How big is 40' really...

Desert Captain wrote:
I am always puzzled by the "Rules apply to everyone else but me" crowd. If you have a 40' rig you get to enjoy lots of amenities that the smaller rigs do not. That is your choice but with that choice come a few restrictions such as where you can park it. Some here seem to think it is cute or funny to flaunt the rule. Got news for you folks, it is neither.

Many times I have seen oversize rigs - motorhomes, TT's, fivers and/or their TV's encroaching out into the access roads because they chose to ignore the CG's posted restrictions. This is all smirks and grins until one of your neighbors strokes out at O'dark thirty and the emergency vehicles can't get through. Take a look at just how large paramedic or fire rigs are these days. Congratulations on having a nice big rig, I am sure you enjoy it but please don't be jerk at the possible expense of others. :S

Am I the only one that frowned at this response? Lighten up, Francis. I don't think there is the malice you describe in the OP's question. Certainly we aren't backing in to our site with the thought of blocking an emergency vehicle.

I will say this.......I look online first becuase it is so convenient. If I see a restriction that is close to my length, I call and ask. If they can't accomodate, they can't. I had a 36' FW that was 54' with the truck, yet most CGs will more than accomodate that over a 40' MH. A 40' motorhome is, 40'! I can back my 40' motorhome in pretty much any site that is 40' or bigger. It is a lot easier than backing the FW in, IMO.

WW

We've never been turned away, nor have we found we couldn't fit into all the parks we've visited over the past four years, mostly west of the Mississippi. We do call ahead and tell them we are 45' but I've found if I tell them a "back in" is OK they welcome us. Many CGs feel if you're over 40' you want a pull through. Just my experience. As posted previously, the roads are the biggest problem, not the site size....your motor home does not bend in the middle like a fiver...having a tag that lifts is a bonus....Dennis

Public parks are our first choice with our 40' MH - national parks, national forests, state parks, county parks, COE, city parks. We have traveled east of the Mississippi but most often are west of it. Our MH is listed as 40' and we have no qualms going to a campground that states 40'. We have found that the western states have much bigger sites than the eastern - except California and chances of finding a 40' size in a state park there are slim... but other public parks, yes.

We have volunteered for national and state parks. We know that when they state 40' that is the 'average' for the site size. We have never found a rule stating that you will be measured and if you're over 40' they won't let you in. This is definitely not the case. Where we volunteered we always told customers that if you're comfortable entering the campground and you can fit on a particular site, you're most welcomed to stay.

I will say that if we're not sure of the campground we'll unhook the towed vehicle outside of the campground and drive in to see if bringing our 40' into the campground is feasible (roads, turns, trees). We have found very few campgrounds in our 16 years of full-timing that we haven't fit and that includes the western national parks and forests. Also, we don't typically make reservations and we seem to find sites for us and sometimes the best ones in the campground!

Like rockhillmanor said, there are some parks in CA where the CG can't accommodate a larger rig. The problem isn't the site, it's getting to it. Some of the roads are only one vehicle wide, 90 degree sites, and most all of the sites packed. Makes it difficult to say the least for a larger rig. To the OP, I've never seen a longer than 40 ft rig in the CG's we visit. The only places I see those are at RV parks. You can always call and the rangers will know what can and can't fit.

You say 40'10". What does the registration say about length?
My Monaco is registered as a 40', yet the actual measurement is several inches longer. Even though its longer than 40', for CA law it is 40'.

If the parks would be more accurate in their site descriptions, it would solve a lot of problems and people would not be tempted to "shrink" their coaches. I was in a county park in VA last month which had numerous sites that were restricted to 35 feet or less, but had enough room for a 45 footer or even a 50 footer if there were such a thing. This is not uncommon.

It seems that many campgrounds base their length limits on the paved site length area without allowing anything for the rear overhang on these coaches. Unless there is an obstacle behind the site, a coach with its rear wheels on the pavement can overhang the pavement by many feet.

I have not had any issue. I have a 24 ft and a 42 foot. I have not wanted to stay in a park that said no. One park said they only have a couple sites and i said no problem i can back in or pull thru either one will work. They said they were worried about poor reviews by people who can not drive.

I have a 38' and this past month needed a park in Denver, CO. I called a park and told them the length and they said they had sites that would accommodate me but them he asked the height and when I said 13' he said NO, he could not accommodate that height.

I got into a park last year in IN but had to go under a 13'6" bridge to get there. I have had to replace two antennas due to them hitting bridges.

Also be aware that 40' and over requires a different driver licensee in CA.

When you get into one of those 35' or less parks in California, just try telling the ranger you're less than 40' when you're stuck in a switchback with a broken side mirror and a jack-knifed toad.

True story. Saw it happen.

We have a 1995 30' Winnebago Adventurer-very short wheelbase. Causes some white knuckle driving in wind, but I love the turning radius. I can go anywhere-Craigleith Provincial Park, Collingwood, Ontario most recent adventure. VERY tight back-in sight-but worth it -backed right up to Georgian bay out our back bedroom window. They had a 30' limit.

We will probably trade it for larger when we fulltime it. I sure will miss showing off the coach's incredible dexterity though!