Thinking about our next step in RV ownership. I like the idea of a 5th wheel as we want more comfort..i.e. a true master suite and more storage. Cruising the net it appears most in 36-40' range have a height of around 13' - 13'4". Other than older nat'l parks where might this cause me some headaches down the road?

Secondary roads may have some over passes/ railroad overpasses that are less than 15 feet. The signage may indicate greater than 13' 5" but I would still get out and check. We came across a railroad over pass with a sign showing 13 feet clearance. Our high point is 12' 5". It was getting dark and I stopped to get up on the roof to make sure we would clear. There was a piece of metal hanging down from a previous vehicle strike. The metal would have hit the air conditioner unit on my 5th wheel.Any city street, county road, campground or RV Park with old growth trees may have branches you need to pay attention to especially at the campsites.

Yesterday's discussion on 5th wheel height.Bill

My current truck camper sits over 13' and my previous one was just under 12.5'. There are secondary roads with underpasses and bridges you will not be able to travel. If in doubt, stop and scout the area before proceeding. In Spokane, there are railway bridges in town with less than 10' of clearance. Look for truck routes when traveling and get an accurate real height of your rig in case you need to measure clearance - I carry a tape measure just in case.

We're in a 42' TH and 13'5" at the front and 13'4" sat the back. If you go where 19 wheelers go you never have a problem. We do use an RV GPS which alerts if height concerns on route and there are many apps avbl as well. Just make sure you're watching ahead. In 3 years and 25,000 miles, we've never had to turn around or had damage because of height.

The only thing I ever have an issue with is a low hanging limb at a state park somewhere.

5th wheel TH's are pretty tall - any issue being 13' plus..

JAC1982
Explorer
Jun 07, 2017
x4 on the tree limbs. We've only taken our new rig out once and already got scratched... not while parking, but while trying to leave... one pesky branch at the end of the pull-through spot we had. I ended up taking a dog leash and "lassoing" the branch to pull it down out of the way so the husband could continue pulling the trailer away.

We've bought a set of tree-trimmers to keep in the trailer since then.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Jun 07, 2017
^^^ X4 ^^^
otrfun
Explorer II
Jun 07, 2017
joebedford wrote:
lawnspecialties wrote:
The only thing I ever have an issue with is a low hanging limb at a state park somewhere.

^^X2^^
x3. Especially if you're forced to pull into a state or any RV park with trees in the dark of night with no moon. Headlights are worthless for avoiding tree limbs right in front of you at 5-10 mph. We use a 700 lumen flashlight to light 'em up.
joebedford
Nomad II
Jun 06, 2017
lawnspecialties wrote:
The only thing I ever have an issue with is a low hanging limb at a state park somewhere.

^^X2^^
stickdog
Explorer
Jun 06, 2017
lawnspecialties wrote:
The only thing I ever have an issue with is a low hanging limb at a state park somewhere.

50,000 towing same problem just took out the AREO vent cover.
dedmiston
Moderator
Jun 06, 2017
I'm taller than some of the gas station canopies. I caused quite a stir in the little town of Panguitch, UT when I pulled into their biggest gas station. The lights on the canopy were lower than my AC units. I had to back out of the station when I was done tanking up.
lawnspecialties
Explorer
Jun 06, 2017
The only thing I ever have an issue with is a low hanging limb at a state park somewhere.
arhayes
Explorer
Jun 06, 2017
We're in a 42' TH and 13'5" at the front and 13'4" sat the back. If you go where 19 wheelers go you never have a problem. We do use an RV GPS which alerts if height concerns on route and there are many apps avbl as well. Just make sure you're watching ahead. In 3 years and 25,000 miles, we've never had to turn around or had damage because of height.
Bedlam
Moderator
Jun 06, 2017
My current truck camper sits over 13' and my previous one was just under 12.5'. There are secondary roads with underpasses and bridges you will not be able to travel. If in doubt, stop and scout the area before proceeding. In Spokane, there are railway bridges in town with less than 10' of clearance. Look for truck routes when traveling and get an accurate real height of your rig in case you need to measure clearance - I carry a tape measure just in case.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Jun 06, 2017
Yesterday's discussion on 5th wheel height.

Bill