Would you risk it? - - - Have you risked it?

[Burner]

It might be time to push the limits of what I can get away with.

As I look for a new DP, I toggle between 36' to 45'
The smaller RV's fit in more national/state parks so I am torn.

If the camp limits the RV to 36' but your 45' has IFS & a lifted tag axle...

-Would you risk it?
-Have you risked it?

Wondering how much room for fudging the numbers there is.
At what point is it too big of a reach?

Is it simply a matter of turning radius, or the total length of the pad?

I am sure it varies from park to park.
Just wondering..

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by Burner

It might be time to push the limits of what I can get away with.

As I look for a new DP, I toggle between 36' to 45'
The smaller RV's fit in more national/state parks so I am torn.

If the camp limits the RV to 36' but your 45' has IFS & a lifted tag axle...

-Would you risk it?
-Have you risked it?

Wondering how much room for fudging the numbers there is.
At what point is it too big of a reach?

Is it simply a matter of turning radius, or the total length of the pad?

I am sure it varies from park to park.
Just wondering..

Most times it relates to the size of the camp pad, altho I have seen several that access with a longer rig would be a challenge...
For us ..If in Doubt we take the toad and survey the campground first... If it ain't gonna fit.. we either just dry camp out side their campground in a wide spot or go elsewhere..

[mtofell]

I agree it's most often the camping pad. Keep in mind if you're talking about a campground that also allows trailers a 36' travel trailer and tow vehicle can be 60-65 feet so you "should" be able to at least drive through in a 45' coach. Of course, the truck/trailer bends in the middle for backing in too but I can't imagine it would be too often that you'd get totally stuck just driving through.

[Hooligan]

The tag axle might be a dead giveaway... Weight might be a factor in the campground pad construction, 36Dp GVWR is about 26 to 32,000#, a 45 ft RV can be upwards of 55-58,000 pounds.

[Domo]

Most places we've been to west of the Mississippi that have a limit of 36 is exactly where the front will be sticking out - the toad has to occupy some other space.

We have managed to squeeze and have the scratches to show for it!

[Crasher]

Not all State Parks have length restrictions. Sand Hollow SP in Hurricane, UT (St George) has 100' paved pull through pads with full 50 amp full hookups. $43/night. I would not limit the length to some parks that you might not get into. There is always a place to stay.

[grindstone01]

I would get the rig you want as a first priority. With any campground, I will call ahead to check for recommendations on a site for my rig size, utilities, and best route into the park.

[momdoc]

You will find many parks you just won't fit.
With our 40 we can fit in most parks but have on rare occasion not done so. I have seen many parks that over 40 just won't cut it and other where 45 would be ok

You will be limiting your options to some extent with the bigger rig

[Mr_D]

Favorite campground has some spots limited to 40'. I put my 45' into them with no problem.

[Hooligan]

Originally Posted by grindstone01

I would get the rig you want as a first priority. With any campground, I will call ahead to check for recommendations on a site for my rig size, utilities, and best route into the park.

Totally agree.. Plenty of campgrounds that can accommodate any rig. Enjoy

[Dutch Star Don]

A 36' foot coach won't fit into a lot of campgrounds and if it does, the spaces may be limited. The same issue occurs with a 45', just more often. We camp at Yosemite National Park every year. When we first got our 36' DP, we found that we only fit in certain sites. We later moved to a 40' DP and still fit into those same sites, because we can back the rear of the coach over the stops at the back. If you end up with a 45' coach, often you'll have to adjust your plans and stay a few miles from your destination, at a private campground that can handle your rig and use your toad to sight see.

Limits are also imposed because of small roads and tight turns, making it difficult to traverse with a large coach.

We've found that since we purchased our 40' coach, some campgrounds get all wound around the axle when they hear the word forty. We now tell them we have a 39' coach.

[Ivylog]

Not sure what IFS and lifting tag has to do with it...OK, I may have to make a 2 point turn with my solid front axle and the 4 tires on the drive axle will make the tag follow them. I made the mistake of starting with a 36’ DP because of the BS that 36 was the max for Public CGs as we dry camp often. Traded for a 40’ after 2 years and then a 42’ when we started snowbirding. As you can see below we have gone to the max and sure it’s harder BUT not impossible. The 42’ often became a 40’...a little harder to shrink a 45’.

Amazing the number of comments that 40’ is to long from people that do not own one and like Dino, I have the scratches to prove it’s possible...another reason for buying a used rig.

Buy more RV than you think you need...One a time.

[CountryB]

I have camped at sites that say 40 foot is the max allowed (my rig is 42 feet) but I tell them I have 40 footer when I register. It has not been a problem. I don't have a Toad.

I do find some of the rural roads to be challenging for my "287 inch wheel base" coach. I posted here before about an issue I had turning onto A1A in FL where I couldn't make the right turn (but the campground was not an issue).

[barmcd]

I don't know that they pay attention to the size of your rig when you make reservations or register. We always list our length as 40' when we make reservations and have been directed to sites obviously too short to fit.

It's nice the COE sites tell you the length of the parking pad.