Wanted a 35' or less...will we regret 40ft?

[lnanne]

Originally Posted by BrianGlenn

We looked at the Tiffin Phaeton 36GH as a possible smaller, drivers side kitchen coach.

Click for link to Tiffin 36GH.

Brian

Too funny - we just found this one yesterday in more researching. But the earliest model is 2013 or 2014 I think and our budget won't stretch that "new"!

Much thanks for helping us out on our requirements!

Ellen

[lnanne]

Originally Posted by JFXG

When we've planned to stay at state parks, we've found the limitations on electricity and sewer connections to be more of an issue for us than any question of size and space.

But we manage, as I'm sure you will. Remember the words of Henry Ford: "If you think you can do a thing, or think you can't do a thing, you're right."


John & Diane, fulltiming since '12
'02 DS, FL, 3126, '04 Element

We were wondering about that too. We are hoping to eventually to move to solar but air conditioning may be the clincher!

And great reminder on the quote!

Ellen

[lnanne]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

First, if you're going to full time, you'll want the larger of the two coaches. Second, if you're going to full time, do you intend to stay in the same area you are now and visit the same campsites you've stayed in the past, because you're talking about fitting into sites near you. I think most who full time, typically spend time in larger parks with full hook ups.

That's partly why we mentioned the Pacific NW - we haven't camped across the country so we don't know if typical campsite size is larger or smaller in the NW. We plan to travel all over the States at this point at any rate!

We just can't imagine staying in parks where the sites are more "parking" - one right next to each other except in limited situations. But we haven't full-timed. Perhaps that will be less important to us? But at this point it seems very unlikely we'd go that direction. RV resorts are nice but we wouldn't want to pay the prices!

Thanks for your thoughts - giving the perspective of full timing which is one we just don't know yet!

Ellen

[lnanne]

Originally Posted by ahicks

I think in the end it's about your confidence level while handling the coach. Ours is actually a little over 38'. All we ever use are the public parks, and honestly, we book 35' sites frequently, and without issue.

If we've never been to the park, generally we'll drop the toad in the reception area, and use it to check out (or shop for) our site. Management will not have an issue with that. While on our way back to the site, or exploring, we pay attention to clearances we know we'll need (width and height!). If all looks good, and the site we've been assigned is reasonably level, we're pretty much all set. We'll be in and set up in just a few minutes!

Would another 2-3' bother us? Nope, don't think so.

We wondered if parks generally held firm on their size restrictions. We looked at sites at Ike Kinswa State park here in Washington that said up to 32 ft but the picture looked like 40 ft would fit fine. And the pad length said 70'! And other sites in the same loop (but not available for our dates) specified longer rigs ok so we know the park allows bigger rigs.

[Algonquin]

We usually stay in state and provincial campgrounds, and we definitely wouldn't want to have anything longer than the 35 feet we have. We are very happy with our layout, but we are not full timers. Something to think about is if a 40 footer has a second bathroom, it really doesn't have much more usable space (living room and kitchen) than a 36 footer.

[ahicks]

Originally Posted by lnanne

We wondered if parks generally held firm on their size restrictions. We looked at sites at Ike Kinswa State park here in Washington that said up to 32 ft but the picture looked like 40 ft would fit fine. And the pad length said 70'! And other sites in the same loop (but not available for our dates) specified longer rigs ok so we know the park allows bigger rigs.

Part of that (mental) picture needs to include the approach/maneuvering room aspects as well. For instance, if that 70' pad had a tree tight up against each side of it out by the road, and no room across from it to get lined up on it, that pad could be 100' long but it's not going to make one bit of difference. You aren't going to be able to get your rig lined up on it! Or a big tree branch overhanging it with only about 10' of overhead clearance?

I don't think the park cares if you bring in a rig larger than that suggested (that's my experience anyway). You just need to assume responsibility for all necessary clearances and the necessary skill set required to maneuver. They're not going to be real receptive regarding complaints that apply only to your over size rig.

Too, when they say 35' limit, and supply something like a 70' pad, where they talking MH when they furnished that limit, or a 5'er?

[lnanne]

Originally Posted by ahicks

Part of that (mental) picture needs to include the approach/maneuvering room aspects as well. For instance, if that 70' pad had a tree tight up against each side of it out by the road, and no room across from it to get lined up on it, that pad could be 100' long but it's not going to make one bit of difference. You aren't going to be able to get your rig lined up on it! Or a big tree branch overhanging it with only about 10' of overhead clearance?

I don't think the park cares if you bring in a rig larger than that suggested (that's my experience anyway). You just need to assume responsibility for all necessary clearances and the necessary skill set required to maneuver. They're not going to be real receptive regarding complaints that apply only to your over size rig.

Too, when they say 35' limit, and supply something like a 70' pad, where they talking MH when they furnished that limit, or a 5'er?

mmm... that's a good point. they might have meant a trailer then add for the truck. The specific site that looked good to us was a pull through and rather straight (some are pretty curvy so I could see potential limits on those). Sounds like most folks believe it's not an issue for the park itself and our best bet is to unhook the toad and scout it out (which we usually did even in our 27'!). We were concerned that parks would turn us away at the entrance after making a reservation (we have to make reservations during busy summer months so we gauge ability to get into a site based on the park map, campsite pictures, and site dimensions).

Ellen

[ahicks]

I've never seen or heard of anyone in the reception/check in areas with a tape measure (no length police).

In addition to the assets you suggest, very often Google Earth can provide valuable insight as well.

Oh, last, beware of pull through sites you'll need to back out of.... -Al

[JaMa]

We have the same concerns and preferences as you. ON a trip to the MW this past summer and again this fall in southern Arizona, we camped in several spots that I definitely would not want a coach longer than our 33'. As several have mentioned, height and maneuverability can be issues.

Another thing to watch for is external length. Ours for example is 1 inch over the model length. We have looked at coaches where the actual length is close to two feet over the model length.

[MSHappyCampers]

We love our 40' Monaco Windsor!

[BeachDude]

Most National and State park campsites were built with tent camping in mind. Those that happen to have RV hookups generally prefer 35' or shorter rigs.

However, owning a 37' rig I have found that I can normally overhang the rear of the coach, (beyond the rear axle), into the tent camping area if there are parking berms/logs/rocks that define the parking pad size. I have had more of a problem maneuvering though the narrow tree-lined paths, than actually fitting into a campsite.

I have not yet been turned away from a campground by any State or National park rangers when their sites are for shorter rigs, (even as short as 25'). If it fits, they do not seem to have a problem.

[CampDaven]

With a 30+ rig a toad is a necessity for fulltimers. Just the MPG of the toad more than pays for the set-up.
That said, 35 would cramp us a lot. We are minimalists in a 42. 40 would have been fine, but DW rules, so.... An extra 2 feet is nuthin.
And there is always room for us. The State parks in the SW are newer and VERY spacious. Other areas are cramped due to their age, thus private campgrounds, but the $8K we were putting "through" the house erases more than all of that.
We fulltimed for 2 years in a 33. It made us wiser.

[F4Gary]

Why does the kitchen have to be on the driver's side?

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by F4Gary

Why does the kitchen have to be on the driver's side?

Because we can see no worse than the neighbors patio out our picture windows on that side from the couch, rather than the side with slinkies. TMSAISTI.