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 > MOC Technical Forums > Montana Problems, Problem Solving & Technical Help
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-18-2015, 04:51 PM   #1
chris199
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SE
Posts: 478
M.O.C. #17167
Best way to measure height 3791RD.

Spec says 13'6". I'm concerned since I dont know specific height. I have gone miles out of the way for a 14' overpass. Got off an exit last night because of a 13' 10" overpass...the got back on entrance.

Im a big guy and also shying away from getting up on the roof.
 
chris199 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2015, 05:06 PM   #2
DQDick
Site Team
 
DQDick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
If you have your rig weighed by the Escapee's Smart Weigh the measure it with a special stick, but you could make something similar. Their stick has a cross bar that comes straight out from the main pole that then is adjustable to reach the ground. They put the cross bar on the tallest part of the rig and then the main pole gives them the height. You could make a similar devise by lashing a light weight straight piece of material to an extra long washing pole. Or you could find a garage with a 14' door, pull up slowly ( use someone to guide) and judge the difference.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
DQDick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2015, 02:42 AM   #3
bncinwv
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
Make sure however you measure it that you measure while hooked up to your truck. The way I do the measurements involves getting on the roof, but I know it is accurate. I use a two by four with a carpenters level and extend the two by four to the side of the rig while using the level. Then have someone on the ground measure to the bottom of the two by four with a tape.
Bingo
__________________

Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
bncinwv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2015, 04:40 AM   #4
JandC
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Frostproof, FL USA
Posts: 2,362
M.O.C. #13272
The best most accurate way (hooked up) is to have a 6' level and 10' step ladder. If you don't have the 6' level a shorter one will do. Get up on a step ladder and use a wash pole or long piece of 1x2 or similar lumber. Reach over and put pole or lumber on top of front air conditioner (or highest point of fiver). Use short level to keep it straight. Hold the end of a 16' measuring tape and let it drop to the ground. Have someone on the ground to read the end of the tape, while you are still holding the pole or piece of lumber level.

I measured mine this way, but I have a 6' level which makes it easier. To check the accuracy I used my laser on a 14' 2x4 I held up and found that I got the exact same measurement, which was 13'5".
__________________
Previous: 2008 Montana 3400RL & 2014 3725RL
Current: Full Time 2022 SOB TT Toy Hauler
JandC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2015, 06:59 AM   #5
DonandBonnie
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Madison
Posts: 1,239
M.O.C. #5906
For quick peace of mind, compare your height with a semi box trailer. All but oversize trucks can pass through 13'6".
DonandBonnie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2015, 03:25 AM   #6
Bill and Jan
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Casa Grande
Posts: 489
M.O.C. #12932
John Kohl and Jim Fischer measured them last year at the MOC rally in Goshen for anyone that wanted it done. Thanks again guys. We don't do ladders anymore.
Bill and Jan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2015, 03:32 AM   #7
cotter key
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: small town
Posts: 88
M.O.C. #10849
from my experience if its marked 13'6" that means its higher but 13'6" will clear same for 13'10" or whatever, over passes are usually marked with what will clear not their actual height
cotter key is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2015, 04:58 AM   #8
JandC
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Frostproof, FL USA
Posts: 2,362
M.O.C. #13272
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by cotter key

from my experience if its marked 13'6" that means its higher but 13'6" will clear same for 13'10" or whatever, over passes are usually marked with what will clear not their actual height
I would generally agree with that, but I am still a "chicken" when it comes to sneaking under a 13'6" overpass since I know I am 13'5". My concern would be that an imperfection in the pavement would make my Montana bounce up and down just enough to hit the top.

I plan and avoid anything 13'6". Anything above that I don't worry about.

We have recently been taking some weight off, going through and "downsizing". Stuff that hasn't been used for a year is going. I will be weighing on the way back north soon but prior to leaving with this less weight I am going to do an exact height measurement again just in case dropping some weight has raised me up slightly.
__________________
Previous: 2008 Montana 3400RL & 2014 3725RL
Current: Full Time 2022 SOB TT Toy Hauler
JandC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2015, 06:34 PM   #9
Artemus Gordon
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Redding
Posts: 1,421
M.O.C. #12339
I put mine under a known 14 garage door. Full tires and level ground. I am 13.9 at highest point with Air unit!
Artemus Gordon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2015, 01:21 AM   #10
Tfthorp
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Greenport
Posts: 216
M.O.C. #8571
What if the overpassisn't marked? Is there a standard used that doesn't need to be marked? I have one that isn't, looked good so finally did it slowly and had plenty to spare but still was concerned the first time.
Tfthorp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2015, 01:58 AM   #11
Tom S.
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Tfthorp

What if the overpassisn't marked? Is there a standard used that doesn't need to be marked? I have one that isn't, looked good so finally did it slowly and had plenty to spare but still was concerned the first time.
If it's unmarked, it meets the required 14 - 16' minimum set by the Federal Government. The minimum is 14' with at least one route available with 16' clearance. These minimums are for new construction, which is why you still see overpasses marked 13'X".
Tom S. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2015, 08:08 AM   #12
andylparish
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Mountain Home
Posts: 148
M.O.C. #17188
Everyone needs to know the height of their trailer, most states have a legal height limit of 13' 6". Anything above that is a permitted load, some states the limit is 14'.
__________________
Andy and Nancy Parish
Marlee Claire and Magnolia Caroline
Pomeranian bosses AKA The MCfurries, Big white cat "G"
Mountain Home, Arkansas
andylparish is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2015, 02:43 AM   #13
JandC
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Frostproof, FL USA
Posts: 2,362
M.O.C. #13272
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Artemus Gordon

I put mine under a known 14 garage door. Full tires and level ground. I am 13.9 at highest point with Air unit!
Being at that height would certainly worry me some. My offer still holds for trading trucks.....I will even deliver!
__________________
Previous: 2008 Montana 3400RL & 2014 3725RL
Current: Full Time 2022 SOB TT Toy Hauler
JandC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2015, 04:23 AM   #14
Glenn the fifth
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Silverdale
Posts: 275
M.O.C. #7117
One thing to think about is on the older/out in the country roads that some of us find ourselves on while traveling. I have seen repaving projects that will sometimes add 2" of new asphalt to a road. I have also traveled that road later and found that the measurement sign for the bridge was not updated. Maybe the road crew measured and found that they did not need to update the sign, but I am not sure I want to bet on that. If they were finishing up on a hot Friday afternoon and there were some cold beverages waiting somewhere, they may have missed a step. Just my two cents. -Glenn
Glenn the fifth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2015, 02:50 AM   #15
PatnRich
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Westford
Posts: 403
M.O.C. #1250
I too use the straight edge and level method. I measure to the bottom of the bedroom slide. That measure is a fixed number, I can then measure from the slide bottom to ground at any time hooked or not for my overall height.
PatnRich is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2015, 08:43 PM   #16
Artemus Gordon
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Redding
Posts: 1,421
M.O.C. #12339
Joe I can tell you from experience, Sue and I have had few very scary moments. By reflex we both" squated down" going under one bridge! Lol. In upstate NJ, they have bridges where the middle lane only are 14 ft, side lanes 12.6! I had not been told about them. I noticed trucks and bus's in the middle lane of Highway. We joined behind them just before it was too late. Another time entering a tunnel outside Baltimore, I pulled over and hit flashers, waited for help. We were lucky and got a professional Patrolmen to escort us to an alternative route. He said it happens often, was glad to help. Now we have a program on our GPS. We also subscribe to trucker info site as well. Btw you can't have my truck! I love my truck and seldom let it out of my sight! Sue says, I love my truck more than her. It's simply not true, they are equally loved by me! Besides, Joe it has way to much chrome for you!!! Lol
Artemus Gordon 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
Inverter on 3791rd 4blys Solar, Charging Systems, Batteries and Electrical 9 12-15-2016 11:55 PM
Measure 2 or 3 times Happycamperscolorado Additions & Improvements 7 02-27-2016 03:11 PM
3791RD - Wow! JandC General Discussions about our Montanas 45 04-02-2015 01:36 PM
Let's measure a dealer's customer service trlrboy General Discussions about our Montanas 25 11-20-2012 03:38 AM
Air pressure question... When do you measure? Guvner Maintenance 6 04-29-2011 09:25 AM

» 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 03:09 AM.


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