lawnspecialties
Garner, NC
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What's a good way to determine the true height of a fifth wheel?
Heartland says my 370C is 12'11" tall. But I have my doubts. Not a big difference, but I do think its slightly taller. My barn has a lean-to where the Cyclone parks. Its a good bit over 13' in the center but the Cyclone barely squeaks the AC units underneath. Our bedroom AC was an add-on so that may be my tallest point.
Second question. Is there a standard bridge height for tractor trailers? We have a bridge near home on a major highway that's marked 13'6". Is there a minimum height before a bridge has to have all the warning lights and stuff for being too low for most tractor trailers on the road?
Just curious.
2011 Ford F450 4X4
2011 Cyclone 370C
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dalehelman
Liberty Lake (Spokane) Wa.
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As a retired truck driver it has been my experience that overheads of 15' or more may not have a posted height. It is drivers responsibility to know his vehicle height and avoid lower objects. I would not expect or count on any lights or warning devises unless a particular overhead has been damaged repeatedly. I do not know of any specific requirements for such.
I laid a long pole across the top of our RV the measured then distance to the ground plus 6" to establish my safe clearance. Many times after a road has been resurfaced the road bed can raise several inches and the signs are rarely revised.
Dale & Sandi
2006 Jeep TJ 4.0 w/33s 4" lift
2008 Winnabago Adventurer 38T
Liberty Lake (Spokane) WA.
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Terryallan
Foothills NC
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Do as above, and lay the pole / 2x4 across the AC, Ususally the highest point.
Terry & Shay
Coachman Apex 288BH.
04 F150, 5.4, Lariat SuperCab
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2oldman
Winchester WA
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Get on the roof and drop a tape to the ground.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Only way to know for sure is to measure it. It's NEVER a good idea to take brochure information as accurate for a given trailer. Find the highest point on your roof and put a 2x4 over it with a carpenters level and measure straight to the ground.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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chiefneon
Livingston, TX
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Howdy!
I recently had some work done on our 5er a the MorRyde factory which changed the height of the rig. They took a very good measurement using a long level from the highest AC. We are now just under 13', nice information to know.
Happy Trails"
chiefneon
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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As suggested....measure from highest point to ground
But I would add one thing......take the measurement when hooked up to your truck ready to tow as that will be your true 'travel height' then add 6" for clearance.
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Francesca Knowles
Port Hadlock, Washington
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Just make sure you know the real height...
The bridge in the following video is so well known for scraping roofs off vehicles that it has its own website!
Despite the bridge's fame and elaborate warning systems, the wrecks keep happening- this one's from this month.
This guy saw the "11'8 height" signs, slowed down and tried to "creep" under the bridge...
He found out the hard way he's a little taller than that!
http://www.youtube.com/yovo68#p/u/0/i7IlRbECGf8
* This post was
edited 11/25/11 08:15pm by Francesca Knowles *
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien
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You can't take the Fisherman out of this Camper
Ontario, Canada
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Just a hint here. I put a label on the dash with the height I feel I can safely clear in feet/inches as well as metres (to two decimal points). That way I can tell at a glance whether I have to put on the brakes and turn around!
You would be surprized at the number of times I have looked at that with only a minute or so to spare! It is instant information that may come in very very handy!! And make sure you leave enough room to spare if the bridge is over a dip in the road!!
1960's: Tents.. 1970's: Soft top & Hard top P/U.. 1980's: 17' RV.. 1990's: 24' RV.. 2000's: 2002 Cougar 276EFS; 2005 Laredo 29GS; 2002 GMC 2500HD Ext Cab 4x4;(Nfld/Labrador-Yukon/NWT/Alaska-Gaspe', Que./Florida!!)
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lawnspecialties
Garner, NC
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Francesca Knowles wrote:Just make sure you know the real height...
The bridge in the following video is so well known for scraping roofs off vehicles that it has its own website!
Despite the bridge's fame and elaborate warning systems, the wrecks keep happening- this one's from this month.
This guy saw the "11'8 height" signs, slowed down and tried to "creep" under the bridge...
He found out the hard way he's a little taller than that!
http://www.youtube.com/yovo68#p/u/0/i7IlRbECGf8
That bridge is about 30 minutes from us. There's another video of a Raptor going underneath without really braking at all. Cleans both ACs off rather quickly.
Thanks for the responses all. I'll be on the roof today.
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