Campsite Length Restrictions for MH

Out west the camp sites tend to be larger.
For full time I would get the biggest you can.

The length of the campsite isn't the only thing considered when parks (both public and private) put on length restrictions. Many times it has to do with the width of the park roads, the radius of the turns, and the maneuvering necessary to get into a site.

Many of the Wisconsin State parks and National Parks have campsites long enough to accommodate a 40' motorhome. However the width of the roads and the landscape on the side opposite the campsite entrance dictate that only a 32' to 34' motorhome can use the site.

Case and point, we regularly visit Peninsula State Park in Wisconsin. Our favorite site is long enough to easily accommodate a 40' motorhome. However there is a deep often water filled drainage ditch across from the site entrance, and a lot of overgrown shrubbery. Backing into the site is a challenge even with our 34' motorhome. The road is so narrow it takes at least 2 to 3 forward and backward maneuvers to get the motorhome properly positioned without either sinking into the mud in the ditch or having the paint ruined by the shrubbery.

We often travel with friends with a 45 foot coach. neither of us have been denied access to a camp ground. when we are in doubt we call ahead.

Like was said above, some access roads are tight. when in doubt, get out and look.

38-40 full timing? that seems small to me.

You might run into problems with older parks but they are getting fewer each year. What you have to consider isn't the length of the camp site but the access roads within the camp grounds. The longer the wheel base the wider the vehicle turning radius will be. Trees, boulders, site number poles, drainage culverts and such can be a problem navigating thru a camp ground. Narrow access roads and obstructions can make backing into a site difficult. Just plan your stops and camp ground selection with this in mind. When researching a site use the various satellite, bird's eye or street views that are available.

Don't make the assumption that even reserving a pull thru site you'll be OK. Walk the site planning your arrival and departure. Watched an owner of a 40' coach get winched out of a drainage ditch after attempting to depart from a pull. The exit turn and narrow access road was enough that the hard turn drove the rear axle into a drainage ditch. Maybe the temporary tags on the coach had something to do with it.

Good luck and smart plan to start out early with the coach before retiring, selling off the homestead and hitting the road. Baby steps can be a good thing. And to answer the original question, 2 foot won't make much of a difference.

Minnesota State Parks (must put on bucket list) can accommodate you in most parks at 40'. The DNR has added electric to many parks. Water and dump is usually at a central station, Some parks have free Wifi in the park. Since you will be FT consider their host program, you camp free. And they have a nice site that lists available options.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteering/stateparks/campgroundhost.html

Above link is to MN DNR campground host info.

Minnesota State Parks are awesome! paved bike trails, fresh water (clean) lakes, historic structures, WIFI in many, evening programs, and to this thread's point, big rig friendly in many (not all) locations.

All sites are reserved online now. No res fee for same day reservations. (Very convenient and will provide length restrictions by site.)

We have a 38 and have not been turn away from any places that we have stayed. There is almost always a 40/45 foot Rvs part there also. If you don't plan on using a new Couch , I would not purchase and let it set. We use state and some CCC ones back East. Sure there are some we can not fix in but we research where we are going and plan accordingly.

We are 36' pulling a utility trailer with motorcycles and total length is 48'. We have not run into any situation where we could not fit in a site - but we do not try to camp in primitive campgrounds or backwoods areas meant for tents. We prefer forestry parks, corp of engineer parks and small mom & pop campgrounds that are by water, woodsy etc but at least have electric & central water. We have also stayed at county parks, city parks with no problem. We don't usually stay at state parks. If backwoods boondocking is how you want to camp then you need a smaller rig. If you plan to be where you have at least partial hookups, then your rig size shouldn't be much of a problem.

There is practically no difference between 38-40 foot as you are way over the limit for most US GOVERNMENT campsites which tend to be older.

Hello and welcome to the forum. Are you confident in your ability to be comfortable living full time in a 38'-40' unit? I know many are as a modern multi slide coach in that length will have a lot of room. My point is it might be better to establish what coach size you need based on living requirements first then let the places you go fall in based on that.

"the number of available campsites start dropping when you reach 35 feet".
IMHO, the number of available campsites start dropping as you increase in any length. But that availability depends on where you prefer to camp. Many of our favorite FS Campgrounds have limitations with our 25 footer.