Skip to Content

What Is Your RV Height, and Why Do You Need to Know It?

What Is Your RV Height, and Why Do You Need to Know It?

Your day can go from good to awful in a matter of seconds by not knowing your RV height. Let’s buckle up and take a closer look at RV height and why you need to know it! 

What Does RV Height Mean? 

RV height refers to the physical height of an RV. Many manufacturers will list an RV’s height on the spec sheet. Knowing your RV’s height is essential, especially if you’ll be driving through urban areas or towns. 

There’s an entire website dedicated to victims of an 11-foot-8-inch low clearance in Durham, N.C. A quick scroll through a few of their videos, and you’ll quickly understand why you don’t want to be the victim of a low clearance underpass in your RV.

Camper A/C units chewed off by hungry 11foot8+8 bridge

Does RV Height Include the Air Conditioner?

RV manufacturers will often list a standard RV height for each model. This measurement comes from the highest point in the base model of the RV, which is typically an air conditioner. However, many consumers add air conditioning units to their RVs.

This second air conditioner usually sits toward the front of the RV. This placement creates a new highest point in the RV. It also invalidates the previous RV height, meaning consumers will need to verify their RV’s height themselves.

Many RVers select a low-profile air conditioner if they’re worried about the height of their RV. A low-profile air conditioner is approximately 9 inches tall, but a standard RV air conditioner can be 12 or more inches tall. The three inches may not seem like much, but it can make the difference between a tight squeeze and destroying your air conditioner or roof.

Measuring RV Air conditioner Height
A Low Profile RV Air Conditioner

What Is the Maximum Height of an RV? 

The maximum height of an RV is 13 feet 6 inches. This is a standard height restriction across the country. However, this doesn’t mean that you can drive on any and every street if your RV is below 13 feet 6 inches. Many urban streets have bridges created well before there were universal height restrictions. 

How to Measure the Height of Your RV

To properly measure the height of your RV, you’ll need a measuring tape and some sort of ladder. First, hitch up your RV to your truck like you would when towing. Measure from the ground to the highest point on the RV. Measuring like this will likely require you to access the roof to add additional height from air conditioning units or items mounted to the roof.  You can use a straight edge or level to put on top of the AC and get a better measurement on the tape measure.

Measuring the Height of an RV

Every inch matters when it comes to having an accurate understanding of your RV’s height. Inaccurate measurement can put you and your RV in danger. Take your time and measure twice.

One more thing to keep in mind when measuring height is the type of RV. If it has Air Ride at all (like diesel motorhomes) make sure it’s inflated up to its full height before measuring of you may be a few inches low.

Once you know your height its a good idea to print it out and stick it to the dash of your vehicle. You don’t want to be coming up on a low bridge and trying to remember if you are 12′ or 13′ tall!

Why You Need to Know Your RV Height

If you plan to take your RV on new and exciting adventures, you might have to drive on unfamiliar roads. Here are a few instances when it’s beneficial to know your RV height.

Bridges and Underpasses

Two of the most common low clearances we encounter while RVing are bridges and underpasses. If you stick to interstates or truck-friendly routes, you’re unlikely to run into anything less than 13 feet 6 inches tall. 

Bridge Height Sign

However, in a city, you could find many bridges and underpasses constructed before we had any standard height requirements. You’re more likely to encounter low clearances in the northeast, but there are sporadic instances throughout the country.

Campsites

You may arrive safely at the campground and let your guard down. It’s easy to miss or not see awnings, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the campground and unsure where to go. Some campgrounds have special entrances for larger or taller RVs. Going to the wrong entrance can ruin your camping trip and incur an expensive repair.

Garages

While you’re unlikely to tow your RV into a parking garage, these can be issues for drivable RVs and even tow vehicles. Many parking garages in cities max out at 6 feet or 6 feet 6 inches. If you know your height, you can avoid these garages or look for ones designed to fit your vehicle.

Low-Hanging Limbs 

Low-hanging limbs are one of the most challenging obstacles to avoid. There’s often no signage indicating these potential dangers. You’ll need to be alert to avoid them. 

Branch limb hitting RV

You won’t tend to run into this on interstates, but they can become an issue the closer you get to a campground. Many times campgrounds are located several miles off major highways along tree-lined routes. Low-hanging limbs can do extensive damage to your RV’s roof and sides.

Average Heights of RV Classes

While every RV is different, let’s look at average heights for some of the most popular classes of RVs.

RV heights Graphic

Class A Motorhome

A class A motorhome is the tallest of all motorhomes and averages between 11 and 13′ 5″

Class C Motorhome

A Class C motorhome will have an average height of about 11 feet but vary between 10 and 12′

Class B Camper

A Class B camper averages 8 feet but B+ units can be as tall as 12′

Fifth Wheel

Fifth wheels are typically 13 feet tall but vary between 11 and 13′ 5″

Travel Trailer

Travel trailers are usually around 10-11 feet.

travel trailer RV bridge height

How Do You Avoid Low Clearance on Your Route?

You want to avoid low clearances while RVing at all costs. Using an RV GPS or RV GPS app can keep you off low clearance routes. These are great options, especially where there’s a cell signal. Many RVers purchase an old school trucker atlas to help plan their routes and avoid low clearances.

Modern apps like RV Trip Wizard include navigation that can avoid low bridges. You can input your RV’s specifications and it will help you prevent deleting your AC on a bridge.

RV Trip Wizard App RV height Navigation
Here is a screenshot from the RV trip wizard RV setup including Height

Researching your route in advance is essential to avoiding low clearances. Using resources like satellite or street view on Google Maps is also a great way to visit unfamiliar streets and locations before bringing your RV along.

using google street view to inspect bridge
Using google street view to inspect bridge can be very helpful

There’s not much scarier while RVing than approaching a low clearance, especially if you aren’t expecting it. Take the necessary precautions to avoid low clearances. Be sure to know your RV height and plan carefully. Do you know your RV’s height? How do you plan your route to avoid low clearances?

Become a Mortons on the Move Insider:

Join our newsletter for the latest updates on RV Travel, RV Gear, RV Solar & Electrical Mods, and more!

Read More From The Mortons:

About Mortons on the Move

Tom & Caitlin Morton of Mortons on the Move gave up the stationary life for one where they are constantly on the move. They are full-time travelers, television hosts, and digital media producers.
They left their jobs, sold their house and possessions, and hit the road in September 2015 in their full-time “home on wheels”. Since then they have traveled the US, Canada, and even internationally by RV.
Now, they are Discovery Channel & PBS TV Co-stars of “Go North” on Amazon Prime Video, co-founders and instructors of RV Masterclass, and contributing authors for Hwy.co and an Arizona travel guide.

About Us

Sharing is caring!

8ken

Wednesday 26th of April 2023

Sooooo... What should drivers do if they suddenly find themselves face to face with a bridge or underpass that won't accommodate their rig? Call 911 & ask for police to help them safely back up into traffic till they reach a turnaround point?

Mortons on the Move

Thursday 27th of April 2023

It will depend on the situation, but maybe. We encountered this once on a 2 lane road and were able to back up to a turnaround drive. Usually, these bridges are well signed if big rig traffic comes through and usually have some sort of turnaround. However, the police would be happy to help, I'm sure, instead of dealing with a crash!

William A Mousseau

Sunday 13th of March 2022

thanks for allowing us to get your comic library the info here is great we are going cross country here in april taking rt 66 or i40 is what its called now it is one of are dreams we will be looking at your comics and other info in are travels thanks

Mortons on the Move

Friday 1st of April 2022

Glad you're enjoying the comics and finding the info useful!

Loel

Wednesday 18th of August 2021

Nice article on height. One additional point if I can. If your rv has a air ride system, like many DP motor homes, make sure it is fully inflated before measuring. I early on made the mistake of measuring while the rv was in storage and the air bags had been deflated. I was several inches off from the correct riding height.

Mortons on the Move

Wednesday 18th of August 2021

Great point! Thanks for the pointer, that could throw you off for sure!