Community Forums

skipdup · 01-28-2023, 09:02 AM

Hello. We're considering a 36 VSB and 40 VBH. Does anyone have any experience comparing the two re: maneuvering, backing up with trailer, turning radius, etc?

A trusted and generally very knowledgeable friend downsized from a 38' Nexus (? or some other Super C) to a 34' Verona a few years back and said the difference was huge for him.

With a family of 5 (younger kids), the bunk house seems really appealing...

Thanks,
Skip

YC1 · 01-28-2023, 10:10 AM

Where you camp could make a difference. In our younger days with only one child the C was fantastic for getting into places where it would take a sawsall with our 40 footer.

As children grow, even a few years from now their interest may change a bit or their athletic or other things may play a part in their desire to travel on weekends when a lot of events happen.

We upsized from a 30 footer to a 40 footer (officer), because we were planning to full time which we have been for over ten years now.

Maintaing a diesel could be more than a gasser and personally I miss knowing much more about a gasser than the diesel.

The 30 footer A class was a great upgrade in size over the C we had but had the worst brakes of anythiing I have driven in my life. That is a different issue and I would have tossed that braking system out because we really loved the size of the rv.

However, the 30 footer was still a size that caused us to eliminate lots of camping places we used to boondock in. California has some of the most beautiful places in the country but can be very tight to get into.

With only one child she often brought along a friend. Even when we had the C's and the TT's she brought friends. There was plenty of room and as she got old enough she moved outside into a tent. Many times it was just her and our dog Snoopy.

So depending on the kids' ages, some may love pitching a tent and "really camping".

Take your time and think forward and do have the discussion with your children.

In any case, it is unlikely this will be your last RV. Have fun and enjoy our beautiful country.

RaceRenegade · 01-28-2023, 09:10 PM

We have been driving our 40vrb all over the country for the last 4+yrs, most often pulling a 18’ v nose trailer. Two things come to mind…we wouldn’t trade it for something smaller, and I’ve put this rig in places that would scare most. In fact I’d take it in a drive thru if it wasn’t so tall lol. Get what suits your needs and learn how to drive it, you’ll never look back.
In fact we’ve considered an upgrade to the XL to get more master bath space. Good luck whichever way you go, but you cannot go wrong with a super c made by renegade. Jm2c

Rob_M · 01-28-2023, 10:57 PM

I really don’t see how 4’ would make any real difference, Pick the one you like the best and learn to maneuver it.

YC1 · 01-29-2023, 03:24 AM

In our early days we towed a boat to a lake we boondocked at. Launching the boat either my wife or I would run to boat to the camping spot we found.

She was great at launching me and backing the trailer but it often needed to be disconnected before getting to the camp spot. I preferred to do the heavy lifting.

She would amaze people backing me into the water.

Trying to attempt this with our forty footer would have been impossible.

Rob_M · 01-29-2023, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YC1

In our early days we towed a boat to a lake we boondocked at. Launching the boat either my wife or I would run to boat to the camping spot we found.

She was great at launching me and backing the trailer but it often needed to be disconnected before getting to the camp spot. I preferred to do the heavy lifting.

She would amaze people backing me into the water.

Trying to attempt this with our forty footer would have been impossible.

Nah. Turning around at the ramp might be difficult or impossible, but I have backed several from 30’ boat to a 12’ golf cart trailer multiple times into tight spots with our 40’DP. The backup camera supplementing the mirrors makes it a breeze. Just go slow and have a spotter looking out for what you can’t see, like your front swing and overhead limbs. We put our cell phones on speaker.

The shortest trailer is hardest to back as it can get out of shape quickly.

Tskadberg · 01-29-2023, 08:29 AM

We are just under 37 feet. I can make a right turn in any right hand turn lane so far without taking up the lane to my left. I assume at a certain point the length is long enough that this would no longer be true.

DockmasterAK · 01-29-2023, 09:09 AM

I have the Verona 40 VBH. No issues getting anywhere I want to go. I can maneuver around my driveway and into my storage shop easily. I also tow a 32’ enclosed trailer to the dunes with no issues (let’s not debate the overall length issue please).
With three kids I would think the bunkhouse would be a must for you. With the bunk beds and overhead cab bunk it is fantastic for everyone to have a bed without having to turn down sofas or dinettes every night. I’m an early riser so I can get up and have coffee and read or whatever without disturbing people. And if it is just the wife and I on a trip we like the bunk beds for storage. It’s a great place to throw a suitcase or clothes bag or other type items and not have them in the way.

YC1 · 01-29-2023, 10:35 PM

Well Rob, you don't know where we camped. The forty footer would not turn in the places we launched nor would it come close to fitting in the tiny spaces.

Sometimes the combination is indeed too long.

We started with a small pickup camper, then two TT's, two C's, a 30 ft A that would not fit in all the places we put the shorter C's.

It would take a sawsall to get the 40 footer in those spots. There are lots of small spaces in the Northern Sierras as well.

HoosierRVer · 02-05-2023, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skipdup

Hello. We're considering a 36 VSB and 40 VBH. Does anyone have any experience comparing the two re: maneuvering, backing up with trailer, turning radius, etc?

A trusted and generally very knowledgeable friend downsized from a 38' Nexus (? or some other Super C) to a 34' Verona a few years back and said the difference was huge for him.

With a family of 5 (younger kids), the bunk house seems really appealing...

Thanks,
Skip

Regarding turning radius check out the YouTube video from bluegrass international truck sales.

I think you will find the 40 footer to be much harder to fit into some state park RV sites. Our 36 footer has been difficult to maneuver in some state park campgrounds. I believe some national parks restrict the length of RVs permitted. So you should do some research before purchasing.