Coach Length

Our motor home is 42' 10". We've full timed in it since 04'. I cannot imagine any difference in driving a 40'er or a 45'er. We have never been in a campground that could not accommodate us. In fact, the great big rigs usually get the extra large parking spots. The only limitation with a big rig is getting into some deep woods forest service campsites. Actually, you would have the same limitations with a 40'er. One issue with a longer rig is you many need a somewhat flatter site than a smaller wheel base rig. It likely takes a bit longer learning curve to learn to back the 45' versus a 40'. When you do get parked the extra few feet is worth the extra effort. IMHO

Do not make the mistakes I made starting with a 36' DP. Did not take very long to realize that there were not enough reasons against getting a longer, nicer coach. I would agree that a Monaco EXE is good choice, but I would go older than 2010... Even back to 2006 with a Detroit engine for2/3rd the price of a 2010. A EXE will have all the goodies as standard, not options. If you are still worried about something more than 40' you can find a 40' EXE with a tag axle which you need so you will have enough CCC.
We boondocks a lot and do not have a problem finding sites big enough for a 42'. Doubt there is any difference in the insulation between HR and Monaco as in the last 10 years they have been built on the same line, assuming ones that are at least 40'

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.

Totally wrong. Of the 54 Florida state parks I checked on www.reserveamerica.com, 36 parks had sites that were greater than 40 feet.

There are several conflicting statements as some have indicated. If you are afraid that you can not drive a 45' coach, don't buy one, you will not be happy. We have a 45' unit after having owned several smaller ones. We would not have anything less in length and the amenities that it includes. We travel the country as we wish and do not have one trouble parking where we wish. We do not go to cramped and small site state parks or other parks that the size of the lot or hookups would not accommodate our coach. We usually want full hook ups but can go many days with an all electric unit off the grid. Research and buy what you want. We have not found one negative with a 45' coach only positives. There are many sizes of units with many types of amenities for the many types of people and the many types of travel they wish. Don't knock it just because you don't have it. Our 45' drives better than any other unit we have owned, has house appliances, is the most comfortable, most quiet, best materials and interior design. If you can drive one, park one and you will understand.

Cbones wrote:
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.

My 35' DP has a weight rating over 26,001, so I would bet that all 40' motorhomes would have the weight rating over that. Unless there is some real light weight gas motorhome that is 40'.

barnrt wrote:
This is an opinion statement, not a TRUE statement.

X-2, you hit the nail right on the head! It's all a matter of your choice no one else's!

38'to 40'are the most popular coaches. And now with big slides or some have up to four slides it saves you the trouble of driving a big long cumbersome coach that does not fit on most state or national parks. With big slides or four slides it gives you lots of square feet.

I myself was on the market for a 45'coach going full time. Good thing I listened to my friends that had been RVing longer then me. Kept my house and use the coach six months out of the year. Works great!

40' monaco dynasty is 40' 10". My 42' dynasty is 41' 10". 1' in difference. Bottom line is that 40 doesn't mean 40 and 42 doesn't mean 42. Very few places I can't get into with the tag axles ability to lift with the push of a button. Best advice I heard when I was buying was, "buy the biggest you can afford and buy once"...turned out to be very true for me

Tag axle for stability and CCC. Also, to above comment, class 'B' non commercial CDL is required in MD for anything over 26,000 lbs, not length unless they changed in last few years. Also, we are 43' and pull a 20' aluma trailer with yukon on top...........70 feet long and no issues, but then again, not driving thru burbs.

Our 40-footcoach is actually 40 feet 9 inches. A 45-foot coach is about 44 feet 9 inches, so you only have about 4 more feet. Unless you want to spend a lot of time in state parks where you may have length limitations, most commercial campgrounds have no problem with a 45-footer.