At what legth are options limited?
We are interested in a Coachman Freedom Express 298REDS Trailer. The total length bumper to hitch is 35' 2". I know some state/national parks have size limitations. Is there a comprehensive list p...
Forum Discussion
Our outback 295RE is similar in length to the one you are looking at. We've had it 3 years, traveled close to 15K miles, camped over 290days in it, mostly in older remote campgrounds. All in the west coast, oregon, Idaho, Mt, CA, utah.
Yes, there are some campgrounds we couldn't get into. I call first if I'm concerned. And in campgrounds that length does limit the number of sites you can fit into.
We just finished a 3 week trip through WA, ID, MT camping in state, FS campgrounds. We were able to get into every one of our first choice campgrounds and find a very nice site. BTW all were older campgrounds with no water/electric to the sites.
if you log onto FS or statewebsites for camgrounds often they will give pad lengths for each site and also some overall limits in the campground. Recreation.gov and reserveamerica.com also usually list pad lengths etc. for sites that can be reserved.
That said, while in a few cases on past trips we had to bag our first campground choice in every case we were able to find a nice alternative campgrounds, parks close enough to our desired destination that it hasn't been an issue.
And that long a trailer is easier to back than you might think. I have more trouble backing my 14' cargo trailer into a spot than the 35' outback.
Gas stations also haven't been an issue for us, even in small towns. yes, there are a few we pass up but hasn't been a problem getting in and out of the majority of them.
One of the biggest issues we've had is getting in parking and getting out of shopping center lots, Wallmart, etc. usually scout them out before pulling in.
Initally we were concerned about being limited in campgrounds, but now after all the traveling we are glad we went with the length and floorplan we liked and just are careful about planning.
And we have never had an issue with a private RV park for our trailer length. Although the number of times we stay in them is pretty small.
And keep in mind that in many cases, the pad length you need for the trailer and TV is much shorter than your overall length. TV usually can be angled some, and often, you can back the trailer till the wheels hit the end of the pad and the trailer is protruding over the pad. Our's is pushing 60' overall, and I can easily keep the truck and trailer on a 50' pad, 45' if it is say 12' wide, and in some cases even a 35' pad if I can hang the trailer tail over the end of the pad. Be careful though, there are places where the end of the pad is a Tree or something else.
And just because a website lists pad lengths at 50' doesn't mean you will fit either. In older campgrounds the roads are often very narrow, and the pad at right angles, and it's impossible to get a 35' TT backed into the site because the road is to narrow. That's when it is frustrating!!! Huge site, no access, off to a smaller site near a curve in the road or a wide spot so I can get backed in!
Yes, there are some campgrounds we couldn't get into. I call first if I'm concerned. And in campgrounds that length does limit the number of sites you can fit into.
We just finished a 3 week trip through WA, ID, MT camping in state, FS campgrounds. We were able to get into every one of our first choice campgrounds and find a very nice site. BTW all were older campgrounds with no water/electric to the sites.
if you log onto FS or statewebsites for camgrounds often they will give pad lengths for each site and also some overall limits in the campground. Recreation.gov and reserveamerica.com also usually list pad lengths etc. for sites that can be reserved.
That said, while in a few cases on past trips we had to bag our first campground choice in every case we were able to find a nice alternative campgrounds, parks close enough to our desired destination that it hasn't been an issue.
And that long a trailer is easier to back than you might think. I have more trouble backing my 14' cargo trailer into a spot than the 35' outback.
Gas stations also haven't been an issue for us, even in small towns. yes, there are a few we pass up but hasn't been a problem getting in and out of the majority of them.
One of the biggest issues we've had is getting in parking and getting out of shopping center lots, Wallmart, etc. usually scout them out before pulling in.
Initally we were concerned about being limited in campgrounds, but now after all the traveling we are glad we went with the length and floorplan we liked and just are careful about planning.
And we have never had an issue with a private RV park for our trailer length. Although the number of times we stay in them is pretty small.
And keep in mind that in many cases, the pad length you need for the trailer and TV is much shorter than your overall length. TV usually can be angled some, and often, you can back the trailer till the wheels hit the end of the pad and the trailer is protruding over the pad. Our's is pushing 60' overall, and I can easily keep the truck and trailer on a 50' pad, 45' if it is say 12' wide, and in some cases even a 35' pad if I can hang the trailer tail over the end of the pad. Be careful though, there are places where the end of the pad is a Tree or something else.
And just because a website lists pad lengths at 50' doesn't mean you will fit either. In older campgrounds the roads are often very narrow, and the pad at right angles, and it's impossible to get a 35' TT backed into the site because the road is to narrow. That's when it is frustrating!!! Huge site, no access, off to a smaller site near a curve in the road or a wide spot so I can get backed in!
