Could it be true? California Law?

[calasiter]

Is it true that you can't park an RV (motorhome) over 40' long in a state park in California? If so, how is everyone handling this? California has some really pretty places we want to see. :(

[SmokyRV]

Originally Posted by calasiter

Is it true that you can't park an RV (motorhome) over 40' long in a state park in California? If so, how is everyone handling this? California has some really pretty places we want to see. :(

Maximum Trailer and RV Lengths

[missourijan]

Did you read this on the internet, well, it must be true! NOT

[vsheetz]

While the provided list of max lengths is valid, often a longer coach can be accommodated. The limits are not only on the campsite but access roads can also have an impact. I use Google earth to check out the CG and go from there.

[timetogo]

Originally Posted by SmokyRV

Maximum Trailer and RV Lengths

Well done

[Triker56]

Can't park in sites less then 40'. Where would you put your toad?
You can still see the pretty places by parking in a privet campground with sites you can fit in.

Or trade for a shorter MH that will be accepted in the state campgrounds.

Download this PDF that list the length for Trailers @ MH in the many different state parks. I seen one for 42' and some for 40' but not many.

[tquarles]

Remember that in California, motorhomes over 40 feet aren't allowed on the ROADS. See the web site at 45' Motorhomes for the exceptions to the 40 foot limit.

[timetogo]

DEFINITIONS:
45' Motorhome: On this web page, a 45' motorhome refers to a single-unit motorhome that is longer than 40 feet but not more than 45 feet. (Note: A vehicle combination, e.g. a motorhome towing a vehicle or trailer, may be up to 65 feet length. If the single-unit motorhome is 40 feet or less in length, the combination is not subject to the route restrictions for the 45' motorhome.)
Motorhome: A motorhome is a noncommercial passenger vehicle defined in the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 465 as a "house car" and commonly referred to as a recreation vehicle. CVC 362 defines "house car" as "a motor vehicle originally designed, or permanently altered, and equipped for human habitation, or to which a camper has been permanently attached." A motorhome should not to be confused with a bus (CVC 233) or a tour bus (CVC 612), also called "motorcoach," which is used for commercial passenger transportation and requires a commercial driver license to operate. See also Public Utilities Code 5360-5379.5 and 226.

[Atom Ant]

I originally thought the recent leap of 5th wheels into >40 ft was because of this law change in California, but evidently it only applies to MH.

[Dutch Star Don]

Wow....if you don't know....don't post, especially about coaches over 40' on California highways.

First off, California allows 45' motor homes. California residents need additional licensing to drive anything over 40' in California.

Second, most State parks were built when people were tenting and driving 25' RV's. Since State parks are usually the last to get any funding, they really haven't been revamped to hold monster coaches. With that said, there are still large sites mingled in amongst the smaller ones and you just have to know which one they are.

Just like Yosemite, their maximum length is 35', yet we take our 40' DP and our friends bring in their 42' DP. We know which sites we can fit in and book them every year.

[tquarles]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

Wow....if you don't know....don't post, especially about coaches over 40' on California highways.

First off, California allows 45' motor homes. California residents need additional licensing to drive anything over 40' in California.

Second, most State parks were built when people were tenting and driving 25' RV's. Since State parks are usually the last to get any funding, they really haven't been revamped to hold monster coaches. With that said, there are still large sites mingled in amongst the smaller ones and you just have to know which one they are.

Just like Yosemite, their maximum length is 35', yet we take our 40' DP and our friends bring in their 42' DP. We know which sites we can fit in and book them every year.

Straight from the CALtrans website:

The basic California length law for vehicles is 40 feet unless specifically exempted. On October 9, 2001, Governor Davis signed Assembly Bill (AB) 67 which changed the California Vehicle Code (CVC) to allow motorhomes over 40 feet in length, up to 45 feet, on certain routes. 45' motorhomes are allowed on interstates and on those State routes that can accommodate them.

The same website has downloadable maps of each of CALtran's districts which show which routes are legal and which are not. I used to live on one of the prohibited routes, so I researched this pretty extensively. Read CALtran's website for the details.

[Mike and Cha]

Simply not true and Dutch Star Don was right on the money. We go to several State Parks where the posted limit is 35' but many sites can accommodate MH's well over 45'(and a toad). We are at 37' and have never had an issue finding a spot to fit in along with our car. I spoke to a Ranger who told me they don't care how long your MH is as long as you can put it in the site and no part of it, or the Toad, is in the roadway. He told me that those limits were arbitrarily made years ago when a 35' was considered one of the longest RV's. He said they have neither the time, money or personnel to go check each site, and update the system, so they just leave it a that. When we go to any CG we usually walk the CG with a CG map and mark all those spots that we will fit in and like. We keep it in a folder and, that way if we have to make reservations we know which sites to choose. As to the roads and lengths, every state has some roads that limit vehicle length due to sharp turns ect, but that is mostly for commercial vehicles. I have seen numerous 40+ foot MH's driving on these so-called restricted roads and have yet to see anyone stopped by the CHP, or heard of anyone in a MH being cited for being over length.

[Gordon Dewald]

Some have said the CHP waits for people heading to the dunes at Glamis and tickets them for over length. Have not personally seen it so cannot attest to it. Certainly if you head out to Glamis or Buttercup you will see lots of really long units.

[calasiter]

Was Dutch Star Don upset at me for asking the question? I'm really new at this, and I don't want to offend anyone.