How tall is too tall?

[Unicorn1108]

We've got a class A with a height of 12 feet three inches. Putting 12 feet six into the GPS, we've never had a problem getting where we wanted. I've only had the rig for a year, but already I'm looking into upgrades. 🙂 A lot of the MHs I like are taller, some over 13 feet. I think that would have fit under the bridges we've encountered, but I don't remember that well. Trees are another issue. We've dragged lighter branches along the roof a few times, so I expect if we were taller, we might have encountered a thicker branch.

Does anyone here wish their RV was a few inches shorter? How has your height caused serious problems for you? Do you think your next RV will be less tall?

[Kayteg1]

cmeade wrote:
Maximum legal height for all vehicles in CA is 14 ft. No problem with clearance as long as you are under this. Overheight = ticket.

I think it is 13-6" but all bridges are way taller or clearly marked with big warnings if they are lower.
I had my truck camper sitting 13' on utility body and the only problem were branches on my street.
Still going into woods doesn't hurt to take saw with you.

[minnow]

Wadcutter wrote:
...While you sat on the radio and answered calls I was out there enforcing the law, taught truck law for many years, and was recognized by state and federal courts as an expert in truck laws. A bit of a difference.
Any LEO who has done any amount of truck enforcement knows the box trailers seen out on the highways are generally 13'6". If a person doesn't know then all they have to do is read the side of many trailers which will sometimes have the height and length printed on the trailer.

For fans of the old TV show, "That 70's Show" in the words of Kelso "BURN!!!!'

[Unicorn1108]

2oldman wrote:

Unicorn1108 wrote:
Putting 12 feet six into the GPS, we've never had a problem getting where we wanted.

Does it really work in your GPS?

It's worked so far, but sometimes we need to override the GPS routing, because it can be too cautious. It avoids windy roads, sometimes adding 100 miles to a trip. Combining the GPS with GoodSam and Google Maps routing, we usually get something good. We trick the GPS into going the way we want by inserting a way point, which we remove when we get close to it.

[PastorCharlie]

My Newmar is 12' 10". Measured from the top of the satellite antenna. I have encountered 2 bridges 13' 6", one on a major Interstate and one on a side road. I have replaced 2, (18") antennas that have been broken from hitting low bridges. Antennas take a beating on low bridges.

There are around 5,000 bridges under 13' 6" in the US. My Rand McNally RVND 7720 has low clearances programmed into it and I downloaded the low bridges into my Delorme system. Thus far they have done a good job of routing for my needs. On the Delorme system I can look and see all the low bridges Icons on the map.

This is what the clearances are supposed to be: CLICKY

[down_home]

Bill1374 wrote:
The minimum interstate clearance is supposed to be 14 foot but many repaved roads may be less than that.
The state laws for vehicle heigth generally state 13 foot 6 inches.

13'6" is the maximum height.

[wbwood]

Our Class C is 10'10" tall with the AC. Interior height is 6'10" tall. Plenty big.

We just don't have a lot of basement storage. Enough storage though.

[nevadanick]

14ft before permit needed in Nv.

[mpierce]

wa8yxm wrote:
By Definition anything over 13 feet is "TOO TALL".. That is the maximum allowed height for vehicles without over size permits on the highways by law in most (if not all) states. Bridges and overpasses lower than I think 16 Feet are supposed to be marked .. That's the legal definition of too tall.

The practical definition of too tall is: The height of the bottom of the bridge, overpass or other overhanging item you are approaching.


NOTE: GPS low-bridge warnings can be wrong.. Imagine if you will a bridge that is 13'.. Well yesterday's project for the highway comission was adding 2" of asphault to the surface of the road so it's now 12'10". Your rig is 12' 11".

Has happened to many a trucker.. I know.. My office phone was 9-1-1.

13' 6", NOT 13', is the limit in most places.

[2oldman]

Unicorn1108 wrote:
Putting 12 feet six into the GPS, we've never had a problem getting where we wanted.

Does it really work in your GPS?

[Wadcutter]

wa8yxm wrote:

By Definition anything over 13 feet is "TOO TALL".. That is the maximum allowed height for vehicles without over size permits on the highways by law in most (if not all) states. .

Sorry John, not correct.
13.6" is the usual statutory height in most states, including the state of Georgia. Since you apparently missed reading it while you were sitting at the radio I refer you to GA state statute:
GEORGIA CODE
Copyright 2015 by The State of Georgia
§ 32-6-22. Height of vehicles and loads
(a) Except as authorized in subsection (b) of this Code section and except when so authorized by a permit issued pursuant to Code Section 32-6-28, no vehicle unladen or with a load shall exceed a height of 13 feet, six inches.

Section (b) references car haulers and GA law permits them at 14 ft.

wa8yxm wrote:

Has happened to many a trucker.. I know.. My office phone was 9-1-1.

While you sat on the radio and answered calls I was out there enforcing the law, taught truck law for many years, and was recognized by state and federal courts as an expert in truck laws. A bit of a difference.
Any LEO who has done any amount of truck enforcement knows the box trailers seen out on the highways are generally 13'6". If a person doesn't know then all they have to do is read the side of many trailers which will sometimes have the height and length printed on the trailer.

[wa8yxm]

By Definition anything over 13 feet is "TOO TALL".. That is the maximum allowed height for vehicles without over size permits on the highways by law in most (if not all) states. Bridges and overpasses lower than I think 16 Feet are supposed to be marked .. That's the legal definition of too tall.

The practical definition of too tall is: The height of the bottom of the bridge, overpass or other overhanging item you are approaching.


NOTE: GPS low-bridge warnings can be wrong.. Imagine if you will a bridge that is 13'.. Well yesterday's project for the highway comission was adding 2" of asphault to the surface of the road so it's now 12'10". Your rig is 12' 11".

Has happened to many a trucker.. I know.. My office phone was 9-1-1.

[mdamerell]

Since you live in NJ many roads were originally designed with a lower 12'6" or shorter clearance. The Fed's have changed that to 13'6" vehicles on Federal roads and there is some construction in progress to ensure 14' minimum clearance as a safety margin.
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/geometric/pubs/mitigationstrategies/chapter3/3_verticalclearance.cfm

Vehicle height is limited to 13'6"

So it depends on where you want to go. If you want off the beaten path in the NE I'd suggest you try to limit yourself to the clearance you have now as you know where you can and like to go.

[valhalla360]

rr2254545 wrote:

Boxer Lovers wrote:
At 13'5" I keep an eye out for low tree branches. I look like a drunk driver weaving through some campgrounds and access roads trying to avoid the trees.

13'6" is the posted maximum height on interstate highways in this part of the country.

Interesting the minimum by government regulation is 14 ft.

Non-Overheight loads are limited to 13'6" in most states and you will come across the occasional bridge that only provides that much even on freeways. The goal is 16' minimum but they will allow design exceptions for less. They don't eat up the room by paving overlays. They will mill out under the bridge to maintain the same clearance.

If you are down around 12', there is no issues except in very rare cases which are typically signed very well.

The issue isn't going down the road, it's when you get to the campground. Now it's much more hit and miss what the clearance to tree branches is and they aren't typically labled.

[Bill1374]

The minimum interstate clearance is supposed to be 14 foot but many repaved roads may be less than that.
The state laws for vehicle heigth generally state 13 foot 6 inches.