Measure the actual outer dimensions of your camper—overall length, width, and height—since the manufacturer’s stated length can differ from real-world size.
Guessing the size of a camper cover is an expensive mistake. A cover that’s too small binds and strains in the wind, while one that’s too large flaps loose and wears through. The reliable way to measure for a camper cover is to go outside with a tape measure and record the true dimensions of the rig you plan to protect—not the brochure length, and not the model number. The few minutes of measuring save you a return shipping label and a winter of frustration.
What You Need To Measure
Three dimensions matter: overall length, width, and height. Each one has specific rules about what to include and what to leave out, so read the guidance for each before you start.
Overall Length
Measure from the frontmost point of the camper to the rearmost point, running the tape along the longest outside line. Include fixed rear protrusions you want covered, such as bumpers, ladders, spare tire mounts, and rear racks. Exclude the hitch, tongue, and tongue jack unless the specific cover you’re considering is built to include them.
Width
Measure the camper at its widest point, side to side. Mirrors and awnings are typically not part of the body width and should be excluded. If your awning is open or your slides are out when you measure, you’ll get a false reading—close everything first.
Height
Measure from the top of the roof down to the bottom of the frame or the sidewall, depending on what the product’s size chart asks for. Exclude ground clearance entirely, along with roof-mounted accessories like A/C units, vents, and satellite antennas unless the manufacturer says otherwise.
The table below pulls these rules together so you can see the whole picture at a glance.
| Dimension | Include | Exclude |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Bumpers, ladders, spare tire, rear racks | Hitch, tongue, tongue jack |
| Width | Widest point of the body | Mirrors, awnings |
| Height | Roofline to bottom of frame or sidewall | Ground clearance, A/C units, vents, antennas |
How To Measure Step By Step
Park the RV on level ground, close all slides and awnings, and measure the vehicle in the shape it will hold while covered. That means everything retracted and locked down.
- Use a tape measure long enough to span the full length in one pass. If yours isn’t long enough, measure in sections and add the numbers together.
- Run the tape along the longest outside points of the body—never trust the model number or the brochure length. Real-world dimensions can differ from specs.
- Record all three measurements in feet and inches, and write them down before you order. Trying to recall “roughly 24 feet” from memory is how wrong sizes happen.
Covercraft’s guide, how to measure your RV cover, confirms the same workflow: park level, close the slides, and measure the longest points rather than the listed model length.
Which Size To Order
When your measurement falls between two sizes, choose the larger one. Most covers have front and rear cinches that take in extra material, so a slightly oversized cover can be snugged down to fit. A too-tight cover, by contrast, can bind and stretch and may be damaged by wind.
One vendor explicitly recommends a snug fit over a loose one to cut down on wind damage—the cinches exist precisely so you can pull the cover tight against the body. The rule of thumb is simple: if you’re between sizes, size up, then use the cinches to dial in the fit.
Compatibility also depends on the specific cover design. Some covers are built to include a spare tire or ladder, while others expect those to be removed or excluded. Always match your measurements against the product’s own size chart and fit notes, and confirm the cover is intended for your camper’s form factor—travel trailer, camper trailer, motorhome, or pop-top—since the rules can vary by category.
If you’re ready to shop and want to compare tested options that fit the dimensions you just measured, our roundup of the best camper covers breaks down the top picks by build quality and value.
Common Measuring Mistakes
The errors that send people back to the return counter are all avoidable. The biggest one is trusting the manufacturer’s stated length instead of measuring the rig yourself. The others are forgetting rear protrusions like ladders and spare tires, including the hitch or tongue when the cover isn’t designed for it, measuring to the ground instead of the bottom of the frame, and counting awnings, mirrors, or rooftop accessories that the guide says to exclude.
Walk the full perimeter of the camper with your tape measure and you’ll catch all of them before they cost you.
FAQs
Should I include the spare tire when measuring for a cover?
Yes, if it’s mounted on the rear of the camper and you want it covered. Spare tires, along with bumpers and ladders, count as part of the overall length in most guides. If your cover is designed to exclude it, the product’s fit notes will say so—check before ordering.
What happens if I order a cover that’s too small?
A cover that’s too tight will bind and stretch at the seams, and wind can damage it faster than a properly fitted one. Most manufacturers recommend sizing up when your measurement falls between sizes, since the front and rear cinches can take in the extra material.
Do I need to measure the roof height with the A/C unit?
No. Roof-mounted accessories like A/C units, vents, and satellite antennas are typically excluded from the height measurement. Measure from the roofline down to the bottom of the frame or sidewall, and leave the ground clearance out of it.
References & Sources
- Covercraft. “How to Measure Your RV Cover.” Explains the level-ground, closed-slide measuring workflow and what to include or exclude.