How long is too long to travel In a fifth wheel.

[Bill_I]

We are getting ready to full time live in a fifth wheel as we travel the USA. Have been looking at trying to stay under 38 feet in the fifth wheel but are finding that it is hard to find everything we want in that length. We have a GMC 1ton, short bed PU. Question...how hard is it to find camping spots throughout the USA if we go over 38 feet? Is it difficult to navigate through the east coast with a longer fifth wheel? Thoughts please.

[2_Retired]

Agree with those who say private CGs probably no problem, even on the East Coast. Be aware, however, that many CG's in colder climates like the upper Mid West and Northeast close down before Thanksgiving due to their water services being above ground and subject to freezing Nov - sometimes as late as late March. State parks and other government owned camping areas are much less certain. Might want to become familiar with www.rvparkreviews.com for some specific info posted by RVers who have been to different parks around the U S and Canada. We find it very helpful. Could also check Reserve America. Often there are pictures of specific sites in campgrounds present, as well as written descriptions of width, depth, slope, etc. You can also reserve a site through this site as well.
As far as driving a big rig in the Northeast - can be challenging, to say the least. Older roads tend to have narrower lanes, and many in this area have numerous overpasses that, at times, just aren't high enough for taller rigs to pass under. We have a 32' MH with toad and DH, who has been driving RV's for over 40 years, will not travel on some roads in some places because of the volume of traffic and what he calls the "harried pace" of the drivers. BTW, he drove large trucks in the Army and is skilled behind the wheel. For instance, we NEVER go through Richmond on I 95, or take that interstate near Washington DC or Baltimore. We take I 295 from Petersburg to north of Richmond, then pick up U S 301 around exit 104, reconnecting just before the Delaware Memorial Bridge into NJ. Takes a little longer, but a much more relaxing stretch of the journey. There are many circumstances around the country where this can be done. Have fun, safe travels, and take your time!

[stickdog]

35 ft here since we travel mostly in the off season we usually have no problem finding a site. At commercial parks we seldom have to unhook for an overnight unless we need to level. I sometimes have problems with back ins in state or federal parks with a long bed CC DRW.

[azdryheat]

Our toy hauler is over 40' and we've been all over the US with it and finding a campsite has not been a problem.

[Searching_Ut]

My fifth wheel is listed as 32 foot and change by Heartland, actual outside length right at 38 feet not counting the ladder. I'd say approximately 60 percent of the forest service campgrounds in my area are unavailable to me do to issues getting into the campground itself, or in some cases the access roads themselves. Most state parks and commercial campgrounds in this area are no problem. My wife likes the bigger RV's, I much prefer smaller. Wife likes RV resorts, I prefer small remote camping areas.

As for towing, my 3500 2015 Ram SRW truck handles the 15.5k GVW with no problems. I've pulled over the mountain at Rocky mountain National park, several other passes in Colorado, down to Havasu Az, and all over Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nv etc. The gearing on the truck is a little tall so in effect it's only a 5 speed towing. Stability wise, especially with the factory air rear suspension its solid as a rock through the curves, wind, and handles quite well even pulling the mountain passes in the snow and ice.

[samsontdog]

I towed a 40 ft 5th w for 1 yr and many times I could not find a site big enough
for a 40 ft. It is used as a rental in Yuma now. Went back to a 34 ft

[jffnkrn]

we have had our 33 foot fifth wheel now for over a year. We have not had any issues with getting into where we want. If we needed to, we just moved on. Usually there is a place that will accommodate your needs. We usually look on the website for the place we want, then I click onto Google Maps / satellite and try to get an idea of the parking or configuration. Campground owners and managers usually can place you as well. But again, we have a 33 foot with 2 slides on one side and 1 on the other and so far we have been ok. Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !

[Old-Biscuit]

We FTd for 7 yrs in 34' 5th wheel that was 13'4" when hooked up to truck

The biggest issue we had was height.

[BB_TX]

Most private RV parks will have sites you can fit in. Federal, state, COE, city RV parks can be hit or miss. Many will have some number of longer sites, but those are typically the first taken and may or may not be available when you need one. More primitive campgrounds such as national forest campgrounds could be even more hit and miss.

[azjeffh]

We are at 39' and haven't had any issues over the last 5 months with the length, only with campgrounds being full.

We plan our travel day to be at ~3 hours. I figure how far that will get us and use RV Park Reviews.com to start my search. I review the ratings but look for parks that are marked for big rig access.

May take several calls to find a site, but we always manage to find something near our mark.

[kknowlton]

Depends on where you like to camp. If you're happy with pullthrus in private CGs, you'll fit most places. If you like state & national parks & national forests, you're pushing the limits. We had a 34-footer and traded it in for a 27-footer, and still can't fit in all the places we'd like.

[Me_Again]

I will give you a report in two weeks on our trip to Arizona with a CC 3500 RAM SB pulling a 39'4" 5th wheel. Chris