If you’re looking forward to buying or renting an RV for your next trip, you’ll have plenty of options to consider based on the manufacturer, size, height, etc. An important measurement you need to consider is the RV’s interior height.
So, what exactly is the average interior height of an RV?
The average interior height of an RV is between 6.5 and 7 feet. Class-A RVs, which are the tallest, have an average interior height of 7 feet, while smaller Class-B RVs, average 6 feet.
Read on to find out more about the average interior height of RVs and other related important information. Happy reading!
Why Knowing the Average Interior Height of an RV is Important
RVs come in many different types, shapes, and sizes. The interior height of an RV is an important specification to consider before you buy or rent one.
You need to choose an RV that is tall enough to comfortably fit you and your family members. If you’re traveling with somebody who is quite tall (about 6.5 feet), you’ll need to choose an RV with an interior height of at least 7 feet.
On average, the interior height of an average-sized RV is somewhere between 6.5 feet (Class C) and 7 feet (Class A). For Class B RVs, the average interior height is about 6 feet, while for fifth-wheel trailers, it can go up to 8 feet.
In the next section, we’ll shed light on the average exterior height of RVs and explain how much it differs from the interior height.
The Average Exterior Height of an RV
The average exterior height of an RV is between 10 and 12 feet. It is of course greater than the average interior height but what exactly is the average difference between the exterior and interior heights of an RV?
Usually, the exterior and interior heights of an RV differ by 4 to 6 feet, but the difference can be smaller than 4 feet or greater than 6 feet in some cases.
Below, we list down the average exterior height range for 5 different categories of RVs (both drivable and trailer/towed style) .
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Class A RV: 12.5 to 14 feet (avg. 13 feet)
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Class B RV: 7 to 9 feet (avg. 8 feet)
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Class C RV: 10.5 to 12 feet (avg. 11 feet)
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Fifth Wheel trailers: 12 to 13 feet (avg. 12.5 feet)
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Travel trailers: 11 to 12 feet (avg. 11.5 feet)
What is the average height of a bridge?
Driving an RV requires lots of knowledge and skill you don’t normally need when driving a regular car. Due to their huge dimensions, you have to be more careful with RVs when driving on public roads and highways.
A common problem many people who don’t have a lot of experience with RVs face is deciding whether their vehicle will fit under a bridge that is coming up ahead. This is a high-stakes situation as a miscalculation can have disastrous consequences.
To help you understand if your RV can fit under a particular bridge, we’ve listed down the minimum clearance heights for bridges on different types of roads in both urban and rural areas below. This information is taken from the Federal Highway Administration.
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Freeways: 14 to 16 feet (4.3 to 4.9 m)
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Arterial roads (highways): 14 to 16 feet (4.3 to 4.9 m)
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Collectors (roads that connect to arterial roads/highways): 14 feet (4.3 m)
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Local roads: 14 feet (4.3 m)
How to Measure the External Height of an RV
Knowing the correct external height of your RV is very important when you’re driving on public roads and highways.
While the exact height is mentioned in the manufacturer’s manual or on the website, you can also measure the height yourself quickly and easily. You’ll need two people to do it: one on the roof of the RV and one on the ground.
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Make sure the RV is parked on level ground and is in travel mode.
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The person on the roof should drop down a measuring tape (from the top-most part of the RV) to the person below. The person on the ground should make sure the tape is vertically straight before taking a reading.
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After taking the first measurement, two more should be taken to make sure the measured height is accurate.
3 Tips for Traveling in an RV Safely
Traveling in an RV can be a quite fun experience but it is important to keep some safety and general traveling guidelines in mind to have a safe journey.
Here, we mention some useful tips and suggestions for traveling in your RV and storing it when you’re not on the road.
1. Correctly measure your RV before a trip
Even though you may already know the height of your RV from the manual or the manufacturer’s website, it is a good idea to measure it yourself since the manufacturer’s figures can be slightly different sometimes.
Also, make sure you know the minimum clearance height for different types of bridges (which we’ve previously mentioned in this guide).
2. Plan a route before you go
Planning the perfect route before you set off is of vital importance and saves you a lot of time. You can plan your route to avoid traffic, find out bridges big enough for your RV (and those that aren’t), and stop for gas, food, and other supplies at convenient points.
Having a GPS and a detailed road map is also quite useful.
3. Store your RV properly when not in use
Storing your RV properly when it’s not in use is very important. An enclosed storage area protects your RV from the weather and animals in the area that might cause damage.
Since residential garages aren’t tall enough to store most RVs, you’ll need to look for special enclosed storage spaces in your area.
Closing Thoughts
The average interior height of an RV can vary depending on its type, but it is usually between 6.5 and 7 feet. In this guide, we discussed the average heights of different types of RVs (and bridges too) and put forth other helpful tips for you. We hope you found this guide useful!
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(featured image: jayco.com)
Erick is a freelance writer and outdoor enthusiast. Growing up in Nairobi Kenya and now calling Glasgow, United Kingdom home. Sipping on homemade spiced swahili tea and enjoying a good book is his idea of bliss.