Any Length Restriction Resources?

[mrekim]

I've seen the various discussions about the RV length and getting into federal/state parks, etc.


I understand that if you have a bigger rig you can typically find something nearby if the specific park or area your interested in cannot accommodate you.

I know that I can pick areas of interest and then look up length restrictions one at a time.

I'm wondering if there is a comprehensive list out there somewhere. Ideally a list of some state and federal parks and the max RV length for each.

[xctraveler]

Dockwiler CG in LA on the beach has a 37 foot max and they fine for anything that extends over the painted line that is 37 feet from the stop post. Have seen 40 footers in an end spot sharply angled on their site such that nothing extends over the back line or side lines. Tow'd needs to parked in overflow parking.

Many would say why would yo stay there anyhow, but we enjoy looking out over the beach and being relatively close to our son's place in LA. 30 min if traffic isn't horrendous. There isn't even an Elks lodge closer.

[tropical36]

2gypsies wrote:
We had a 40' motorhome that we put on 40' advertised sites and also in many sites that weren't stated as for a 40'. Even with the 40' advertised sites, many times we had a lot of excess space for the Jeep and sometimes we had to be creative parking the Jeep - angling it on the parking site. You just never know when a site is advertised as 40' exactily how long they are.

I've seen them measured to a back stop, without any consideration to the hangover, so plenty more room with these, as well. Also hangover over the measured graveled space for the wheels in some cases, works wonders.

[2gypsies1]

We had a 40' motorhome that we put on 40' advertised sites and also in many sites that weren't stated as for a 40'. Even with the 40' advertised sites, many times we had a lot of excess space for the Jeep and sometimes we had to be creative parking the Jeep - angling it on the parking site. You just never know when a site is advertised as 40' exactily how long they are.

[TriumphGuy]

mrekim wrote:

Ivylog wrote:

OP, are you thinking of coming over to the dark side from the trailer side?

That's the plan....

Not to get too far off topic but one reason we are planning to go from 5er to MH is that our 35' 5er + truck is over 50ft. I've realized that these "up to 40 feet" sites are sometimes hard to get into (at least for me) because I'm not considering the total length of what I'm trying to move into the site, but only think of my 35' 5er instead.

My thinking is that a 35' MH should be easier just from the standpoint that I'm "only" backing in a total length of 35' vs my trailer + truck.

My $0.02 🙂

[2gypsies1]

We never went solely on the term "big rig friendly". A big rig means different things to others. To someone with a 27' trailer, big might be a 32' trailer.

[mrekim]

Ivylog wrote:

We usually Boonedock five days a week and then travel and resupply on the weekends. We will call ahead on Saturday and make a reservation at a private campground so that we can dump and resupply our water and do laundry. With 100 gallons of water we do not cut back on its use and have to run the generator two hours a day to charge the batteries while boondocking. The smaller the unit the smaller the tanks. For FT I'd want at least 5000lbs of CCC.

Thanks for this additional info as well. I've got homework to do on CCC, basement space, Axle ratings, etc.


~100 gallons of water, ~60 gallons grey and ~40 gallons black seems to be pretty standard. Is this close the configuration that's working well for you?

Executive wrote:
To answer your question, many cgs show a 'limit' of 40'. In fact, if you go to RPI's site you'll see most of their CGs limit of 40'. Very few California State Parks offer sites for 45'. However, IF you call and ask you'll find there are spaces available. We've yet to be denied because of length and we've been to about 90% of their SPs.

Thanks for the clarification. This is helpful. I've also seen the opposite. At Acadia in Maine they said they had spots for our 35 foot TT with opposing slides. We didn't stay there, but we walked the campground and there weren't many sites that looked promising. I'm glad we opted for a site outside the park instead in that case.

So far it's looking like 35' isn't really a magic size and most places that you can go with 35 you can go with 40 or even 45 with some good advanced planning (early reservations, etc.).

TechWriter wrote:

A few years ago I compiled data on all the Federal Parks and State Paks.

The results are by state, not park.

This is fantastic! Thanks for sharing. It's a great overview.

[tropical36]

mrekim wrote:
I've seen the various discussions about the RV length and getting into federal/state parks, etc.


I understand that if you have a bigger rig you can typically find something nearby if the specific park or area your interested in cannot accommodate you.

I know that I can pick areas of interest and then look up length restrictions one at a time.

I'm wondering if there is a comprehensive list out there somewhere. Ideally a list of some state and federal parks and the max RV length for each.

Besides all that's been said, a few white lies will get you even more sites to choose from. For example, it you're 36ft like me and the limit is 34ft, say you're 34ft. In years of travel, I've never had a site that I couldn't fit in. Not saying that I always do this, but when having a 2 ft. hitch haul on the back, I still said I was 36ft and not once did I not fit in an assigned space.

[CA_Traveler]

Allstays Camp&RV has a option to select only Big Rig Friendly sites. This doesn't cover many of the points raised here but at least listed sites should be OK.

I use this app on my phone and with it's many filter options it's my first choice for CG lookup. I often look at sites on the map, click on one and if interested just click on the phone number to call them.

[TechWriter]

mrekim wrote:

I'm wondering if there is a comprehensive list out there somewhere. Ideally a list of some state and federal parks and the max RV length for each.

A few years ago I compiled data on all the Federal Parks and State Paks.

The results are by state, not park.

[Kaz]

As you might have gathered, the issue is more complicated than you might think. As is clear from the posts above, some locations that announce length limits are actually OK even for the biggest rigs. And some that don't announce limits would be a total bear for anything but the smallest rigs. And length limits for the site may be different than practical realities of negotiating the campground roads.

One would think that our little pipsqueak 31' motorhome would be fine just about everywhere, but we went to Anastasia State Park in Florida earlier this year, and at least for the loop we were in, I wouldn't want to venture in with anything much bigger than that. Same experience a few months ago at Land Between the Lakes. When we pulled in, the campground guy said, "Let me see if I've got something available that'll work better than the one you reserved..." Not a good omen, even though online the indicated length was more than adequate, but he was right: despite my careful research, the site I picked would not have worked very well.

The bottom line is that published references (online and otherwise) are just one piece of evidence, not the final verdict. For me at least, it takes a little more research and then a happy disposition if things don't exactly work out as planned.

Skip

[Terryallan]

We often stay in Julian Price Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway. And truthfully. there are only 4 sites our 30' TT will fit on.

[Executive45]

To answer your question, many cgs show a 'limit' of 40'. In fact, if you go to RPI's site you'll see most of their CGs limit of 40'. Very few California State Parks offer sites for 45'. However, IF you call and ask you'll find there are spaces available. We've yet to be denied because of length and we've been to about 90% of their SPs. Of course we don't try parks like Doheny...:B....the biggest issue you'll find is 30amp vs 50amp. An all electric coach doesn't fare as well with 30amp. Can be done but if you're in a hot place, the three a/cs won't work on 30amp.

IMO, choose what's right for your application. Do your research. Part of that research is CALLING the park(s) and ASKING. I think you'll find the answer differs from what you find on the internet......Dennis

[nevadanick]

We a have a Model 38 mh that is just short of 40ft. I scour the reviews and if still not sure i call ahead. I tow a 20ft enclosed trailer (24ft overall) so i need to be careful. So far with tight rv parks while traveling i have had to back into a pull through space and currently had to unhook to park. This mh is very nimble and manuverable for its size. I cant imagime somewhere that i couldnt get in as long as i am not towing. If you want a big bathroom which is what we liked look at rear bath models. Ours is a Tiffin 38QRA and there are several brands with the same layout. I am going to start towing a van soon so life will be much easier by being able to unhook anywhere.

[CA_Traveler]

Some of the sites in Bridge Bay can take longer rigs than the stated limit and some can't. It just all depends upon what's at the rear of the site.