I have two questions which are based on my recollection from 30+ years ago as well as some rumor talk within my camping circle.First, what is the general size (length) limit to stay at a camp grounds with a TT? I was watching an RV show last nite and on there the man said in CA most campgrounds limit TT length to 30 feet in length. I also read in the forum here that most National Campgrounds have a limit of 30 feet as well. Is this a generality across most camp grounds across the US?? Second, camping in bear county, when I went to Yosemite 30+ years ago, campers were not allowed in the camp grounds with soft sided campers - mainly pop ups back then. Is this still the case in bear country, meaning the hybrid campers are out of question??Love your input and experience.Cheers~

From my experience here in the state parks in the Florida Keys, no one pays any attention the length limits. It gets worse every year, and is now to the point where many of the big rigs have their vehicles jutting out into the road way, and none of the rangers seem to want to say anything about it. Jack L

Heck, I thought you were asking about something else! OK, Yea RV size does matter. Maybe not so much in private and state run campgrounds, but even in some State parks smaller is better Especially the older ones that have not been updated in recent years. In National Forest parks, especially in the far west smaller is a definite advantage. In the parks where you might have room to park a larger RV the roads might just not support access. 25 feet is probably not a big problem for 99% of the parks, but anything bigger and your site choices go down to practically zero.

I posted this link on another thread: http://www.parks.ca.gov/rvlengthYou might check in your area if there is a similar list. Bottom line, the shorter you are, the more spaces you will have available. BTW, on the CA State park guide, if it says, say 40'. Does not mean all spaces will take a 40' rig. Norm

I would not camp in bear country in any type of soft-sided camper or tent.Yes, it can be done safely. But it is a HUGE pain in the behind. Any food, drinks, cosmetics, and toiletries that you are not using at any moment, cannot be left in the camper or tent. They must be in a bear box provided, or LOCKED in a hardsided vehicle. Very very unhandy. I've done it, and won't do it again willingly.So far as the length---smaller is better. Even the smallest campsites will accommodate a 22' trailer, although some might be tight, and you won't be able to park in front of it. And some are huge. It varies widely even within the same campground sometimes.

As far as hybrids go, excellent point made by coolmom42 - just a big pain rigging for bear (as it were). And some CGs - Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone for example - you wouldn't even be allowed there.

Does size matter? | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

lizzie
Explorer
Jan 03, 2015
Re: your size question. We were very good at 22' and are good at 24' but we would not go any bigger. My husband is a champion TT parker and can get us situated almost anywhere but we have had a few spots that were challenging since going to 24'. We prefer state & national parks, etc. and we almost never make reservations. lizzie
trigley
Explorer
Jan 03, 2015
Re your bear country question. With the exception of a very few parks, where bears have become a problem, you can tent in bear country. Thousands do, as I did for many years.
The onus is on you to take the proper precautions. At a very minimum this means no food or cooking in a tent or soft sided vehicle.
So the question becomes how & where do you want to use the unit. If you are going to be camping often in bear country and want to make full use of the trailer amenities you might want full hardwalls.
In most cases it is more of a preference than a park imposed requirement.
kknowlton
Explorer II
Jan 03, 2015
As far as hybrids go, excellent point made by coolmom42 - just a big pain rigging for bear (as it were). And some CGs - Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone for example - you wouldn't even be allowed there.
coolmom42
Explorer II
Jan 03, 2015
I would not camp in bear country in any type of soft-sided camper or tent.

Yes, it can be done safely. But it is a HUGE pain in the behind. Any food, drinks, cosmetics, and toiletries that you are not using at any moment, cannot be left in the camper or tent. They must be in a bear box provided, or LOCKED in a hardsided vehicle. Very very unhandy. I've done it, and won't do it again willingly.

So far as the length---smaller is better. Even the smallest campsites will accommodate a 22' trailer, although some might be tight, and you won't be able to park in front of it. And some are huge. It varies widely even within the same campground sometimes.
F1bNorm
Explorer
Jan 02, 2015
I posted this link on another thread: http://www.parks.ca.gov/rvlength
You might check in your area if there is a similar list.

Bottom line, the shorter you are, the more spaces you will have available.

BTW, on the CA State park guide, if it says, say 40'. Does not mean all spaces will take a 40' rig.

Norm
donn0128
Explorer II
Jan 02, 2015
Heck, I thought you were asking about something else!
OK, Yea RV size does matter. Maybe not so much in private and state run campgrounds, but even in some State parks smaller is better Especially the older ones that have not been updated in recent years. In National Forest parks, especially in the far west smaller is a definite advantage. In the parks where you might have room to park a larger RV the roads might just not support access. 25 feet is probably not a big problem for 99% of the parks, but anything bigger and your site choices go down to practically zero.
NanciL
Explorer II
Jan 02, 2015
From my experience here in the state parks in the Florida Keys, no one pays any attention the length limits. It gets worse every year, and is now to the point where many of the big rigs have their vehicles jutting out into the road way, and none of the rangers seem to want to say anything about it.

Jack L

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Does size matter?

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