Coach Length

There is one park in WA which park 40' coaches back to back and there is no wiggle room. The park manager will not allow anything over 40'. In our 40+ years of RVing this is the only park which we have found with this requirement.

I have been in all states,and never had a problem with length, I've had a 43ft & i am on my second 45ft. I usually call the campground, but only once was I turned down because of lenght. I never stay at state or national campgrounds.

lj2654 wrote:
State parks in Florida have 40' sites but none larger. if you have a 45' coach it would be a site to site thing if one would fit or not.

But I mostly travel around Florida and stay at state parks in my 40'DP and have few issues.

I think most bigger coaches over 40' stay at high end resort parks as I never see any at State parks here.

A few exceptions to the 40' sites.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/gamblerogers/activities.cfm#12

http://www.floridastateparks.org/hillsboroughriver/activities.cfm#12

http://www.floridastateparks.org/pennekamp/activities.cfm#12

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/signtech/bus-motorhome/

Key statements:

45' Motorhome: On this web page, a 45' motorhome refers to a single-unit motorhome that is longer than 40 feet but not more than 45 feet.

The basic California length law for vehicles is 40 feet unless specifically exempted. On October 9, 2001, Governor Davis signed Assembly Bill (AB) 67 which changed the California Vehicle Code (CVC) to allow motorhomes over 40 feet in length, up to 45 feet, on certain routes.

The CVC requires a motorhome endorsement on a noncommercial class B driver license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The pertinent CVC sections are copied below under "Legal History."

The driver must pass a written and skills examination (i.e. a driving test), submit a specified medical form, and pay a $34 fee. The medical exam must be repeated every two years. The license is valid for approximately five years.

Out-of-State Drivers: Non-residents visiting California may not operate a motorhome over 40 feet in length unless in possession of an out-of-state driver license authorizing the operation of that vehicle.

LEGAL ROUTES

Access Routes: 45' motorhomes may travel on virtually every State route EXCEPT those signed with a 30-foot kingpin-to-rear-axle (KPRA) advisory sign. This sign advises trucks with a KPRA of more than 30 feet not to use the route. There are also KPRA advisories signs with 32, 34, 36, and 38 feet. These advisories that are 32 feet and higher ALLOW 45' motorhomes to use the routes.

On-Line Map: See: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/bus-mh/45-bus-map.htm. Click on the red numbers to open each regional map.

Restricted Route List: An on-line list of route segments that restrict 45' motorhomes is at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/bus-mh/45-bus-restrict.htm. The list includes beginning and ending post miles and intersecting streets or highways of each segment.

Stopping for Services: 45' motorhomes may exit the designated route for fuel, food, and lodging provided the access is safe, and provided the service is within one road mile of an "identified" exit. The exit must be identified to show that the service route has been evaluated and approved by State and local engineers. Currently, the only identification system for service exits is a "Service Access" sign, which is an "S" on the back of a truck, as illustrated below. These signs were intended for large trucks, and are located primarily on the interstates.

City and County Access Roads: Caltrans has jurisdiction over State routes only. 45' motorhomes are allowed on certain State routes, but not necessarily on local roads. Cities and counties have jurisdiction over local roads. To inquire about motorhome access on local roads, contact the appropriate city or county public works department.

TravelHawk wrote:

If you ignore the bone-head State parks there's still plenty of sights and camping to do in California.

Mmmmm . . . you have quite a diverse population to keep happy -- but you do have one of the most beautiful states in the Republic.

That said, dry camping (or close to it) is no longer our forte.

Greg1 wrote:
I have been told to stay 40 ft or less is this a true statement or does it really matter

Simply put, this is an internet myth.

viajante wrote:
The only thing I can think of is that many rigs over 40 have tag axles. That is not a problem with manuevering, but one of a special license requirement. I know that California requires a special license for any rig with a tag axle.

Only if your MH is registered in Ca and use a Ca DL

California State Parks are not RV friendly in general. The vast majority have no hookups, small sites, low branches, and some forbid dogs, even just being in a vehicle. And for all that they charge high prices. (I say this as a disgusted California native.)

However, California also has many national parks, national forests, BLM land, regional parks, county parks, city parks, and of course private parks. If you are OK with dry camping, most truck stops allow it overnight, and it is generally legal to spend the night ("8 hours") at a freeway rest stop. However, most Walmarts do not allow overnights due to local regulations. And more than a few cities, especially along the coast, don't let RVs park in the best areas because local residents don't like it.

If you ignore the bone-head State parks there's still plenty of sights and camping to do in California.

TravelHawk wrote:
I live in California. When I was shopping for a diesel pusher, various salesmen kept saying the 40 feet limit wasn't anything to worry about. So I walked into the local CHP office and asked three officers

The driver license requirement is not a trivial matter. When a California driver of an "oversize" RV lacks the proper Class B Non-Commercial license, CHP said the driver can not continue, and must call in a qualified driver to move the motor home! This license requires extra tests, and even a periodic medical certification. But I think the license requirement is not enforced against a non-California resident.

Hope so. Though we pretty much wrote CA off, as it doesn't seem to be friendly to Class As. For example, less than 20% of CA state parks have sites that 40" or greater.

I live in California. When I was shopping for a diesel pusher, various salesmen kept saying the 40 feet limit wasn't anything to worry about. So I walked into the local CHP office and asked three officers.

All three said there is definitely a limit, and it is 40' 0". Any vehicle longer than that is defined as "oversize" and requires a special driver's license, plus is limited to only designated main highways and just 1 mile off the highway to get fuel/food/lodging.

Do they go by motor home model number? Nope, they use a tape measure, bumper to bumper, and even 1" over 40 ft is "oversize" and triggers the requirements/limitations. Therefore, every single "model 40" motorhome I've ever seen is "oversize" in California.

CHP told me the highways length restriction is enforced for any "oversize" RV no matter what state it is from. All three officers said this violation is not something they go looking for, but when spotted they do not ignore it, and they have cited many drivers. The most common place to get busted seems to be wherever CHP is already looking at vehicles for other reasons.

The driver license requirement is not a trivial matter. When a California driver of an "oversize" RV lacks the proper Class B Non-Commercial license, CHP said the driver can not continue, and must call in a qualified driver to move the motor home! This license requires extra tests, and even a periodic medical certification. But I think the license requirement is not enforced against a non-California resident.

After I looked at the Caltrans map of which highways allow "oversize" vehicles -- not many -- I wasn't interested in driving all over my state illegally, or getting an expensive and annoying Class B license (medical exams?). So I bought a Monaco 38 model that was just a couple of inches under 39 ft. A Monaco company rep told me they make the model 38 specifically for California.

PS: All of this info is at Caltrans web site.