Hi all! Although I don't post very much, I do visit this site often and have learned so much in the time I've had my Roadtrek. Finally we are able to spend some longer time time enjoying "Arvie" and are heading to Florida for a couple of months this winter.I notice, in particular in Long Key State Park there are a few sites designated as tent, but it does say van allowed, with a maximum length of 15 ft. With a car or truck you are allowed 2 tents. In looking at the photos posted on the park web site it does not look like there would be any problem in parking the van there. My question is this. The Roadtrek is 19 ft long. Does anyone have experience with booking one of these tents sites with a van that is slightly longer than the 15ft max listed on the booking site?Thanks very much!

Your 19' is almost 27% over the MAXIMUM....IMHO, that doesn't qualify as "slightly longer than the 15ft max listed on the booking site".That said, the Keys are usually pretty booked for the winter, and the rangers are pretty strict with parking. For instance, they will not allow you to park crooked in a site in order to "fit". I would call the ranger station of the park you're interested in and ask them directly. Also, get a name. You don't want to book a site and find out you can't stay there. Vacancies will be limited....good luck..Dennis

I agree executive. your sense of humor will send you to hell-or forever trapped with the original poster in an rv park-with no dump station-lol

Your best option is to give the park a call.

I'm trying to remember what Long Key SP looked like but draw a blank. We checked it out as we did every park on the Keys but never stayed there. If they say 15 ft. it might be because it is a pull in group parking site right on the roadway and the campgrounds are dispersed walk in. So essentially if you could fit, you might be sleeping in a parking lot with several other cars right next to you. The other reason sites are designated tents only is because where you can park it may be sloping so much you couldn't possibly level your B. The last reason, of course, is they simply don't want you there in any kind of RV and that could be the sympathy of your camping neighbors.So, I would never make a reservation in advance for a "tents only" designated site especially if I had never seen the campground. I have shown up at campgrounds with such designated areas and have found them satisfactory to use. They generally will not have any utility connections either at the campsite. You may in effect be boondocking with maybe no side room to even put out an awning.

Why, Mr. Executive, you do know how to make a body feel welcome! :)I am jealous of the spare time you obviously have! LOL!Seriously, thank you to the others that posted. The reason for my question is that I have seen 2 videos posted online showing the various sites, one of which showed a B class van camping in a site listing the 15 ft maximum. Even large sized cars are over 16 ft in length. I will take your advice and call the park. And just to be clear, the reservations site clearly states that these sites are for tents OR vans AND allow 2 tents. (we would not be using a tent--just the van, our 2 comfortable chairs and a couple of cold ones!)I purposely posted this on the B class forum in hope that someone who has actually stayed there in their wonderful and oh so versatile B class would reply.

Florida state parks B class in tent sites | Good Sam Community

Arvie_1
Explorer
Mar 21, 2015
That's great, Arvie - it's a special place. How big is your B?

Our B is technically a 19 Ft. We actually fit much better on the tent/van site than many with one vehicle and a tent! ( I say technically because by the time you had on the continental tire kit and the bike rack , It's a few ft longer.) Wish we could have booked for next year but of course all the sites in the Keys are already booked. Heard some interesting stories from fellow campers on how they get their bookings for the next year!
Arvie_1
Explorer
Mar 21, 2015
jjson775 wrote:
Glad you enjoyed it! We love Florida. We don't go there to escape the winter because we live on the Texas coast but it is a beautiful state and there is lots to do. We are leaving the week after next to catch the end of Houston Astros spring training.

We too love Florida. Have been coming here for many decades, but it's only the second time in our little RV. Could easily stay another month but are heading home in a couple of weeks.

We are actually thinking of Texas next year. How's the weather in Jan/Feb/March?

Thanks for the post!
NCWriter
Explorer
Mar 15, 2015
Arvie 1 wrote:
Just wanted to provide an update.
Our wonderful B was perfect for the tent site at Long Key state park.

Thoroughly enjoyed this park. The staff is just excellent!!!
Took some wonderful photos but haven't taken the time to download them so far.

That's great, Arvie - it's a special place. How big is your B?

By the way, tent sites have been taken out of service for the future. Also seems as though many more sites are listed as 25’ maximum now. Good for class Bers.
jjson775
Explorer
Mar 14, 2015
Glad you enjoyed it! We love Florida. We don't go there to escape the winter because we live on the Texas coast but it is a beautiful state and there is lots to do. We are leaving the week after next to catch the end of Houston Astros spring training.
Arvie_1
Explorer
Mar 13, 2015
Just wanted to provide an update.
Our wonderful B was perfect for the tent site at Long Key state park.

Thoroughly enjoyed this park. The staff is just excellent!!!
Took some wonderful photos but haven't taken the time to download them so far.
Arvie_1
Explorer
Dec 15, 2014
Fabulous view!!!! Thanks so much for posting the photo!
jjson775
Explorer
Dec 13, 2014
Here is a view out the back of our Pleasure Way Excel when we camped at Long Key:

I don't know if this was a van/tent site, don't think so.
Arvie_1
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
Thank you for sharing your camping experiences at Long Key State Park.

After speaking to a very pleasant and helpful park ranger, we are looking forward to our confirmed reservation in a TENT/VAN site. :)
coolmom42
Explorer II
Dec 10, 2014
My guess is that it varies hugely according to park and specific sites. MOST tent sites in TN state parks have driveways in front of the tent pad, and they are all long enough to accommodate a full-zize pickup or van. But there a few tent sites in almost every campground where parking is not really close to the tent pad. And there are some where the driveway is so sloped you could never level up a van.

Best thing to do is look for a photo of the site, or call the specific park. TN state parks have photos of all sites on the reservation website, that show the driveway/tent pad/hookups etc. Maybe Florida has the same.
tatest
Explorer II
Dec 10, 2014
mockturtle wrote:
How many 'vans' are under 15'? Sounds like an unreasonable criterion, to me.

First three generations of the VW Transporter, which dominated the camper-van market for many years, were under 15 feet long. The third generation made it by a hair with original bumpers, first two were short enough to be under 15 with a front-mount spare.

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