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
Wadcutter wrote:valhalla360 wrote: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.
Sounds like someone informed you wrong. Second Chance is correct at 13'6".
Probably what you read is max height of 13.5'. That's 13 and 1/2 foot. 1/2 foot is 6", not 5".
13'6" is the max legal height without a permit. Anything over 13'6" requires a permit. .............
13ft 6in is the same as 13.5ft, which is what I wrote.
Even 13fyt 5in is going to be limiting because once you get off the roads and into RV parks, no guarantee you will have even 13.5ft.
I used to issue permits for a state DOT. I also do signing and design exception reviews...which includes bridge heights.
