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Old 12-09-2017, 03:04 PM   #1
RoadRunnerTR21
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Actual Exterior Height

I see in the documentation that the exterior height of all Montana's is listed as 13' 5". How close is that number? Has anyone gone to the top of their coach and got a real measurement when the coach is level?
 
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Old 12-09-2017, 03:42 PM   #2
bshgto
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can`t make this stuff up

I did, mine was 13ft, 5 1/4 inches on one side the other was 13 ft. 5 inches. That was hooked up of course. Moving around Lancaster Pa. last week for dinner and saw a Rail Road bridge with 13`6" on it. It was in the Bird in The Hand area glad I wasn`t towing, to close for me.
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Old 12-09-2017, 03:48 PM   #3
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At the fall rally a few years ago, our rig was measured at the top of the front A/C at 13' 4" while hooked up. It really depends on how high the pin box sits while connected to the hitch, so your truck makes a big difference on your rig's height.
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Old 12-09-2017, 04:46 PM   #4
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Our unit measures 13' 5"
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Old 12-09-2017, 06:00 PM   #5
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I measured mine in the driveway on my truck at 13' 5''. Your highest point should be the top of the front a/c. I went under a bridge in Ohio on the way back from the rally and didn't notice that i had went under a bridge that was 13'6''. I noticed how low it was after i had dropped my rv off at the camp site i was staying at. When leaving the campsite to go eat i went under the bridge again without my truck and commented to my wife this bridge really looks low. Looking back over my shoulder from the opposite lane i came in on i saw the 13'6'' sign. When leaving the campground 2 days later i took a detour route although the rv park said they have not heard of anyone hitting the bridge. I look a little closer at bridges now.
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Old 12-09-2017, 10:08 PM   #6
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We are just under 13'6 when on the truck at the front A\C

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Old 12-10-2017, 05:24 AM   #7
RoadRunnerTR21
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Thanks for all of your responses. I've got a garage door opener on my RV bay that does not seem to be opening all the way. I measured the opening yesterday and it looks like it opens 13' 3.5". I have 3 options. 1) Get the repair guy out to adjust the door travel. 2) Detach the garage door opener from the door itself and force it to travel further up. It's a 14' opening. 3) Get a lower 5th wheel. Our previous 5th wheel was in the 12'+ range so it was never an issue.
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Old 12-10-2017, 08:29 AM   #8
dhuhn
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That’s one thing as being a CDL driver you are taught to watch your heights on all overpasses and how high your rig is. If its close, be very cautious going under under better safe than sorry.
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Old 12-10-2017, 09:12 AM   #9
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2006 2955 rl, 13’6”
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Old 12-10-2017, 09:39 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scattershot View Post
2006 2955 rl, 13’6”
Wow. I had a 2006 2980rl that was only 12'8" I think. Of course I had an older truck and my new one is at least 2 inches higher in the bed - but that isn't 10 inches of difference!!!
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Old 12-10-2017, 09:50 AM   #11
Lenny K
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Ours is 13' 4" when hooked up and that is from the top of my front Maxxair covers.
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Old 12-10-2017, 10:05 AM   #12
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If I'm not mistaken the maximum legal height of any trailer include semi's is 13' 6". By Federal standards all interstate overpasses must be 14' or higher. US highways and State routes are less regulated and therefore lower clearance bridges are common.

I always try and look for clearance signs when driving even when on the interstate. I've just made it a habit to look for them.

Not to sound like a salesman but this app: Allstays Truck Stops and Travel Plazas

https://www.allstays.com/apps/truckstopsfaq.htm

has info on low clearance, as well as other info.
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Old 12-10-2017, 04:51 PM   #13
scattershot
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twindman View Post
Wow. I had a 2006 2980rl that was only 12'8" I think. Of course I had an older truck and my new one is at least 2 inches higher in the bed - but that isn't 10 inches of difference!!!
Did you measure to the top of the A/C? MaxxAire covers will add some height, too.
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Old 12-10-2017, 04:56 PM   #14
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Our unit measures 13'4" to 13'6" when we are hooked up to the TV. Had it measured while at the Fall Rally two years ago. If you have the IS system on your rig it will also add about 2-3" to the height. Always measure it while hooked up and on a flat surface from the highest point on the rig and that normally is from the top of the front A/C unit cover.
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Old 12-10-2017, 05:07 PM   #15
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My garage has a 14' X 14' door but the approach is slightly up hill until you enter and then it's a level slab. Not sure what a slight slope will do to the height issue. When I get my 3791RD in the spring I may have to remove the A/C covers before I back into the garage. How much do the A/C covers add to the height?
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Old 12-10-2017, 06:14 PM   #16
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Hook your rig up and find a reasonably level surface. Use a straight 2 x 4 or something similar and a tape and measure the drop to the road. Place the 2 x 4 on the highest point which is usually an A/C or a MaxAir cover at the front.

I did that , Tyraped the tape end to the 2 x 4, extended the tape about 8 ft worth so someone on the ground could grab it and pull it down and then take the reading. Allow for the 3.5" of the 2 x 4 and whatever the tape body adds.
I actually used an extendable brush handle which was fine also.

Do it on both sides just to be sure.

That's the only way without a bunch of guessing and guessing could cost you big time.
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Old 01-13-2018, 10:04 AM   #17
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Low clearance

Quote:
Originally Posted by Texan View Post
I measured mine in the driveway on my truck at 13' 5''. Your highest point should be the top of the front a/c. I went under a bridge in Ohio on the way back from the rally and didn't notice that i had went under a bridge that was 13'6''. I noticed how low it was after i had dropped my rv off at the camp site i was staying at. When leaving the campsite to go eat i went under the bridge again without my truck and commented to my wife this bridge really looks low. Looking back over my shoulder from the opposite lane i came in on i saw the 13'6'' sign. When leaving the campground 2 days later i took a detour route although the rv park said they have not heard of anyone hitting the bridge. I look a little closer at bridges now.
Several years ago due to road construction could not turn left onto north bound US77 so went right to first exit Going to make a U turn to get on North Bound Got to the end of a long ramp and clearance under the bridge was 11'8" No other direction to go so started backing down the ramp when a Texas State Trooper showed up and told me I could not be backing down the ramp Told him what was going on and we both backed down the ramp and got on South bound again Trooper said there was supposed to be a sign warning of this Must have been taken down due to construction
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Old 01-13-2018, 10:31 AM   #18
summer home
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The other issue is the TRUE height or clearance under a bridge... often when repaving is done no one re-measures the clearance, no one posts a corrected sign......
And, if there is a dip in the road, you can be "spanning" the gap, effectively raising your rigs overall height..........
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Old 01-13-2018, 12:24 PM   #19
cardinal96ss
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13 ft 5-1/2 inches here to top of front air conditioner when hitched to the truck. We drive with the Garmin RV GPS which has many low clearances in its data base with projected detours. But still, I drive with the constant worry of getting on a side road and unexpectedly encountering a low clearance.
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Old 04-04-2022, 10:56 PM   #20
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I have a 2021 Ford Super Duty (F350) which are taller than most pickups. I had my truck lifted just 2" and it's on 37" tires.

My 2021 Montana 3120RL measures, on a flat street, 14'0" to the highest point which is the front A/C unit.

This pic was taken in a driveway and the street is lower - you can see the trailer is a bit nose high.

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