Community Forums

Drop In · 01-14-2010, 03:02 PM

How much difference between a 35'ish and 40'ish DP. In terms of interior room, manuverability, resale vale, camp/park accesability, fuel economy.. Thnks

ChiefJohn · 01-14-2010, 03:12 PM

Started out with a 36' and now have a 40' DP and the only noticeable difference is the extra room -- no difference the other variables you mention.

Frantz · 01-14-2010, 03:39 PM

Just recently sold our 1993 35' Bounder DP and moved up to a 2008 40' Pacifica bus style DP. There is definitely a difference in access to some places we have been in the past. We have to carefully plan our approaches to camp sites (some of which are no longer accessible), our home where we store it, grocery stores, fuel stops, etc. We have not had much issue with width or even length, but the height is a constant concern. Our in town driving will certainly become even more challenging once we add a toad.

That said, the 4 slides & 1 1/2 baths make it ALL worth it.

We will be full-time July 2011 so that will also eliminate some of the issues of in town.

SargeW · 01-17-2010, 06:31 PM

It's all pretty much a trade off for many of the reasons that Franz mentioned. I travel in a 32' DP and have a fairly easy time getting into most places. Are there trade offs inside? Sure. If you need lots of seating area, take kids along, or have people over a lot, then the bigger the better. However, we do lots of state parks, many of them old. The roads and spaces can be narrow. Storage is not much of an issue, I full time and the two of us have sufficient room for all our stuff. I pull a Jeep, have an inflateable boat and motor and Bikes.

My fuel economy is 8 - 10 mpg, depending on terrain and speed. I usually travel at 62/65 mph. Plenty fast for me, moving down the road with about 28,000 pounds.

So really it depends what your comfort level is. Look at lots of rigs and then take the plunge.

Sarge

Jim28730 · 01-18-2010, 11:07 AM

I'm a little suprised that no one in this group said the difference is "five feet".

I have a 35' DP and find it plenty roomy. I was limited to 35' or under due to where I need to park it at home ,and access to a very steep driveway. We have talked about whether we would buy a 40' when we downsize our home, but think we will stick with 35'. One advantage, much more weight carrying capacity.

Gary RVRoamer · 01-18-2010, 12:32 PM

Quote:

I'm a little suprised that no one in this group said the difference is "five feet".

I wanted to, but thought it might be too much of a "smart aleck" remark.

Actually, it's a decent answer in its own way, because the extra 5' of length (and the related 2-3 feet of additional wheel base) is exactly what it's all about.

We find our 40 footer is tight in spots that handled our previous 36' quite easily. And I learned (the hard way) that I have to be a bit more cautious on some turns we used to make with ease. Not a big deal, but the extra 15% is noticeable in some places.