Community Forums

Wobster · 04-09-2016, 04:26 PM

I am thinking of moving to a 45' tag axle from a 40' Single axle. With a 40' there are limitations as to where we can stay, and we accept that but how much more limited will we be with a 45'? We stay for an extended period in the Winter in places where it isn't a problem but the rest of the year we are in the Northwest (mainly) and we do plan a trip around the country in a few years. Input from 45' owners or those who have gone from 40-45' is especially solicited but all input is welcome!
Thanks, this forum has been so helpful!

RayChez1 · 04-09-2016, 04:37 PM

Go for it, bigger is better until you try to get into California state parks. But as far as to comfort and lots of room, there is nothing like a 45' coach.

MRUSA14 · 04-09-2016, 04:50 PM

I made the same switch and I had the same concerns. I have not found it to be much of a problem. Most parks that can take a 40 can take a 45. Some of the national park sites are an exception, but it is well worth the rare inconvenience to have all this extra space and the improved ride and handling. Love my 45 (actually 44'11") and I would not go back to anything smaller.

Cat320 · 04-09-2016, 06:19 PM

We went from a 40' to 45' coach...no difference yet.

jwmaustin · 04-09-2016, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayChez1

Go for it, bigger is better until you try to get into California state parks. But as far as to comfort and lots of room, there is nothing like a 45' coach.

So there are size limits at California State Parks? All of them...?

Lv2Roam2 · 04-09-2016, 07:11 PM

We're at 43' and find that when we can't enter a particular campground its because we're about 10' over the practical limit. With our rear overhang we can often fit into spaces designated as 35 - 38' if the road access (overhead and turns) are doable. And at all the sites we've used a 45' could fit. A few things that help:
- Good spotter who knows where the 'turning point' is on the coach
- 60 degree wheel cut
- Taking our time
- Making a few wiggles

Mr_D · 04-09-2016, 07:21 PM

We've found that any spot we fit into with our 41' DSDP we can get into with our 45' Magna, much to the surprise of one of the staff members at our favorite park.

**TonyDi** · 04-09-2016, 09:32 PM

I haven't had any problems and at 43' almost every park fits me. I think a MH is like a TV. I've never heard anyone say, "I wish I had bought a smaller one". Besides you'll love the Tag axle.

Crasher · 04-09-2016, 10:01 PM

We went from a 40' to a 43 with a tag. We also started pulling a 26' trailer. We call ahead and have always had a place to stay. Sometimes they give me a back to back site for a long pull thru and charge for one site. I have also found that more RV parks are becoming Big Rig friendly. More 70' and longer sites. Buy what ever you like, but don't let the length scare you.

TBS-POPS · 04-10-2016, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwmaustin

So there are size limits at California State Parks? All of them...?

Yes. With maybe a few exceptions, 99% of all California State parks have a 36 foot length limit due to the fact that all these campgrounds are old and tight. We live in California and honestly don't like the state parks and would rather stay in a nearby private campground with better amenities anyways and use the toad for touring the sights in the state parks.

RayChez1 · 04-10-2016, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwmaustin

So there are size limits at California State Parks? All of them...?

Yes I found out the hard way when I was up in northern California driving north on I-101. We were approaching Klamath, Ca just past the giant redwoods and it was getting late. So we decided we would try a state park. At the entrance there was a ranger station and I asked if he had a sight to accommodate a 38' diesel pusher with a tow vehicle. He looked at it and said, WELL! I have a pull through that might handle that length. So we drove in and right away I knew it was a big mistake. My wife was walking in front of the coach guiding me through some big trees missing them by two or three inches. RVers that were already in with smaller overhead campers were wondering how I ever got my coach in as far. I continued going around and left. But it was a terrible experience. I have not stayed in a state camping area since then. Those camping spots were when RVing was mostly done with overhead campers and small class C motor homes.

SpaceNorman · 04-10-2016, 12:10 PM

I find that length can be an issue when making reservations - but that in real life ... not so much. Most of the reservations systems force you to declare a length (and I hate to lie about stuff like that) ... and then tell you that there's no sites available that will accommodate your size. Then ... you swing past the park ... and discover that there are pull thrus that will accommodate rigs that are twice your size.

Larger coaches can and do face challenges in many parks ... but the year we've been using ours (Endeavor 43DFT ... 44' 3" tip to tail) - it hasn't been a significant issue. I've been happy to deal with the minor inconvenience is has been in order to have that extra carrying capacity the tag axle added - and the extra space.

jmcarter · 04-10-2016, 01:31 PM

A toad comes in handy for checking out some of those tight campground loops in CA state parks, MacKerricher (just north of Ft Bragg, CA) is a good example. It has some of the most accessible and beautiful coastline on the entire West Coast but a owner needs to access what their coach (and the driver) can reasonably do, even if the attendant says "sure, you can make it".

jwmaustin · 04-10-2016, 08:04 PM

Ray and Pops thanks for the CA info. We are hoping to get out way sometime and it's good to have some inside knowledge. So to the OP's question then...even though there are limits on State Parks there are enough private CGs to allow use of a 45?