how high is a van?

Post by **iggi** » 18 Jun 2006, 18:12

Anyone got a good technique for measuring the the height of your van?
Ferry bookings ask me for this and I've tended to just guess up till now.
The highest point of my pop-top is the roof window, so can't just measure down the side.
I've a feeling something involving a stepladder, a metre stick and a steady hand might be the answer!

Post by **Cate** » 18 Jun 2006, 19:23

Thats sounds about the best method.

But you can guarantee that you are just 1 cm higher than the height barrier you just hit.

Post by **Motoberg** » 18 Jun 2006, 21:47

This is actually a good point, talking of pop tops, are one type/make any lower or higher than another when closed ? ( heights anyone purleez ? )

Yes its a 'can I get in a car park' question but being a newbie and looking for my first camper, I would obviously like to know.

If I cant get in with a pop top then I'd buy a high top any way

Cheers

Post by **Mocki** » 19 Jun 2006, 14:49

i measured mine with a 6ft long peice of wood and a sprit level and a tape measure..........

put the wood over the roof from left to right ( across the roof) with the sprit level first on the roof and then on the wood, to make sure the hieght was the same both sides then measure from the wood to the floor both sides, giving the hieght of the roof, i then added the 2 " the roof vent sticks up and i know the cleance i need........... all 9ft2 of it.....

as for pop tops and car parks........... hahahaha, most you wont get into, standard barriers are 6ft or 6ft6 ......the odd one or two are higher.....

Post by **iggi** » 20 Jun 2006, 13:35

Thanks for the ideas.
I'll need to dismantle one of my Ikea wardrobes (easily done) to get the 6ft piece of wood!

I've noticed carparks in France usually have a section with no parking barrier for higher vehicles, not so in UK however.
My rooflight has been smashed in the past - by a garage carrying out repairs on the van! Maybe I should remove the roof window before going on a ferry, might save me a few bob.

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 20 Jun 2006, 16:35

I think they just need it roughly so long as you dont TTP they only do a visual , at least thats what I've noticed. OR if you really want to measure the height of the rooflight and add it to the height of the pop top.

Post by **Horza** » 20 Jun 2006, 19:47

Park in an empty flat carpark. Take known length of clothesline and pull it out tight from the corner of the roof at the highest point on the side to the tarmac, mark this point. Measure from the point to the side of the van directly under where you stuck the line. The height of your van is the root of the length of your washing line squared minus the distance from the van of your mark squared plus 2.5" for the roof light or there abouts.