How's that old saying go?
Never believe anything you hear and only half of what you see?
Similarly, never trust a sign.

In Michigan in the 'old day's bridges were an arc rather than a square.
The height of the clearance was typically some number below the topmost height (I forget their formula).
The problem was that it was based on dead center of the arc.
If a one lane road, not a big deal unless you were really wide.
If a multiple lane road, you had better straddle the center lanes or else
risk taking off a corner of your trailer.

Never trust the manufacturer docs either since they are based on what they have on the floor.

If the tongue, saddle, etc. on your tow vehicle is taller, it affects your height (obviously).

Everyone should measure from the highest point of their trailer when it is hitched to the tow vehicle (not when it is unhitched and parked in the driveway).

Simple rules, but how many people have suffered damage because they didn't take a few minutes to check?

For me, I know the height and I round up to the next foot just for some additional margin of error.

 

So, what is the best way to measure the height? I can measure up the side of the camper, but the highest point is my AC which is way inboard. Is there a standard procedure or method? Something that works with just a tape measure?

Thanks!

Timothy

 

Low tech:
Using a level and a stick.
First, find the highest point and hang the stick off to one side making sure
it is level so that person #2 can measure from the ground to the stick.
High tech:
Use a portable GPS that gives elevation with inches.
Take the ground elevation and vehicle elevation and subtract.

 

I used a ladder, a tape measure, and a laser level. Stood on the ladder beside the trailer, placed level against tape measure, and projected the laser beam on all the items on the roof that looked like possible high points. Ended up being a bedroom vent cover.

 

Easier to just eyeball it and add 6".... LOL

 

Is that a wife joke?

 

I used the laser level to find the height. I waited till late evening then sat the laser level on top of the Air conditioner cover, level, and then turned it on. Took some 1" pvc pipe, put it together to make 15 ft and then placed it up next to the 5er, marked the spot, then measured. That is how the DPS measured the bridge in I 35 when my dads air conditioner hit the bridge. Only they used fiberglass rods that screwed together, like those that electrictions and cable runners use to run cabling. I thought they would use the GPS method, but did not!

 

I have 4 different types of GPS units, and if I took a measurement with each, not one would be the same. Most GPS units have an accuracy of "feet", not inches. I think I like your method much better.

 

GPS is definitely not accurate enough. Even with ground based Differential Assist, which few if any of us have, it is not accurate enough in elevation to rely on.

The laser level works great. Gearitis described another way to use it, which I have also done, if you can get up on the RV roof. I didn't use the pipe, because I could see the beam right on my tape measure.

 

Thanks everyone. I didn't think of the laser level, but that is a great idea. Next time the camper is on the truck I am going to measure it with the laser level.


Timothy

 

I like the add 6 inches method.....

(and so would the wife !!! )




well, on second thought - maybe not

 

Q: How often does an RV hit an overpass?

A: Only once.

 

I need to measure my camper...


At 8' clearance my truck would hit the overpass first....

 

That big yellow sign saying 8'........the FBI would call that a clue! Even without that sign it should've been obvious that he wasn't gonna fit under there, but like my dad always said......get up enough speed and you can make anything fit anywhere! lol

 

Not if you were pulling with an F150 or another 1/2 ton.