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Old 08-15-2014, 11:35 AM   #1
psomers
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RV max square footage.

At the mid Atlantic rally Larry Sessions gave a max square footage a RV can legally be. Forgetful me I can't remember what he said. Also is that max with slides out also does that apply to motor homes?
Maybe Larry will catch this and refresh my memory.
 
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Old 08-15-2014, 12:25 PM   #2
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Last I saw was 430sq. Ft. Toy haulers have been this size for years they for a long time didn't count the garage I think they got found out lol. I believe its with the slides open. But I have been wrong before so I'll wait to see if I have it right others will chime in I'm sure.
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Old 08-15-2014, 01:32 PM   #3
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Legally it is 400 SF with slides open trailer or MH.

My apologies....first the allowable square feet is 430 for 5th wheels only and 320 sf for travel trailers. This is not regulated by some government rules but by the RVIA. The size was increased to 430 from 400 because of the demand by consumers for larger units.

Like anything else...driven by supply and demand!
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Old 08-15-2014, 02:40 PM   #4
bncinwv
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My understanding is there is no real "legal" maximum square footage. But, for an RV to be accredited by the RVIA manufacturers association, the maximum is 400 square feet. This is purely by memory with no legal or non-legal references to provide for verification.
Bingo

Sorry, Les, above, has a better edited recollection of what I mis-stated, I had no idea it was increased to 430 sq. ft. Once again, I have been subjected to MOC forum education!! Cool!
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Old 08-15-2014, 03:11 PM   #5
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430 is what I said, yet I do make mistakes.
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Old 08-15-2014, 08:35 PM   #6
Artemus Gordon
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I wrote the lower portion before finding this article. Hope it still makes sense. I believe RIVA limits their certification today at 430. I don't think it's a legal requirement. This is an older article on subject.

http://www.rvbusiness.com/2007/03/rv...quare-footage/

This link discusses changing regulations. Appears Park Models and RV need clarification?

http://www.mhmarketingsalesmanagemen...-housing-code/


Can someone give me a "statute" or cite number? My understanding was the size is limited by weight, length and how wide while traversing the National highways. I believe the 3750 and 3850 Montana has the most sq. ft., never measured mine, I will next week! I was looking at another 5 slide model that had narrow slides. Last but not least, several manufactures make 50 ft models, multiple slides? I know some like "Continental" have units in excess of 500 sq ft. The last thing, might be how big without special permits. That is an entirely a different conversation.
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Old 08-16-2014, 03:04 AM   #7
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It was raised to 430 SF by RVIA a few years ago. I have no idea which Montana's are that size.
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Old 08-16-2014, 03:41 AM   #8
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Not a limit on an RV, but sort of fits in there. At least in Arizona to have a 'temporary' structure - i.e. not a house - you must be less than 400 sq. ft. This way you don't pay property taxes on the unit. That is why all the park models are 399. They add on a 'Arizona room' which is a screened (or enclosed) porch. But it can't be attached. This way you can get more space with no more taxes.
I hope I have this all somewhat correct!
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Old 08-17-2014, 12:24 PM   #9
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Hi

As long as it has a license tag on it the only regulatory limitation is 53 ft long and 102 inches wide. There isn’t any regulatory limitation on the sizes of the slides because you’re not on the road with the slides out.

RVIA is not a regulatory agency.

For years we had a 53 foot semi trailer come to Okeechobee Florida from some where in the mid west that had 3 slides and 2 of the were at least 25 ft long and extended about 42 inches from the side of the trailer. The only reason I know the extension was because out of curiosity I measured them one day but didn’t have help so I just paced the length.


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Old 08-18-2014, 02:50 AM   #10
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Artemus Gordon

I believe the 3750 and 3850 Montana has the most sq. ft.,
AG...I disagree. Having owned both, I believe that the 3725RL has more sqft than the 3750. Having 5 slides is not always more. They are 5 small slides. The 3725RL has only 3 slides, but two of them cover just about the entire street side of the RV and the other covers the entire dining room and entertainment center. I think that builders should have to list the total sqft on each model, just like S&Bs. IMHO. Take care.
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Old 08-18-2014, 04:35 AM   #11
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Until someone actually measures, I may have to agree with the Captain. We went through most of the Montana models and the 3725 street slides cover all but about 6' of that side of the unit.
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Old 08-18-2014, 07:26 AM   #12
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There is a limit. 400 square feet on all but 5th wheels whcih can be 430 square feet. Once over the limits the regulating agency is HUD which changes all the bulding specs. Under the limits and it falls under RVIA. HUD increases standards like loadings of roof trusses. shear loads on walls and all the other requirements that HUD requires. These then fall under Manufactured Housing codes. RVIA is much less prescriptive. That is why park models fall under RVIA. Over 400 square feet of living space ( Lofts under 48" tall are storage and not living space) are manufactured housing and falls under HUD.
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Old 08-18-2014, 02:47 PM   #13
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I think the 3725RL is very near the 430 sq. ft. RIVA limit when slides are out. After looking around we have noticed an SOB (DRV) has 43 ft. and 44 ft. long 5th wheels that are I believer 101 inches wide when closed in, and with 3 and 4 slides they are bound to be over 430, but that is just from reading and observing with no measuring. I guess they just don't put on the RIVA sticker if over 430.
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Old 08-18-2014, 03:32 PM   #14
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by cmanger319

There is a limit. 400 square feet on all but 5th wheels whcih can be 430 square feet. Once over the limits the regulating agency is HUD which changes all the bulding specs. Under the limits and it falls under RVIA. HUD increases standards like loadings of roof trusses. shear loads on walls and all the other requirements that HUD requires. These then fall under Manufactured Housing codes. RVIA is much less prescriptive. That is why park models fall under RVIA. Over 400 square feet of living space ( Lofts under 48" tall are storage and not living space) are manufactured housing and falls under HUD.
Hi

As long as it has a license tag on it it is a motor vehicle and HUD has nothing to do with it at all. If you then put it permanently in a RV park and remove the license tag then it would come under HUD regulations.

This has been upheld by the courts.

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Old 09-15-2014, 05:52 PM   #15
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I didn't realize there was an actual size limitation, especially since seeing some of these monster behemoth, two story RVs that are now being custom built. That said, I actually went through the exercise of measuring my rig's interior and came up with a hair under 400 square feet which kinda shocked me it was that small. It seems larger than our first apartment and that apartment was 500 square feet. On the other hand, it's probably why the A/C struggles to keep our rig cool in these hot temperatures.

I included the closet, and cabinet areas when I did my measurements and it was tough since my rig has Four slideouts meaning much area is minimized because of the slideout dimensions and cutouts.
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Old 09-15-2014, 06:36 PM   #16
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For what it is worth other SOB's list the Sq footage of 38-to 41 footers and they all come In around the 370-430 sq ft range, the 5ers with the wide body frames (100-102 in) to be in the 400-430 range
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Old 09-15-2014, 11:34 PM   #17
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Hi

I measured a 43 ft SOB last Holliday weekend at 510 ft. The outside dimension came out to be 47 FT long.

It had a RVIA sticker on the side so I guess that kind of shoots this idea in the foot!

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Old 09-16-2014, 02:07 PM   #18
Phil P
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Hi

I found the numbers I wrote down when I looked at the SOB.

The outside width dimension was 102 inches the inside dimension was 96 inches.

The outside length was 47 Ft and the inside dimension was 43 ft.

The unit had 2 slides that opened a full 4 ft and were 20 ft long inside dimension.

If you do the math the trailer with the slides in is only 344 square ft.

The slides are another 160 square ft.

This is a total of 504 square ft.

The trailer and TV is 2014 model The TV is a Ford F450.

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