Montana Height with front A/C

[Toby2011]

Our 3150RL is equipped with front A/C. The brochure states that the coach is 12'9" and to add 6" for front A/C. This would put us at about 13'3"

We have done a quick measurement while hooked up and get about 13'4". Many overcrossings locally are lower than this, but we have plenty of alternatives available.

Have any of you had any experiences with the increased height with front A/C that we should be aware of as we start traveling more throughout the West and Southwest?

[DQDick]

We have a full size AC in the front and measure out about 13'5" and have had no real issues out west. In small towns, however, it's best to stay with streets the trucks travel on because trucks are the only tree trimming devices small towns employ

[bncinwv]

Our 3750 with the G614's measured in at about 13' 4 1/2". The interstate underpass to our mini-storage is posted at 13' 6"!! For some unknown quirk related to the psychological aspect of the brain, I always found myself ducking in the truck when going beneath the underpass. Makes you really wonder about the Department of Highways and paving projects!!! There are web-sites that show "most" of the low clearance overpasses and GPS settings that "supposedly" reveal them ahead of time. The only advice I can offer is to be sure to not get distracted and miss any low clearance signs! One experience of backing back out of a side road at night because of a low clearance sign (don't ask!) will keep you ever-aware and alert!
Bingo

[richfaa]

We just had our 2013 3402 Big Sky measured for height at the Mor Ryde plant for the IS install. It was 13.3 measured off the front A/C and 12.7 off the top of the rear A/C. The Is install raised it nearly two inches to a bit under 13.5.

[bethandkevin]

quote:Originally posted by DQDick

We have a full size AC in the front and measure out about 13'5" and have had no real issues out west. In small towns, however, it's best to stay with streets the trucks travel on because trucks are the only tree trimming devices small towns employ

13'-4 1/2" here also with factory A/C in front and G614's. Only worried one time going through Chicago. DW asked if we were going to make it-bridge was tagged 13'6". We were doing about 65 mph and I told her "We're gonna find out!". Keep in mind those height markers are for the lowest point and a lot of bridge supports are arched, which is one reason I like to travel the second lane.

[drknapp]

After adding air to the front of ours, my wife and I measured the rig hooked up to the truck and we came to 13' 4" also. We haven't had any issues traveling the west coast so far. Although I did get a little nervous last week when we had to pull into an entry way marked 13' 6" at an RV park last week. Guess we did a pretty good job measuring because we cleared.

[JandC]

I have measured mine twice. I am at 13'5" when hooked up. I think if I deflate my firestone bags I could probably get down to 13'4". When we were out west we found some overpasses that were 13'7" or so. I took the exit and went up and over to avoid going under. The reason was I may have had 2 or 3 inches clearance if the overpass was measured correctly but what if there was a dip in the pavement right when we went under. I check my Trucker's Atlas to see if there are any low clearances on the route I am planning for the next day. My Rand RV GPS failed to alert me to a 13' overpass while traveling to a CG in the state of Washington a few weeks ago so I don't 100% trust it. On a couple occasions I failed to check my Trucker's Atlas, or did not stay on a designated truck route. On another one of those occasions while traveling on scenic Rt. 101 in Oregon we came upon a tunnel that was 14' or so in the middle but around 13'2" or so on the sides, with 1' shoulders. Needless to say we had to stay almost on the center lane to get through that.

DQDick hit it on the head reference watching the trees. We had a couple CG's assure us that they were "big rig friendly" but when we got there I found it was a real challenge to weave in and out to avoid different low hanging branches.

If you are doing extended traveling across country, I personally consider the height issues to be one of the most pressing.

[scattershot]

Don't forget, too, that a repaving job under the bridge can raise atreet level a couple of inches, and with the state of the laborforce these days, the overpass might not get remeasured.

[Mark N.]

How does one even begin to accurately measure the height of one's rig? The A/C sits in the middle, so you can't just drop a tape measure off of it. The top of my A/C is higher than my house roof it is parked next to, so I can't measure over to a wall height.
I need to do it once I am hitched up to my truck and can't figure out an accurate way to accomplish it. Ideas?

[Artemus Gordon]

We took our rig inside the known "14 ft garage door" of repair facility. We then measured the difference. Made sure the tires were fully aired. We backed it in with our truck, no forklift. Wanted accurate reading, we could rely upon. With the top of 15 k air in kitchen we were 13.9. We call it 13.10 for good measure. I also have been told, the exact same model could be different. Not sure how that could be, but we confirmed 13.9 with our 3750.

[bethandkevin]

quote:Originally posted by Mark N.

How does one even begin to accurately measure the height of one's rig? The A/C sits in the middle, so you can't just drop a tape measure off of it. The top of my A/C is higher than my house roof it is parked next to, so I can't measure over to a wall height.
I need to do it once I am hitched up to my truck and can't figure out an accurate way to accomplish it. Ideas?

Lay a straight 2x4 across the A/C unit and measure to the ground.

[bethandkevin]

quote:Originally posted by Artemus Gordon

We took our rig inside the known "40 ft garage door" of repair facility. We then measured the difference. Made sure the tires were fully aired. We backed it in with our truck, no forklift. Wanted accurate reading, we could rely upon. With the top of 15 k air in kitchen we were 13.9. We call it 13.10 for good measure. I also have been told, the exact same model could be different. Not sure how that could be, but we confirmed 13.9 with our 3750.

In Michigan, that would require a permit. Maximum allowable height here is 13'6".

[WaltBennett]

Had Max-Air covers on bath and bedroom vents when we bought our unit last year. I measured 13' 2 1/2" and wrote 13' 4" on the top of our TV's windshield (safety margin) to remind me just in case. Never have come to anything we couldn't go under, but then we always take truck routes whenever possible. I'm pretty certain the mid-Atlantic & mid-west would have more lower clearance things than out where you are. I took the covers off when putting on the solar panels & changed the marker to 13' 2". I can't imagine a low profile AC unit being higher than one of those covers.

[timandsusan]

I have found most low clearance issues are on older roads in the East. I travel much more in the West--that is west of San Antonio, TX--Still keep a sharp lookout for overpasses. Anything over 13'3" is OK for my rig--I measured and then gave myself an extra 2-3 inches for safety and peace of mind! I have the low clearance software but only use it as a check--I only trust myself since any mistake will be on ME.

[JandC]

Kevin, you are correct, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana are all 13'6" max height without permits. Artemus, if my Trucker's Atlas is still up to date, California is 14'0" max without permit.

Mark, I got up on my roof and held a 6' level across the top of my front air conditioner while the DW measured down from the level end of it. I am like you though and wanted a easier, quicker, and more accurate way to get my height. I am using 1x3 lumber. Take an 8' piece of 1x3 and fasten a 5' 1x3 across the top making it an "L" shape. You have to use another 1' piece of 1x3 to angle brace it so it stays perfectly square. Know the measurement from the bottom of the horizontal (5' 1x3) down to the bottom of the long 8' 1x3. Just hold this assembly up to the side of your rig keeping the horizontal 1x3 on top of the front air conditioner, or what you think would be the highest point on top. Since the 8' 1x3 won't reach the ground you will need to measure from the bottom of it to the ground. Take that measurement and add it to your other 1x3 length measurement and there you go.

[Sheepdog]

Wonder what height mine was when the TV antenna was up? Don't ask why!

[boat391]

Just a quick note about overpass height they are posted for the lowest point but what they don't say is we just did a repave and put in a 4" lift so that 13' 6"" is not only 13' 2". It happens all over the country so please use caution and don't always believe the signs I can speak from experience having driven all over this wonderful country driving big rigs.

[boat391]

Just a quick note about overpass heights. They do post them for the lowest point but what they don't do I tell you that they just did a repave and put 4" lift on top of the old pavement. They don't repost the overpass until something happens. I have seen this happen way to many time during my career driving big rigs. So please use caution don't get caught trying to squeeze your Monty under a low crossing it never work out for the Monty.

[daily double]

I was going to take the Alaska ferry from Haines to Prince Rupert , but could not do it because of the front A/C. Their doors are 13'6'" and they said the tide level could keep us off (or on) the boat. They said if I took stuff off to drop the height I could do it!

[patc73]

We have the front A/C and measured 13' 4", although we weren't hitched up at the time. Since the landing gear were almost fully extended to make the rig level, we are probably a bit shorter than that, but it's a good number to go by. Two more inches and we'd be illegal on our Michigan roads! We have the Rand McNally RV GPS too, and hope it will help in our future travels to steer us away from low clearances.