5th Wheel length restrictions?

[Dandianntx]

My wife and I have an older Class A, and want to go to a new 5th Wheel. Our Class A is 32', so parking it has not been an issue.

We're looking at going full-time, at least for the next 6-12 months.

What should we limit ourselves to for length in a 5th? We've seen some sweet 40-42' trailers, and know we'll need a truck that can pull those. But would a 41' limit us on parks? Legal for the roads?

Thanks for any suggestions.

[drdarrin]

Check out the camp grounds you are interested in. There are quite a few with length restrictions, typically 30 or 35 feet. Our rig is 35 and that was one of the considerations that went into our choice.

[donnandon]

If you will be going to public local/state/national parks, then your length needs to looked at closely since many have limits of less than 40 ft. If you will be using private RV parks then most have sites that can accommodate 40 ft or more. We have been full-timing in a 40 ft 5th wheel for the past 7 years and haven't had a problem finding adequate sites where we wanted to go, both public and private.

[jimcumminsw]

Most states limit the towing length of both the tow vehicle (TV) and trailer to 65' max length.


My trailer which is 37' and the truck which is a Ram Mega Cab have an over all length of 56' when towing.


We tend to state out of state/national parks but will use C.O.E. parks once in a while if it is a full hook-up site. My reason is when spending the amount of $$ that we did for a Cedar Creek, I am not about to have the sides and roof scraped by tree limbs as this can occur in state and national parks. We also like full hook-ups which in most cases do not occur in state and national parks.
Just my $0.02.

[glennwest]

I know lots of rvers over 65'. Know of a couple over 70'. Never heard of a one being stopped for length. May not fit in all parks but plenty that will. Unless you plan on staying in a lot of state parks I would not let it concern me. Get what you want.

[RussOnTheRoad]

Originally Posted by Dandianntx

My wife and I have an older Class A, and want to go to a new 5th Wheel. Our Class A is 32', so parking it has not been an issue.

We're looking at going full-time, at least for the next 6-12 months.

What should we limit ourselves to for length in a 5th? We've seen some sweet 40-42' trailers, and know we'll need a truck that can pull those. But would a 41' limit us on parks? Legal for the roads?

Thanks for any suggestions.

I spent 18 months full-timing and stayed at a great many campgrounds in my Class C which was the same length as your Class A. Based on my experience I think it's safe to say that the longer and higher a rig is, and to a lesser extent wider, the fewer places you can go. This is why, as I shop for a fiver, I'm looking for the smallest one I think I can live in comfortably.

[FaithBowls]

Can someone also clarify about trailer length vs overall length with truck? if a place has a length limit, does the length limit include the truck? Like if a place has "40' spaces" or "40' limit" is that 40' including the truck? Or 40' trailer without a truck?

[rskeans]

They are referring to the trailer. You disconnect and park your truck either to the side or whatever is available.

[jacknife]

You don't have to worry about length . Commercial trucks can be as long as they want the trl can only be 53 ' .
41 42 ft is no problem. You only start getting into trouble if you start hooking things behind the trl . Boats etc. Then the cops will measure how long you are and and if the.back trl has brrakes and if you have the right endorsement on your license to do it .
Was trucking for 35 yrs and never saw a pick up truck and trl being measuered. They have enough work dealing with the commercial end of it.

[Dandianntx]

Thanks for all the responses.
We settled on a 38' 5th Wheel. We checked with some of the places we intend to stay, and this will work in those.
Thanks again y'all!