How Long Should my Class C Be?

Welcome to the forms and you are worrying about the wrong thing… Parking. My combined length is 60 feet and I do not worry about parking. I always advise buying more motorhome Than you think you need… One time.

Getting into your driveway is a valid concern so go rent a 24 foot box truck for half a day and see if it will fit.

Answering toedtoes questions will help us help you.

Since you are in LA, be sure to look at Lazy Daze. Their 24' unit may appeal to you. (Don't go smaller). I have a 27' Lazy Daze and never any trouble parking. Can always find a spot somewhere.

As the OP is considering a 19ft or SLIGHTLY longer RV, I think they are looking at 24ft or under, not 28ft or longer.

Between a 19, 21/22, and 24, you probably won't see much difference EXCEPT that a 19 is most likely going to be a van conversion and will be narrower (so that it fits in tighter parking lots).

A 21/22ft will pretty much fit lengthwise in most parking lots but you may have to have the end overhang over bushes, etc. so it doesn't stick out. A 24ft will need to do that more often and/or use 2 spots end to end.

Both the 21/22ft and the 24ft will likely be the same width (about 7ft). This will fit in "normal" parking spots, but many parking lots scrunch the width of spots really tight and you may have to use 2 spots side by side.

You don't indicate how you are planning on using the RV. Are you planning on going to big cities for sightseeing? Camping out in the woods with the ability to use the RV as a 2nd vehicle or stop by the store on the way out to the campground to get supplies? Months at a time? Weekends here and there? 1 to 2 weeks at a time?

How you plan on using it could help folks to provide more information about pros and cons of the various lengths of smaller RVs that are applicable for your circumstances.

19' will barely fit in many parking spots. For touring primarily in a city, I would prefer a smaller (probably class B) RV—or, quite possibly, a car and motel/hotel rooms. (In some cities, like Boston, I'd gladly skip the car!) Besides the length, the height and width of most class C's make them ill-suited for city sightseeing. You can't park one in a multistory parking garage, for instance, even if it is short enough to fit in a regulation parking space.

My class C is 32' overall and I haven't generally had trouble finding parking. It does require two parking spaces end-to-end, and preferably also two side-by-side if they are plentiful as there is not much extra space width-wise usually. I'm also not generally parking in inner cities—more often suburbia or less built up areas—so that might have something to do with things. I prefer to avoid street parking mainly because of the width, but have done so once or twice without problems.

Many campgrounds, particularly older ones and state parks, have fewer sites that are available the longer your RV is. It's not to common to be unable to fit into some site, but it makes it more likely that the sites you can use are unavailable the more limited you are.

(To answer your question literally speaking, your class C should be exactly as long as it was when it came out of the factory. It is a very bad problem when it suddenly becomes shorter!)

don;t crimp out on size you;ll be sorry very soon go as big as u can at least 28 or better. as far as parking can alway find a spot not in frt door but close , church lot , dead store ,or i have parked in Atl city on the street just took u p 2 places parallel

In LA, I'd say 20 feet is as long as you can go, and there are no "C"s that length, except for a Majestic 19 footer, which has no bed except for the cabover and dinette.

Closest you can go is either a van or a truck camper.

My Class C is 31' overall and I tow a car. We often go shopping on our way between stops and I have always been able to find a parking place. Of course, it is usually further from the door than I can park my car.

My pick-up truck (2005 Ford crew cab w/8' bed) is 22' long and it's my daily driver. Once in a great while I can't find a parking space right downtown where I want to, but I can walk a few feet. Never been a problem like at a grocery store, Home Depot, Walmart, etc.

Bill

It depends on how you'll use it. I have a 21ft C (20.5 ft bumper to bumper). I have been able to park it at the mall, grocery stores, work, etc. I tend to back in and let the back overhang shrubbery, etc., and I usually park further out than I would with my SUV. But it's perfectly doable.

My boss has a Sprinter (Mercedes based) conversion van and side by side, my clipper is the same length, slightly wider, and about the same height.

Do you plan on taking it sightseeing in big cities? If not, then anything under 22feet would be fine (and depending on your needs, up to 24feet should be OK). If so, then maybe look at a slightly smaller and narrower B (conversion van).

If you are looking for a MH under the length you are thinking you might want to look at a 'B' or super B, most B class will fit in parking spots.