33ft too big???

It's not just what it looks like inside, it's CAN YOU TOW IT SAFELY.

You need to evaluate your tow vehicle and see WHAT it CAN tow and then look at RV's that specific range.

You don't need an RV the size of the Taj Mahal to go camping only 5 times a year.:W

Beside the, "can you tow it," which is a very valid question...Many/most of the Calif. State Parks are old and you may have trouble with a 33 footer.

Private parks are a different story and may not be as big a problem.

Good luck with your search and your new adventure.

Go online and check reservations for camp sites you may ever eant to stay at. They usually give a length max . This will answer your size question. We find in Oregon forest service campgrounds often limit to 22 feet. This is one reason we stay with a shorter trailer. All depends on your style of camping. Happy for you and your camping future making great memories for sure. Best of luck

OP, you pose some interesting points. Others who answer, do as well. Definitely look closely at what your tow vehicle can pull,and CAN STOP. Your original thought about getting a big enough RV to start with is valid, as you will find when you read more posts, most people up-size as they go forward. However, I would also say that the luxury of the TT is not what the kids will remember. Being with you is what they carry into adulthood. Just my $.02!

Thank you for the responses...

I have looked up reserveamerica.com for local campgrounds. When I put 26ft trailer I got 140 campgrounds and when I put in 33ft trailer it decreased to 112 so about 80% of the campgrounds on reserveamerica will accomodate the larger trailer.

We do not have a tow vehicle yet. We wanted to get a better idea of what trailer we were going to get before determining what vehicle to get to tow it.

I've never camped further West than Kansas, but we've never had any problems with campsites. We started with a pup, then an 18 foot TT, then a 31 foot TT, and now a 35 foot tt. The key is to scope out your potential campsite before you get there. Most campgrounds have an internet site that will give size restrictions. Even with that, a call to the campground may be needed to clarify exactly what they mean when they say 40 feet. Is 40 feet the length of the pad, or is 40 feet the length of the camper (and then the tow vehicle can also park there). Pre-planning research is necessary, unless your camping with a 12 foot pup or tent, regardless of how big or little your TT is.

I purchased my Outback this last September, and we had it out the next 6 week-ends in a row, all over Indiana. Then we went to Florida (from Indiana) over Christmas week. We stayed at a motel on our way down and a motel on our way back, a KOA in Georgia on our way down, and the 5 nights at a Florida State Park. I had no problems parking, driving, or maneuvering anywhere with that 35 foot TT. I will say, I was a little challenged getting into the camp site in Florida. On the surface it looked really simple, and for a shorter trailer it would have been. But with a little bit of maneuvering, got it parked just fine. Then I was concerned about hitching back up and actually pulling out. But it worked out just fine, actually it was easier than I'd anticipated.

Longer trailers are a bit more challenging. It does take a little more patience, a little more planning, and a little more common sense in understand how sharp you can turn, the limitations of your rig, and confidence in your own ability. If you have a positive-confident attitude, you CAN take a longer rig almost everywhere.

Funny though, we went to this one McDonalds on our Florida trip, thought I could swing completely around the building and come out the other side. Got behind the building and it was a closed parking lot, surrounded by "nothing"! I was in a real pickle. I got out of the truck, sized up the situation, and actually backed the rig completely out to the street. Yea, it took a little time, a little patience, and required I get off my butt and actually open the door and get out and look behind the rig and see where things were (as cars were coming and going, and parking, and everything else), I got out without any problems. I just had to take my time. I think that's the key! When driving a bigger rig ... take your time, be confident, and RELAX!

I wouldn't let the small sizes of some CG dictate what size rv you get, yes there will be many that you wont fit into, but there will be many that you will, while it appears that Ca. seems to have a large share of the smaller sites, you just have to do a little research before you go.

Since you have not purchased anything yet, consider a 1 ton SRW truck and a medium sized fifth wheel.

That may seem like a big TT now, but I've discovered they "shrink" after you start using it. You know what you want in a unit, anything less, you won't be satisfied, and then you have the hassle of getting rid of it and starting over again. Get what you want the first time. You will find plenty of CG to take it to.

Are we going to run into a lot of campgrounds in California we cannot camp in?

No, you are not going to run into a lot of campgrounds in California that you cannot get a 33 foot trailer into. However, it depends on your driving and backing skills. Some folks cannot park an RV in an area the size of Walmart and others can park one easily in a small space. The 33 feet is total length and some of that, at least 10 feet, is behind the rear axle. If you keep the wheels on the pavement and let the rear hang over the pavement end where there are no rocks, posts or trees the site becomes much bigger without any effort. Don't let the campground sites stop you from getting what you want. If you ever run into a campground you want to camp at that is too small for your trailer, a few miles away will be another campground or RV park that can accommodate the trailer. This campground size thing is overblown and nowhere near the issue some make of it. In every campground in California I have camped since 1987 with an RV, if you can get it into the site, it is not too big. The numbers published for sites are guides not limits.

Never go smaller than what you will need three RV's into the future. If you go smaller you will be looking for bigger next year and the depreciation on the existing unit and new unit cost will not be insignificant. Save the money now and get what you want. Many experienced RVers will tell you that longer trailers are easier to back up than shorter ones. A shorter trailer is shorter; not necessarily easier to back up.

Another vote for a one ton truck to tow 33 feet. Be comfortable towing, not at the ragged edge of a tow rating for a marginal tow vehicle. If you go crew cab on a truck you will be 56-58 feet long on the highway. You do need to plan your lane changes and turns. Practice in a big parking lot if you think you might be nervous about backing and be sure you know how to use the mirrors. Otherwise, go for it!