Community Forums

Doug427 · 02-03-2022, 12:50 PM

I know this sounds like a silly question, but do you have an easy way to accurately measure the height of your RV?? I can think of a bunch of ways to do it, but they're all cumbersome and prone to error. I can't help but think there's a simple and easy way to do this accurately that I haven't thought of. I've thought of laying a board on the highest attachment on the roof and trying to level it and then measure to the ground, etc. but that's very error prone. Just a degree off level can be over an inch error. What did you guys do?

MRUSA14 · 02-03-2022, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug427

I know this sounds like a silly question, but do you have an easy way to accurately measure the height of your RV?? I can think of a bunch of ways to do it, but they're all cumbersome and prone to error. I can't help but think there's a simple and easy way to do this accurately that I haven't thought of. I've thought of laying a board on the highest attachment on the roof and trying to level it and then measure to the ground, etc. but that's very error prone. Just a degree off level can be over an inch error. What did you guys do?

I did what you said. I laid a 10 foot board across my air conditioner which is the highest point on my roof and levelled it with a carpenter's level. I then propped it in position so it would not move, and with a tape measure I measured the height of the board on each side of the coach. Both measurements were within an inch of each other so I took the larger number and adopted that as my coach official height. If you have air suspension, make sure you do this with suspension fully aired up.

US1 · 02-03-2022, 01:13 PM

The measurement at both ends of the board is most accurate.

Unplanned Tourist · 02-03-2022, 01:22 PM

If you are close to any low underpasses, be sure to add 4-5 inches (10-12 cm) to your height because you never know if a new layer of pavement has been put down, or you could bounce up at the wrong time.

153stars · 02-03-2022, 01:27 PM

Cheap.A water tube level and plumb bob off a ladder. The measure the string.
Better more expensive.... laser level.
With in an inch either way is not terrible considering air suspension, road grades ect. anyway.
When setting equipment even what looks/seems like nice level concrete is not, so you set on studs with and jack bolts then grout the feet, or grout entire flat base .

Jkwilson1989 · 02-03-2022, 01:57 PM

Do the board thing, but don’t worry about the level. On flat, level ground, and if it’s a towed unit hitched to the truck, measure each end of the board to the ground. Flip the board over and measure again. The largest measurement is your safe number as it keeps a warped board from causing your measurement to be too short. Write the number on a sticker and place it where you can see it while driving.

If you have doubts about how flat the ground is repeat in another spot.

US1 · 02-03-2022, 02:01 PM

I forgot to mention, by using a long board overreaching both sides and measuring down to the ground at both ends, you dont have to be concerned about levelness. In fact, if the ground is unlevel and you level a board, you will get an error if measuring just 1 end of the board.

Flyer15015 · 02-03-2022, 02:16 PM

The bottom edge of the rafters in my barn are exactly 16' off the pad.
I just measure down from them and do the math.

Mike in Colorado

MSHappyCampers · 02-03-2022, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jkwilson1989

Do the board thing, but don’t worry about the level. On flat, level ground, and if it’s a towed unit hitched to the truck, measure each end of the board to the ground. Flip the board over and measure again. The largest measurement is your safe number as it keeps a warped board from causing your measurement to be too short. Write the number on a sticker and place it where you can see it while driving.

If you have doubts about how flat the ground is repeat in another spot.

I guess I'm not understanding your suggestion. I don't see how this could be accurate without leveling the board.

bigb56 · 02-03-2022, 02:24 PM

Doesn't anyone just measure from the ground to the roof top then measure the AC (or highest object on roof) and add the two numbers together?

MSHappyCampers · 02-03-2022, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigb56

Doesn't anyone just measure from the ground to the roof top then measure the AC (or highest object on roof) and add the two numbers together?

That's what I did. I measured to the roof, then used a long carpenter's level on the top of the satellite dish which is the highest point.

edge68474 · 02-03-2022, 02:39 PM

I put 2 2x4'sx8ft almost end to end to get a total of 14 feet. Measured from 10 foot up to 14 every 6 inches with a felt pen. Then I had a buddy hold it level on the ground and I went up on top, my AC is the highest point, and with a laser level sighted off the 14 foot 2x4. Pretty easy really. In my case, you do have to climb up onto the roof though.

rrsutherland · 02-03-2022, 02:40 PM

Hmm....if the sign says 13' 6" and I measured 13' 4" I aint doin' it!!

So tryin to get within a half inch or so on your total height is just exercise imho!

US1 · 02-03-2022, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I guess I'm not understanding your suggestion. I don't see how this could be accurate without leveling the board.

As long as the measurement at both ends of the board are the same, then that’s the rv height. You could have the rv parked sideways on a hillside and this is just as accurate. Levelness s a non issue using this method.