Community Forums

reubenray · 06-14-2014, 05:13 PM

While doing a lot of research for a full-time rig I have been limiting myself to a 40' length. But I have come across some great looking and good deals on some 42 or 43 foot rigs.

Will it be next to impossible to get these rigs in state or national parks or even private rv parks?

**CLIFFTALL** · 06-14-2014, 05:15 PM

It will of course limit your possibilities but hardly impossible. There are trade offs with a rig that size.

PushedAround · 06-14-2014, 05:17 PM

You're going to hate the answer, but it depends. We have a 39' and there are some parks where it is very tight, and there are others where we have more space than we know what to do with. That is both in private RV parks and State & County parks. Any newer or more upscale park is going to have more room than an older place, and of course the longer you are the greater the percentage chance that you won't fit. But people have the same concerns in going from a Class C to your sized coach.

**TonyDi** · 06-14-2014, 05:18 PM

I have never had a problem getting into a private park. You just need to make sure beforehand that they are big rig friendly. Some state parks are a hassle but you can always get in. They don't come out and measure your rig. When you go to a 42+ you will have a tag axle and there are so many pluses to having this. If you are stuck in your MH in bad weather (rain) it's always nice to have the extra room.

mel s · 06-14-2014, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reubenray

While doing a lot of research for a full-time rig I have been limiting myself to a 40' length. But I have come across some great looking and good deals on some 42 or 43 foot rigs.
Will it be next to impossible to get these rigs in state or national parks or even private rv parks?

reubenray
There a a lot of 42-43' coaches traveling around this country.
Buy what you like and don't worry about it.
Although some state and NP campgrounds don't accommodate anything longer than 30-35' there are usually private parks nearby where the big dogs camp.
Mel
'96 Safari

becks · 06-14-2014, 05:48 PM

We seldom have a problem. Can most often just hang off the end of the site. Many plus points to having a tag. Wish we had a 45 foot.

poppopc · 06-14-2014, 06:56 PM

If you are going with a tag, just as we'll go for it all!
If a 41-42' can get inso can a 45'. With ours we have more cubic ft of storage than
the larger models. You loose a storage bin on each side with the tag. Plus the DEF.
compartment. See sig.

reubenray · 06-14-2014, 07:04 PM

I checked into the COE campgrounds in Alabama and there was a lot of them that would accept the longer rigs. I will need to test out the Louisiana state parks. I understand that California is one of the hardest to get the big rigs in, but we will most likely never go there.

CampDaven · 06-14-2014, 07:10 PM

Limitations in site length are mostly those more than 35 ft in the older parks.

An extra 3 or 4 feet fits pretty well wherever a 39 or 40 will. And the ride with a tag is quite sublime.

Not being able to load to max weight of the coach is quite nifty. We are at 37K lbs out of a max of almost 45K.

And I find the two slide-thru 4x8 storage bins to be more than enough.

YMMV

Nuclear · 06-14-2014, 07:20 PM

I currently have a 34' and can't imagine what the 11 extra feet would feel like. The other thing I would like is the slides that open on both sides...wow they are roomy.

Does a 45' drive much different??

Selah2 · 06-14-2014, 07:22 PM

We have never had a problem getting into a park. Even though Reserve America AllStays or even the campground website say a limit of 40, we call ahead and tell them we are 42 feet and have been told more times than not, "No Problem".
That being said, there were a few parks that were tight, but they were parks for an overnight so we didn't care.
I think we may be limited in Yellowstone but there are parks nearby we can go to.

arlinv · 06-14-2014, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuclear

I currently have a 34' and can't imagine what the 11 extra feet would feel like. The other thing I would like is the slides that open on both sides...wow they are roomy.

Does a 45' drive much different??

I have had 35.5', 40', 42', and now 45'. The new one has a full wall slide on the drivers side. The roominess is why we decided to upgrade after 8 1/2 years with the 42'. We have not had time to travel extensively with it due to family issues, but expect it to be even more enjoyable than the 42' was. The tag axles make a big difference in road stability, and give you much more carrying capacity. If there is a drawback, it is that you are somewhat more limited in where you can stay. Sites in state and national parks can be difficult to impossible, but there are typically private parks nearby. They just cost a little more.

ArlinV
2011 American Eagle 45B

Nuclear · 06-14-2014, 07:54 PM

That full wall slide is amazing! When it becomes time to upgrade, I will certainly add that feature.

Dawgs · 06-14-2014, 09:07 PM

Our coach is a little more than 44 feet. We haven't had a problem going to the Keys or to Denver from Atlanta. I would not consider anything other than a full wall slide with tag. If I can get into and out of Boyd's in Key West I bet I can fit anywhere. Go for it.