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How To Determine Roof Height of Ford Transit Van
Knowing the roof height of your work van is an essential part of being a smart business owner. Why? Well, not knowing means there’s a potential for striking a low overpass or damaging the vehicle on a garage ceiling. YouTube is filled with videos of trucks getting destroyed in these very eye-opening circumstances.
With this in mind, let’s look at determining the roof height of a Ford Transit van. To clarify, we’re talking about the full-size van, not the compact Transit Connect vehicle. Although, you can use the same measurement techniques to determine roof height on the smaller van.
Getting Ready To Measure
To measure the roof height of your Ford Transit van, you’ll need the following materials.
- A six-foot step ladder
- Two large spring clamps
- Two, six-foot 2-inch by 2-inch wood studs
- A carpenter or mason level at least four feet long
- Masking tape or two velcro straps
- A large drop cloth or similar covering
- A 12-foot tape measure
Note: Make sure the wood studs are flat and unwarped (you can roll them along a flat surface to check for bowing). Also, make sure the van is on level ground and that the tires are properly inflated.
Step 1: Select the Roof Area to Measure
Identify the tallest spot on the roof to use for measuring. This might be anywhere if the roof is plain and flat or at the highest point of a rack if the van is so equipped.
Set up the ladder alongside the van and the roof measurement area you’ve selected.
To protect the paint, place the drop cloth over the selected roof area. It should drape over the van’s side where the ladder has been placed. A few pieces of tape, if needed, will secure the drop cloth.
Step 2: Set Up the Measurement Device
Using the two wood studs, you’ll create a sort of “T” or lopsided cross. Begin by lowering the accessory tray near the top of the ladder.
Vertically position one stud so one end rests on the tray. Clamp the stud to the top step of the ladder. The stud should be as vertically straight as possible.
Using the masking tape or velcro straps, secure the level to one side of the second stud. The level should be positioned more towards the end (not centered) and that the bubble is visible.
Carefully climb the ladder and place the stud (with the level) onto the selected highest point of the roof. The level should be on the top side of the stud (not on the bottom). The opposite end of this horizontal stud should extend past the vertical stud to make a “T” or cross.
With the level/stud resting on the roof, raise or lower the opposite end of the stud (where it meets the vertical stud) until the bubble shows the horizontal stud is perfectly level. Clamp the two studs together where they meet. Double-check that the horizontal stud is still level.
Step 3: Take the Measurement
Using the end of the horizontal stud that extends past the vertical stud (the opposite of the side with the level), measure the stud’s bottom edge to the ground. Double-check the measurement. This is your roof height.
Depending on your Ford Transit van, the measurement will typically range from 82.2 to 110.4 inches or more if your measurement includes a rack or other roof-mounted equipment.
For safety’s sake, you might even want to add an extra inch or two to the final measurement.
Step 4: Inform the Driver
Using a label maker or a sticker, place the roof height measurement in a location that’s noticeable to the driver. This might be on the instrument panel or along the upper edge of the windshield.
Making the roof height information available to a van’s driver can help avoid a major headache and an insurance claim.
Let Upfit Supply Help
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