Maximum Recommended Height of 5th Wheel

[Johnsonw]

I am putting a 2nd A/C unit on my 2955RL and I have read the posts on this site. Most people are going with a Low Profile unit in the front, stating that they want to keep the height down. My unit is would be ~12'-9" high with a Low Profile unit and ~13'-1/2" with a standard Dometic unit. The price difference is ~$300-$400 more for the Low Profile. It seems that the lowest maximum height in the USA is 13"-6". Does 12'-9" vs. 13'-1/2" realy make a difference? We will be traveling all over the US and Canada, including Alaska. We are new to 5th wheeling, so feel free to educate me. Thanks for your input.

Walt Johnson
(908) 240-9947 for those that don't like to type

[H. John Kohl]

Not to dirty the waters but suggest you ask members their satisfaction with the low profile also.

I have a standard size AC up front and I am 13' 3".

Either of the heights you mentioned require watching your height all the time.

Good luck and good question.

[exav8tr]

Walt, I have the standard unit also and am about 13'3" like John. I have had it for three years since first beginning fulltiming. I use the Motor Carriers atlas to check clearances when I travel and have not had a problem with the added height. I think you will be OK as long as you are observant when you travel and do your preplanning accordingly. I do try and stick to major roads and hiways. Not sure what some of the offroading boondockers do......BTW: The standard unit we have will cool the bedroom quite easily, noisy, but we wear earplugs when we have to. We also use it to cool living room and don't want to listen to the LR unit. Can't speak to the low profile unit. Perhaps others will chime in.

[tim43]

There is an underpass in Pinehurst, NC that reads 13' but I have my doubts and I go around the area and I don't have a front AC. Just don't want to take the chance.

[Clemson1881]

The Carrier low profile unit I had added prior to delivery performs great. I did read some posts where the Penguin low profile by Dometic has a tendency to leak due to a shallow drip pan if it is not level. As long as you are comfortable with the height and the looks the regular unit will save you some money.

[Montana Sky]

I have the low profile on my 3400RL up front and am happy with my decision. I went with the Dometic low-pro 13.5k mainly because I liked the look of the low-pro up front and for the heat strip feature. I've also seen many non-commercial fuel stations with canopy's at 13 feet; would be too low for either a/c unit you are considering. All in all, it just comes down to personal choice as either unit will do the job.

[dieselguy]

We travel mostly in the Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas areas .... frequenting many lakes. There are several older bridges and overpasses that are barely 13'6" as in more like 13'as well as the low covers mentioned on service stations along the way.

[helmick]

We are 13' 3" with our front air. 23 states and no problems.

[NCFischers]

If you travel with the Motor Carriers Atlas as a guide, you will have no problems. Just remain aware of your height whenever you are pulling the Monty.

[Mudchief]

I think you will be fine either way you go.

[sreigle]

We have the Coleman Polar Mach low profile in the bedroom and have been very happy with it. Like Montana Sky's Dometic, our Coleman has a heat strip in it. Our overall height is the same as prior to the installation, 12' 10". In other words, it did not become the highest point. But a non-low profile unit probably would have increased our overall height.

[budbon]

For years the maximum height for commercial trucks was 13'6" Some years ago that was changed to 14'. All highway bridges must be marked as to height. As mentioned above, a Motor Carrier atlas will indicate any low bridge heights so you can plan any trip around them. As long as you know your overall height and observe bridge signs you will be OK. As mentioned before be wary of fuel station canopy's (often signed with heights) and any off back road obstructions and you'll be fine.

[Waynem]

Besides the Motor Carrier's Road Atlas, here is a web site that may be more up-to-date than a long ago printed version:

AITA Low Clearances AITA = America's Independent Truckers Association

H.John measured mine for me when we were at Roamer's retreat with the 3400RL. It was 13' 5" with the standard front AC. I never had a problem but I sure did watch for signs.

Something to be aware of is that if the road has just been resurfaced, the sign may not reflect a two inch drop in bridge clearance (2 inch rise in asphalt) All 18 wheelers are 13' 6" (standard to the box height)

Good luck.

[rames14]

Another source is the Low Clearance POI's for Garmin and other GPS units. However, if the clearance is within 4 inches, I'm doing some more checking. I have the factory installed unit, so I am probably at 13' 3". If it's under 14', I'd be nervous.

[5ER]

I had the low profile replaced with a standard unit because it would leak if you were not parked level. This was back around 2004 and maybe they have corrected the problem now.

[CORattler]

I'm currently in the market for a GPS and would like to have a unit that would route us around low clearance points. The thoughts of ripping off the A/C or wedging the Monty under a low point gives me the willies.
I wonder how up to date the low clearance POI list is for the Garmins? Any recommendations from those with units that have this?

quote:Originally posted by rames14

Another source is the Low Clearance POI's for Garmin and other GPS units. However, if the clearance is within 4 inches, I'm doing some more checking. I have the factory installed unit, so I am probably at 13' 3". If it's under 14', I'd be nervous.

[8.1al]

My Garmin didn't come with POI's for low clearance but I use them from this site
http://lowclearances.com/

They have a compatability list and their low clearance list is kept up to date

[Lambchop]

We too, have the standard Dometic up front. I worry more about suspension problems than the A/C!


Roy

[PatnRich]

We ordered ours with the second air.

Keystone factory installs regular height units on the front if that means anything.

I pay attention and stay on more heavily traveled roads. No issues so far.

[richfaa]

The front A/C was NOT the high point on our 3400. If you note it is on a downslope. The vent cover over the bathroom vent was the high point at 13.3.