Height Specifications

[bgrhrdt]

OK - this may be a stupid question, but I'd rather feel stupid here instead of later...

I have a 2021 Cougar 290RLS and according to the Keystone specs, my height is 13' 4"

That figure includes the height of the Air Conditioners that were factory installed...right?

[dutchmensport]

Yes, but you should still measure the height of your camper yourself and not trust the advertised information. Then put a sticker in your tow vehicle with the height written down so you'll never forget or confuse it.

[JRTJH]

Probably not, if the front air conditioner is an "optional item"...

The brochure specifications are for a "typical trailer built with all standard accessories".... So, if the front A/C is optional, it's not in the specification chart.

Also, ALWAYS remember that with any fifth wheel, the height of the trailer roof will be determined by the tow vehicle hitch height. Not all tow vehicles have a "standardized hitch height" and certainly not all fifth wheels are hitch "level". That means a trailer being towed by a "tall truck" may very well be towed "pin high" which might add 3 or 4 (or more) inches of height.

So, the "standard build trailer" may have a brochure height of 12'3", and with the optional front A/C may have a "real world height" of 12'7" and that may be hitched to a "tall truck" that lifts the pin another 5" making the actual "top of the optional A/C 13' above the roadway....

That's a 9" difference between the brochure and reality, and that's not at all unusual....

So, if your trailer is "close to the 13'6" "limit" in the brochure specs, you might find that you're potentially 9" or even more, above that "brochure boast"..... That could make for a very disappointing "first tow through a tunnel"....

What I always do with my trailers is hitch to the tow vehicle, tow to a level area (like a WalMart parking lot), stand back and find the tallest roof structure. Then I climb on the roof, put a 2x4 on that spot, level it as best I can and measure from the 2x4 to the ground on BOTH ends of the 2x4. If both ends are the same height, that's the measurement. If there's a bit of difference in the measurements, then averaging them (assuming the ground is level and flat) will give you a more accurate measurement.

[bgrhrdt]

Thanks everyone for the information and hints.

My trailer is on a level driveway right now. The rear end of the tilted front AC seems to be the highest point. At that point, 13' 4" seems about right.

What I'm going to do is measure the bottom of the nose to the ground and then re-measure that once I get it hooked up to the truck and everything settles. Then I'll make adjustments.

Thanks for the help.

[Javi]

Originally Posted by bgrhrdt

Thanks everyone for the information and hints.

My trailer is on a level driveway right now. The rear end of the tilted front AC seems to be the highest point. At that point, 13' 4" seems about right.

What I'm going to do is measure the bottom of the nose to the ground and then re-measure that once I get it hooked up to the truck and everything settles. Then I'll make adjustments.

Thanks for the help.

Or, just avoid anything that ain't at least 14 foot high

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Javi

Or, just avoid anything that ain't at least 14 foot high

^^^^This would be right!! Even at 14' I would still crawl through and be a hazard to traffic.

[Javi]

Originally Posted by sourdough

^^^^This would be right!! Even at 14' I would still crawl through and be a hazard to traffic.

My Avalanche with the 15K A/C on the front is 13' 8" on dead level ground when hitched to the dually..

[bgrhrdt]

Originally Posted by Javi

Or, just avoid anything that ain't at least 14 foot high

That would be great if I could. I'm planning to go to a KOA in Pueblo just off I-25. Coming from the south, exit 108 takes you under the interstate with a clearance of just 13' 3". The other option is to go another 2 miles, take exit 110, with a clearance of 13' 10" and double back.

[sourdough]

I'd hook up and get up there and measure and.....I wouldn't be using that 13'3" no how, I'd just drive up on the road and come back...and still be very careful. A little bump, hump, dead armadillo - who knows.

[Javi]

Originally Posted by bgrhrdt

That would be great if I could. I'm planning to go to a KOA in Pueblo just off I-25. Coming from the south, exit 108 takes you under the interstate with a clearance of just 13' 3". The other option is to go another 2 miles, take exit 110, with a clearance of 13' 10" and double back.

Good luck, but as many trucks as run in and out of Pueblo you'd think the federal minimum for interstate clearance of 16 feet would be there.

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/50vertical.cfm

[bsmith0404]

I’m surprised a Cougar is that tall. The front AC is typically on the forward slope of the roof. My Alpine is only 13’4” with a full profile roof line. They have to use a low profile AC on the front to stay under the 13’6” restrictions. My rule of thumb is simple, if a semi can go, I can go. Always take truck routes. I know NM marks all their over passes 6” shorter than what they actually are, but I don’t use that information to justify going somewhere I shouldn’t.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by Javi

My Avalanche with the 15K A/C on the front is 13' 8" on dead level ground when hitched to the dually..

Uh oh…. Do you get your oversized load permit when you travel east of the Mississippi?

[bgrhrdt]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

I’m surprised a Cougar is that tall. The front AC is typically on the forward slip of the roof.

Here are a couple photos of the front AC - not the best pictures, but...

[bsmith0404]

Yeah the back of the AC is definitely the tallest point. It’s also a full profile AC, guess Keystone figured it’s good to go as long as it’s under the 13’6” limit. BTW, I would guess the height specs listed are including the AC. If they didn’t, that AC would bust the 13’5” limit and they would need transporters to get oversized permits to move them.

[bgrhrdt]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

YI would guess the height specs listed are including the AC.

Now I just have to hook it up and make sure it goes down not up!

[Javi]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

Uh oh…. Do you get your oversized load permit when you travel east of the Mississippi?

I don't leave Texas nowadays, they don't like my kind of folks in them blue states.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by Javi

I don't leave Texas nowadays, they don't like my kind of folks in them blue states.

Even better reason to go. I’m hoping someday TX will rub off on NM.

[JRTJH]

If I remember some of those "under the interstate tunnels" around Pueblo, they are one lane "square culverts" and you stop, blow your horn and wait before entering "never, never land"... If I were you, I'd seriously consider the extra 4 miles to go to a "real underpass" rather than risk the concrete culverts as a way to get to the other side.....

[bsmith0404]

I’d go 20 miles up the road to the KOA in CO Springs, or 8 miles out of town to Haggards. It’s out in the middle of no where, but it’s quiet

[Zoe]

Our 11’10” Cougar half ton, as advertised and “verified” by Keystone and the dealer, who wouldn’t for safety and liability reasons let us measure the unit properly while on company property is….11’11 3/4”. Our barn door is exactly 12’. Yup…. One reply mentioned crawling, yes, and it goes in- just barely.