Measuring RV Dimensions For Safe Clearance

Fact: everyone who operates an RV, trailer, motorhome or fifth wheel should measure the dimensions of their rig. Fiction: it’s okay to take the dealer’s measurements for granted, whatever the sticker says is final. Want to know why that second sentence is false, and the first is true? In this lesson, we discuss exactly that, and explain why it’s so important to passenger safety (and that of your rig) that you measure RV dimensions for yourself.

Proper clearance on the top and sides, front and back of any vehicle must take every attached object into account. When the dealer shows you a rig, they tend to include in the list of RV dimensions only the height, width and length of the body itself. They do not typically factor in measurements of such things as mirrors, ladders, roof vents and slide rooms. So imagine what might happen if you’re entering a tunnel or pulling into a campground space and you can’t guarantee your RV will fit. The panic as you realize your don’t actually know your RV dimensions…oh boy!

To avoid that ever being an issue, RV expert Dave Solberg walks you through a quick demonstration for measuring your rig. You’ll learn the proper way to check the height, width and length of any vehicle, and discover a simple tip that will ensure you never forget those dimensions when you need them most!