Community Forums

Wundertaker · 08-04-2017, 12:49 PM

Friends...My wife and I currently have a 2013 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD Duramax Diesel SRW CC that thankfully runs perfectly for us...(fingers crossed). We also have a 2013 Cedar Creek Silverback 33RE 5er which is just about 37' in length.

In a few years we'll be retiring and going FT. Lord willing, we will be going to Alaska and traveling throughout the US, focusing on the mountainous West and Northwest and sliding down to Southwest and Southern climes during the cold months.

We are interested in another 5er but we're thinking of going a "couple feet shorter" (yup..2 footitis). With serious mountains on the horizon not to mention Alaska, I am trying to hit "our" sweetspot concerning length before we head out. I'd like to have the option of going into our National Parks or the slightly tighter campgrounds without a lot of trouble.

For those of you who are or who have done the deal, what size would you say is optimal from a length standpoint? We like "good quality" and nice amenities but I do not need or want a Glamping or Luxurious 5er.

I have been giving some serious consideration to Northwoods Mfg/Outdoors RV products out of Oregon. They look like they can take the heat, provide comfort, and are towable by my current TV.

Any thoughts would be certainly appreciated...

Lv2Roam2 · 08-04-2017, 01:09 PM

We're FT in a 43' coach and have been throughout the continental U.S. - and planning on Alaska. We previously did a 24' and 33' trailer (to Alaska and back) and 30' 5ver. At our winter location there are 400+ rigs (mostly full-timers) that stay from a month to 4 - 5 ranging from the smallest Class B to the largest Class A.

Yes - there are a few nat'l, state, local parks we can't fit in - but otherwise we go wherever we want.

May I recommend you stick with your current set-up, which is very good, and see what you experience? I think you'll be surprised how well it will work out.

Best wishes - safe travels ...

Wundertaker · 08-04-2017, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lv2Roam2

We're FT in a 43' coach and have been throughout the continental U.S. - and planning on Alaska. We previously did a 24' and 33' trailer (to Alaska and back) and 30' 5ver. At our winter location there are 400+ rigs (mostly full-timers) that stay from a month to 4 - 5 ranging from the smallest Class B to the largest Class A.

Yes - there are a few nat'l, state, local parks we can't fit in - but otherwise we go wherever we want.

May I recommend you stick with your current set-up, which is very good, and see what you experience? I think you'll be surprised how well it will work out.

Best wishes - safe travels ...

A definite consideration. Our Cedar Creek is ok, I'm just not overly happy/excited/or CONFIDENT in it's ability to make the Alaska trip in one piece...Not Happy with Forest River Quality...sad to say!

JFXG · 08-07-2017, 12:51 AM

"Optimal" is what you're comfortable living in. Don't tailor your total living space based on some arbitrary size limit you MIGHT encounter if you HAPPEN to stay in some older State Park that MAY have been designed 70 years ago.

In 5 years fulltiming our 40 ft length has never posed us an immediate problem.

paz · 08-07-2017, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFXG

"Optimal" is what you're comfortable living in. Don't tailor your total living space based on some arbitrary size limit you MIGHT encounter if you HAPPEN to stay in some older State Park that MAY have been designed 70 years ago.

In 5 years fulltiming our 40 ft length has never posed us an immediate problem.

X2. Well said.

Selah · 08-07-2017, 07:05 AM

If you are going to full time then storage space, interior and exterior, is going to be a consideration.
I travel in 42' MH and have no problems seeing all the sites I want. Yes there are National Parks I can't park in but there are always larger CG and resorts just out side that can accommodate us.