Community Forums

K&J PNW · 12-13-2020, 01:56 PM

We are looking to purchase a used 42 - 45 foot motor home. We plan to spend about six months on the road each year (~4 months in AZ and 2 months traveling the country).

Is is difficult to finding sites that accommodate larger motor homes? I haven't researched this enough (there are so many resorts to view) and would like to ask the opinion of folks that own larger motor homes.

Thanks!
Kevin

HarryStone · 12-13-2020, 02:04 PM

I'm not sure about the length issue, but some of the 'resorts' are picky about how old the rig is that they let in.

**TonyDi** · 12-13-2020, 02:08 PM

I’ve had a 43’ and now a 45’ motorhome and I have never had a problem getting into a resort. Some state parks have size limitations but there is always a place nearby where you can get into. If you look at CG reviews they will tell you if they are big rig friendly.

**Lt Dan** · 12-13-2020, 03:16 PM

In addition to Campground Reviews, there is another source for big rig parks that you can buy. It's called Big Rigs Best Bets and is compiled by RVers with personal experience on listed parks.
https://www.big-rigs-rv.com/Home.html

I have only found one county park that CG Reviews listed as Big Rig friendly that was obviously not. They were notified and changed their designation. We use CG Reviews a lot when planning trips since it lets you see satellite views of a park to see access, etc.

PanJH · 12-14-2020, 09:31 AM

We also travel about 6 months a year.... we are in a 43' MH. We do plan our trips in advance now, due to the increased popularity of RV'ing and having a large rig, but that's alright by me. We generally travel the east coast from FL to Maine in early mid-summer, then head west in late summer. Our trips up the coast are well planned, when we head west, we sometimes wing it, but usually try to book things a few days or more in advance so we don't get stuck without accommodations.

K&J PNW · 12-14-2020, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryStone

I'm not sure about the length issue, but some of the 'resorts' are picky about how old the rig is that they let in.

Thank-you for the information regarding the age of a rig. I have heard something about this, but not sure if it's the actual age or the condition of the rig.
Kevin

K&J PNW · 12-14-2020, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyDi

I’ve had a 43’ and now a 45’ motorhome and I have never had a problem getting into a resort. Some state parks have size limitations but there is always a place nearby where you can get into. If you look at CG reviews they will tell you if they are big rig friendly.

Thank-you for the information! I will check out CG Reviews.

Kevin

K&J PNW · 12-14-2020, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lt Dan

In addition to Campground Reviews, there is another source for big rig parks that you can buy. It's called Big Rigs Best Bets and is compiled by RVers with personal experience on listed parks.
https://www.big-rigs-rv.com/Home.html

I have only found one county park that CG Reviews listed as Big Rig friendly that was obviously not. They were notified and changed their designation. We use CG Reviews a lot when planning trips since it lets you see satellite views of a park to see access, etc.

Thank-you for the links! I will check them out. We have not yet purchased our motor home, but we're really close.

Kevin

K&J PNW · 12-14-2020, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanJH

We also travel about 6 months a year.... we are in a 43' MH. We do plan our trips in advance now, due to the increased popularity of RV'ing and having a large rig, but that's alright by me. We generally travel the east coast from FL to Maine in early mid-summer, then head west in late summer. Our trips up the coast are well planned, when we head west, we sometimes wing it, but usually try to book things a few days or more in advance so we don't get stuck without accommodations.

Thank-you for the information. We are in Seattle and plan to stay in AZ for about 3-4 months during the winter, then head east over the course of a couple of months. My guess is that we will really need to plan our summer travel well in advance.

Kevin

Ivylog · 12-14-2020, 05:52 PM

We are half timers...3+ months snowbirding in SE Fla and a couple months out West most summers. Even this past summer, no reservations worked for us staying mainly in Public CGs that do not take reservations. Thank goodness there are those that must have reservations and FHUs. This includes most of the new folks and most of the big rigs. It’s easy to dry camp for a week at a time without cutting back on anything with a big rig.

After 14 years with a 42’ going to 45’ was not a concern although it’s easier to shrink a 42 to 40’ which is the published max when using the gov reservations sites.

MissVicki · 12-14-2020, 09:05 PM

We were full timers for two years in our 2016 Newmar Dutch Star 4018. We almost never had a difficult time finding a place to park. We used Good Sam, KOA and some high end resorts. High end resorts are usually exclusively for big rigs and have age and paint requirements. There are some lovely resorts! Almost every place we called had an overnight space available. It’s best to call a day or two ahead, but we often called the same day, but earlier better than later. Sometimes we had to disconnect the toad, but often not. State parks are a different story. We’re in the process of getting another class A diesel pusher. Looking forward to hitting the road, but not full time anymore.

2cyber71 · 12-15-2020, 05:06 AM

Most resorts = ownership RV Resorts all can accommodate a 45ft MH.
As for the private campgrounds it all depends.
Recently KOA has required their campgrounds to accommodate 45ft MH and have been adding big rig sites, mostly premium sites, but it all depends on the KOA
Encore (Thousand Trails) all have some 45ft sites, but their prices are crazy.
Sun Resorts usually has 45 ft sites.
I usually can get a big rig site p, but we plan way in advance,
Our spare of the moment trips are local and the CG owners all know us, so they will inform me if they have a site that fits our MH when we call late.
I hope that helps.
My biggest grip is Quad Cities Iowa, I just can find a decent big rig site for overnight anywhere near there. It’s our second stop when heading west. Last trip I just stayed at Iowa 80 and boondocked with several other RVers in the Rv overnight area. I hated it.
Oh, don’t go to the Quad City KOA, it’s almost impossible to get out of it with your car hookedup. It’s pretty bad.

PanJH · 12-15-2020, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuyAnRV

Thank-you for the information. We are in Seattle and plan to stay in AZ for about 3-4 months during the winter, then head east over the course of a couple of months. My guess is that we will really need to plan our summer travel well in advance.

Kevin

What we have found is that in the North east/New England, the parks are older and much more compact. Many still do not have 50 amp service. It has been getting better over the past few years, but up in that area, you need to be looking out and checking in advance. As you move west, the space issues dissipate.
It doesn't hurt to plan in advance. I've found most places will understand if you should have a change in plans due to health or mechanical issues.

mlh2013 · 12-15-2020, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2cyber71

Most resorts = ownership RV Resorts all can accommodate a 45ft MH.
As for the private campgrounds it all depends.
Recently KOA has required their campgrounds to accommodate 45ft MH and have been adding big rig sites, mostly premium sites, but it all depends on the KOA
Encore (Thousand Trails) all have some 45ft sites, but their prices are crazy.
Sun Resorts usually has 45 ft sites.
I usually can get a big rig site p, but we plan way in advance,
Our spare of the moment trips are local and the CG owners all know us, so they will inform me if they have a site that fits our MH when we call late.
I hope that helps.
My biggest grip is Quad Cities Iowa, I just can find a decent big rig site for overnight anywhere near there. It’s our second stop when heading west. Last trip I just stayed at Iowa 80 and boondocked with several other RVers in the Rv overnight area. I hated it.
Oh, don’t go to the Quad City KOA, it’s almost impossible to get out of it with your car hookedup. It’s pretty bad.

West Lake Park in Davenport right off of 280 has lots of big rig sites 2 campgrounds 1 with full hook ups 1 with water and electric. Very nice and clean park we stay there often visiting with our grandkids.