Community Forums

BOBCO · 03-27-2014, 09:03 PM

Looking for a FW to travel around the US. What is everybody's opinion on the right length? Is a 31' or 32' too long? Would be going out for a couple of months at a time. Plan on going to visit national parks and such.

caissiel · 03-27-2014, 09:26 PM

We went from 24 to 33 and wow what a difference. Went everywhere with the 33 ft unit for 9 years.
It was getting small for full timing so we upgraded to 39 ft for the last 5 years.
Been everywhere with it but with well planed execution. Never get in a park in the dark and to me the longer unit was a none event other then the full height. To live in full time a full profile unit is nice. I prefer most state parks because the sites are nicely layout unlike private CG. But I get the best sites for no extras.

TXiceman · 03-27-2014, 10:37 PM

We have a 38' 5er and there are a few places that are a problem. We lived in Oklahoma and had a 36.5' 5er and some of the Corp and state parks only had one or two sites we would fit into. One park, we could not even enter.

So you will find a few with space limits, but not too many. With the Internet and all of the information available, you should pretty well know which ones will be a problem

Ken

TexasTwoStep · 03-28-2014, 06:24 AM

We are full-timers and do a lot of boondock camping in tight areas. 33' (actual length) with 3 slides works well for us.

Cumminsfan · 03-28-2014, 10:34 AM

Think about where you want to stay. RV parks generally have longer drives. ST, FS or Ntl parks can vary greatly. It's only makes sense that a 33' will have more options than a 38+' unit. If you plan on just doing RV parks then get the biggest you can tow and afford to buy. If you want to vary your camping then you need to think more conservatively.

becken6 · 03-28-2014, 11:47 AM

Our 5er is 36' and we stay at a lot of the np's. If your intent is to do the same I don't think I would go any bigger than that. The np's just are designed for big rigs. You definetly have to do your homework ahead of time. Reservations have been a must. A lot of the parks have several different campgrounds in them and some you just can't get into. I think 29'-32' would be ideal.

drfife · 03-28-2014, 01:13 PM

We have a 37.5' 5th wheel and primarily camp at state parks, COE parks and national forest campgrounds. We have yet to have a problem finding a site.

BOBCO · 03-30-2014, 12:27 PM

Thanks for the replies.

12 Tires · 04-05-2014, 01:05 AM

We tow a 45ft CC fifth wheel behind a semi and cannot fit into many older parks. However, the "Big Rigs Best Bets" book has never let us down. 49 states and all of Canada; all sites are measured personally by the publisher and suggestions are given. It is a life saver for longer rigs. Here's the link: http://www.big-rigs-rv.com

225orourke · 04-18-2014, 04:12 AM

I have a 3610 jayco designer witch is 37ft,have the wife and two 60 & 80lb d ogs with one 21year old that won't leave and it is plenty. big for all of us. FULL TIMER