Community Forums

WyoFree · 04-25-2016, 10:29 AM

What does two (2) feet mean in the real world?

• Handling in town, turning corners, in town parking?

• Parking in RV parks, state parks etc? Will the extra 2’ significantly change park options?

• Driving. Does the extra 2’ make a difference in negotiating mountain and/or country roads?

• Are there questions I've missed about the difference in an extra 2 feet?

lanerd · 04-25-2016, 10:44 AM

None.

Timon · 04-25-2016, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WyoFree

What does two (2) feet mean in the real world?

Not much unless it take you over 40' and your state requires you to get a higher class license

TonyDi · 04-25-2016, 10:53 AM

Not much difference. Sometimes it means more storage. In drive ability, not a big deal once you're used to it.

777 Driver · 04-25-2016, 10:56 AM

Well, it IS only two feet, right?

But, depending on your floorplan, ceiling height, etc., that extra two feet of length can add a significant increase (perhaps 128 cu.ft.) in volume of your living space. You may find that useful. It may give the designers of your RV greater flexibility in floorplans. You may benefit from more volume in your storage bays.

And, of course, bigger is ALWAYS better, right?

Take care,
Stu

dpinvidic · 04-25-2016, 10:57 AM

It depends on what they did with the floor plan.
A big thing for us was more counter space.
2ft of extra counter can be very nice.

That is why we went to a 40ft coach.

Regards,

Dan

Skip426 · 04-25-2016, 11:04 AM

" In town parking " can be a hassle with a dually P/U, let alone a class A, coach; there are places you shouldn't even try to go.

As Timon says unless it puts you into requiring different licence, at 40 + the limit would probably be older state parks , many of them were laid out for only 30' RVs with no slides.

Mike and Cha · 04-25-2016, 11:10 AM

When we first started looking we wanted 32'-34' and no more as we were worried about getting too big, not being able to get it in places we wanted to go, and then the driving issue thinking it would be harder to maneuver. As we looked we found that going up to 36'-11" got us so much more, a bigger chassis, 22.5 tires, longer wheelbase, taller ceiling height, extra storage bays, bath and a half, more kitchen space-cabinets and counter, and a few other things. We drove all the different lengths and I really didn't see any difference in driving them other than the longer MH drove better, and had a smoother ride due to the longer wheelbase. The actual cost wasn't that much different in terms of what you were getting for the money.

We have had ours for two years now, I don't even notice the extra length, and we have never had a problem getting into any CG's due to length, even the ones that have a 35' limit, we fit fine. The bottom line is it is really nice to have all the extras when you are out on the road, and we don't feel like we will ever outgrow this floorplan or need anything bigger. Had we have bought the smaller ones we may have wanted to upgrade by now.

MRUSA14 · 04-25-2016, 11:10 AM

My take regarding handling: 2 feet means almost nothing. 5 feet is noticable. 8 feet is where it really makes a difference. But this is almost entirely in parking and close-in handling. Once you are on the road, the bigger they are the better they handle and ride. And of course the space and liveability gets better as they get bigger.

Mr_D · 04-25-2016, 11:13 AM

In 2000 we went from a 35' Type A gas to a 38' DSDP, no real difference.
In 2002 we went from the 38' DSDP to a 40' DSDP, no real difference
In 2015 we went from a 40' DSDP to a 45' CC Magna, no real difference that I've found yet. Can still get into the same spots we could with the 40 DSDP.

WyoFree · 04-25-2016, 12:18 PM

I was at Newmar not long ago and there was a guy there buying his 4th coach in 3 years. He offered someone his business card to call him if he had any questions. I thought to myself why would you want to talk to someone who couldn't figure it out in three years and four coaches?

If I'm going to error I'll do it in a little too big than a little too small.

Dupdyke · 04-25-2016, 12:25 PM

When we went from 34 to 40 to 42 in five years I only found that the corp engineer parks I love had some issues with over 40 so I lied and said I have a 40 with tag and tow a pickup truck. No problems except some sites only had 41' of space so I had to find a bigger site.