After researching many of the 5th wheel campers you can find on the market today, we have listed their heights and used them to figure out the average.
We’ve gathered our findings below, where you’ll see the average height of 5th wheel campers and a rundown of the RV models that we surveyed.
Then we also have some tips on height clearance for your vehicle and how it works. If your RV is too tall, you may run into trouble when trying to skirt under bridges and navigate certain areas.
That’s why many states regulate the height of tall vehicles so that the vehicles don’t get damaged and the drivers can stay safe on the road.
The Average 5th Wheel Camper Height
The average 5th wheel height is around 13 feet – 155 inches if you prefer that metric. Our tallest measured camper was 13 feet and 6 inches while the shortest one was 12 feet and 3 inches. When measuring height, you start at the ground and stop at the highest point of the vehicle.
Remember – you can still find mobile vehicles that are higher than our tallest RVs or lower than our shortest since there are many more models out there.
However, many states in the US have a cap at 13 feet and 6 inches, which is why so many manufacturers stop there. An RV isn’t very useful if you can’t take it to other states, after all.
How To Measure 5th Wheel Height
Measuring the height of your 5th wheel trailer is an important part of RV maintenance and safety.
Knowing the exact height helps you to determine if your trailer can fit through low bridges and tunnels, or even on a certain campsite.
The following steps will guide you through accurately measuring the height of your 5th wheel:
- Find the highest point of your 5th wheel. This is usually the top of the air conditioner, but can sometimes be found at another point on the roof.
- Measure from ground level to this highest point using a measuring tape or yardstick.
- Record this measurement, which is the height of your trailer in feet and inches.
- If you are uncertain of your 5th wheel’s height, it is best to park in a level area and take multiple measurements. This will help you get an accurate reading for the trailer’s height.
By taking the time to measure your 5th wheel, you can ensure that your travel plans don’t come to an unexpected end.
Knowing the exact height of your 5th wheel will help keep you safe and save you from any unnecessary hassles (picking the right brand is also important).
5th Wheel Camper Height: 20 Examples
Here’s a rundown of the twenty 5th wheel campers that we looked at and their height, as measured from the ground to the top of the exterior.
The height includes any roof-mounted A/Cs if that’s part of the vehicle, and you should check with your vehicle manufacturer to see if your RV has an A/C.
With that covered, here are the 20 common fifth wheel heights;
- Coachmen Brookstone – 13’ 5”
- Crossroads Cruiser – 12’ 8”
- Dutchmen Astoria – 12’ 5”
- Flagstaff Classic – 13’ 2”
- Forest River Riverstone – 13’ 4”
- Forest River Wildcat – 12’ 6”
- Grand Design Reflection – 12’ 3”
- Heartland RV Big Horn – 13’ 3”
- Jayco North Point – 13’ 5”
- Jayco Pinnacle – 13’ 6”
- Keystone Alpine – 13’ 4”
- Keystone Montana – 13’ 4”
- K-Z Durango – 12’ 9”
- Luxe Fifth Wheel – 13’ 6”
- Northwood Arctic Fox – 13’ 5”
- Northwood Fox Mountain – 12’ 9”
- Open Range Highlander – 13’ 1”
- Pacific Coachworks Sea Breeze – 11’ 8”
- Palomino Columbus – 12’ 4”
- Starcraft RV Telluride – 12’ 5”
All heights were measured with a tape measure, you don’t need anything special to reliably find out the height of your own mobile vehicle.
We’d recommend you measure any RV before you get it, to make sure that the height is suitable for you and in compliance with any regulations in your home state or wherever you plan to roam.
Naturally, you need to make sure the RV is on the ground with inflated tires, so the measurement isn’t lower than what you’d expect on the road. You should also re-measure if you ever change the tires, as that’ll change the total height of the vehicle slightly.
If there is an antenna on the RV or any other protrusions, you should include them in the measurements. You’re measuring for clearance, so you don’t want your antenna getting knocked off when you try to drive under a bridge or through a tunnel.
The same goes for your A/C, you don’t want to destroy an expensive portable A/C system by scraping it under a bridge.
Height Clearance Tips
That brings us to our clearance tips for mobile vehicle heights. Follow these tips to make sure you don’t lose any antennae, A/C units, storage cases, or solar panels that are on top of your RV.
- First, remember that not every state marks the height of its bridges. This means you will come across bridges that don’t have height signs, so you’ll have to use your intuition to figure out if you can make it. Usually, exercising caution and finding another path is ideal.
- Not only that, sometimes the posted signage isn’t even accurate! Not all states have rigorous standardization for bridge and overpass heights and the signage that surrounds them.
- When it comes to interstate bridges, they are made to at least accommodate commercial trucks that reach 13 feet and 6 inches tall.
- Within the states, they will have different regulations for bridges and other height-restricted paths.
- When roads are re-paved, they can slowly gain height and affect the clearance height of your vehicle.
- When you figure out how tall your mobile vehicle is, put the measurement on a sticker and keep it on your windshield.
How To Avoid Damage
To finish, let’s take a look at some handy tips that will allow you to avoid bridges that your RV cannot cross.
Plan Your Route
The best way to avoid any incidents is to sidestep them totally by planning your route. As we said, interstate and commercial roadways are the best for clearance height, so try to keep to those if you have a taller vehicle and you should be fine.
Remember that stated measurements aren’t always correct and try to keep a foot of space between your vehicle and the clearance heights you’ll encounter on your journey.
Slow Down
It’s a good idea to slow down when you drive under bridges and overpasses, even if you’re confident that you can tackle it. That’s because your vehicle, like any vehicle, will bounce off the road a little.
In some cases, it can be enough that the roof collides with the bridge and causes damage to your vehicle.
Get An RV GPS
An RV GPS can help you find ideal routes that have been curated by other tall vehicle drivers. This will drastically reduce the likelihood that you encounter an obstacle that you cannot cross.
Even then, trust your own eyes and remember that GPS info can still be off or outdated.
Does RV Height Include the Air Conditioner?
Yes, the height of your 5th wheel should include the air conditioner. This is usually the highest point on the trailer, so it’s essential to measure from ground level to this point when determining the height of your RV.
By doing this, you can ensure that you get an accurate measurement for your 5th wheel’s height.
Be cautious of the measurements from the manufacturer. Often times, these measurements don’t include the air conditioner and can be inaccurate.
To get a more accurate measurement, it is best to physically measure your 5th wheel from ground level to the top of the air conditioner yourself.
This will help you determine if your trailer will fit under low bridges or on certain campsites with ease.
How Tall Is A Montana 5th Wheel?
The Montana 5th wheel comes in many different sizes, so the exact height of your trailer will depend on the model you have.
However, most models range from 11 to 12 feet tall with an additional foot added if the air conditioner is included.
To get an accurate measurement for your particular Montana 5th wheel, it is best to measure it yourself.
Follow the tips outlined above to ensure that you get an accurate measurement for your trailer’s height.
Can You Get 5th Wheel Campers Under 12 Feet Tall?
Yes, there are many 5th wheel campers that are 12 feet tall or less. Smaller 5th wheels tend to be shorter in height and can fit under lower bridges more easily than larger models.
If you’re looking for an RV with a lower profile, it is best to measure the height of your prospective model before purchasing it.
This will give you an idea of whether or not your trailer will fit on certain campsites or under low bridges without any issues.
Conclusion
Now you know the average height of 5th wheel mobile vehicles, based on twenty examples that we measured. If you don’t have one of the models we’ve measured, we’ve detailed how to measure your own vehicle.
Knowing the height of your vehicle is very important when traveling, so you don’t incur any costly damage on your journeys.
With the information we’ve gathered above, you should never have any problems when you’re traveling in your mobile vehicle.
Through this blog, I want to share all of my hints and tips, along with reviews of the best RVing accessories. I hope this blog will help others with their RV trips, and make traveling easier for you.
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