How Tall Is a 5th Wheel Camper?

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We have all seen those gigantic trailers being towed down the road called 5th wheels. Every time I am behind a fifth wheel and we approach an underpass I wonder: How Tall is a 5th Wheel Camper?

While the law in many states caps 5th wheel height at 13 feet 6 inches tall the average height of a 5th wheel is 13 feet tall.

What Is a 5th Wheel Trailer?

A 5^th wheel camper refers to a type of RV that gives you the benefits of a larger model without being a full-blown house on wheels. This means that you still need to tow the camper, but it is much larger than your average trailer.

If you were confused, the fifth wheel does not actually refer to a fifth wheel. Instead, the fifth wheel is a hitch that allows the driver to connect a cargo attachment to the back of a pickup truck.

These hitches were initially invented for horse-drawn carriages in the 1850s. However, over the years they have been implemented into various transport vehicles. They help a great deal with stability and maneuverability.

When you are looking for a 5^th wheel camper there is a lot to consider. However, before you make your purchase it is important to consider a variety of factors. This way you will be sure that you are purchasing the best camper for you. One of the most important considerations is the height of your 5th wheel camper.

What Is the Average Height of a 5^th Wheel Camper?

When you start to look for the best 5^th wheel camper for you, you will quickly find that they come in many sizes. There are laws that prevent them from being more than 13.5 feet tall. However, only select campers reach that size. Instead, the average 5^th wheel camper is about 13 feet tall. This measurement is from the top of the roof to the ground. However, you should note that the height can change a bit depending on the height of the attached truck, the fifth wheel profile, and the hitch height.

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How Do You Measure the Height of a 5^th Wheel Camper?

Before you head out on your first trip with your 5^th wheel camper, it is important to measure it. It’s important because you need to think about height restrictions when going under bridges and through tunnels. That is not something you naturally think about when you are driving a car because they are not relevant. However, when you have a large RV or 5^th wheel camper, height restrictions can affect your travel plans.

The first thing you need to keep in mind is that you should measure both when it is unhitched and when it is hooked up. Sometimes the addition of a truck and hitch can increase the height. Fortunately, measuring the height is easy and can be done with a standard tape measure.

You can measure your 5^th wheel camper by starting at the tallest point of the roof down to where the tires meet the ground. Many people will measure from inside the cab, but you should not do this because this will only give you an idea of the standing room, not the actual height of the camper.

Additionally, if you have any roof additions you should include them in your measurements. A lot of the time they can put your vehicle over the legal height limit, so check them before you get on the road.

Typically, height is not a huge issue for fifth wheel owners. Width and length cause problems more than height. The only time height becomes an issue is if you are traveling through areas that have a lot of tunnels and covered bridges.

Does Each State Have RV Height Limits for 5th Wheels?

Yes, each state has different height limits. As a result, you will need to check to make sure your RV is legal everywhere you are traveling through on your trip. Below are the height limits of each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. If you were planning on traveling through a state where your RV does not meet the height restrictions you will need to adjust your trip.

State Height Restrictions

Alabama: 13 feet 6 inches

Alaska: 15 feet

Arizona: 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads)

Arkansas: 13 feet 6 inches

California: 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads)

Colorado: 14 feet 6 inches

Connecticut: 13 feet 6 inches (excluding appurtenances up to 6 inches)

Delaware: 13 feet 6 inches

District of Columbia: 13 feet 6 inches

Florida: 13 feet 6 inches

Georgia: 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads)

Hawaii: 14 feet

Idaho: 14 feet

Illinois: 13 feet 6 inches

Indiana: 13 feet 6 inches

Iowa: 13 feet 6 inches (excluding safety equipment up to 6 inches)

Kansas: 14 feet

Kentucky: 13 feet 6 inches

Louisiana: 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads)

Maine: 13 feet 6 inches

Maryland: 13 feet 6 inches

Massachusetts: 13 feet 6 inches

Michigan: 13 feet 6 inches

Minnesota: 13 feet 6 inches

Mississippi: 13 feet 6 inches

Missouri: 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads)

Montana: 14 feet

Nebraska: 14 feet 6 inches

Nevada: 14 feet

New Hampshire: 13 feet 6 inches

New Jersey: 13 feet 6 inches

New Mexico: 14 feet

New York: 13 feet 6 inches

North Carolina: 13 feet 6 inches

North Dakota: 14 feet

Ohio: 13 feet 6 inches

Oklahoma: 13 feet 6 inches

Oregon: 14 feet

Pennsylvania: 13 feet 6 inches

Rhode Island: 13 feet 6 inches

South Carolina: 13 feet 6 inches

South Dakota: 14 feet

Tennessee: 13 feet 6 inches

Texas: 14 feet

Utah: 14 feet

Vermont: 13 feet 6 inches

Virginia: 13 feet 6 inches

Washington: 14 feet

West Virginia: 13 feet 6 inches

Wisconsin: 13 feet 6 inches

Wyoming: 14 feet

Puerto Rico: 13 feet 6 inches

Tips to Avoid Damaging Your 5^th Wheel Camper

After you purchase your 5^th wheel camper you are going to be filled with excitement. Finally, you have the thing you need to go wherever you want in the country. Now you can travel as much as you like and wherever you like. However, you need to be careful with your camper or it could be damaged. You do not want that, especially when it is brand new. Here we will talk about a few things you can do to avoid damaging your 5^th wheel camper.

1. Use a Proper RV GPS – (Not Waze)

Before you start your first RV trip you will need to purchase an RV GPS. You will have plenty of options to choose from, but it is important to go with a proper RV GPS. Waze is an option that you will come across that might be intriguing. However, you should use a regular RV GPS instead.

The problem with Waze is that it doesn’t know how tall your rig is so sometimes it will route you down roads that could have a bridge you can’t drive under. As a result, there is a chance that your RV could get damaged as you make your way through narrow passages that your RV can barely fit through.

An RV GPS will take the size of your vehicle into account and plan out your trip accordingly. So, you will not need to worry about the roads you are traveling on with a proper RV GPS.

We like the RV GPS offered by Garmin. The Garmin RV 785 is a perfect GPS for any 5th Wheel or RV. And it comes with a Dash Camera too!

2. Plan Your Route

You should always plan out your route before you start your trip. Even if you prefer to fly by the seat of your pants when you are traveling in a car, you should not do this in an RV. Having your route planned out is important because you cannot travel on every road with your RV.

As a result, if you are just going in the general direction of your destination, you might need to double back at some point because you cannot go on a certain road. Having your trip planned out will save you a lot of time in the long term.

3. Do Not Forget to Add the Height of the AC Unit

Measuring the height of your 5^th wheel camper is one of the most important steps in the preparation process. Failing to do this can lead to disastrous crashes when you try to go through a tunnel or under a bridge. While most people will measure the height of their RV, many will forget to add the height of the air conditioning unit on top of the camper.

The AC unit generally goes on the top of the 5th wheel, and as a result, it adds up to one foot of height. You need to make sure you take this into account when measuring the height of your RV. Otherwise, your AC might clip the roof of a tunnel or the underside of a bridge.

4. Slow Down Under Bridges

Finally, you should always slow down when you are going through a tunnel or under a bridge in an RV or 5^th wheel camper. This is especially important if the clearance is going to be tight. The reason you slow down is to make sure that your RV does not bounce when going over bumps or move up and down in any way because of its suspension.

Slowing down will help you make it under the bridge without any issues. It might seem tedious to slow down, but you will be happy you did it when your trailer makes it safely under the bridge. The last thing you want is to damage your RV because you were not patient. So, take your time and you will be on your way safe and sound.

Examples of 5^th Wheel Heights

Brand	Model	Height
Keystone	3120 RL	13’ 4”
Keystone	3855 BR	13’ 5”
Keystone	3781 RL	13’ 4”
Forest River	271 RK	12’ 11”
Forest River	335 RLX	13’ 3”
Forest River	832 CLSB	11’ 7”
Forest River	37 MRE	13’ 4”
Jayco	24 RE	13’ 0”
Jayco	317 RLOK	12’ 11”
Jayco	310 RLTS	13’ 4”

Enjoy Your 5^th Wheel Camper

After reading our article, we hope you have all the information you need to know to answer the question: How tall is a 5th wheel camper? We know there is a lot of information to absorb, but it should all be helpful as you move forward. Purchasing a 5^th wheel camper is a big commitment to make, so you want to take care of it. The last thing you want is to damage your camper because you did not properly measure the height. So, take your time with your preparation and you will have a much safer time on your vacation.

After you purchase your 5^th wheel trailer you will probably be filled with excitement. You will want to get on the road immediately to start your first trip as soon as you can. However, before you can do that you need to check a few things.

First, you need to measure the height of your camper when it is hitched to your vehicle. This will let you know which bridges and tunnels you have clearance for. Additionally, you need to plan out your trip with your RV GPS so that you do not end up on roads that are unfit for RVs. Then you will be ready for your trip to start.