Coach Length

There are lots of state park campgrounds on the east coast that will not accommodate my 36 foot diesel pusher. The internet is a great asset for determining which will and will not.

Ours is listed as being 42 ft. 2 inches in length. We have been everywhere from San Diego to Bar Harbor, ME. Length for us has really not been a problem. Some parks only have so many pull-through sites and/or sites for big rigs.

We have been in sites where we barely fit and a 45 footer would not have. A lot of times we can barely fit in a pull-through with the Honda attached... if we had a 45 footer, we would have had to disconnect. No biggie though. We'll probably go with a 45 ft. next time.

As many parks update, build new or expand (baby boomers are just starting to retire)... they are making more room for big rigs.

MM.

wow thanks for all the great info think i will go with a 40 or 42 ft which ever one comes by first as now comes the hard part finding one in my kinda condition i'm kinda picky thanks again for the input. much appreciated

Cbones wrote:
Find the floorplan that fits your requirements. That should be the most important deciding factor.

Couldn't say it better. Get the biggest coach your budget will support and don't look back. I have a 30' and after about a week on the road I start added up what I can live without (financially) so I can save for a 40'. Full length sofa to nap on, washer/dryer, kitchen counter space for more than just a coffee pot, a bathroom I can turn around in, storage space for more than a few days of provisions, a fridge bigger than 7 CUFT, waste tanks that will hold more than four days of waste water,,,,

Been all over the mid Atlantic and Tennessee Valley and have yet to have a problem finding a park what would not support 40 foot or more. It's not so much how deep a camp site is but what is the road or trail like inside the park and can a large coach make maneuver safely. License requires are no big deal. Study material for any state written test is readily available and the requirements for the road test are announced.

Most of the states with special license endorsements are based on weight over 26,001 lbs and/or air brakes. There are a lot of non tag axle 40’ coaches that fall into that category. In any event, I wouldn't let that discourage you. Find the floorplan that fits your requirements. That should be the most important deciding factor.

dubdub07 wrote:

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

Stand between a 40' and a 45' MH and other than the tag, let me now if you think the 45' is a lot bigger! A 40'er is pretty darn big. I would get what you want. Like others have said, I have never been in a spot with my 40' that a 45' wouldn't fit in.

WW

When I bought my motorhome I had a choice between a 35' and a 38'. The cost difference was less than $1000. I chose the 35' specifically because I was wanted to be able to get into more places. But like this person, I have never been in a place that my 35' would fit but a 38' would not have. I have been where my 35' would fit but a 45' would not have.

lanerd wrote:

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.

Not quite correct. Actually CA requires a special license (class B) for any mh OVER 40'. Granted probably all mh's over 40' have tag axles, but there are many 40' motor homes that also have a tag axle that the special license doesn't apply to.

I'm just guessing here but I would imagine the special licensing requirement only applies to CA residents. I would have to think that drivers licensed in other state need not comply as long as they meet the requirements of their home state.

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.

Leeblev wrote:
Perhaps the reason you were told to stay under 40' is that some states limit the roads and highways a coach OVER 40' can travel on. It would be wise to research that before buying.

Never heard of this what state is that ?

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

Stand between a 40' and a 45' MH and other than the tag, let me now if you think the 45' is a lot bigger! A 40'er is pretty darn big. I would get what you want. Like others have said, I have never been in a spot with my 40' that a 45' wouldn't fit in.

WW