. I don't go anywhere under 11 feet.

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

I had mine done at morRyde, when they did the Independent suspension and 17 1/2” wheel and tire upgrade. The method they used was a long carpenters level across my highest point (an air conditioner) and a tape measure to the ground. They measured 12’10” ... manufacturer published 13’, so I’m going with 13’. I’m thinking that the difference between 13’ and 12’10” is loaded, vs. unloaded ... 2” of squat sounds about right to me. My “never go under” number is 13’6”.

-- Edited by RonC on Monday 13th of May 2019 11:10:36 AM

-- Edited by RonC on Tuesday 14th of May 2019 11:18:07 AM

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

I measured it myself…but rather than using the 2x4 across the top of the A/C unit method I hitched up the truck one day when I was on a concrete pad and set our air hitch to the normal towing height. Then I measured the pad to the. bottom of the rig at the forward A/C unit location (our known high point), measured the rig from bottom to the roof, and the height of the forward A/C unit. Added the 3 numbers up and got my 13'5.25" height…I have 13'6" set in our RV GPS and don't go under anything less than 13-7" intentionally. I did go under one that was marked 13'6" and we cleared it by at least 6 inches.

A state road guy told me once that the posted height is for the lowest portion under the bridge and includes an allowance for snow, repaving, and the like. I asked him what that allowance was…his response was that every state did it differently and although there was a "sort of standard number" that most states used it wasn't universal and hence he wouldn't tell me because…his words…you'll just take it as gospel and go under lower marked bridges and you'll find the one that doesn't follow the "sort of standard". I wouldn't do that anyway…but it would have been nice to know.

With the air suspension on our 5500HD…I can lower the hitch 4 inches which translates to about 3 inches of reduction at the high point forward A/C. When I went under the marked 13'6" bridge…I dumped the air out so we were at about 13'2.something". I then proceeded carefully under the bridge until about 3 feet before the forward A/C unit, stopped, climbed up the ladder, and we were clear by at least 8 or 10 inches instead of the 3 I estimated. This process didn't make the guy behind me very happy…but he understood and it was a relatively untraveled road. I had room to back out and turn around if I had to…but it woulda been a 60 mile detour so I was willing to gingerly and carefully verify that we would clear it.

I have our RV GPS set to 13'7" and try to avoid anything at 13'10" or less…but sometimes it just ain't possible.

-- Edited by Neil and Connie on Monday 13th of May 2019 04:21:10 PM

arcaguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well it looks like my 4' level is going in the RV, because that's the way everyone measures them. I had the same conversation with a friend of mine who works for the local county road division and he told me pretty much the same thing. The posted height it 3" short on old bridges but they're using 6" short on the new bridges. He also said any new construction they're shooting for 16' clearances I think. The upshot is that as along as you are 13'6" or less you're probably good as long you stay on the Interstate system. If you get off I think you better have a truckers' atlas. Thanks to everyone for their responses.

Dutch · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm told NY State DOT marks overpasses 1 foot lower than actual to allow for snow, frost heave, etc., unless the signage states "Actual".

(Edited to correct "DMV" to "DOT")

-- Edited by Dutch on Wednesday 15th of May 2019 07:21:47 PM

Danny and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just figure you are 13 foot 6 inch and don't worry, if so just follow a semi truck and you will be fine

Danny and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dutch wrote:
I'm told NY State DMV marks overpasses 1 foot lower than actual to allow for snow, frost heave, etc., unless the signage states "Actual".

I drove a Semi out to Belmont Park and went under a 12 foot overpass after watching a couple of others do it without incident

LarryW21 · RV-Dreams Family Member

That‘s a dangerous assumption.

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

Danny and Cheryl wrote:
Dutch wrote:
I'm told NY State DMV marks overpasses 1 foot lower than actual to allow for snow, frost heave, etc., unless the signage states "Actual".
I drove a Semi out to Belmont Park and went under a 12 foot overpass after watching a couple of others do it without incident

My Garmin Dezel would route me around a bridge marked 12’. Thank goodness, because if came across such a bridge, I’d stop and turn around.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Something to consider. When traveling through Colorado last year, we went to stay at the KOA north of Pueblo, CO. Going northbound, we exited off of I-25 and needed to go under the interstate. We saw a narrow, one lane underpass that was marked at 13' 3" that would take us to the west side of the interstate and the KOA. If one is traveling southbound on I-25, this is not a problem, but only for the northbound traffic. Oh, and that underpass is NOT listed in the trucker's atlas that we have.

I had measured our fifth wheel with it hooked up to the F450 using a straight 2"x4" board and a tape measure at the front air conditioner. We measured it at 13' 1".

Terry

lonesomerider · RV-Dreams Community Member

Another thing to keep in mind is that if a road has recently been repaved, it likely was not remeasured and the new asphalt can add up to 4" or so. We use a Garmin Dezl and have never had a problem but we are very careful.

Cyride · RV-Dreams Family Member

I checked mine by measuring the height of the door to the RV dealers service bay (14 feet tall) then pulled the trailer hitched to the truck so the highest point of the trailer was under the door. I measured the highest point of the trailer (front A/C) to the top of the RV dealers door which indicated I had 11 inches of clearance. Put me at about 13 feet 1 inch tall. I verified the height the same way when putting the trailer in my shop at home.