How big is too big?

[Radio Flyer]

If lots of storage capacity and a large, open, comfortable floor plan was a priority, one might choose a 44 ft 5ver or MH to tour the countryside. On the other hand, if somebody wanted a rig that, due to its size, wasn’t excluded from half the campgrounds and state parks in America, they’d choose a smaller rig. My question is, how big is too big? What size rig is short enough to fit in at most campsites but is long enough to support full-time living? I realize every one has their own priorities and preferences, but I’m just trying to get a general idea from those who have been there, done that, on how to find the perfect compromise to get the best of both worlds.

[wlf00]

John and Kelly,

It all depends on where you want to camp. If you like doing a lot of state and national parks, etc., then a smaller rig might be appropriate. We usually do a few state parks, Thousand Trails, and commercial campgrounds, and have never had a problem with a 40 ft coach. Our coach would easily support full timing.

[Radio Flyer]

Originally Posted by wlf00

We never had a problem with a 40 ft coach.

Really? That surprises me. I was worried that even a 36 footer would be too large for a lot of parks. Does a campsite typically cost more for a larger trailer than for a smaller one?

[missourijan]

You are going to get answers that an over 40' rig is just perfect for a lot of people. It does depend on HOW and WHERE you want to travel. If you want to spend a lot of time in forest service or state campgrounds, then a 32 or 34' is going to be your best bet. Is that the ideal size for fulltiming? There are a lot of people on the road in that size rv. There are a lot that couldn't fulltime in under 40'. There's no good or perfect answer to your question, just like there's no perfect rv. We have a 36' and would like to have a 38'. We have been fulltime for over 8 years in a 36' 5'r. We don't go in forest service cg's but do use state parks and corps of engineer parks, no problem for our size. If you haven't rv'd before don't concentrate on the size, look at floorplans. Buy a used one of good quality with a floorplan that looks liveable to you. Live & travel in it for a year, if you still want a new one, then go for it. You won't know what you like and don't like until you spend time in it. Have you rented rv's? That's what we did for several years until we bought our first one.

[twogypsies]

We have full-timed for 16 years and had a 33' 5th wheel for 8 yr. and now a 40' motorhome for 8 years. We have been in the same parks with both RVs and fit just fine. Our first choices are always public campgrounds - national parks, national forests, state parks, COE, county and city parks or even boondocking. Honestly, we have never been turned away because we wouldn't fit. Of course, you also have to do some research and we mainly stay west of the Mississippi but not always.

We have stayed in these national parks: Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon and others. There are many, many national forest campgrounds and state parks that we fit. We have driven across Canada and used their Provincial parks. We've traveled in the Yukon and used Provincial parks. We traveled all over Alaska and used public parks, including Denali Nat'l Park.

[JFXG]

Originally Posted by Radio Flyer

......if somebody wanted a rig that, due to its size, wasn’t excluded from half the campgrounds and state parks in America............What size rig is short enough to fit in at most campsites but is long enough to support full-time living?........

Having not been there, your hyperbole is inaccurate and misapplied. We have found very few CGs, public or private, from which our size excluded us, and they were usually older public facilities with limits under 30 ft.

No, the limiting factor we've found is how we wish to live within the CG, and the most frequent conflict arises from utilities.

We *live* in our MH every day, but we only *camp* some of the time. We do not *camp* everywhere we go. For extended stays, or for any stay in very hot weather, for example, we want 50A service. We have stayed in CGs with 30A, and this includes a few of our favorites, but long-term we do not care to have to balance the microwave against a single air conditioner, etc. One of our absolute favorites is a beautiful State Park in NC, where we used to camp very often in our popup. There's no problem with our current size, but the CGs are strictly 30A, no sewer connections, and in NC state parks close and lock their gates overnight. You can see the problems inherent if you want to do anything other than just camp for a few days. Any evening plans must have you back in the park by 8PM.

So that's our take. It's not just how big your trailer or MH is, it's how you my need or want to live your life at this particular place. Not all campers are full timers, and not all full timers are campers.

[Doggy Daddy]

My RV is 37 ft and I travel full time. I use T-Trails, military Fam Camps, BPOE sites, some state parks, and other RV parks. Length has not been an issue for me as much as worrying about overall height. With the addition of vent covers my height increased 8 inches. I am more concerned about low hanging tree branches and the unmarked curtains at fuel stops than the worry of finding a place to park.

[Radio Flyer]

MissouriJan, your post corroborates what I’ve read previously. However, based on the responses from others, I shouldn’t take it as an absolute limiting factor. That's a good thing!

TwoGypsies, your comments are reassuring to me, as we’re leaning now toward a 38 ft 5ver.

You’re right, JFXG, we have not yet “been there.” But that’s why I’m asking questions. I based this one on a previous post I read where the writer said that anything over a particular size (32 or 34 ft if I remember correctly) would drastically limit my options for places to park. Also, based on your reply, I should have been more careful with my choice of words, specifically campgrounds and campsites. I should have simply said “places to park.” We plan on staying everywhere between high dollar parks near popular attractions to isolated locations deep in the woods. I suppose we’ll figure out as we go how to mitigate the higher cost of full service parks with 50A connections and lots of amenities that we’ve become accustomed to in our (soon to be former) suburban S&B.

And Doggy Daddy, the fact that your RV is 37 ft and you travel full-time is reassuring as well. Although we haven't definitively picked out our rig quite yet, I value having the option to go big or go small (rather, go big or go medium).

[Davdeb1]

Being excluded from half the parks is not really accurate. Many will tell you that, but you can get into most parks being 40 ft. I have excluded many parks because of 30 amp service and no sewer. I would say you can get into most parks you WANT to be in know matter what your size.

[sirpurrcival]

North of the 48 can be a little challenging when it comes to PParks at least here in BC. The magic number for length seems to be about 34'. Many have sites for larger rigs but they are often in shorter supply and can be a bit hard to find free during the busy months and at the more popular parks. We have a reservation system here for some parks and it isn't uncommon at all to go to park, see an open site but to have a sign on it that says you can only stay one night. As for booking, well, the same issue applies. The reservation system usually opens up in late March early April and many of the most popular parks will be booked up for most of the season in a matter of hours. When you have a larger vehicle, it can be tough. As well, that can extend to non PParks if you have bad timing. Just ended a trip that took me to the Calgary area. Unfortunately, it coincided with Stampede. Wasn't a place to be had anywhere within 1 hour of the city. Ended up boon docking in a Casino and then in a friends driveway.

[TonyDi]

I have a 43' coach and in the last 5 years I have only had one RV park that I couldn't get into because of size. I found another park a few miles away. If you are planning to live in it then you will eventually want as much room as possible. You can always find a place to park it.

[GG1]

Several days of rain with a few dogs should answer the question.

[Smitty77]

I can assure you that at times, larger rigs will not fit. But, this could be as large as 25' being 'too big'. (Traveling Alaska now, with many great Alaskan Recreation Campgrounds. A few had 'max size' of 24'...). But, I think you'd find that between 36-40' would be a good compromise between living and storage space, and fitting into most parks and campgrounds.

I'd weight the many times discussed Pro's/Con's of Class A vs 5th/Trailer. Decide what you think is best for you, and then start the selection process.

We went the 40' Class A, and are glad we did. We've always found a safe spot, and like the ability to get out and explore an area more economically in our CRV AWD. We find we go to an area, and then immerse ourselves in that region (museums, hiking, river rafting/canoeing, bike riding, shopping - and never forget the importance of relaxing too. (Not contrary to what many board members will tell you, I'm not always right! So, a truck and 5th maybe the perfect fit for what you are looking for... GREAT!)

Best of luck ahead, have fun,
Smitty

[JMonroe]

A lot of this depends on your expectations. We met a couple that does full time in an A-liner pop up. We wanted all the conveniences of home.

So far we've always found accommodations if not right in the park we were visiting (Yellowstone comes to mind), right nearby. Would we be happy to do a no or limited hookup stay in these parks, yes, but those types of campgrounds were typically developed long before the big rigs became so prevalent and/or assuming that someone that travels in a mobile mansion wouldn't be interested (completely wrong) and can't accommodate the physical size for either accessing a site, or on the site.

Bottom line, we chose everyday comfort over the ability to park almost anywhere. Takes a bit more planning to pull off, but we've not been thwarted in our desire to visit any destination so far.

For the record, we're 43' long, without the toad.