Yellowstone - Will we get turned away at 44'?

[loudounrv]

We currently own a 33' TT, but we are considering a 44' Toy Hauler and would plan to use the garage as a 2nd bedroom for our 3 kids.

We'd like to start staying in more state and national parks and I know many state they have strict size limitations. Several state parks in our area max out at 30' sites, and I know Yellowstone campgrounds state they max out at 40'.

I made a reservation today with someone at Xanterra for Grant and Madison this summer. I told him our current dimensions, but mentioned we hoped to be in a new trailer next year. He said be sure to keep it under 40' or we might get turned away.

Does anyone know how strictly this is enforced? Has anyone seen a 5ver more than 40' in a spot at Grant, Madison or Fishing Bridge?

Thank you!

[4runnerguy]

ReneeG wrote:
Most campgrounds there have an area where you can park your TV.

But pretty limited amount of parking in most of them. Often filled with second cars, Boy Scout utility trailers, etc. Maybe it's just me, but when I drive 2000 miles on vacation, I don't pick a campsite I don't fit into hoping there will be a spot somewhere for my TV. Doing so would make me shorten my daily sightseeing to get back in time to grab one of the parking spots. Also, I like being able to access my TV for those things I accidentally leave in it (sunglasses, maps, that pesky specific cable for some electronic device). Just MHO.

[westernrvparkow]

smkettner wrote:
You can get a 44' site in Yellowstone. But you must call and tell them the actual length of the RV and vehicle to reserve one of the few spots than can accommodate over 40'. Yes if you reserve for a 33' and show up with 44' you may get turned away because you will not fit.

Honestly I recommend NOT getting the larger trailer if you expect to fit in these old campgrounds. Get the kids a tent.

They are very clear they do not take rigs over 40 feet. Yes, there are sites longer, but their reservation system does not specify which sites those are, the software just says 40'. On top of that, even if they did initially assign you a site that was over 40', they often move reservations from site to site to maximize the efficiency of the reservations due to differing arrival dates and length of stays. On another note many parks (including some in Yellowstone and many private parks including mine) do not allow tents in RV sites. So that isn't a universal cure-all.
It isn't that difficult to find spaces for a 44'. The upsides are much greater than any downsides for most of the owners of the Larger RVs.

[ReneeG]

4runnerguy wrote:

ReneeG wrote:

smkettner wrote:
You can get a 44' site in Yellowstone. But you must call and tell them the actual length of the RV and vehicle to reserve one of the few spots than can accommodate over 40'. Yes if you reserve for a 33' and show up with 44' you may get turned away because you will not fit.

Best advice yet.

But the OP needs a 65'+ site. 44' is just the length of his possible new 5er. Very, very limited number of sites for that length.

Most campgrounds there have an area where you can park your TV.

[4runnerguy]

ReneeG wrote:

smkettner wrote:
You can get a 44' site in Yellowstone. But you must call and tell them the actual length of the RV and vehicle to reserve one of the few spots than can accommodate over 40'. Yes if you reserve for a 33' and show up with 44' you may get turned away because you will not fit.

Best advice yet.

But the OP needs a 65'+ site. 44' is just the length of his possible new 5er. Very, very limited number of sites for that length.

[ReneeG]

smkettner wrote:
You can get a 44' site in Yellowstone. But you must call and tell them the actual length of the RV and vehicle to reserve one of the few spots than can accommodate over 40'. Yes if you reserve for a 33' and show up with 44' you may get turned away because you will not fit.

Best advice yet.

[RobertRyan]

Veebyes wrote:
The percieved necessity of having such a large rig has always baffled me. In Europe, indeed most any other places where there are RVs people have a couple of kids & get along just fine with with rigs far smaller than what is the average in N America.

Are people actually bigger in N America?

The bottom line is, if you must have the rolling mansion with all of the comforts of the home, don't complain when you find that there are many places where you simply cannot go.

People with wads of money & huge motoryachts are in the same situation. They can't get into the scenic anchorages that the mainstream boating world people get into. Too much draft.

Different needs. In Europe and Here, you go outside a lot, so you do not need a huge RV. Still you get huge RV's here, but even they do not stay inside

[time2roll]

You can get a 44' site in Yellowstone. But you must call and tell them the actual length of the RV and vehicle to reserve one of the few spots than can accommodate over 40'. Yes if you reserve for a 33' and show up with 44' you may get turned away because you will not fit.

Honestly I recommend NOT getting the larger trailer if you expect to fit in these old campgrounds. Get the kids a tent.

[4runnerguy]

ReneeG wrote:
The OP probably hasn't returned because he asked a simple question and various opinions, of none that he asked for, were provided.

I think some of the replies stem from his statement that "we are considering a 44' Toy Hauler". While not a direct question, the fact that he uses the word "considering" opens up the topic a bit. Seems like there are several options:

• Keep the current rig and the status quo, keeping more campsite options available
• Add a tent or TC to the mix for the kids
• Go for the 44' unit and realize there are very limited number of campsites that will fit this rig considering on his stated desire to camp in more NP's and SP's
• Get the 44' unit and recognize he will primarily be camping in private CG's near NP's and SP's.

Personally I wouldn't travel great distances to any NP or SP assuming I could fit my rig into a spot that is smaller than the size listed on the reservation website. Some of those sites are just for that size rig with little additional room. At other places I've stayed, I've seen and know the sizes of some of the sites and feel comfortable making a reservation for them, even if they list the size as smaller. Of course with a PUP, I have the added advantage of having much of my length extended out behind the back of my trailer box when I extend the bed.

FWIW, I've never been measured in any campsite, but I've also never had any part of my rig extend even a little out into the access road. I have been places where I've seen campground hosts make people move their rigs so they are totally out of the road and the RV's wheels totally on the pad.

[Walaby]

Given all the uncertainty, I wouldn't plan a trip on the hopes of not being turned away.
If you show up, I don't think it will go far if you said "but the folks on RV.NET told me that it was up to you", so "c'mon... please?"

I would find a place that accommodates me so there's no worries.

Mike

[ReneeG]

The OP probably hasn't returned because he asked a simple question and various opinions, of none that he asked for, were provided. I believe that it never hurts to ask because you just never know. Case in point was one person's reply that it depends on who is checking you in, basically.

[donkeydew]

why does everybody always feel the rules are written for everybody else?
if they wanted 44 footers the rules would state such.
its easy then you don't have to en quire on the forums

[2gypsies1]

Unfortunately, the OP has not returned but in reading another recent post by him, it seems he works from his RV so I would assume he needs more space for that.

[GreenSalsa]

Veebyes wrote:
The percieved necessity of having such a large rig has always baffled me.

Lots of people use their rigs for more than just "camping". I use mine 3-4 months out of the year as a mobile office and my entire family gets to come with me on my cross country trips. Additionally, when my rig is parked at home, we use it another 3-4-5 weeks as flex space for relatives, friends, and family while they stay with us.

Case in point, we had 14 people stay with us for Christmas--the size was truly appreciated. This year I am projected at least 105+ days on the road with the family.

While I could easily have purchased a smaller rig, having the extra size accommodates both a mobile professional business and our family in a number of different manners.

Just food for thought...

[Veebyes]

The percieved necessity of having such a large rig has always baffled me. In Europe, indeed most any other places where there are RVs people have a couple of kids & get along just fine with with rigs far smaller than what is the average in N America.

Are people actually bigger in N America?

The bottom line is, if you must have the rolling mansion with all of the comforts of the home, don't complain when you find that there are many places where you simply cannot go.

People with wads of money & huge motoryachts are in the same situation. They can't get into the scenic anchorages that the mainstream boating world people get into. Too much draft.