Boondocking for bigger rigs

[KregChar]

I learned a lot by following this forum for a few years now.
It might be time to give back a little.

Would there be interest here if I shared a map of boondocking sites confirmed to fit rigs over 35 feet?
And what would you do with it?
I have been adding to the map for the past two years.
We traveled the Northeast this year, so there was not much to add.
That will change next year.
I would love to share and collaborate with like-minded people who are willing to add to the map.
Let me know what you think.
Below is a screenshot of the map.
Kreg

[Unplanned Tourist]

I believe there's an app or 2 that has at least some of that info in it.

Maybe team up with one of them.

[KregChar]

Originally Posted by Unplanned Tourist

I believe there's an app or 2 that has at least some of that info in it.

Maybe team up with one of them.

Campendium and iOverlander. lol
That's where I get my info from.
Unfortunately, their info is not always up to date and I have no clue what their definition of big rig is.
But we ran into the issue on our trip west in 2023 that some sites listed to be big rig friendly were not accessible for us at all.

[AllegroD]

This would be a great thread to be pinned to the top. Many might be able to help you keep it up.

[hamm2018]

Originally Posted by KregChar

Campendium and iOverlander. lol
That's where I get my info from.
Unfortunately, their info is not always up to date and I have no clue what their definition of big rig is.
But we ran into the issue on our trip west in 2023 that some sites listed to be big rig friendly were not accessible for us at all.

How do you plan on keeping your information up to date?

What will be the definition of "big rig friendly?" The definition people use is so varying between people it is confusing. So, what would be your definition of a big rig in regard to this information?

A 40-foot RV is small compared to our 45-foot toy hauler 5th wheel.

[KregChar]

Originally Posted by hamm2018

How do you plan on keeping your information up to date?

What will be the definition of "big rig friendly?" The definition people use is so varying between people it is confusing. So, what would be your definition of a big rig in regard to this information?

A 40-foot RV is small compared to our 45-foot toy hauler 5th wheel.

LOL, our 39-footer plus the truck in tow is similar in length. But I admit that I feel small when it comes to liveable space.

As for how to define big rig friendly.

That's the problem I ran into with Facebook groups and apps. You probably know what I am talking about.
As I stated, I would like to see something specific to those of us 35 feet and bigger.
I actually started a Facebook group myself because other groups really are not informative anymore. Some don't even answer requests to join, others are overrun by van and car campers.

How am I going to keep it updated?
By keeping it exclusive to people who actively participate.
The map is hosted on Google Drive. To access it, one needs to ask for access permission. I have two options when granting access: visitor and Editor. Editors can edit places themselves.
I have and will deny access if a user is not willing to contribute to the map. I will revoke access if a user is not participating.
PM me.

[Triangle Drifter]

What is the definition of a 'big rig'? Just what is that fuzzy length line?

Our CGs of first choice are SPs, COEs, county CGs and NPs. Many of these have serious limitations the further you go into the 30' plus sizes. They might have a couple of sites that will take a 40'er but that does not mean that sites for very long RVs are readily available.

Even at our relatively modest 35'LOA we are often one of the longest in the CG.

The private CGs are another issue. They are far more likely to be able to accommodate 40'plus RVs, packed in of course, but have a site.

[KregChar]

Originally Posted by Triangle Drifter

What is the definition of a 'big rig'? Just what is that fuzzy length line?

Our CGs of first choice are SPs, COEs, county CGs and NPs. Many of these have serious limitations the further you go into the 30' plus sizes. They might have a couple of sites that will take a 40'er but that does not mean that sites for very long RVs are readily available.

Even at our relatively modest 35'LOA we are often one of the longest in the CG.

The private CGs are another issue. They are far more likely to be able to accommodate 40'plus RVs, packed in of course, but have a site.

Well, when I created that Facebook group I used a number. 35
I like the term you used. Fuzzy length line.
When I look for something big-rig-friendly, I am looking for something I can get into. Can I make it there? I can find plenty of spots when I go on Campendium or iOverlander. But if I have to get on a long, narrow dirt road to get to the spot, it might get difficult. When it comes to boondocking, it is not so much a question of whether can I fit into that campsite, it's about whether I can get there.
Many people that contribute to these apps and websites, forget one important thing. Can someone else with a different setup make it here?
Let's keep the line fuzzy.

[UTTransplant]

The standard boondocking apps are pretty worthless to me because few sites really have length info provided. I use a FB page specifically for big rigs. It has detailed information on sites with length, crowds, pictures, and lat/lon info. The disadvantage is that it is sorted by state and town which adds a layer of complexity. It has still helped us a lot. I don’t know if it is the one mentioned above, but if it is, Thanks! Oh, and the minimum length is 35’

[Itinerant1]

Some of the adventure of boondocking is the travel there. If you're worried about fitting, getting pinstripping or just stuck because you want to take 40' or longer with 26,000# and over vehicle on a 2 track road...... well maybe you shouldn't be back there to start and stay in an rv park or "boondock" in a Walmart, LOL.

[Primerump]

Originally Posted by Itinerant1

Some of the adventure of boondocking is the travel there. If you're worried about fitting, getting pinstripping or just stuck because you want to take 40' or longer with 26,000# and over vehicle on a 2 track road...... well maybe you shouldn't be back there to start and stay in an rv park or "boondock" in a Walmart, LOL.

agree about the travel aspect, but if you are attempting to boondock with a 40+ ft rv, well that's more difficult, especially in the east. out west in the dessert there is no issue at all..

[Itinerant1]

But then maybe... just maybe a 40' + rig is not the boondocking rig in the east and stay out of the woods. My 35' 5th wheel isn't short either but I have definitely taken it places that many on this site wouldn't even think about it, which is good. 4wd low and slow and of course pre scouting with the confident no problem and blocking under the tires for rear end preventing dragging of rearend and minimal overhead trimming to prevent roof damage but not enough to make it easy for the next guy to get in and then post on a public forum you can get here with exact coordinates ruining for a secluded next time.

[KregChar]

Originally Posted by UTTransplant

The standard boondocking apps are pretty worthless to me because few sites really have length info provided. I use a FB page specifically for big rigs. It has detailed information on sites with length, crowds, pictures, and lat/lon info. The disadvantage is that it is sorted by state and town which adds a layer of complexity. It has still helped us a lot. I don’t know if it is the one mentioned above, but if it is, Thanks! Oh, and the minimum length is 35’

No, this is not the same FB page. Would you mind sharing that particular page?
I looked at some of those boondocking and big rig pages on FB.
They were pretty useless.
I got outa there fast.

[KregChar]

Originally Posted by Itinerant1

But then maybe... just maybe a 40' + rig is not the boondocking rig in the east and stay out of the woods. My 35' 5th wheel isn't short either but I have definitely taken it places that many on this site wouldn't even think about it, which is good. 4wd low and slow and of course pre scouting with the confident no problem and blocking under the tires for rear end preventing dragging of rearend and minimal overhead trimming to prevent roof damage but not enough to make it easy for the next guy to get in and then post on a public forum you can get here with exact coordinates ruining for a secluded next time.

Trimming is one thing I would never do. It defeats the meaning of "leaf no trace." I want to avoid having to be in a touch situation in the first place. I checked out plenty of spots marked as big rig friendly, but when I checked it out on Google Maps, it became clear that getting there would risk the RV.
That is the frustrating part.