Max Length RV

[Wellplayedsir]

Hi What Max length RV can you go before you start to get lesser options as far as available sites go, since that is one of the first questions that they ask.
I was told 35' is there any truth to that, this is for a fifth wheel.

Dean

[rames14]

Dean, our four Montana’s have ranged from 35’ to 38’. We have had Montana’s since 2004 and had an issue one time. There are some places that we will avoid, but it hasn’t been a big issue. Plus, they don’t come out and exactly measure your rig. We average 6 months a year now and have been from Florida to Maine and Texas to Alaska. We just use RV Trip Wizard and watch where we are camping. Other’s have probably had different experiences, but that has been ours.

[twindman]

I think the issue is finding a spot long enough in some parks. California state parks pretty much say all sites are 30 feet max. I have stayed in some parks in the midwest that had sites that were borderline long enough for me and I called them and asked about a particular site. On NFS or such, I go to satellite view on computer and see if there isn't more space in one of them. Or look at campsitephotos.com. You find a site at the park site that sounds close, then look at the photos and sometimes the site has a whole lot more room at the back or such. Most parks are found in the photo place, but some are not.

[Camp CA]

Originally Posted by Wellplayedsir

Hi What Max length RV can you go before you start to get lesser options as far as available sites go, since that is one of the first questions that they ask. I was told 35' is there any truth to that, this is for a fifth wheel. Dean

Hard to say..........most places we stay have space for 45 ft rv's, albeit some less than that like along the Calif coast, state parks and Elk Lodges. Our 41 ft fifth wheel is limited in some rv park, e.g., state parks and Elk Lodges, so we are buying a 30 ft Class A to camp in those smaller parks,

[BB_TX]

Commercial RV parks are rarely a problem for 40+’. State and local parks and campgrounds can be. Our 3075RL was just under 35’ and at some TX and OK state parks we stayed at, any longer would have been a problem.

[dieselguy]

Like I said, today's commercial RV parks can handle about anything. However, if you go to state or corps parks, a lot of times 35 ft is too long.

[Montana Man]

The longer the rig, the fewer spots available. Even if a park can accommodate long trailers they may not have availability whereas short trailers can utilize any of the vacant spaces. We noticed less availability going from 33' to 36' especially when booking on shorter lead times.

[DadsHemi]

Like said, depends on the type of place your looking to stay at. We purposely looked for a 36 that would meet our needs and wants. We been to places that said they could handle 55 to 80’ but when we get there you can hardly get all you slide out because of trees, power pedestals, water connections or what ever lol. Ours is actually considered a 35.5 and I carry 4000lbs in it, pin weight is 4780.

1. Carry capacity
2. Availability of RV Parking

[Dave W]

We have had a problem 3 times but if those tree times, twice was the turning radius of our CCLB truck. The third was a site that we were assigned just was not big enough for a barely 38 footer. There have been other CHs where we have had to be ingenious in parking the TV once on the sote with that trailer filling literally every square foot ot the site

[MandK]

What everybody said^ we are staying in a government park in early March that has a 35’ max, but when I look at a Google satellite photo and use the measurement feature, there are rv’s there that are clearly longer so I guess not all are enforcing their rules.
Right now we are in a park for January that I was able to get a spot in that is short. When I reserved last April, they told me it would be tight but doable but it’s all we could get close to the beach. After jacking it between the sewer pipe and the raised concrete patio pad and keeping it far enough away from the tree in back that it wouldn’t rub our trailer in a wind, we ended up unhooking at about a 75* angle. Back home up north, we haven’t had any length restrictions. But we’re new to 5th wheels so we have limited experience.

[DutchmenSport]

My wife and I started tent camping some 37 years ago, moved to a pop-up, 18 foot travel trailer, 31 foot, 35 foot, and now a 41.5 foot fifth wheel.

We've never had a problem getting into any state park East of the Mississippi River anywhere so far. However, there are some sites inside the parks that would be impossible with a longer trailer.

Starve Hallow State Park in Southern Indiana has two sides to their campground. One side will accommodate 35 foot trailers and that is how the DNR web site lists them. However, the actual sites will accommodate a 40 footer as the actual asphalt and bumpered sites are longer than that. This side of the campground is easy to navigate and backing into the sites is not too bad, even with a longer camper.

However, the other side of the campground, which has sites along the lake are much smaller, especially the sites along the lake. In addition, that side of the campground has tight turning narrow roads with low over hanging trees. When simply driving through that side of the campground with my dually, I'm uncomfortable. I can't imagine towing anything through that side.

This is common in many of the state parks in Indiana. There is the older section of the park that is heavily forested and appears more primitive. But then new sections, more open, longer spaces, and not near as rustic feeling. More open, less trees, and just a newer feeling.

Traveling Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Virginia, states, we've never had problem getting a site with our 40 footer fifth wheel. But, the sites may not be in the "rustic" part of the camp ground.

One thing you have to consider when selecting sites like this, the campsite may accommodate a 40 foot trailer, but can you actually navigate the road to get there? So far, in 37 years, we've not had any problems anywhere. But, you do have to your research a little more careful.

[jsb5717]

Length and width are both issues to pay attention to. A lot of State Parks in Oregon were built long before RV's had slides so trees also come in to play. Also, there is a huge variable in site layout that might provide ample room to hang the trailer tail over the end of the site. Basically you can often hang 10' over so a little shorter site will still work. Then there's the need for enough room for your truck as well.

With a 35' trailers I do my best to check those elements with available pics or Google Earth. Many private parks don't offer site pictures or even allow you to select your own site so you have to leave it up to them to place you. There are a lot of sites in State and County parks that are too small for us. But we've always managed to find adequate space. For me I wouldn't worry about having a trailer up to 37-38'. YMMV

[Camp CA]

I have owned fifth wheel trailers ranging from 36 - 41 ft (41 ft now). Over 36 ft I found I am limited where I can camp. and as others have said, no California state parks generally if over 30 ft.

Also need to consider the trailer's GVWR and what truck can safely tow it.

[jeririgged223]

Most state parks vary from 30 to 35 feet depending on the state. Private RV parks are going up to 60 and 65 feet. One of those call ahead if you're unsure before you book, get there and find out you don't fit.

[Ttman]

I too have heard National parks have a 35’ limit, but have not experienced it as we are several years away from retiring and traveling a lot. I have also heard national parks are starting major upgrades and redesign, but its the federal government so that could be tomorrow or 10 years from now. We purchased a 34’ in the event that is true! For the weigh savings, etc. For us 34’ is plenty long enough, and while I have towed longer, I don’t want the increased tail swing, weight, etc. I’d be content if we were a couple feet shorter to be honest, but the floor plans can change drastically and we didn’t find anything we liked in the 32’ range

What I have found is that some spots rate their size by only the camper length, while others rate by camper and truck/RV and towed vehicle for a total length. When booking a spot if they only ask about camper thats how they measure, if they ask for truck and camper, thats how they measure. I wish there was consistency, but there isn’t.

[Briarglenn]

Totally agree and we are west of the Rockies. It all depends. If your comfortable with driving skills, you can usually park your rig anywhere.

[CaptnJohn]

The longer the stay the more you appreciate every sq ft! When we were dooing weekends and a week or two a 34' 5er was great, Now we spend 6 - 8 montha annually and 1 - 3 months at a time, Almost all stays are in private or military CGs and never a problem with 41' - 43' 5ers with 4 or 5 slide outs,

Dually parking is not that bad either! Back in so the hips don't interfer with other vehicle doors and push the button to retract the mirrors~ no more room than a regular truck!

[twindman]

I will add to Ttman's comments. Yellowstone upgraded there Fishing Bridge campground. I camped there with a 33.5 ft rig. I barely got into the site and when leaving I actually had to drive the front of the truck into the brush (not too thick) about 4 feet in order to jockey the rig around to leave. Can't remember why, but probably because someone was parked in the site beside me at the time.

So for the upgrade, I think they have a whole new section with pull thrus. This upgrade started, I think Sept.1 on e year to be completed either August or Sept. thenext year. Well I think it will finally open after 3 years (maybe only 2, but I think 3). It is a government project, so there is that.