Height of Fifth Wheel

Adda · 02-04-2017, 02:48 PM

I'm getting a little concerned about the height of my Forest River WildCat maxx 5th wheel (2015 272rlx). Right now it is 13 feet high as measured in the garage with a laser. That's okay for most roadway travel. I can certainly monitor that. The problem is trees and overhangs in campgrounds and parks. I have found some scrape (minor) marks on the AC housing. I really try to monitor above and go slow. I am currently thinking about mounting a camera on top facing forward. I did a Google search and found one guy who had done this. Anyone else try it?

**Mr. Dan** · 02-04-2017, 02:52 PM

I haven't tried it - but if I did, I'd use a very cheap camera because I'd drag it off on a limb my first trip out!

NMWildcat · 02-04-2017, 03:00 PM

Interesting idea, but I personally don't feel the need for it. When worried about height in campgrounds we always get out and look. Don't know if a camera would improve on that or not.

But if it gives you peace of mind, might be worth the trouble.

formerFR · 02-04-2017, 03:07 PM

yes, typically the height is really only a concern when entering and maneuvering through rv parks, campgrounds, and down rural roads where tree limb overhangs are a concern...many times I've take the middle of the road just to keep limbs from hitting - though I'm actually more concerned about a limb running down the side of the coach causing a big scratch in the paint versus a limb touching the roof. Generally your AC units are the highest point of the coach but can also more easily handle a limb scrape than the roof or the sidewalls can...
the more you travel, the more you'll get the feel of 'where' the line is when it comes to whether a limb is going to touch or scrape your roof or sidewalls... but it just takes a while. Maneuvering thru a campground is one thing, someone can hop out and walk along side to help, but riding down a road with traffic and low limbs is another : )

aceinspp · 02-04-2017, 03:13 PM

After attending the Atlanta RV show it seems all the manufactures making 5th wheels are getting taller and taller. Ones I saw where in the 13ft-6 range. getting ridiculous. Glade I'm back to a tt nut much worries now. Later RJD

dalford · 02-04-2017, 03:14 PM

I purchased a golf ball retriever and marked it at the heights of my sides and the highest point of my roof. If in question for a sight or any obstruction I extend it out and do a check.

It retracts to a short pole that is easily stored in the basement...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

formerFR · 02-04-2017, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aceinspp

After attending the Atlanta RV show it seems all the manufactures making 5th wheels are getting taller and taller. Ones I saw where in the 13ft-6 range. getting ridiculous. Glade I'm back to a tt nut much worries now. Later RJD

the legal height for over-the-road highway vehicles is 13'6", just like the maximum width is 8'6".... every builder will try to use as much of this as possible to make their units with the most room and usable space inside, as well as thicker roof structures, etc.

...but, your 'overall' maximum height INCLUDES the AC units, Antennas, etc... so THEY are the items that are generally at the maximum height, not the actual roof itself, unless you consider the Thor Outlaw - it's rear is very high due to it's 'tow hauler' feature, and they move the AC unit(s) to the lower middle of the coach roof.

Adda · 02-04-2017, 06:08 PM

Great idea with the golf ball retriever. I will have to get one. We live in area with lots of leaning trees over the roadway so thats what my main concern is. I don't know if a roof-top cam would even be beneficial unless it had remarkable resolution.
Thanks for the information.

dalford · 02-04-2017, 06:36 PM

There is also this product that will measure the height for you. You have to slow down or stop to give it time to measure but it measures pretty quickly (4 times/sec).. $200.. less than a camera..

Collision Alert & Overhead Protection System by GiraffeG4

Adda · 02-04-2017, 08:09 PM

Thank you Dalford. I've never heard of this unit and it may be exactly what I need. I will do some research. Thanks again.

donanddona · 02-05-2017, 01:22 PM

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bosch-Laser...surer/50429976

dalford · 02-05-2017, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donanddona

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bosch-Laser...surer/50429976

That is another good option. Place it out the passenger window on a reference height and it should do the same thing as the girrafe4g.. plus it can be used for other purposes.. great idea

dalford · 02-05-2017, 01:53 PM

One thought on the handheld laser measuring device.. the beam is pretty tight I would assume and may be hard to aim to a tree limb.. I don't know for a fact but would research beam width. I would think a wider beam would give you a better overall measurement for tree obstruction... don't know for a fact, just wonder.

byoslandry · 02-05-2017, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adda

I'm getting a little concerned about the height of my Forest River WildCat maxx 5th wheel (2015 272rlx). Right now it is 13 feet high as measured in the garage with a laser. That's okay for most roadway travel. I can certainly monitor that. The problem is trees and overhangs in campgrounds and parks. I have found some scrape (minor) marks on the AC housing. I really try to monitor above and go slow. I am currently thinking about mounting a camera on top facing forward. I did a Google search and found one guy who had done this. Anyone else try it?

Yes, I did that on my last 5th wheel. In fact I had four cameras. One on top looking forward, one looking rearward on the back of the 5th, one looking at all 4 tires underneath and one under the rear bumper of my Dodge :-) I had a Quad processor with a 10" monitor mounted on dashboard. I could call up one camera, two or four at a time..
I used the rear facing camera and the top forward looking camera the most when pulling into an RV park with low limbs :-)

markb422 · 02-05-2017, 05:10 PM

Good idea. I will let my brother in law know about it. He will be doing a complete roof replacement this spring on his brand new 5th wheel.

byoslandry · 02-05-2017, 06:49 PM

Just curious. Why would your bother-in-law have to replace the roof on a new 5th wheel? Did he hit a limb?
Be safe
Byron

markb422 · 02-05-2017, 07:49 PM

Yes. And the fact it is new he did not want to just patch it. Nor would I.

Adda · 02-06-2017, 11:18 AM

Dang Mark, thats too bad. Good luck to him.

Thanks to all for the great suggestions. I'm sure there are others out there that have been helped.

Adda · 02-06-2017, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byoslandry

Yes, I did that on my last 5th wheel. In fact I had four cameras. One on top looking forward, one looking rearward on the back of the 5th, one looking at all 4 tires underneath and one under the rear bumper of my Dodge :-) I had a Quad processor with a 10" monitor mounted on dashboard. I could call up one camera, two or four at a time..
I used the rear facing camera and the top forward looking camera the most when pulling into an RV park with low limbs :-)

Thanks for your reply. What did you use for the processor? Were your cameras wireless? And what kind were they? How was the resolution? I was thinking of a small computer called a raspberrypi3. I've used them in other applications and they are very capable.

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