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How long is my 5er -- Yosemite National Park

TenOC
Nomad
Nomad
I am planning a trip in late May to Yosemite National Park in my new 5er. This will be the first trip in the 5er. My old RV was a 30 foot TT.

I understand the Yosemite lottery for reservations and know that there are only a very few sites for a 35 foot trailer or 40 foot MH. My 5er is 24 feet of SQUARE box plus the 5 feet of "nose". My TV is a short bed truck. The question, am I a 24 foot or a 29 foot trailer??

Will I be OK booking a 35 foot MH -- 24 foot trailer site?????? . . :h . . . Or should I ONLY try for the larger site.
Please give me enough troubles, uncertainty, problems, obstacles and STRESS so that I do not become arrogant, proud, and smug in my own abilities, and enough blessings and good times that I realize that someone else is in charge of my life.

Travel Photos
14 REPLIES 14

Jbrowland
Explorer
Explorer
Short answer:

Get as long of a spot as you can...IF you can. You are a HUGE rig when considering Yosemite Valley camping.

Long answer:

We camp in Yosemite a few times a year when the booking gods are on our side, lol. Just getting ANY spot is your first concern. Be aware that each site has its own length restriction that may or may not include possible over hang at the back of your trailer. The issue in the valley at say Upper Pines CG is that while the trailer may fit on the pad/spot, you may not be able to maneuver around the very small CG roads in some of the loops. Additionally, you may or may not have room for your TV anywhere near your campground spot depending on the site, trees that may or may not be in the way, and who is next to you. You will possibly have to park at Curry Village about a half mile away. I refuse to use the new name or can't remember it ;). Even that may be difficult at the end of May.

Our last spot at Upper Pines a few weeks ago during Thanksgiving didn't allow room for our slide out to fully extend or for our large step to be fully extended thanks to trees on each side. We also couldn't hang over the back of the spot because the fire pit was in the way. We were only 24.5 feet total in a class C with no toad. This was an extreme scenario at Upper Pines and the worst it has ever been but that was the only spot left to take and there it is. Meanwhile, the guy next to us had a 40 ish foot class A and had all the room in the world with his 3 slides extended and wedged a toad in as well. Sometimes the site descriptions are great and sometimes not. The camp hosts and rangers are very nice but they are a bit more militant than most places what with all of the people coming and going.

Again, the larger the RV is, the harder it will be to get a spot INSIDE the valley DURING PEAK CAMPING TIMES. In fact, almost impossible with a rig above 25 feet. Millions of people a year visit from all over the world.

I recommend staying at Indian Flats CG just outside of the park on 140 in El Portal if you can't get a valley spot. It's nothing fancy but it has full hooks, almost always available, pretty cheap, VERY close to the valley, and a nice hotel next door with a heated pool, hot tub, and a restaurant free to use as the same people own both or something like that. There are other options but none closer. Additionally, check the road length restrictions heading into the valley. I'm not sure what your TOTAL length is or what the various restrictions are.

Good luck! It's a bit of a pain during peak times and you are going during peak times, but well worth it to see one of the most amazing places on this planet.

DaveG39
Explorer
Explorer
You can overhang behind the tire stop if there is not a rock, tree or firepit there. All sites are different. Look at the pictures! A significant issue is the trees across from your site and the ones on the side of your site pad. Some sites are long enough but you will have an impossible chore maneuvering your tow vehicle to back the trailer in.
2007 TropiCal LX towing 2012 Honda
CRV, Goleta, CA

mikestock
Explorer
Explorer
I had a 37' fiver, at the time of my last visit. I had a site reserved, that was supposed to accomodate me. If the site across had been occupied when I arrived I would not have been able to get in the site. Then, had to get with the fellow who came into the site to time my exit as he was leaving. Then, getting positioned so that I could extend my slides was inch by inch.

Their estimated as to what size rv a site will hold may be correct but getting in and out may be another matter.

Rangerman40
Explorer
Explorer
Drop a line from the front of the pin box to the ground. From that point to the end of the rear bumper is how long you are.

2gypsies1
Explorer III
Explorer III
You can see all the campground sites here:

https://www.campsitephotos.com/campground-directory/region/yosemite-national-park
Full-Timed for 16 Years
.... Back in S&B Again
Traveled 8 yr in a 40' 2004 Newmar Dutch Star Motorhome
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

mikim
Explorer
Explorer
You might be able to fit onto a site pad, but the tricky part is maneuvering around some of the roads. If a site is occupied across from you, it could be near impossible to back-in and pull out.

Crowe
Explorer
Explorer
29 feet. It's from nose to tail.

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be

Douglas Adams

[purple]RV-less for now but our spirits are still on the open road. [/purple]

time2roll
Nomad
Nomad
You can park the truck one free tram stop away at Curry if necessary. Yes you are 29'. You can often hang over the rear a bit if there are no trees. Tires need to be on the pad. Internet has pictures of every site listed.

You might be able to push the length a few feet(I have) but no guarantees.

TenOC
Nomad
Nomad
bgum wrote:
What part of 29 feet are you leaving at home? Of course you are 29 feet.


My 29 foot TT and TV combined was much longer (by almost 9 feet) than my 29 foot 5er and TV
Please give me enough troubles, uncertainty, problems, obstacles and STRESS so that I do not become arrogant, proud, and smug in my own abilities, and enough blessings and good times that I realize that someone else is in charge of my life.

Travel Photos

bgum
Explorer
Explorer
What part of 29 feet are you leaving at home? Of course you are 29 feet.

azdryheat
Explorer
Explorer
I'd say you're 29' and should go for the longer of the sites.
2013 Chevy 3500HD CC dually
2014 Voltage 3600 toy hauler
2019 RZR 1000XP TRE

TenOC
Nomad
Nomad
agesilaus wrote:
If you don't fit they will not issue a refund or move you to another site. And they do walk around and make sure you fit on the pad and do not hang over the road.


I think (?) the pads are long enough so I will not hang over the road, but there may be a parking problem.

Maximum Camping Equipment Length:
Max. Vehicle Length: 35
Fifth Wheel Maximum Length: 24
Pop up Maximum Length: 24
Trailer Maximum Length: 24

The maximum allowable trailer length is always shorter than the allowable RV length (due to maneuverability).
Please give me enough troubles, uncertainty, problems, obstacles and STRESS so that I do not become arrogant, proud, and smug in my own abilities, and enough blessings and good times that I realize that someone else is in charge of my life.

Travel Photos

toedtoes
Explorer III
Explorer III
Call and ask to be sure. Better to get their advice before the lottery, than to guess and get it wrong.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)

agesilaus
Explorer III
Explorer III
If you don't fit they will not issue a refund or move you to another site. And they do walk around and make sure you fit on the pad and do not hang over the road.
Arctic Fox 25Y Travel Trailer
2018 RAM 2500 6.7L 4WD shortbed
Straightline dual cam hitch
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Superbumper