How To Measure Height For Custom Travel Trailer Covers
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Travel trailers are tall. Most people forget this until they try to park one under something. Then they remember real fast.
The AC unit on your roof adds another foot, maybe more. The vents stick up. The antenna might be up there too. You need clearance for all of it.
Getting the height wrong on travel trailer covers is expensive. You cannot just raise the roof later. You have to build it right the first time. This guide shows you exactly how to measure so you get it right. For a complete overview of all RV cover options and considerations, see the complete guide to RV covers.
Calculating Your Leg Height
Your leg height is the distance from the ground to the bottom of the roof frame. This is different from the overall height, which includes the roof pitch.
Common Measurement Mistakes
Most people measure their trailer wrong. Here are the three biggest mistakes:
- Measuring only to the top of the trailer body
- Forgetting the AC unit adds 10 to 14 inches
- Not accounting for clearance space
Step-by-Step Measurement Process
Follow these steps to measure correctly:
- Park your trailer on level ground
- Get a tape measure
- Measure from ground to the highest roof point
- Add 12 inches minimum clearance
- Round up to the next standard height
The highest point is your AC unit 99% of the time. Some trailers have satellite dishes or antenna mounts. Measure to the top of whatever is tallest.
Why Extra Clearance Matters
You need at least 12 inches of clearance above your tallest point. Here is why:
- Trailers bounce when you tow them
- Suspension compresses and extends over bumps
- Driveways often have dips or slopes
- AC units cost $1,500 to replace
If your highest point is 11 feet, you need at least 12 feet of leg height. I would go 13 feet to be safe. That extra foot of clearance is cheap insurance against ripping your AC unit off.
Standard Leg Heights for Travel Trailers
| Trailer Type | Typical Height | Recommended Leg Height |
|---|---|---|
| Small travel trailer (no AC) | 9-10 feet | 11-12 feet |
| Standard travel trailer with AC | 10-11 feet | 12-13 feet |
| Large travel trailer with accessories | 11-12 feet | 13-14 feet |
The leg height affects your cost. Taller legs mean more steel. But skimping here is stupid. Saving $200 now means potentially destroying a $1,500 AC unit later.
Height Rounding Rule
If your measurement falls between standard heights, always round up:
- 12’6″ measurement means you order 13 feet
- 13’3″ measurement means you order 14 feet
- Never round down
Physics does not care about your budget.
Standard Widths for Towables
Width is simpler than height, but people still mess it up.
Width Requirements by Trailer Type
A standard travel trailer body is about 8 feet wide, not including mirrors or accessories. Here are the recommended cover widths:
For Standard Travel Trailers (No Slide-Outs):
- Trailer body width is 8 feet
- Recommended cover width is 12 feet
- Gives 2 feet of space on each side
- Allows room to walk and open compartments
For Travel Trailers with Slide-Outs:
- Slide-outs extend 2 to 3 feet per side
- Recommended cover width is 18 feet
- Provides room for deployed slides plus walking space
- Prevents damage when slides are extended
Why 12 Feet Instead of 10 Feet?
You need working space around your trailer. A 12-foot cover gives you:
- Room to walk on both sides
- Space to open compartment doors
- Access to trailer features without hitting the frame
- Comfortable maneuvering space
Twelve feet gives you about 2 feet of space on each side. That is enough to walk comfortably. It is not wasteful, it is practical.
Width and Wind Load Relationship
| Cover Width | Wind Resistance | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 12 feet | High stability | Single trailers, better wind performance |
| 14-16 feet | Moderate stability | Extra room, still stable |
| 18 feet | Lower stability | Slide-outs, multiple units |
| 20+ feet | Lowest stability | Custom applications only |
Wider structures catch more wind. In the South, we get storms. A 12-foot wide cover is more stable in high winds than a 20-foot wide one. Less surface area means less wind force.
Special Sizing Situations
Some trailers need custom sizing:
- Toy haulers may need 14 to 16 feet
- Fifth wheels often need 14 to 18 feet
- Multiple trailers side-by-side need 24+ feet
For standard travel trailers, stick with 12 or 18 feet. Metal America selected these widths based on thousands of installations across the United States.
Anchoring Your Cover
A steel cover is useless if it blows away in a storm. Anchoring matters.
Concrete Pad Installations
For concrete slabs, wedge anchors are the standard:
- Expansion anchors bolt through the base rail
- Drill into concrete for secure hold
- Included with every Metal America building
- Professional installation recommended
Concrete anchors provide the strongest hold. They are the preferred method when available.
Dirt and Gravel Installations
For dirt or gravel, you need mobile home anchors:
- Auger-style anchors that screw into ground
- Look like giant corkscrews
- Penetrate at least 30 inches deep
- One anchor needed per 10 feet of perimeter
Calculating Required Anchors
Here is how to calculate anchor quantity:
- Add all four sides of your cover
- Divide total perimeter by 10
- Round up to next whole number
Example for 12×25 Travel Trailer Cover:
- Perimeter is 12 + 25 + 12 + 25 = 74 feet
- Divide 74 by 10 = 7.4 anchors
- Round up to 8 anchors
Mobile home anchors cost about $35 each installed. For this example, that is $280 for anchors. That sounds like a lot until a random wind storm rips your $8,000 cover out of the ground.
Soil Type Considerations
| Soil Type | Anchor Performance | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Clay | Excellent holding power | Standard anchors work well |
| Loam | Good holding power | Standard anchors sufficient |
| Sand | Moderate holding power | May need extra anchors |
| Rock | Poor holding power | Concrete pads recommended |
Clay soil holds anchors better than sand. Rocky soil is the worst because you cannot get deep penetration. If you have rocky soil, you might need concrete pads or additional anchors.
Extreme Wind Locations
If you are in a coastal area or high-wind zone, consider upgrades:
- Additional anchor points beyond standard spacing
- Concrete footers instead of ground anchors
- Augmented anchoring systems
- Professional engineering consultation
Standard mobile home anchors handle 140 mph winds when properly installed. Extreme locations may need enhanced systems.
Installation Standards
Metal America installs anchors during setup:
- Installation crew brings all anchors
- Anchors placed at engineered points
- Minimum 30-inch ground penetration
- Base rail attachment at each anchor point
Never install travel trailer covers on unlevel ground without proper anchors. The wind will find a way. Proper anchoring is not optional.
Travel Trailer Covers: Height Requirements Explained
Q: How tall should travel trailer covers be?
A: Your travel trailer cover leg height should be at least 12 inches taller than your trailer’s highest point, including AC units. For most travel trailers, this means 12 to 14-foot leg heights. Measure from ground to the top of your AC unit, then add a foot of clearance. Never round down on measurements.
Quick Reference: Measurement Checklist
Use this checklist before ordering your travel trailer cover:
Height Measurements:
- Trailer parked on level ground
- Measured to highest roof point (usually AC unit)
- Added 12 inches minimum clearance
- Rounded up to next standard height (12′, 13′, or 14′)
Width Selection:
- Standard trailer with no slide-outs needs 12′ width
- Trailer with slide-outs needs 18′ width
- Verified walking space on both sides
Anchor Planning:
- Calculated total perimeter of cover
- Divided by 10 to determine anchor count
- Confirmed soil type for anchor compatibility
- Added anchors to order if installing on dirt
Get Your Measurements Right
These measurements matter. Wrong numbers cost money, time, and frustration when your trailer does not fit.
What You Need to Do Today:
- Measure your trailer height to the AC unit
- Write down the body width
- Add 12 inches to height for clearance
- Choose 12 feet wide for standard trailers or 18 feet for slide-outs
- Count your anchors if installing on dirt
If you are in a winter climate or want maximum protection, check out our guide on the best travel trailer covers for winter for additional considerations about insulation and cold weather performance.
Metal America builds custom travel trailer covers based on your exact measurements. We do not guess. We do not estimate. We build what you need. The quote is good for 30 days. The building lasts for decades.
Get it right the first time.
