Class A 40' question

[docj]

IMHO the owners of shorter MH's like to circulate this rumor to help justify their decision to buy a smaller unit. Yes, you should always check to see if a CG can accommodate your MH but there is no truth to the sort of absolute statement cited by the OP.

[lowespot]

Thanks for all the helpful information.Since we are planning on spending 6 to 7 months a year in the MOHO I think we will get a 40` and figure it out as we go. Thanks again

[rvethereyet]

Originally Posted by lowespot

I`m thinking of buying a 40` class A. Is it true that most state and national parks can`t handle 40`+ motorhomes. Thanks for any info.

no that is not true

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by lowespot

Thanks for all the helpful information.Since we are planning on spending 6 to 7 months a year in the MOHO I think we will get a 40` and figure it out as we go. Thanks again

You will have no problems getting in public campgrounds. No, you won't fit in all of them but neither will a 30' fit in all of them.

With our 40' motorhome we've easily fit in many national parks, national forest campgrounds, state parks, Corp of Engineer parks, county and city parks. In addition, we've boondocked often on national forest and BLM lands. You just need to do research before going. Also, with a motorhome, you can unhook the toad vehicle and drive it in to check out the sites and roads before taking the motorhome in. Also, we rarely make reservations and it works for us.

We've stayed in Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Zion, Grand Canyon, Bryce, Big Bend, Rocky Mtn. You've fit in many Oregon State Park and other states. California is 'unique' and even though they have small sites there are many equally beautiful public parks you can go other than the state parks. We have fit in every one of Arizona's state parks.

[Smitty77]

Originally Posted by Ron_H

When we stayed at Organ Pipe National Monument a couple of years ago they listed 40 ft as their max. Our coach is 43 ft and with our toad we are 61 ft. We had no trouble parking our coach and toad in our site, without protruding into the roadway, and we had no problem negotiating and of the park roadways while towing. We've found it is not unusual for places to understate their "max length".

This has been our experience too, in our 40', in many parks that have max size limits that are below our length.

We usually find that if we can actually get thru to an on site Ranger or Park Worker, that they can help tell us in advance which sites might work for us. Both in access, and length. (Note that many times the Park Worked/Volunteers - are fellow RV'er's.)

And even when we could not get thru to a person on the ground that knows the park. We've found that if we pull up early enough in the day, get permission t drive thru the area to see if we see a site that we feel we can safely get to, and into, the gate staff will usually let us do so.

IMO, less then 5% of the time we've been impacted by being 40'. Less as we got more experience, and did better planning.

And as mentioned, we too would not trade livability of a larger coach, to get into the few areas that we could not.

Best of luck to you,
Smitty

[Dutch Star Don]

We have a 40' motor home and I would say that "twogypsies" gave you spot on advice regarding the pros and cons of a 40' coach. Our experience has been similar and since "twogypsies" use to full time, it's hard to beat their assessment.

[mhbell]

Originally Posted by docj

IMHO the owners of shorter MH's like to circulate this rumor to help justify their decision to buy a smaller unit. Yes, you should always check to see if a CG can accommodate your MH but there is no truth to the sort of absolute statement cited by the OP.

Sorry Docj but I think you are wrong on this point and I quote you

IMHO the owners of shorter MH's like to circulate this rumor to help justify their decision to buy a smaller unit.

on the second part of your post I agree 100 percent.

Yes, you should always check to see if a CG can accommodate your MH

In almost 50 years of Rving I have always tried to help people in the forums. yes there is a lot of mis-information on the part of those who don't know. I have owned several 40 footers and all lengths in between. I have also been stopped and denied entrance at the gate because I was over length in a 36 ft motor home. that was several years ago, But things have changed and many camp grounds and parks have been upgraded since then to accomedate larger motor homes. IMHO
Mel

[1ciderdog]

Originally Posted by lowespot

Thanks for all the helpful information.Since we are planning on spending 6 to 7 months a year in the MOHO I think we will get a 40` and figure it out as we go. Thanks again

I notice in your profile you are in Vacaville, CA so I'll add if you plan on staying in CA there are some roads that have restrictions prohibiting RV's over 40 feet long. My RV is about 40 feet long and I have not had a length problem at any state or federal camp ground (yet) except for Castle Craig State Park in Northern CA - motorhome length is limited to 27 feet at that one.

[twogypsies]

Regarding length restrictions in California - the ones you'll be restricted on are ones that are dangerous for big rigs - tight curves, so most likely, you won't want to consider taking the motorhome on one of those anyway. Even shorter rigs on those roads could have issues... many parts of the coastal Hwy 1 is one of them. For those kinds of roads just park the motorhome and tour via your car. It's a lot easier on the nerves!

[CruisinCondo]

There are very few federal campgrounds in California that will accommodate a 40 footer, and the few that do require reservations months in advance. State parks in California have more availability for 40 footers, but still require reserving site 6 to 8 months in advance. There is definately more availability for those 28 foot and under. Most private campgrounds will accommodate 40 footers. Once you enjoy a 40 foot floorplan, there is no going back. That said, I have camped with my forty footer in campgrounds rated for 24 foot max. Sometimes I had to back down one way campground roads or had to trim branches at the campsite to enter campsite. It can be done if you are not concerned about getting a few scratches on your coach. Mark

[lowespot]

Thanks for the great information.Now just need to get this house sold so we can get on the road