5th wheel length - trailer length - RV length?

[bodomalo]

Hello

I am planing to buy a 5th wheel/or trailer. For 2 years we had a 27" RV, but I would prefer driving in a car/pick-up now.

So my question is now: How do 5th wheels compare in length to an RV? Especially when there is a length limit on some campsites (like in national parks)

For example: We went to White Wolf campground in Yosemite. With our 27" motorhome we found a nice spot there, I guess it would not have been a problem if it was a 29 or 31 feet, but their sites are not really very big up there.

On their website they write: Length limits (recommendations)
RV: 27"
Trailer: 24"

But now my question: Isn't a trailer+pick-up much longer? Pickup alone would measure a 18" at least. That would sum up to around 42" (unhooked)
So how do they measure the space of their campsites?

On a campground for a 24" trailer, can I park with a trailer+pick-up? But why can't I bring an RV longer than 27"?
I don't get it. 🙂

Thanks
Bodo

[RRinNFla]

Today I was looking at Reserve America for a site at a SP in Maryland. Reserve America showed every single site with electric hookup as 30'. My 5w is 32' actual nose to tail. So I thought I would not be able to use this campground.

But just to make sure, I called the campground and the ranger gave me a list of seven sites (out of 26) that would accommodate a 32' 5w. He also assured me that it would be no problem maneuvering around the loop, and that no one would come by with a measuring stick. So I went to RA, lied about the length of my rig and reserved the site.

The point is that RA, and other web sites, depend on the park manager to provide the length information, so the information is only as good as the park manager makes it. As said previously, there is no "standard" way to measure a site. If you are not sure, call the park.

[wing_zealot]

korbe wrote:
I see your point. And if the description can get screwed up with the pad size, I wonder if they could screw up the size RV that could fit in the site? 😉

Oh I'd bet on that, but after about 10 complaints that a "30-foot RV won't fit on that site" they'd hopefully decide to revise it downwards for the future users.

[korbe]

wing_zealot wrote:

korbe wrote:

wing_zealot wrote:

korbe wrote:
Your question is a good one. Many of us have confusion on whether our rig will fit in a spot. Unhooked combined lengths are also a consideration. My thought (for the internet campground site description writers)is that if the description of the site would include the space length & width, all would be fine. Leave it up to us to determine if that length & width is adequate or not.

A 50' x 80' site may due to trees, shrubs, stumps, warts, or even because of limited maneuvering room, have space enough for only a 20' RV. Hence, I would always trust the RV park to tell me what size RV will fit.

I was referring to the dimensions of the parking space or area, not the camp "site".

I get what you are saying. Let me tell you my recent experience which goes to what I am saying. I recently was in NY where the campground said it was a 10' x 35' gravel pad. I have a 30' RV, no problem right? Well when I got there there where trees and shrubs that made it almost impossible to get my RV in. I had to ask two neighbors across the street to move their vehicles and then with much maneuvering and dicking around I finally got it in. The neighbors were very friendly, helpful and understanding of the predicament.

All good right? Not so fast. It had rained recently and the only way I could get the RV on the pad ended up with a giant mud puddle right at the steps. Regs required I be on the gravel pad so nothing I could do to eliminate where the steps where in relation to the mud puddle. (Besides that the recent rain had made the site so muddy off the pad would have been a disaster). And did I mention I almost got stuck in two different places with a 4x4 and trying to maneuver to get the RV on the pad.

Oh well, mud puddle, it happens, no big deal be happy go camping. Oh gee, did I also mention one of the trees prevented my from getting my awning out. All in all, the site was suitable for probably a 25' RV. Then you could probably back it in between the trees and bushes fairly easily, get the awning out, and avoid the mud puddle. 35' RV not a chance. 30' RV - if your good enough to get it in there and don't mind the mud puddle and no awning. 25' RV = happy camper.

So the moral of my story is: Let them tell me what size RV will fit, not what size the pad is; that's not relevant.

I see your point. And if the description can get screwed up with the pad size, I wonder if they could screw up the size RV that could fit in the site? 😉

[wing_zealot]

Mines 33' ball to bumper, I always ask for a 40' if nothing suitable is available I will go for a 35'. I won't go for anything less than that unless I know something personally about he site. Just this year alone I have had 2 sites that weren't as advertised which made things very difficult. Even at that, I find that many times I have to go the wrong way down a one way road to even have a shot at it.

[mapshug]

So what length do you TT owners use when reserving? Ball to bumper length or box length? For example a 282bh camper that is 32 feet ball to bumper. Look for a site for a 28ft TT or a 32ft TT? I've found staying at box length not to be a problem, but I'm curious what others have experienced.

[gkainz]

I called a couple of campground managers, as well as tech support for the reservation websites about this question in the past. They told me that the max length on the reservation or campground info factors in a generic tow vehicle length, which is why the Class A/C length is longer than towables. "Just use in your RV (class A/B/C/5er/bumber pull) length and don't worry about the tow vehicle."

Some places, in my experience, under-estimate the TV length, but I've been able to park the truck crosswise in front of the 5er and stay (barely) off the street.

[wing_zealot]

korbe wrote:

wing_zealot wrote:

korbe wrote:
Your question is a good one. Many of us have confusion on whether our rig will fit in a spot. Unhooked combined lengths are also a consideration. My thought (for the internet campground site description writers)is that if the description of the site would include the space length & width, all would be fine. Leave it up to us to determine if that length & width is adequate or not.

A 50' x 80' site may due to trees, shrubs, stumps, warts, or even because of limited maneuvering room, have space enough for only a 20' RV. Hence, I would always trust the RV park to tell me what size RV will fit.

I was referring to the dimensions of the parking space or area, not the camp "site".

I get what you are saying. Let me tell you my recent experience which goes to what I am saying. I recently was in NY where the campground said it was a 10' x 35' gravel pad. I have a 30' RV, no problem right? Well when I got there there where trees and shrubs that made it almost impossible to get my RV in. I had to ask two neighbors across the street to move their vehicles and then with much maneuvering and dicking around I finally got it in. The neighbors were very friendly, helpful and understanding of the predicament.

All good right? Not so fast. It had rained recently and the only way I could get the RV on the pad ended up with a giant mud puddle right at the steps. Regs required I be on the gravel pad so nothing I could do to eliminate where the steps where in relation to the mud puddle. (Besides that the recent rain had made the site so muddy off the pad would have been a disaster). And did I mention I almost got stuck in two different places with a 4x4 and trying to maneuver to get the RV on the pad.

Oh well, mud puddle, it happens, no big deal be happy go camping. Oh gee, did I also mention one of the trees prevented my from getting my awning out. All in all, the site was suitable for probably a 25' RV. Then you could probably back it in between the trees and bushes fairly easily, get the awning out, and avoid the mud puddle. 35' RV not a chance. 30' RV - if your good enough to get it in there and don't mind the mud puddle and no awning. 25' RV = happy camper.

So the moral of my story is: Let them tell me what size RV will fit, not what size the pad is; that's not relevant.

[valhalla360]

There isn't a standard method of determining site size, so it's going to be hit and miss.

I believe Motorhome (not RV) lengths generally assume a TOAD which will be a few feet shorter than a pickup.

Also, I believer our long bed 4 door is around 18-20' but a short bed regular cab might easily be 4' shorter.

Also keep in mind, once you unhook, you don't have to keep the truck in line with the trailer. On smaller sites, we often park 90 degrees to the trailer, so we only need enough space for the width of the truck. Or if the front of the trailer is high enough you can park under the overhang.

Sorry there isn't an answer that will work every time.

[korbe]

wing_zealot wrote:

korbe wrote:
Your question is a good one. Many of us have confusion on whether our rig will fit in a spot. Unhooked combined lengths are also a consideration. My thought (for the internet campground site description writers)is that if the description of the site would include the space length & width, all would be fine. Leave it up to us to determine if that length & width is adequate or not.

A 50' x 80' site may due to trees, shrubs, stumps, warts, or even because of limited maneuvering room, have space enough for only a 20' RV. Hence, I would always trust the RV park to tell me what size RV will fit.

I was referring to the dimensions of the parking space or area, not the camp "site".

[wing_zealot]

korbe wrote:
Your question is a good one. Many of us have confusion on whether our rig will fit in a spot. Unhooked combined lengths are also a consideration. My thought (for the internet campground site description writers)is that if the description of the site would include the space length & width, all would be fine. Leave it up to us to determine if that length & width is adequate or not.

A 50' x 80' site may due to trees, shrubs, stumps, warts, or even because of limited maneuvering room, have space enough for only a 20' RV. Hence, I would always trust the RV park to tell me what size RV will fit.

[edbehnke]

size is what you determine is the right size. if you want to go to lots of older parks a used Montana 3150 would probably be a good bet....about 33 feet long.

We have a 39 foot 5th wheel and generally don't have any problems but we don't go into the old federal/state campgrounds.

you've been out camping so you should have a decent idea by now on how the sites and what you want work. you can always park your truck elsewhere if site too short.

[korbe]

Your question is a good one. Many of us have confusion on whether our rig will fit in a spot. Unhooked combined lengths are also a consideration. My thought (for the internet campground site description writers)is that if the description of the site would include the space length & width, all would be fine. Leave it up to us to determine if that length & width is adequate or not.

[Allworth]

Since the truck can always (if absolutely necessary) be parked remotely from the trailer in an overflow parking area, I does not count in the length required in the space.

Frequently the width and geometry of interior roads and or the overhang of trees impose more restrictions than the length of the site. A site is no good to me if I can't get into it.

[BB_TX]

RV generally means a motor home (A, B, or C) or a travel trailer or a 5th wheel travel trailer or a truck camper. I am guessing they mean any type RV up to 27' or any other type trailer up to 24'.
Since a TT or 5er can be disconnected from the tow vehicle then the length limit only applies to the length of the trailer.