Know Your RV Height and Clearance Level

Imagine this—you’re taking your brand new RV on your first cross country adventure. A few hours from home, you approach a bridge that looks a little low. But what city would build a bridge a travel trailer couldn’t get under, right? If you keep driving, you’ll learn the unfortunate answer to that question. It’s not particularly likely you’ll run into this issue. But, if you do, it could result in extensive damage.

There is no federal regulation for bridge height requirements or clearance warning signs. So, the warning process is different for each state. Some states post signs and notifications miles in advance, giving drivers the opportunity to turn around if their vehicle will not fit. Other states have no warning signs, leaving drivers to approach the bridge and discover the height themselves. If you’re going on a cross country trip, it may be in your best interest to look into the bridge height warning policies of the states you’re visiting so you can be aware of any unmarked risks.

Though states don’t have a standard bridge height warning process, they do have a standard way of dealing with the issue. Whether the bridge is marked or not, it is always the driver’s responsibility to recognize whether his or her vehicle is low enough to clear it. In fact, even if the sign is incorrect it is still the driver’s fault if he or she drives into a too-low bridge.

This is why knowing your RV’s height and clearance level is necessary. You can find the exact height by measuring your RV’s clearance level from its highest point until it hits the ground. The most reliable way to accurately measure is to get on top of your travel trailer and start measuring at the highest item on the RV. This way, you’ll take accessories and customized parts into consideration.

Write this measurement down and keep it handy near the driver’s seat, so you never have to question what the exact measurement is. Remember, just an inch can make the difference between a successful vacation and a damaged RV.

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