Community Forums

JeannieH · 07-11-2014, 06:41 AM

Looking for help. I have read in a few different places that the length of the RV can play a big part in to being able to find a spot in State & National parks? Is this true, is the length on the RV a big issue.

Now reason behind question. We are looking at purchasing a new/used RV within the next few years so we can start full timing it. We cant seem to come to an agreement yet on what type or what floor plan we want (we have a 30' TT right now that is hanging on by a thread). I would like to get an idea of the length though so we can narrow down our search. If it was up to me DH we would have a 44' Toy Hauler (NOT what I want)

.

Thank you in advanced for ANY answers you can supply.

Walt Bennett · 07-11-2014, 06:52 AM

Haven't had any real issues with our 38' 5th wheel and full size crew cab truck's lengths. More than length has been width with slideouts & that's been only at a couple of commercial CGs.

macantic · 07-11-2014, 07:01 AM

I don't about State & National parks,but I know some Campgrounds won't accept anything over 40ft.

Chickadee · 07-11-2014, 07:07 AM

Jeannie, Billy &....Duke:

Wife and I and 3 cats full timed for 9 years (2005-2012) and started with a 40' pusher then traded up to a 45' pusher. During these years although we never, not once, had a problem locating camping spots wherever we went, including Alaska, Nova Scotia, and throughout the contiguous U.S. we consciously tended to avoid State/Nat'l Parks since so many were designed when campers didn't require larger, longer sites. Since we ALWAYS found camping in any areas we went for our bigger rigs, we sure didn't miss out on visiting anywhere we wanted, AND, full timing (real full timing with no house or stuff stored anywhere) was so nice in a larger rig having the things we wanted with us wherever and whenever we'd go.

Jockeying a bigger rig DOES take a bit more forethought (ie. in and out for fuel stops, maneuvering in tight spaces, etc.) but the comfort of space was worth it......and DUKE will appreciate it too!

We've since sold our big rigs, and settled in a small home in Florida but couldn't go cold turkey so now have a smaller gas engine RV for short trips and occasional visits back home in South Dakota.

What should YOU guys select ???? It's a tough call. However, if you're planning a real full timing for a number of years, think good quality, and think comfort and convenience.

Steve & Lynette

Dogpatch · 07-11-2014, 07:09 AM

Some of the older state parks I'm told are 36' Max. I've never had a problem in the ones I've stayed at with 38'. I haven't been since we bought a 40'. Most private have adapted to larger coaches. We stay in more of the private owned as they usually have more amenities. Just our choice.

halfwright · 07-11-2014, 07:16 AM

Many of the national parks are getting old. They were built back when camping was "Load up the station wagon and get the tent." The RV's are much bigger now and little upgrade had been done to the parks. Many commercial aprks can handlle bigger RV's, but you have to check carefully to find state and federal parks. They are there, but check with reserveAmerica.com to get size listings.

**TonyDi** · 07-11-2014, 07:19 AM

There are a lot of nat'l/state parks that do do have long campsites. Some of them are aware of the problem of big rigs not fitting, and they are enlarging sites for the accomodation. Some older CGs can't fit anything over 40'. Newer CGs have made themselves more available to big rigs with longer sites and pull throughs. If you research where you are going you will always be able to find a site without having to travel far from where you want to be.

nothermark · 07-11-2014, 07:38 AM

It depends where you are. In the NE a lot of state parks do not go much over 30 ft in most spaces. We have had issues in NY and Vermont with a 25 ft. Right now out 28 really measures ~31 and was tight in the Lake George KOA. Most of the commercial campgrounds do have some larger sites like they have some pull through sites. The key word is "some". The older settlement is in the area you are heading into the more likely it will be tight driving and questionable parking. If there are superslabs you will probably find spots. If you head off into the wilderness things get tighter.

JeannieH · 07-11-2014, 08:57 AM

Nothermark: We are not much on the big RV CG's, we love to be out in the woods and planned to stay in a lot of the State and National Parks. We do this know when we are able to go out and love it, I'm not much for concrete pads at this time.

Chickdee: Duke loves camping and he is a hugh fan of going hiking. I have never seen a little dog that LOVES to be on the trail as much as he does.

KarenS144 · 07-11-2014, 10:42 AM

We love to camp in state & national parks and were able to do so in our 29' gasser. We've stayed in a lot of both on our "long" trips including Glacier, the North Rim, Yellowstone, Zion, Theodore Roosevelt & many state parks along the way. We've also taken advantage of some wonderful Nat. Forest & BLM CGs too.

I check the descriptions on the reservation site and have even called to double check and we've never had a problem. I usually see much larger rigs in the campgrounds too.

As much as we like our 29' gasser, we're looking at a 34' DP to replace it. I hope we'll still be able to get into the campgrounds we want to.

danandcarol · 07-11-2014, 10:48 AM

We love to stay in some of the Fla State campgrounds that are at the beach (Flagler, for example). Hard to find an opening for our 30-footer, but looks like it's much easier to find a spot there for something smaller.

vsheetz · 07-11-2014, 12:02 PM

Yes, it can be a factor. But is not major difficulty, IMO. Would much rather have the additional space for the many times we fit. Used to have 28' no slides, now 37' with slides. Much better, IMO.

JeannieH · 07-11-2014, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danandcarol

We love to stay in some of the Fla State campgrounds that are at the beach (Flagler, for example). Hard to find an opening for our 30-footer, but looks like it's much easier to find a spot there for something smaller.

We have done a lot of tent camping at the beach's here in central & south Florida but haven't camped with the TT yet. I tried for Bahia Honda in the Keys for Memorial Day, but was unable to grab a site( stayed up till midnight trying to get the site on Reserve America).

We are staying at Jonathan Dickenson on Aug. 1st in the back section by the water. We just make the limit with the 30' TT, if we get a bigger unit we will not be able to stay in this section anymore :(.

Old Radios · 07-11-2014, 12:29 PM

Most larger campgrounds can accommodate larger rigs. That being said it also depends on what you like in a campsite. We are in the Northeast and like to camp at sites on the water as we canoe and kayak. The longer the rig, the less likely you will find a site on the water that can accommodate you that hasn't been reserved months in advance. Most of the campsites we like have a 30' limit on most water sites. Main reason we went for a 26'. It fits in a lot more sites. If you don't care how remote the site is and don't mind camping in "RV Row" than you should be OK in most campgrounds. Only problem around the Northeast is most sites in State campgrounds with full hookups or electric are reserved months in advance. The holiday dates and weekends go fast in the spring. Private campgrounds which generally have higher rates may be easier.