How big is too big?

[Big_steve]

It looks like I'm going to have to buy a 30 footer to meet all the requirements we have space-wise. I hear many folks in 30 foot and longer MHs saying they are too big for many campgrounds. Is this a huge problem at 30 ft?

[Rick_Jay]

Big Steve,

You pretty much stated that you'll need a 30' to satisfy your space needs, so why would you consider something smaller? Do you want to be unhappy 99% of the time you take the rig out just in case your 30' rig doesn't fit into a spot on a campground you might visit sometime in the future?

Most here will tell you, it's all about the floor plan. Find a floor plan that will work for you and your family. You'll adapt to whatever else you need to do.

As others have said, there are plenty of campgrounds around. We tend to stay at mostly private campgrounds and have never had a problem finding a site to fit our 36' class A. In fact, most times, we have our choices of sites based upon where we want to be located in the campground and/or available hookups.

The only thing I'd mention, seeing as you're somewhat of a newbie, is to understand that ALL of these RVs have weight limits. Just because there is enough space to bring things, doesn't mean there is enough weight carrying capacity. Some people run their rigs overweight all of the time and it doesn't seem to bother them. Me? The engineer in me makes me want to keep things under the limits set by the manufacturers. I'd recommend you at least consider weight as a possible issue. Just two people in a 30' Class C probably won't be a problem. A family of 5 or 6 in that same RV is a different story. But my recommendation, know what the limits are on any RV you consider and feel free to ask any questions which might arise.

Good Luck in your search!

~Rick

[AJR]

If the floorplan is really right. The rest does not matter.
Especially in the 30’ or so range.

[Grit_dog]

Big Steve, you answers your own question. You said your "needs" require a 30 footer.
So get one.
Don't you see the zillions of RVs hit the road every weekend? There's a spot for everyone and 30' will get you most places.

[DarkSkySeeker]

pnichols wrote:
FWIW, we have a few times had to pass up certain campsites even when in our 24 foot Class C motorhome.

Perhaps in discussions like these, the total length of the RV needs to be more clearly stated, i.e., tow vehicle (or not) and trailer.

[pnichols]

FWIW, we have a few times had to pass up certain campsites even when in our 24 foot Class C motorhome. This is rare but can happen ... and for some reason it usually happens at compsites that are otherwise in fantastic settings.

Stay in as small an RV as you can possibly tolerate is my advice.

[mgirardo]

On the East Coast, we have never encountered a campground, state park or municipal park that couldn't accommodate our 32' Class C. We've been in some that had sites that we couldn't fit into, but they had plenty of sites that we could so no issue.

As others have said, check out the campgrounds in the areas you think you will visit and make sure there is at least one that will accommodate you.

-Michael

[ppine]

This is an ongoing debate. Florida would be a good place for large trailers. Old FS campgrounds in the Inter-Mountain West would be a bad place for anything over around 24 feet.

[DrewE]

Merrykalia wrote:
If you are planning on using state parks on the E coast, you should have no problem until you get over 40 or 45 feet. I host in a state park in Virginia and we can accommodate units that are in excess of 65', but they only advertise 40' units.

That does vary a lot with where you are along the east coast. Around here there are a fair few state parks that were built by the CCC and haven't had the campgrounds changed a great deal since, and even 30-35' makes a noticeable difference in the sites one can use. 40-45' in Vermont state parks would be very limiting indeed.

As you (and others) generally suggest, it's best to just do a bit of research in the areas one would care to visit and see how much or little difficulty a large rig would pose. In many cases, it's not much at all; but in others, the opposite is true.

[Merrykalia]

If you are going to be traveling in the west in national parks that were built years and years ago, you will run into problems. If you are planning to stay in RV parks with services (like water, power, sewer), you should have no problems. If you are planning on using state parks on the E coast, you should have no problem until you get over 40 or 45 feet. I host in a state park in Virginia and we can accommodate units that are in excess of 65', but they only advertise 40' units.

[toedtoes]

From what I have gathered from responses to this question is that if you want to stay in a specific campground rather than one in the general area, you will want to stay under 27ft.

If you are not particular about the specific campground, then go as big as you want.

For example, if you want to stay at campground A, then size may very well matter. If you are willing to stay at campground A, B, or C or RV Park D or E in the same area, then size won't matter because at least one of those places will fit your rig.

[Lwiddis]

Who’s “stuck” in their RV during “bad” weather? Proper clothing and rain gear “unsticks” you.

[MDKMDK]

I don't think a 30' motorhome or trailer combo will fit in every campsite in every campground in the entire NPS world, but you should be OK in most of them. Each park and campground and campsite are different, some the length will be a problem, some the height or width, with and without slides deployed, and so on.
Here's a website that says it's checked them all and has produced a map of what fits where, and what doesn't fit, and then lists some of the most popular NPS campgrounds with individual specs.
I don't know how accurate it all is, but I've been to a few of the ones listed, and IIRC the numbers are pretty accurate.
https://camperreport.com/best-rv-length-for-national-parks/

[azdryheat]

My truck and toyhauler total about 58' and we don't have any problems with RV parks. Except in the national Parks, I can't see where a 30 footer would have any issues.

[pianotuna]

Just get one where the ratio of wheel base to length is 55% (ideal). At 50% things are a LOT worse.