Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > General Discussions about our Montanas
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-27-2011, 05:23 PM   #1
cjohnson
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Huntsville
Posts: 149
M.O.C. #11148
Height of Montana's

Just starting out. Purchased a 2011 3100RL, pulling with a 2011 Dodge long wheel base 3500, 4 wheel drive, dually. Height at front AC, 13' 4 1/2", rear AC 12' 5". Fifth wheel (B&W Companion) gives me about 3 1/2-4" at tail gate and about 6" at front of 3100RL above top of bed. All of these figures are taken hooked up & ready to go.

Are these heights and measurements common? Dodge's back end sets higher than most. B&W fifth wheel can be adjusted one set of holes lower (about 1"), but would that not make the unit sit to close to top of bed? It appears the trailer is on a slight up hill slope, when hitched up. How level should everthing be?
 
cjohnson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2011, 06:02 PM   #2
helmick
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Siloam Springs
Posts: 2,206
M.O.C. #8890
Our front air over bedroom is 13' 3.5".
helmick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2011, 07:38 PM   #3
carlson
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Moultonborough
Posts: 449
M.O.C. #3268
our 3400 RL has a height of 13' 3" at the TV dome
E. Sven
carlson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2011, 12:51 AM   #4
NCFischers
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,369
M.O.C. #8728
Send a message via Yahoo to NCFischers
We are at 13' 3" and the trailer rides level.
NCFischers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2011, 04:39 AM   #5
DarMar
Montana Master
 
DarMar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Brandon
Posts: 3,944
M.O.C. #1034
With our previous 07/Dodge we were 13.2. I fully expect to be 13.3" with the new Chevy, will be hooking up and measuring before we head out in 3 weeks.
__________________
Darwin & Maureen DeBackere
Minnedosa, Manitoba, Canada
2011/3500/Silverado/4x4/DRW/Duramax
2017/3721RL/Legacy Pkg./Pressure-Pro
DarMar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2011, 04:55 AM   #6
Johnnyg
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Hanover
Posts: 335
M.O.C. #9710
Trailer height seems about average.
That distance between the bed and trailer at the tailgate is a little close. If the trailer can afford to go a little higher what about lowering the pin box?
Although you did say your just starting out so maybe once you load all those goodies we like to carry the truck might squat enough to make it all good..
Johnnyg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2011, 05:25 AM   #7
Captain Joe
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Hollister
Posts: 1,043
M.O.C. #10764
When I bought my 3750FL, the specs stated 12'9". Now, the specs state 13'5". I guess I need to measure it. Bingo, have you measured yours since you put the dish on your roof?
Captain Joe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2011, 06:05 AM   #8
snfexpress
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: South
Posts: 2,499
M.O.C. #5140
We're 13' 3", but when we went through a 13' 5" tunnel we nevertheless hunched down - like that would help!
snfexpress is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2011, 06:09 AM   #9
bncinwv
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
Nope, but I believe the dish is lower than the front AC unit anyway.
Bingo
bncinwv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2011, 07:39 AM   #10
CamillaMichael
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 2,783
M.O.C. #10246
13'4"
CamillaMichael is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2011, 08:00 AM   #11
Rancher Will
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location:
Posts: 62
M.O.C. #11227
The legal height for any motorized vehicle on interstate Highways is 13 ft 6 inches. Over that and an oversize permit is required.
Also, be sure to know the heights of any, ANY, underpass before going under it. Even on Interstate Highways there are a number of low underpass bridges, etc. They are supposed to be signed prior to getting to them but sometimes you may miss the signs for some reason.
For just one example, on I-25 through Denver, Colorado, southbound, the left lane of the interstate has a low, 13 feet, clearance while the other lanes are over 13 ft 6 in.
Rancher Will is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2011, 05:24 AM   #12
Captain Joe
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Hollister
Posts: 1,043
M.O.C. #10764
Now this brochure reflects the height as 12'9" http://www.keystonerv.com/media2/doc...naBrochure.pdf
Captain Joe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2011, 09:43 AM   #13
2Wanderers
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Littleton
Posts: 183
M.O.C. #9998
I have a similar configuration, however mine is a short bed srw 4x4. I run only 5-10 lbs of air in my airbags (as they weren't really needed, but dampen any jarring bumps). The only help I got for the bed clearances was when I replaced my trailer's Marathon tires with LT tires I gained 1/2" in height which helped the bed clearance and level (front to rear) issues. I also had concerns with the front air conditioner and bought the low profile Penguin. All the same, I keep an eagle eye out for overpass clearance signs and try to stay to the interstate where possible. Buy a truckers atlas and review it before a long trip. Should help.
__________________
2010 Mountaineer 285 RLD, 330 watts solar, 600 watts sine inverter, 3 type 31 agm batteries, Traveler antenna
2010 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW, 18k Reese slider, Honda 2000i, Firestone airbags
2Wanderers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2011, 03:57 PM   #14
Sniperduce
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Norman
Posts: 76
M.O.C. #10075
Sorry. max.vehicle height in California is 14 feet.

CVC 35250. No vehicle or load shall exceed a height of 14 feet measured from the surface upon which the vehicle stands, except that a double-deck bus may not exceed a height of 14 feet, 3 inches. Any vehicle or load which exceeds a height of 13 feet, 6 inches, shall only be operated on those highways where deemed to be safe by the owner of the vehicle or the entity operating the bus.

Sniperduce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2011, 03:42 PM   #15
Rancher Will
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location:
Posts: 62
M.O.C. #11227
As Sniperduce mentions, there are various local,state hights laws.
However, be advised that the Federal Law, and many state laws comply with the 13 ft 6 inch height before permits required.
Even with this as a general national law, there are many tunnel, bridges, underpasses, etc., that have varying requirments, some greater and some lower.
For example, in Colorado, with 13 ft 6 inches general height limit, if a vehicle is operating with an over height permit, even the permit will not permit travel through the Eisenhaur Tunnel on I-70 if over 13 ft 11 inches.
Check the DOT laws for comfimation of this and pay attention to highway warning signs and warnings in Truckers' Atlas.
Rancher Will is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2011, 11:01 PM   #16
Weldon
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: San Angelo
Posts: 115
M.O.C. #11213
13-4
Weldon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2011, 10:07 AM   #17
sreigle
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
Our 2007 3400RL is 12' 10" with 2 AC units. That's our measurement, not the factory's. They said 12' 9" or something like that but we'd added a second AC.

Awhile back we pulled the truck under a station canopy to fill the tank and left the Montana mostly hanging out because I noticed the canopy said 13' 1". Just the nose was under the canopy. While the tank was filling I climbed the ladder and eyeballed the clearance and felt we could make it through. It would be a very difficult turning while backing into traffic to back out of there. We held our breath and made it fine. I was pretty confident we'd make it because I could sight straight down the roof from the ladder.

My point is to take your own measurement and don't rely on factory numbers.

We prefer non-interstates because they're so much more interesting and relaxing. In all these years it's just not been a problem. I do use the Motor Carriers Atlas to check for low clearance areas on our planned route but rarely find a problem. Those low clearance areas are usually signed well in advance with an alternative route identified. While the potential is there and that's not to be ignored, it's proven to not be much of a problem.
sreigle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2011, 01:37 PM   #18
Jdrobone
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Wilsons
Posts: 404
M.O.C. #9833
My 2010 3400RL measures 12-9, hooked up, ready to go.
Jdrobone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2011, 05:14 PM   #19
Waynem
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Texas City
Posts: 5,736
M.O.C. #7673
A web site that I frequent often when I am planning a trip is the AITA on line Low Clearance web site. It is for truckers, and I hope they update it frequently. By no means do I advocate that it is the ultimate in low clearances, but it's a good start. The last time I checked it against the Motor Carriers Road Atlas it was right on.

We do have to remember that everything is subject to change and just because it is at 13' 6" today, does not mean that tomorrow, after resurfacing and before they put up a new sign that it will not be 13' 4".

Having said that, when H. John and I measured my 2008 3400RL it was 13' 5" to the top of the front AC. It really made me think going in the 13' 6" tunnels and underpasses. Whew!

Now, I'm 12' 4" Ha ha! I pay close attention to the yellow highway sign for anything that is close to that, and yes I have seen some below that height.
Waynem is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2011, 05:50 PM   #20
jackel1959
Montana Master
 
jackel1959's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Oak Harbor
Posts: 1,529
M.O.C. #2471
We are 12' 9"....highest point on rig is max air cover over the kitchen. I keep 13' in my head as the height. We don't have a front a/c unit and will have to measure again once the new truck arrives. Like Steve said, don't rely on what a dealer or brochure tells you, take your own measurements to be sure.

The way I measured was (this is at least a two person job):
1. With the rig hooked up to the truck, I ensured the rig was parked on level ground and level from side to side.
2. I took an 8' long furring strip and laid it across the highest point on the rig so that about 3-4 feet of the strip hung out over the side of the rig.
3. Used a 2' level to make sure the furring strip was level.
4. Then with the assistance of a helper, we measured from the bottom of the furring strip to the ground to get our height.

There might be an easier and more accurate way with lasers and satellites, but this worked for us

Jack
__________________
Previous:2004 Mountaineer 325FKBS,2010 Montana 3455SA Now:2018 Bighorn 3575EL (SOB's ) Res. Fridge,W/D,Disc Brakes,Water Softener,Dish Tailgater PRO,LioN Batts, several mods.
2021 RAM 3500 Laramie...."LOADED", 4x4, SB H.O. 6.7L, Aisin Trans, PullRite Super Glide Hitch, 52 Gallon Titan Fuel Tank.
jackel1959 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Hitch height Luc Tow Vehicles & Towing 4 04-14-2016 12:05 PM
3400RL height trlrboy Montana Problems, Problem Solving & Technical Help 4 03-28-2016 05:16 PM
Montana Height with front A/C Toby2011 General Discussions about our Montanas 23 08-08-2014 10:59 AM
Truck bed height issues on Montana? philhyde Tow Vehicles & Towing 14 03-08-2012 03:06 AM
Montana Height? RKassl General Discussions about our Montanas 20 07-20-2009 02:01 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:24 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.