Forum Discussion

Acei's avatar
Acei
Explorer
May 26, 2014

National Parks & A-Class length

I realize that this question has been asked many times before and I read through quite a few but I find that they are all conflicting. I'm hoping to hear from those who have experiences with this.

We plan to go full-timing, and we want to stay in National Parks whenever we can. And this will be all over both US and Canada, including Alaska. Given this, what would be a sensible choice as far as the length goes?

At this point, I've pretty much decided on either Newmar Ventana/Dutchstar or Tiffin Phaeton. We prefer 1.5 bath but not at the cost of not being able to park in National Parks. Ditto on the tag axle. It appears that the ideal tradeoff is the 40ft Newmar MHs that offer tag axles + 1.5bath at this length along with the floorplan we want. But I still worry about that 40'10" length... Dutch Star 3736 floorplan will work ok for us too, which measures at 37'11" which looses the tag axle but will it get us into significantly more sites at National Parks? I could go with the Ventana 3436 (34'10") but at that point, I loose both 1.5bath and the tag axle. This is probably as low as we are willing to go but only if this gets us into many more National Parks that would not be feasible with other lengths.

Any wisdom out there? If we are willing to call in advance and plan carefully, will 40'10" MH be ok for National Parks?
Class A
  • John_S_'s avatar
    John_S_
    Explorer II
    May 26, 2014
    Had a 34 and then a 36. Could fit most everywhere then moved to a 42. Can not fit a few places but the comfort is huge and there are alternatives. I think if you want to be sure of national parks you go much smaller. That is why I have a 24 foot too.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    May 26, 2014
    Ten years ago I made the mistake of listening to those on here that insisted 36' was the max for SP, NP, Blm. Bought a used 36 DP and it did not take long to realize this was not true, so bought a 40' single slide. Once we became half timers bought the rig below.
    I now say "Buy more MH than you think you need... ONE TIME. Do not let those that say 41' is too big change your mind for FT use. Retired FT equals twice the husband on 1/2 the money in 1/10th the space. While only half timers spending three months each winter in Fla and usualy three months out West boondocking 5-6 days/week without reservations. I do not find my rig to be too big. Yes if you show up Friday afternoon thinking you'll find a site big enough will not work but show up Sunday afternoon or Monday and I'm able to find a site big enough. Often it's the road and trees that are a bigger problem than the sites so sometimes we take the toad first and check things out. There are plenty of self service/no reservations public CG's in or near most NP that have some sites bigger than their listed max.
    A 41' tag axle coach will have a better turning radius than a 39' non tag plus you need a tag for enough CCC for FT.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    May 26, 2014
    At 35ft We are not that big...But we have stayed Sequoia~ Kings Canyon and in Mammoth Cave Ky, no problems
    Although some of the Kings Canyon spots were a tight fit
    There are places we're you just can't camp with 40 ft of RV
  • DaveG39's avatar
    DaveG39
    Explorer
    May 26, 2014
    In addition to the site length you have to consider the internal road network. Many have narrow internal roads and sharp turns with trees. One trip to Yosemite in a previous 34 ft class A I had tons of room at the site but almost impossible to make a turn out of the road network due to sharp turn and truck from 5er blocking part of the roadway.
  • bigred1cav's avatar
    bigred1cav
    Explorer
    May 26, 2014
    klm wrote:
    I am a fulltimer, have a 38' Newmar. I have not been to all the national parks, but my experience has been mixed. Some parks have cg's that will accommodate, others, no. It hasn't posed any problems, there are always private run cg's nearby that have large sites. I have stayed at cg's in the Grand Canyon, Zion, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone; but not in Yosemite, Sequoia, Acadia - just to give a few examples. Similar experiences with state parks, but we did manage to use several Oregon coastal state parks without any difficulty. We do make reservations in advance, there are not a lot of sites that will fit a larger mh, and they go quickly.

    I would suggest that you pick your motorhome, based on the floorplan - not on fitting into parks. This will be your home, you can always compromise on where you park it. Good luck and welcome to fulltiming


    You still have that crazy cat! Where are you now Kathy?
  • Acei's avatar
    Acei
    Explorer
    May 26, 2014
    Are NP sites not reservable in advance? Do you have to line up and wait to get into a site?
  • UsualSuspect's avatar
    UsualSuspect
    Explorer
    May 26, 2014
    I doubt you will see a difference in site availability between a 37' and a 41' rig, and you rarely if ever in the west get a site in an NP unless you get lucky, or have the ability to drive in a wait, hope and pray something comes up, and you are first in line. We gave up staying in NP's last year, burned to much fuel, and waited to many hours trying to find a first come first serve site we could fit in. We reserve elsewhere and use the towed to see the sights.
  • Rollnhome's avatar
    Rollnhome
    Explorer
    May 26, 2014
    klm wrote:
    I am a fulltimer, have a 38' Newmar. I have not been to all the national parks, but my experience has been mixed. Some parks have cg's that will accommodate, others, no. It hasn't posed any problems, there are always private run cg's nearby that have large sites. I have stayed at cg's in the Grand Canyon, Zion, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone; but not in Yosemite, Sequoia, Acadia - just to give a few examples. Similar experiences with state parks, but we did manage to use several Oregon coastal state parks without any difficulty. We do make reservations in advance, there are not a lot of sites that will fit a larger mh, and they go quickly.

    I would suggest that you pick your motorhome, based on the floorplan - not on fitting into parks. This will be your home, you can always compromise on where you park it. Good luck and welcome to fulltiming


    Excellent advice. After 6 years of full time in a 40 footer and 4 years of 1/2 timing in a 41 ft. I think this is the best and most realistic answer you could get. The space size stated in online reservation systems are not always accurate and the booking agent most likely never been to the state the park is in so their personal knowledge is what comes up on their computer screen. Check RVparkreviews.com they have good information. Also you can Google Earth the park and get a very good idea as to access etc.
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    May 26, 2014
    Here is the website I use. You pick the State Park and it will tell you what length RV will fit on the various sites and if that site is available when you want to stay there. Reserve America
  • sharker6's avatar
    sharker6
    Explorer
    May 26, 2014
    Most sites will accommodate 45'. On narrow sites I need 48' for truck and trailer if I can't park side by side, and I normally can't.

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