Big rigs and campgrounds that fit em'

[petrel]

We also rely heavily on calling ahead to confirm "big rig" access. For us, overhead clearance seems to be as big of a concern as site layout.

Our list of easiest access private parks:
Holiday Travel Park, Virginia Beach, VA
Blue Water Resort, Key West, FL
Camp Hatteras, Rodanthe, NC
Camp N' Class, Stoney Point, AB
Eagles Rest, Valdez, AK
Heritage RV Park, Homer, AK

[MRUSA14]

X2 on the overhead clearance. It is often a huge problem, not only inside the parks but on the roads leading to them. When I commented to one RV park owner about tnis, he went and got a chain saw and spent thirty minutes trimming trees to ease my departure.

[hikndog]

We had a DEQ and now a 44B and have not had any problems but we do look for "big rig" for ease of parking although we park at many places that don't advertise that. Michigan which has one of the best RV state campgrounds internet sites seems to have a cut off at 40 feet. Call the campground! In Copper Harbor they asked if we could fit in a 110' pull thru, we could.

[Podivin]

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

Some places you will fit, some you won't. Just go to the ones where you fit and ignore the rest.(snip).

This

Most campgrounds list site restrictions.
Or if in doubt call ahead to make sure you'll fit.

[hbatwell]

One thing I do is check the RV park, even Big Rig friendly parks, on Google Earth to get a feel as to whether I feel that I can get in and out.

[Ready2Travel]

Have only stayed at about a dozen different parks with the 45 footer, no issues so far. Some are easier that others to park but all were doable.

[DoggieDaddy]

Even though we use RV Park Reviews and Google Earth, we have been in parks where we've had to be "cut in" and "cut out." We carry a rope saw, long pruning loppers, and a bow saw. If the park looks to overgrown with trees, we'll try not to use it just because the satellite dish would be worthless. Google Earth can give you a good idea about how tight the turns may be. And watch out for low hanging wires. That's something you can't find out about ahead of times.

[Steeljag]

Being in Florida you will need to be careful at both Anastasia SP, and Wekiva SP with larger rigs. We camp with two couples who have larger As who had issues at those two parks and probably won't be back.

Their issues had to do with both height and slides and both parks we did some branch trimming.

Note - one of those owners would be happiest camping in a parking lot and no where near a tree....LOL !

[dcphil_98]

We have stayed in hundreds of RV parks in every state (except Hawaii), most of Canada and the Canadian Provinces including Newfoundland. We have had very few problems in finding suitable RV parks. We generally avoid national and state parks but some are big rig friendly. Check ahead. If in doubt when you arrive at an RV park, go check the parking spot and the route to it. Don't be bashful.

Another caution and a pet peeve of mine. Most employees at RV parks have never driven a large coach and don't really understand some of the issues such as length, height (trees/branches), turning radius (corners), and tail swing (low roadway obstructions and poles). Be careful of their advice.

And finally, be aware of the over zealous parking guide on the golf cart. Unfortunately many have no experience with big rigs. They jump in their carts and off they go wanting you to follow. Some are inexperienced and may be temporary employees. My advice is to take your time. Don't get in a hurry. If I have a concern or don't trust them to park me, my wife gets out and checks things out and takes over. She has more experience than they do at least with a big rig.

[BeHappy]

We went from a 36' DP to our 45' Cornerstone. 1st year about 10K miles and no issues finding places to camp with our Big Rig, including some state parks. (For state parks, we rely on Google Earth and use the measuring tool for good estimate on site lengths, turn radius on interior roads, etc.)

As others here have said, RV Park Reviews, Good Sam (site length & width info), and Google Earth are your trip planning friends

As others mentioned, more recently built cgs tend to have wider interior road & sites that are truly Big Rig Friendly. But we have found several 'older, smaller' cgs are also adding new big-rig sites / pull through sites, too. So we have been able to return to some of our favorites we first camped in a 36' DP. Sometimes the site is long enough, but disconnecting the toad at the cg entrance helps navigating interior roads and parking MH at your site

For examples, and to add to the cgs listed so far on this thread:

Poncho's Pond RV Pk, Ludington, MI
(city of, also has sandy beach and lighthouse tour)
Shelby/Mansfield KOA, Shelby, OH
(2 above R older cgs that recently built big-rig friendly sites)
Drummer Boy Cg, Gettysburg, PA also had lovely sites
(that fit big rigs in their original cg layout)
Lewis & Clark SP, Onawa, IA
(wonderful L & C museum and flatboat exhibits there, too)
Rafter J Bar Ranch, Hill City, SD
(multiple areas fit big rigs, close to Mt Rushmore)
Sterling SP, Monroe, MI
(right on Lake Erie, beautiful sandy beach)

And, fishing ponds/lagoons available at all the above.

You will love the ride of your new Entegra, and the additional comfort the longer coach provides is definitely worth it :-)

If you haven't yet, check out the Spartan Owner Training class, too! We attended the Spartan class at Spartan factory location, and the included driving course was wonderful...DW learned to drive a 45' MH ...her first time ever driving ANY RV. Many great topics covered for diesel coach owners made it time well spent, and cost was worth it. BTW, Entegra specific dates were filled so we attended the 'general' date. We made new friends who owned Tiffin, Newmar, even though we were the only Entegra there, Spartan instructors, like Big Mike, do a wonderful job providing specific details for each attendee...regardless of brand, coach/engine size, etc. Highly recommend

Welcome to the Entegra family

Safe Travels To All

"Classic" 2015 Cornerstone 44B
2014 Jeep GC Overton toad, AF1, BO Avail

[Ourrvtrip]

One issue we discovered early on jumping from 39' to 43' coach is that when you go to make an online reservation, the campground may ask for coach specifics including length. Some campgrounds may have a small percentage of spots for "Big Rigs" and their website reservation may state "full". I then try same reservation and in put 40' and they may then have several spots available. Never had any issue fitting in the 40' designated length spots. Sometimes you may just have to play the game using online reservations. Tommy

[Finally]

We have never had an issue and in the last three years, we have only had to disconnect our car hauler twice. We use bigrigresorts.com and Coast Resorts (Coast 2 Coast).

We always verify when calling and state we are as long as a semi so they can get the picture of our length. Also, ask the person are they onsite or at a call center.


"Finally"

2014 Aspire
2016 MX5 toad (trailered)

Sent from somewhere in the USA

[coachmanrvr]

We've traveled all over this nation at 70+ feet and never had to WalMart camp it...the difference with length is planning. Takes a little more effort, but there are always campgrounds around.

[LittleVeze]

You folks are the best! Thank you for the feedback. The comments that we've heard from others about campgrounds and the size of coaches had reached the ears of the passenger seat.

But I think we're good now.