Now why cant Winnebago make a motorhome like this - in a 25'

nadsab wrote:

The main reason why I am stuck on the 25 foot thing is because many state and national parks, especially in the mountains, California, Big Sur area for example have RV size limits for the most scenic and interesting campgrounds - of 25 feet long or less. We were out west just last month and saw many 25 foot signs in several campgrounds. Some of the sites are small or in hilly areas and a big rig would not make it through. So if we get a 26 or a 27 or a 28 I can only imagine being disappointed of some "by the book" park ranger sending us on our way. Granted many rangers might let it slide if we were a foot or two longer but with my luck the best campgrounds we would be sent on our merry way and would have to go private.

I live in CA and camp at some of those very CG's with a 33 ft. The rangers know what fits and what doesn't and they're not that anal, just give them a call. As a matter of fact, call the CG's you want to go to now and ask what size rig realistically fits in those CG's. Your reasoning is exactly why the DW and I went with 33ft. That length fits in the majority of CA CG's. Remember you also have about 10 ft or more of overhang behind the MH that does not count against you. The two main considerations are length of the space and maneuvering around the CG to get to the space (this is the biggest one). Even if you physically fit in the space, you might not be able to get to it even if you're MH's length is 25ft.

nadsab wrote:

Mike Hohnstein wrote:


Well, I guess if the OP is real stuck on a 25 TRUE LENGTH, I'm no help at all. On the other hand, I don't have much trouble with small parks and my rig is 35'.

The main reason why I am stuck on the 25 foot thing is because many state and national parks, especially in the mountains, California, Big Sur area for example have RV size limits for the most scenic and interesting campgrounds - of 25 feet long or less. We were out west just last month and saw many 25 foot signs in several campgrounds. Some of the sites are small or in hilly areas and a big rig would not make it through. So if we get a 26 or a 27 or a 28 I can only imagine being disappointed of some "by the book" park ranger sending us on our way. Granted many rangers might let it slide if we were a foot or two longer but with my luck the best campgrounds we would be sent on our merry way and would have to go private.

I live in California and that's were I do 98% of my camping. I got a 35' motorhome for the reasons you described because I found that "most" of the campgrounds that had restrictions the limit was 35'. Although I know they exist, I don't recall ever finding an RV park that had a 25' limit. I think there are primitive state park campgrounds out there that are mostly designed for tent campers that may have a 25' limit for RV's, but I couldn't tell you where any of them are. And in fact even though I bought 35' just for the very reason you described, I can't think of anyplace I've ever been where I would have been turned away for having a 38 footer. Now over 38 you do start running into a lot of places that say they won't let you in. Whether they turn you away or not I don't know. I once stayed in a State Park where the site they gave me had a max limit of 28' but they ranger told me don't worry, I'd fit, and I did fit.

Here is a start: http://www.rvtrader.com/Class-A-RVs-Motorhomes-For-Sale--New-or-Used-on-RV-Trader/search-results?length-feet=22%3A26&schemecode=AD&sort=featured%3Adesc&type=Class+A|198067&&

dodge guy wrote:
The Winnebago seems to be the best option for you! I have never seen a person turned away due to being overlength! And at 26.5 feet you will not have any issues. Now if you showed up in a 30 or 35 footer then yes i can see a problem! Best thing to do is talk to a ranger and ask them if you are 26.5 feet instead of 25 will they have an issue?

I agree with this post! Both Winnebago Braves that I posted in a earlier post for you are both Class A's. I own a 36' Winnebago (35' 9") and I've only been turned away from one campground a Forest Service CG way up in the Cascade Mtns and I have been RVing since 1976. It was a very small CG, RV's under 30' only. In the Winnebago 1 or 2 feet will not make a difference in the Forest Service CG that I just told you about. Good Luck to you in whatever you decide to buy.

The Winnebago seems to be the best option for you! I have never seen a person turned away due to being overlength! And at 26.5 feet you will not have any issues. Now if you showed up in a 30 or 35 footer then yes i can see a problem! Best thing to do is talk to a ranger and ask them if you are 26.5 feet instead of 25 will they have an issue?

Got better things to do.

mike brez wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:

Mike Hohnstein wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:

smacdiesel wrote:

Mike Hohnstein wrote:
here
Obviously the OP has no information skills.

Seriously? What an ugly post.

Ugly and wrong!

Well, I guess if the OP is real stuck on a 25 TRUE LENGTH, I'm no help at all. On the other hand, I don't have much trouble with small parks and my rig is 35'.

The size of your rig wasn't the issue. Your insulting comment was when you were not correct.

Funny how I don't see your smart A$$ comments over on the WOG site

Maybe you should look harder, they are there.

wallynm wrote:
Our first MH was a 18 foot Brave on a Dodge chassis with 318 CID engine. Having said that I Would humbly suggest it would not sell well in todays market. Can not compete with similar size class C on price.

I would agree - 18 feet is too short. If Winnebago could make a 25'0" inch version of either their new Brave or Vista that would be great.

Good luck.

Effy wrote:


...as you have seen a true 25' or less Class A is rare if not a unicorn.

A true class A is a motorhome that is over 100 inches wide on the exterior and not built on a Van chassis. If you know of a Class A currently in production that is also 25 feet long or less and 100 inches wide or more on the exterior - by any company - please post it here and we will look at it today.

Effy wrote:
Also, if a CG says it's requirement is 25' or less, simply tell them your rig is 25'. If it's a few feet over no one will know and it won't make a bit of difference.

In other words, lie to the park ranger. They can look up our rig on the net and get the specs in about a minute or two so we don't want to take the chance. I really do not like lying to duly sworn officers. Also there is actually a reason for size limits, some sites we camped in I actually measured while in California and anything over a 25 foot rig would not fit in the parking areas on the sites and part of the RV would extend out into the campground road, so there is a reason why they have limits. Yes I brought a tape measure - this has been an issue for us for years - we want a Class A but have the C because of this and have been looking for a long time for a shorter Class A

Effy wrote:
Just don't paint yourself in a corner looking for something that is not only hard to find, but not necessary. Floorplan should always be the first consideration in MH choice.

Floorplan is also important but the floorplan point is moot if the vehicle will not fit into the campsites that you want to camp in. I place floor plan and vehicle length on the same priority level. There were three camp sites in CA that we were in last month where a 28 footer would have stuck out into the road in the campground so there is a definite reason why some public parks have the 25 foot limit.

Effy wrote:
And Fleetwood is not out of business.

My mistake - they filed for Chapter 11 in 2009 were bought out by a private equity firm so RV's are still made under the Fleetwood name. I went to their web site yesterday and it was broken and then I read about chapter 11 so that's why I thought they no longer existed.