DP Coach Search - Size Matters!

[Twomed]

Get the tag Monaco and you will be very happy. We loved our 40' until I delivered a 42' tag RI to FL and then the hunt was on. About 85K on the "new" coach in the last six years and we use state parks a lot. No squeaks, rattles, run all day and not be tired, no truck wind, cross wind fighting, 2 stage jake. You are looking in the right place.

Buy your last rig first...

[diva51]

Good point about the slides. We have one full wall slide on the driver's side and on the curbside, one in the bedroom and one for dining. That really helps it to feel big.

[slemnah]

I went from a single axle 40' to a tag axle 42' and would never go back. I don't notice the size difference when I pull into a site but I don't go to a lot of state parks and I don't boondocking very often. I love the size of mine with the 4 slides and a so glad that I bought this one. It rides so smooth with no wind wander and I move trucks over rather than them moving me. I made it up the grapevine in CA at 49mph at 1737rpm so the engine was right in it's peak. My old mh would take it at 25 mph with the motor screaming over 2k rpm.
Steve

[koda59]

We have a 41 ft and have had no problems getting into sites that say 40 ft max.

[rickmc]

As expected you've all,provided a wide spectrum of great insight in your responses! The search continues. I'm thinking when I find the right one, I'll know it! Will definitely keep you updated and will provide photos of the final selection!

Thank you!

[Gordon Dewald]

Rickmc - IMO the first thing to look at is how you are going to use your RV.

Are you going to full time, part time or weekend camp?

Where will the majority of your RV'ing occur? Are you a daily driver, move and camp or stay in one place for extended periods?

What are your interests? Are you staying in resorts, National Parks, boondocking, etc?

What is the weather like where you will do a lot of your camping? How many inclement days will you encounter each season? How much time will you expect to stay indoors?

All of the questions I would ask are about determining the layout you will have to deal with. IMO the 40' barrier is a suggested length as long as the physical parking spot is long enough. It may take a bit of wiggling to get in but in most cases it can be done with some forethought and patience. Is it worth taking half an hour to shoehorn into an overnight spot. Probably not but may be worth a weeks stay. You may get refused once and a while but it probably came about because someone with a larger size unit was unable to get into a spot and likely caused some damage - hence the blanket rule with an arbitrary length criteria. Pull throughs were created for ease of access - likely for drivers who had not achieved the skill level required to back into parking spots.

Selecting the perfect MH should be about selecting the features and layout that will suit you the best for most of the situations you plan to encounter.

[MSHappyCampers]

Rick, we pulled 5ers for 10 years before getting the MH in 2012. Our last 5er was a 36' and we really liked the amount of space we had. When we started looking at MH's we decided that in order to have the same amount of space to which we were accustomed we would need a 40' MH, allowing 4' for the cockpit area. We didn't want to go more than 40' because that called for a tag axle and we didn't want the expense of four more tires to replace! We have been very happy with our choice! Hope you find the right rig for your needs!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[RickO]

Welcome to the forum.

I doubt you'll find that a 42' rig causes any more problems than a 40 footer in 95% of the cases.

Now, if you want to use the rig for off road boondocking... again, a 42 will be no worse than a 40. I guess that makes both lengths "campground queens".

Originally Posted by DegoRed

We just spent 24 days in California, there is not a site in the state made for a rig over 35 ft, especially the state parks on the beach, and we also tow a 24 ft trailer.
.

I beg to differ. It's true that state parks on the ocean present problems both in the size of the sites and the availability of facilities but we've spent several months at Beale's Point (Folsom Lake) where our paved sites had plenty of room for our 40DP and toad.

Rick

[slemnah]

Is that what you call me when I pull into the campground with my 42' tag axle MH? What exactly is a "campground queen".

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by slemnah

Is that what you call me when I pull into the campground with my 42' tag axle MH? What exactly is a "campground queen".

Maybe you shouldn't ask!

[slemnah]

Ouch

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by slemnah

Ouch

I hope my comment didn't sound like I was being smart. I was just joking that sometimes we're better off not knowing some things. Sorry If I offended you!

[RickO]

Originally Posted by slemnah

Is that what you call me when I pull into the campground with my 42' tag axle MH? What exactly is a "campground queen".

I don't call anyone anything when they pull into a campground. I was quoting this post made earlier in this thread.

Originally Posted by plasma800

If your ok being a campground queen, 42' will work fine.

.

[slemnah]

I was only kidding. You have to know my humor...... What is a campground queen anyways?