36-->35?

[Gannet]

In looking at various public campgrounds (online) I often see a max length of 35' listed.

How hard and fast is that, in general?

Will a 36' DP usually be able to deal with it?

Is the limit "enforced", other than by physics?

Is pushing the limit ok or dumb?

I realize each situation is different, but just in general.

We'd like to be able to use these campgrounds, but we also have our eye on 36' Country Coaches.

[fly-boy]

My experience- Not enforced and nothing to worry about.

A 35' rv spot generally can accommodate a 35' trailer or fifth wheel. If you can get a trailer in there you should have no problem getting a 36' motorhome in there!

[2gypsies1]

Yellowstone doesn't measure your RV. We've stayed in a 35' site with our 40' motorhome. The 35' is a 'recommendation'. If you reserve it then it's yours whether you fit in it or not. That's why we don't reserve. We drive in and check the sites ourselves in an unreservable campground or in a reservable campground that just had a cancellation. We've been to Yellowstone many times and never had a problem getting a site.

We also volunteered in Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park and one of our 'duties' was to measure all the campsites in the campground that we were stationed and to make a chart of what size of RV would fit in the sites. This was for the purpose of assigning sites when folks come in.

Every site is different, especially in public parks. It depends on tree or boulder positioning. Also, if it has a rear concrete barrier on the parking pad, can you back in further so your tires go to that barrier rather than the just the rear of the RV? Just by being able to do that can increase the parking space by 5' or so.

So your specific question of using a 36' in a 35' space. Yes, you probably can. One foot isn't a big deal. Also, keep in mind that if you tow a car you'll need to fit it on the site, too. The majority of time we angle our Jeep in front of the motorhome and it fits in fine. Sometimes you will have room beside your RV parking space but not often in public parks.

Good luck. I'd advise you to get a RV you feel comfortable with and you'll also find sites to fit even if it's nearby to where you really want to be.

[the_bear_II]

The good thing about most public campgrounds they are located in popular tourist destinations. That means there will be at least one private campground nearby. Most private campgrounds are big rig friendly. So eventhough the public campground may not allow longer than 35ft RVs you can find something at a nearby private campground and drive in to see the sights.

With our 38ft 5th wheel, we stayed outside of Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks at a great Private Campground (Sequoia RV Ranch) which was a short drive to the entrance gate to go into the parks to see the sights. We had a great spot overlooking the Kaweah River.

[rr2254545]

Enforeced - only at Yellowstone in my experience

My model 35 Winnebago was 36ft and my current model 36 is 37 ft so that would be pushing the limit in a actual 35 ft site.

Having said that other than Yellowstone I have never been shut out of a campground because I was too big. Even there they have 40 ft sites they were taken however