Community Forums

archer75 · 02-19-2016, 07:11 AM

It sometimes seems different places have different ways of measuring for max vehicle length.
In Oregon state parks it seems pretty much right on. If I need a 43' site for my truck and trailer it typically ends up just fitting.
Looking around at national forest service sites I can't find a single one that's larger than 40'. Most are around 32' yet in pics I see trailers in these sites that are larger than mine.
Some people have said it doesn't include the tow vehicle. But then where would I put my truck? In state parks they force you to stay on the cement pad and within your site so I can't park it sideways. However right now i'm looking mostly at forest service sites. Some list a max vehicle size and then a different driveway size. Sometimes they're the same values.

My new trailer is 27.5' long and my truck is 20'

UTTransplant · 02-19-2016, 09:27 AM

It is certainly true that different facilities have different rules/guidelines for size. Our trailer is about the same size as yours, 28.5' long. We always look for sites that say 30' as a back in. For pull throughs, size is fairly irrelevant and we can get settled though sometimes they are so sharp we have to back in! The truck is generally parked perpendicular to the trailer in a back in. If we can't find anything that says 30', we start looking at Google map. Lots of times the sites are more than big enough but just aren't listed correctly. There are also useful web sites. My favorites are campgroundreviews.com and campsitephotos.com.

twogypsies · 02-19-2016, 05:38 PM

With our 40' motorhome towing the Jeep we have no problem getting sites. We find that the size given is for the RV and they allow extra room for the truck or towed vehicle. We try to aim for 40' sites but quite often we'll fit in shorter sites. It just depends how it's carved out.

Have you discovered this site for national forest campgrounds? We used it all the time and it's fairly accurate. It also gives excellent directions.

Campground Directory and National Forest Campgrounds

We rarely make reservations but if we're unsure and the park accepts reservations, sometimes we'll look on the Reserve America site and quite often they show pictures of the site. We find that pull-thrus aren't as accurate because of the bend in the site and trees along it. Sometimes it says a pull-thru is 80' long but we find it's not all usable and sometimes we had to back into it so we're in it only half-way through because of the bend or trees.

There are also a couple web sites that give photos of every site, especially for public campgrounds. It takes a lot of research to find out what a site will be when you arrive.

Here's an example of photos:

Campsite Photos, Camping Pictures, and Campground Reviews - campsitephotos.com

RVParkList.com

Tuquala · 02-20-2016, 11:34 AM

Besides the listed site for NF campgrounds, try finding MOON'S travel guides. Here is a link to one: Moon Pacific Northwest Camping - Moon Travel Guides

They have a lot of info, and pad sizes within. Don't always cover all possible campsites, or always give lengths, but very inclusive. There quite a few books, and they can be repetitive, but the one link posted is a great one for WA & OR. There is also one that covers ID, MT, WY and the Nat Parks done just like all the others with great info.

I will say that some of the lengths listed for spots we have been to, weren't entirely accurate, and did somewhat ere on the side of short!!! But have found most to be fairly on track.

We found these at our local library, which is a good way to see if you want to buy one for "permanent" use!!!