Hi everyone! We're looking at getting a 42' fifth wheel (towed by an f350 crew cab). We are most likely going to be full time in it and I've found a promising one! My question is, is it hard to find camping spots that will accommodate a fifth wheel that large (and with a crew cab truck)? We plan to go all over the US, Canada (if they ever reopen!) and Alaska. Thanks all!Edit: Ok. Some clarification. We would be living in this fifth wheel while we build our house (family of 4 and a pet). It's not spending money just to spend it. I'm less concerned about commercial campgrounds as we are also equipped for back country camping (as we already frequently do that). We are experienced tent campers and very aware of a post covid camping world. I just want to know about the difficulties of finding places to camp with a rig this size, before we make a purchase.

In National Parks, yes. In USFS and BLM campgrounds, yes. California State Parks, yes.See https://outdoorsrvmfg.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/National-Park-Trailer-Length-Chart.pdf

It's not as hard as some people make it. Most COE parks can fit you in. Here in Texas many state parks will work. We've been from the Houston area to Virginia, Colorado, and Iowa. Never had to sleep in a WalMart. We are right at 40 ft.

Well, you'll have to be careful, especially with older State and National parks. It's not always about fitting into a site, it's getting TO the site what with narrow roads, sharp curves and the dreaded untrimmed trees and bushes. I have trouble backing in without taking out posts and bushes and rocks, and I'm only at 34'. It's the front end swing of the truck you have to watch out for.And you may need a bigger truck.

While many CG's can accommodate a 42' 5er, that doesn't mean every site in that CG is long enough. Planning ahead would be a priority.I'd be more concerned about everyday travel than finding a spot. Maneuverability will be a little compromised.

For example, I have a 32' 5th wheel (65' overall). Grand Canyon NP campground only has about 10 sites that I can fit in "comfortable". Yellowstone Madison CG has fewer and it is necessary to talk to a FRIENDYL reservation agent to get into one. Glacier NP St. Mary the East side has a number of 30' sites, but it is a VERY TIGHT fit. Only one that I would try to fit anything longer than 35' into. A 40' MH is not the same as a 32' TT or 5th.I make reservation 6 months out and have always found a site. Some are listed as 30 feet and it is a very tight fit.COE sites are much larger.BLM and NFS boondocking sites are most of the time larger.

camping sites for a 42' fifth wheel? | Good Sam Community

StirCrazy
Moderator
Oct 22, 2020
I have a 39.5' 5th and while yes I cant get into a lot of forestry spots I have been able to get into any provincial park I have wanted to go to. it does take some research and booking ahead, but I find I can get into pretty much any thing that I could with my 30' bumper pull. having a good website that shows the size of the sites and such is very helpfull to plan your destinations, some times I drive out and take a look at smaller forestry sites and usaly there is a site or three that I can get into, just with no reservations in thoes sites you have to send the wife out in her car before I turn off the main roads to see if the sites are open and hold it till I get there.

Steve
azdryheat
Explorer
Oct 22, 2020
To the OP, here's a drone shot of our 41' toy hauler in Silverton, CO last August. We're squeezed in pretty tight but it was very doable. Don't let the nay-sayers bother you, get what you want, it's nobody's business.
JAC1982
Explorer
Oct 21, 2020
We downsized from 38' to 34' for this reason. Even now I'd like to get a truck camper or small travel trailer to open up more availability to us for quick weekend trips here locally in Colorado. At least with a small trailer, it's easier to turn around if you get stuck somewhere LOL!

But the length is not always the issue. Our height also comes into play. We might be able to fit into a site length wise, but low power lines and trees can pose an issue.

But, if your reason for having 42' is because you are also living in it, you can still find plenty of places to go. You may just be more limited to privately owned RV parks vs government owned parks or boondocking. Boondocking seems like a great idea, but unless you really know where you're going, ending up where you need to turn around somewhere with a big trailer is NOT fun.
joegray
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2020
I have a 36ft 5th and have REALLY hard time getting into any parks in B.C.or Canada for that matter. When we bought this trailer i told the wife that it will be used only in the southwest of the US.
We are now looking at something a lot smaller, 25ft range.

As we age and with this covid I don't know if we will ever travel to AZ,NM or NV again.
Our campgrounds are old and small,and they usually only operate for the summer months.We do have some private parks so the phone and a good campground directory is your best friend.
Good luck and happy camping
BB_TX
Nomad
Oct 19, 2020
Dick_B wrote:
The question is why did you buy a 42 foot fiver? The answer is because we could. Wonder how many others have such a large size fiver?

"Because we could" is not a very good reason to buy 42' unless it fits with your particular idea of "camping". If larger private RV parks is your goal, then that fits. If federal, state, COE, and city parks and smaller and more remote destinations is your goal, then maybe not.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Oct 19, 2020
You will have to do more leg work looking for your next campsite as you travel around...And will you be camping or glamping.
I would start now before you buy. Call and ask a few places where you might lie to camp.
We all don't RV for the same reasons nor do others like to camp where I do. My 28 RK is 31' 11" long and many favorite places our previous 26' 5th wheel camper worked fine now we have to find other less likely places. Hell if I could swing the bucks I would go back to a truck camper and go where I want.
Make those calls first.
time2roll
Nomad
Oct 18, 2020
You might be staying at more commercial RV parks. You will have to make your peace with that.
Not just the sites, some access roads will not accommodate a 42' trailer.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Oct 18, 2020
Dick_B wrote:
The question is why did you buy a 42 foot fiver? The answer is because we could. Wonder how many others have such a large size fiver?

42' fifth wheel??? What was the most important criteria for your purchase? Spend $$$ because you have it or choosing a RV that meets all of your RV needs with a minium of RV limitations when you get on the road trying to find RV parks that can accommodate your 42' RV.
With my 35' 5th wheel their some RV parks that I can't fit into or are real difficult to use. I like all the extra room a 42' rig offers and you can make it work if you call in advance to the RV Parks to find out if they accommodate your 42'.
Dick_B
Explorer
Oct 18, 2020
The question is why did you buy a 42 foot fiver? The answer is because we could. Wonder how many others have such a large size fiver?
Likes_to_tow
Nomad
Oct 18, 2020
Not sure if you are aware of the current state of RV travel but there have been some horror stories of people having great difficulty in finding available camping sites. With the pandemic issues, significant numbers of people have taken to the RV lifestyle and this has caused major problems with reservations and availability. In many places you have to reserve months or even a year ahead to get a spot !! You may be shooting yourself in the foot by purchasing such a large RV. It will complicate the process of finding a campground.