Theoretical heights.
I was looking up the legal DOT heights (13.5ft) as well as the minimum recommended clearance between truck and bottom of the 5th wheel overhang (6in) then crossed it with the most recent height measur...
Forum Discussion
Second Chance wrote:
Someone with a CDL and experience straightened me out on this on another forum recently. There is no such thing as a legal "DOT height" from the Federal government. 13'6" is the minimum height for overpasses on the interstate highway system. Some states have their own regulations. That said, there is no such thing in my books as a "theoretical height." The only thing you can rely on is an actual measurement with the trailer on the truck on level ground.
Rob
You had someone inform you wrong.
13.5ft is the maximum height before you are considered an oversize load that requires permits for each trip.
13.5ft bridge clearance does not meet FHWA requirements. Older bridges are typically grandfathered in but when they get replaced, they have to be brought up to current standards or a "design exception" must be obtained from the FHWA. Generally, new bridges will provide at least 16ft clearance (above 14ft is usually pretty easy to get a design exception. Below 14ft and it's pretty hard to get the FHWA to agree)
Honestly, I wouldn't want an RV over 12ft because a lot of RV parks aren't so great about keeping branches trimmed back.
