Forum Discussion

bodomalo's avatar
bodomalo
Explorer
Sep 17, 2015

5th wheel length - trailer length - RV length?

Hello

I am planing to buy a 5th wheel/or trailer. For 2 years we had a 27" RV, but I would prefer driving in a car/pick-up now.

So my question is now: How do 5th wheels compare in length to an RV? Especially when there is a length limit on some campsites (like in national parks)

For example: We went to White Wolf campground in Yosemite. With our 27" motorhome we found a nice spot there, I guess it would not have been a problem if it was a 29 or 31 feet, but their sites are not really very big up there.

On their website they write: Length limits (recommendations)
RV: 27"
Trailer: 24"

But now my question: Isn't a trailer+pick-up much longer? Pickup alone would measure a 18" at least. That would sum up to around 42" (unhooked)
So how do they measure the space of their campsites?

On a campground for a 24" trailer, can I park with a trailer+pick-up? But why can't I bring an RV longer than 27"?
I don't get it. :)

Thanks
Bodo
  • edbehnke's avatar
    edbehnke
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2015
    size is what you determine is the right size. if you want to go to lots of older parks a used Montana 3150 would probably be a good bet....about 33 feet long.

    We have a 39 foot 5th wheel and generally don't have any problems but we don't go into the old federal/state campgrounds.

    you've been out camping so you should have a decent idea by now on how the sites and what you want work. you can always park your truck elsewhere if site too short.
  • korbe's avatar
    korbe
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2015
    Your question is a good one. Many of us have confusion on whether our rig will fit in a spot. Unhooked combined lengths are also a consideration. My thought (for the internet campground site description writers)is that if the description of the site would include the space length & width, all would be fine. Leave it up to us to determine if that length & width is adequate or not.
  • Allworth's avatar
    Allworth
    Explorer II
    Sep 17, 2015
    Since the truck can always (if absolutely necessary) be parked remotely from the trailer in an overflow parking area, I does not count in the length required in the space.

    Frequently the width and geometry of interior roads and or the overhang of trees impose more restrictions than the length of the site. A site is no good to me if I can't get into it.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Sep 17, 2015
    RV generally means a motor home (A, B, or C) or a travel trailer or a 5th wheel travel trailer or a truck camper. I am guessing they mean any type RV up to 27' or any other type trailer up to 24'.
    Since a TT or 5er can be disconnected from the tow vehicle then the length limit only applies to the length of the trailer.
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Sep 17, 2015
    A RV can be a truck camper or a 5th wheel trailer or a TT or motor home or a pop up or...... any vehicle used for recreational purposes.

    So my question is now: How do 5th wheels compare in length to an RV? Especially when there is a length limit on some campsites (like in national parks)

    Length limit is the recreational vehicle which the tow truck is not.

    But now my question: Isn't a trailer+pick-up much longer? Pickup alone would measure a 18" at least. That would sum up to around 42" (unhooked)
    So how do they measure the space of their campsites?

    I think you mean feet not inches (' vs ").
    There are no certain lengths for a pickup as some can be a short bed regular cab and another may be a long bed crew cab. Several feet difference in the two.
    Every campground I use go by the length of the trailer.
    Each campground measures their own sites so how actually long the site is may be determined by a phone call to the campground operators.
  • Jim-Linda's avatar
    Jim-Linda
    Explorer II
    Sep 17, 2015
    So my question is now: How do 5th wheels compare in length to an RV? Especially when there is a length limit on some campsites (like in national parks)

    Please understand that a trailer is also an RV, so keep that in mind.

    Jim

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,007 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 28, 2025