actual size vs. manufacturer model size

[US1]

Originally Posted by House Husband

The founding father of Fleetwood (John Crean), intentionally made his' RVs about 1' longer than the model #, to confuse the competition. The competition couldn't figure out how he was getting more living space from the same length.

Richard

Fleetwood is not the only manufacture that does it. A buddy has a Coachman 3255. Its 35'. Boats are the same way.

[DRM901]

When I had a sailboat, it was 26' if I was talking to the harbor master, but 27' if I was talking to someone else. (It was 26.6'.)

Boast the outside length. When paying use the inside, official length.

[eddndee]

In our State Parks, it appears when they give a max allowed length, they are considering a trailer with its tow vehicle, combined for the length.
Also, yes, most manufacturers assign the length of the coach by the length of the living space, back wall to front wall.

[Lantley]

I have a 39' trailer and I often book 35' sites however I usually scope out the CG if I know I'm exceeding the posted length limits.
There are always a few sites that will accommodate a larger rig. I make note of the larger sites for future reference.
If the CG is too far away to check out ahead of time. I will not assume it will be OK to exceed the limits

[Dennis C.]

Originally Posted by eddndee

In our State Parks, it appears when they give a max allowed length, they are considering a trailer with its tow vehicle, combined for the length.
Also, yes, most manufacturers assign the length of the coach by the length of the living space, back wall to front wall.

Same here in Colorado. My truck and Airstream combined were about 43 feet in length. My Newmar is just shy of 38 feet.

Airstream measures length from the rear bumper to the coupler, not the living space.

[nehog]

My 40-DFD HR measures 42 ft bumper to bumper. I was told the 40 was the usable interior dimension, not the gross length. But when I get a space in a campground, I always play it safe and say it's a 40!

[MKwilli]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

There are two lengths of interest, the overall exterior length (aka bumper to bumper) and the interior living space length (floor plan length). RVIA encourages RV makers to use the interior length because it makes comparing trailer and motorhomes simpler, but RV sites and roadways are more about exterior overall lengths. If you do get measured at a place like Going to the Sun or Big Bend, it will be outside length. But if its about site sizes or general accessibility, the small difference between the two forms of length won't matter. Just give whatever the manufacturer brochure says and don't worry.

Great thread and explanations, appreciate the info.

[gcederholm]

Several years ago, we stopped at one of Escapees Co-op parks. When checking in, the desk lady said, “Please tell me your RV is 40 feet long”. I replied, “My RV is 40 feet long” and we were on our way to an 85-foot pull thru site in our 45-foot RV.

On the way out several days later, I just had to stop in the office and ask why they had a length limit. She said that when the Bylaws were written when the park was built, they included a 40-foot limit. Nobody remembers why, but they couldn’t get a vote of members to change or eliminate it so they had to enforce it.

Bottom line is that sometimes restrictions are “just ‘cause we can”.

[COCJ]

We seldom stay in RV Parks in our 24' Jayco Class C , so my post refers to mostly NF & NP campgrounds. If they post a length limit, I would pay attention to it. We recently stayed at the NP campground on the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP in Western CO. We saw a warning sign miles down the road that vehicles over a certain length were not allowed. We were under that limit and, luckily, we found one site where we could fit our small Class C. Most of these sites really are tent sites. We spent the night watching people with giant 5ers and Class As trying to maneuver through the narrow twisty road through the campground. Trying to back up, straighten out, pull forward, etc. Many sustained damage from trees. My advice is to heed the signs and don't think that these signs "don't mean me".
PS: If you are going to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the main campground on the south rim is full, don't waste your time driving around to the North side if you have a big rig. These sites are really small!

[mlpeloquin]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

There are two lengths of interest, the overall exterior length (aka bumper to bumper) and the interior living space length (floor plan length). RVIA encourages RV makers to use the interior length because it makes comparing trailer and motorhomes simpler, but RV sites and roadways are more about exterior overall lengths. If you do get measured at a place like Going to the Sun or Big Bend, it will be outside length. But if its about site sizes or general accessibility, the small difference between the two forms of length won't matter. Just give whatever the manufacturer brochure says and don't worry.

I was told once that interior length is used by manufactures, because it has to do with one of the taxes charged to them is by unit length. I never cared since that RV parks know the stated length is based on interior not exterior length. When I first made reservations for our local group, I talked to several parks and they all stated the same thing. They know that the owners give the manufactures stated length which is interior length.

[VentanaOdyssey]

You are fine, put down 35 and you will be all set. I have never seen anyone walk around a measure the RV's in a park.

[Jchemie]

My class A is listed as 34 ft long. Actually it measures out to 34’ 6”. Add a trailer hitch and it becomes a 35’ footer. All depends on how I want it to be, 34’, 34’ 6”, or a 35’ footer. Just use a variable rate tape measure when asked. Or an all metric one, that’ll confuse ‘em at the park entrance. Have fun.