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How to measure your truck’s height
A few careful measurements can help you avoid costly clearance mistakes.
Why it matters
Bridge alerts depend on the height you enter. Even a one-inch error can make a difference at a low clearance. Measure your vehicle rather than relying only on published specifications.
How to measure
- Park on level ground with the vehicle loaded as it will be during your trip.
- Identify the highest point, including roof-mounted equipment, antennas, racks, or cargo.
- Measure vertically from the ground to that point. Use a suitable measuring pole or have another person help with a tape measure.
- Round the measurement up to the next whole inch and keep a record where you can easily check it.
Things that change your height
- Load and suspension. Vehicle height can change with cargo weight, tire condition, and suspension settings.
- Accessories. Roof-mounted equipment, tarps, racks, and other additions may increase overall height.
- Trailers. Trailer height may change with the load. Measure the trailer in its loaded configuration.
Check your paperwork
Rental-truck clearance heights may appear on vehicle labels or in rental documents. Use those figures as a reference, but verify the height of the truck you’re actually driving.
Safety: Measure only when the vehicle is safely parked. Do not rely on a phone camera to estimate clearance height.
Ready to create your vehicle profile? See how Terrapin handles vehicle measurements.