DP's and Prov/State parks

[Dougjpr]

Looking at making a change from our current set up (in signature) to a 40-42 foot DP. We like to camp at provincial parks and state parks. We don't see too many DP's in these places. How many DP owners camp in Prov or State parks and have they ever had any issues with navigating the sometimes tight roads, accessing sites or ground clearance when leaving the road to enter a site.

Our current set up is fairly long (60'), and have not encountered any issues on the roads as far as making it through the turns, but I know a 40'+ DP will handle different.

The ground clearance is the one thing I hadn't considered until I saw a video on You tube that showed a Tag axle DP bottomed out at a turn around area off a highway. Looked as though once the tag had left the road surface, the drop was too much and the rear was on the surface which caused the drive axles to be off the ground. Not sure how much damage that one would cause.

Any feedback is appreciated as I am just doing some research at this point. Don't want to make a switch into a unit and find I can't go where we are used to going.

Thanks

Doug

[prstlk]

I have owned both and at present we are ft in a dp. We like the smaller state and provincial parks. Loved the ones in the yukon territories, $10.00 a night u.s. big sites, free firewood, no hookups but most were by a feature such as a waterfall, lake etc.
Use alstays.com google maps etc in your planning and you won't go wrong.

I do agree with above post. Stop the bus, push the jack button, run out the slides. If dry camping I don't even need to go outside!

[Ivylog]

I understand... had a friend with a nice 5er and diesel PU who made the mistake of traveling with those of us with DPs. We are having a cool one while he's still setting up... traded for a DP in less than a year. I agree a big DP is the nicest and most expensive way to RV.

We stay at mainly public CGs... NP, SP, USFS, BLM and do not have any major problems finding sites big enough, BUT do not show up Thursday on holiday weekends or Friday the rest of the time as there will be a 26' Class C in a 70' long site. Show late Sunday or Monday and plenty of sites... less so in the NPs. Good Luck in finding a nice rig.

[Dougjpr]

Thanks for reply Ivylog

I agree with you on the DP's not being set up for larger families, but the 2 oldest don't come with us anymore and we're almost not cool enough for the 16 year old either, so needing sleeping for 6 isn't really an issue.

Just getting lazy and the current set up, although still nice, is a bit of work.

The bullet proof 6.0 is nice, but what it's costing me(just in plates and annual inspections) to keep it around just to pull the trailer is a pain. The truck used to get used for work, but not now. Can't fix stupid can also apply to my 6.0 issues

Doug

[Ivylog]

Hard to fix stupid although I once got hung up trying to get into a friends driveway with a good dip in it. Hitch dug in enough so the drive tires spun and I had already manually raised the coach up using the air leveling... now what? I manually raised just the back and lowered the front and this gave the drive tires enough traction to go ahead. It also proves the hitch is stronger than it's rating.

I've stayed in the CA Maritimes and CA Rockies without any problems other than 15 amp service... if they had power and not that big of a problem. Some turns require that you wait too late to make the turn and then back up... a two point turn.

Now that you have bullet proofed your 6.0 and with four kids I'd keep what you have. Most large DP's are not setup to sleep 6.