How limiting are the longer RVs?

Spleenstomper wrote:
Talked with my sis out in Ca and they are back down to a 23 ft TT because of the access issue.

Well now...California is in a class by itself, for sure. You have to really do your homework in finding a public park that will fit a long RV. We do find them but it's not as easy as other states.

You'll have no problems if you use private RV parks.

Thank you for all the very helpful replies. After I read up to page 4 I asked DH if he even remembered why we decided to start looking for a bigger RV. I told him I wasn't prepared to go out and spend 100k (TV + RV) right now, and I think what we need to do is camp some more in state campgrounds with out little Puma so we can get a better feel for what our objectives are. Yes, I dislike climbing over people to use the bathroom at night, but I can deal with that for right now.

We have camped 3 times at Cajun Palms in Louisiana, which is an RV resort that is 4 years old so we have been spoiled by level pull through spots, easy in and out with all the amenities we need. Not camping! We need to do some more camping in natural areas.

So you all have saved me 100k--thank you very much!

As always size does matter. The bigger you are the fewer the sites that there are available to you. It is physics. No, you can't all of the amenities found in a 40'er in a 30'er no matter what the builders claim.

The trick is to find the compromise that you can live with. So many CGs were built pre slideout era. They might be long enough but barely wide enough. With a towable go over 35' & your CG site options rapidly decrease.

There is no 'perfect', only a bunch of compromises.

Desert Captain wrote:
.......If you need to trim to get in you really need to find a larger site.......

That isn't always the case. I once had a specific reserved Forest Service site and I had to get on my roof and trim some of the dead branches and a few live ones - that would have otherwise damaged my roof. The lower branches of pine trees are always dying and part of the forest ecosystem. No big deal at all.

Our TT was a31' bunkhouse, but it was 35' in total length. Then we had a super crew f250 pulling it. End to end, we were over 50' long easily. Probably, morel like 50'.

Our mh is a 31' model but only 32' long. We don't always take another vehicle with us. But if we do, it is a little Toyota yaris or my wife's explorer which is smaller than the truck was. We have more options now of parks/campgrounds and spaces to stay in. There still will be many we can't fit into, but our odds are a heck of a lot better now.

I'm researching campgrounds now to see what they offer. Talked with my sis out in Ca and they are back down to a 23 ft TT because of the access issue. They have had probably 8 RVs since they have been married (maybe more)-- basically every kind out there. I'm glad I asked this. I will do more research, thanks.

A simple phone call to any private campground will let you know if they have a spot for you. Every one we have called asks "How long is your camper? How many slide-outs do you have?" State parks and older campgrounds will be you trouble spots. Here in Pennsylvania most of the State Park campgrounds were built 40 or more years ago. Some of the sites look like two parking spots side by side at walmart. Room enough for a small pop up and the car that pulled it in. That is what they had when the Park was built. But it seems every year for the last 5 or so years they are extending the lengths of the sites and adding electric hookups. If you have the option to get someone on the phone over booking online, go with the phone. Computers lack common sense. On the PA DCNR web site you can tell it you have a 35 foot trailer and it will say there are no sites available. Tell it you have a 40 ft trailer and there will be plenty available. Just because the programmer that put the system together only used multiples of 10 when entering lengths that fit in each site.

"The entire state isn't state or national forest, much of it is privately owned tree farm, the answer to your quandary is to know where you are and what the rules are.

You'd probably have a hissy fit knowing we go remote to set up our firing range. yes that is legal here too. "


No quandary here, the OP was asking about the limitations of larger units. Obviously you have a nice one but it sounds like you get into places by creative landscaping. I'll repeat: If you need to trim to get in you really need to find a larger site. As far as my having a "hissy fit" about your shooting you really are out there. For the record I have held a concealed carry permit for the last 7 years and practice monthly with a variety of handguns, rifles and shotguns. Shoot all you like so long as you are a safe/legal distance from any occupied dwelling (to include tents), roads etc.. :R

Spleenstomper wrote:
Wow, thank you for all the replies! We are buying the second RV within one year's time of the first RV (bought in January), so I want to be clear on what happens if we go longer. This is to avoid having to buy the third RV. (or is the 3rd one inevitable?)

IDK yet where we plan to go. Since we are beginners, I'm guessing we will stay more at RV resorts and parks and as we get comfortable, we will become more adventurous and start bookdocking? Is that the progression? :D

Keep the replies coming if you see fit, even the ones taking me to task. :) I guarantee this will help plenty of newbies in the future as they search.

5 people, 2 big (one is 100 pounds) dogs, one cantankerous mother-in-law (shorter trips only) and an entire country to see..... My brain hurts sometimes from trying to figure out all the pieces. Lol. :D

You'll find when you are traveling you'll use the RV campgrounds listed in the camp ground directory, when you are near the national treasures such as the big national parks you will use the facilities there. those places will cater to all sizes/types of campers.
when you decide you would like to go remote and boondock. do your home work and know where you are and what can be done there.

Wow, thank you for all the replies! We are buying the second RV within one year's time of the first RV (bought in January), so I want to be clear on what happens if we go longer. This is to avoid having to buy the third RV. (or is the 3rd one inevitable?)

IDK yet where we plan to go. Since we are beginners, I'm guessing we will stay more at RV resorts and parks and as we get comfortable, we will become more adventurous and start bookdocking? Is that the progression? :D

Keep the replies coming if you see fit, even the ones taking me to task. :) I guarantee this will help plenty of newbies in the future as they search.

5 people, 2 big (one is 100 pounds) dogs, one cantankerous mother-in-law (shorter trips only) and an entire country to see..... My brain hurts sometimes from trying to figure out all the pieces. Lol. :D