How limiting will this be?

[tealboy]

If I were to purchase a 40 foot non tag axle DP to travel across the US to visit national parks and other must see places, how limiting will the above be for me? Intend to have a small tow vehicle behind me and wish to visit Yellowstone, Zion, Grand Canyon, Acadia, glacier , etc.

I’m avoiding consideration for a 44 tag axle unit due to size limitations but realize the 40 footer could be a problem too, not sure.

[magicbus]

We had taken our 32 footer fto the Grand Canyon and didn't think twice when we went to a 36 foot DP... that is until we showed up and weren't allowed in! We stayed outside and used our toad.

I disagree the parks should be "upgraded" because it may mean fewer spaces - certainly a lot fewer trees. This was a big part of our decision to downsize, not national parks in particular, just less planning required in general. To each their own.

Dave

[toedtoes]

I think the deciding factor is how important a particular campground will be to you. If the campground is not "all important", then you won't have much issue. If it is really important that you stay at "X campground", then it can be a much bigger issue.

For me, I pick the campground for the ambience and privacy and I don't want to have to end up in a "second choice" because of fit.

For others, they pick the campground where they fit and don't have a problem with it.

There's an area I frequent with about 8 campgrounds very close together. There is only one of those campgrounds I like and it won't take a 40ft rig. So for me, the size of the rig is important. For someone else, they might happily choose one of the 5 campgrounds that will fit their 40ft rig and be happy.

Only you can decide if that is important to you or not.

[MrWizard]

Many places, it would be impractical if not impossible
Camp grounds at the top of Kings canyon park in amongst the trees and curvy and hilly
You would have to bulldoze the whole campground trees and all, just to put in fewer larger flatter sites to accommodate larger RVs with toads and big fifth wheels
And they are frequently full all summer, why make it so less people can camp
Like was said those with RVs to large can camp outside and drive in with the toad, our 34 ft DP barely made it into the available spaces in kings canyon when we were there, I'm not sure this 36 Bounder would fit the same camp sites, i know a 40ft will not
Some Parks could be made to accommodate larger RVs, but i think in all cases it would mean fewer campsites,

I have nothing against choosing to have a larger RV, it's a matter of choice and finances,
But i don't think Nat Parks should be changed to the point that less people can attend and camp, to make room for larger RVs

[azdryheat]

Pretty sad that our government refuses to update/upgrade OUR national parks for the RV's in use today. We pump millions upon millions into the these parks through taxes and use fees and it's apparent the money goes elsewhere. If these parks were privately owned they'd either have to upgrade or go out of business to survive. Sorry for the commentary but it seems necessary that we get the word out to upgrade OUR national parks.

[tropical36]

tealboy wrote:
If I were to purchase a 40 foot non tag axle DP to travel across the US to visit national parks and other must see places, how limiting will the above be for me? Intend to have a small tow vehicle behind me and wish to visit Yellowstone, Zion, Grand Canyon, Acadia, glacier , etc.

I’m avoiding consideration for a 44 tag axle unit due to size limitations but realize the 40 footer could be a problem too, not sure.

This has came up many times and it seems that those who already own larger rigs, don't have the problem, but with those who don't, it's going to be a problem.
I think you'll be fine and with the few times you won't, it'll not make that much difference in overall ownership and extra comfort.
I've also found that most campground owners, don't have or don't know how to use a measuring stick, so one can easily size his rig according to the rules in most cases.

[wa8yxm]

My RV is 37'7" I call it 38 Damon 37.. The last park I was in the site was advertised as 24' but I fit nicely.

I do occasionally, run into issues, for example in 2 weeks I will be in my 2nd choice of RV park because the only site not already reserved at my first choice,,, is also the only site I don't fit in. (Same park where I was last week).

This happens.. Rarley.. At most of the attractions you cited. are going to be like Grand Canyon

At GC I toured the campground that is within the national park.. in a Chevy Lumina APV. and there is no way on God's Green Earth I'm taking my class A there. I am a very skilled driver when it comes to getting in and out of thight places but .. NO WAY Am I even going to THINK about taking the class A there. the 13' Scamp I used to tow behind the APV, yes. but not this big house.

However there were several private parks within a mile of the National park and all of them I'd have fit in no problem. So would you.

Second: IF you are old enough (62 I think) Get the Geezer's pass (Senior pass whatever it is called today) unless you qualify for one of the even better deal passes like Military. This won't help you at the Grand Canyon campground as it is a "Vendor" park, Nor will it help you at the private parks, I've not visited the other national parks you cite so can not comment on them.

But at the park I was in last week (A COE Park) it saved me 13.00/night (I only paid 10 for mine, heard the price whent up though, still 13*7 is 91 and I don't think it went up that far).

And admission to many National parks, like Grand Canyon is so much per car per day.. Without the pass. With the pass you save about 100% on admission (Flash the pass and drive on in) at I think 20 bucks per entry.. Major savings there.

[db7512]

We have a 40 with tag and found like the others stated a little planning. We have found COE have larger sites and we use them when we can.

[Busskipper]

2gypsies wrote:
We had a 40' motorhome and found it to be no problem staying in national parks, national forest campgrounds, state parks, national wildlife refuges, county and city parks along with traveling down a gravel road to an awesome boondocking spot.

We've stayed in Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park, Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Big Bend to name a few.

No - you won't fit in every site but there are sites that you will fit. Even with a 30' you won't fit in every site. Also, we traveled mostly west of the Mississippi but not solely. In the east there were many state parks and Corp of Engineer parks along with county parks that we've stayed.

^^^^TRUE^^^^TRUE^^^TRUE^^^^Pretty much the same with a 43' with a tag, the key to all this is the Driver - Just be resourceful and smart - You will be Amazed.

Plan with High season and Weekend in Mind - be where they aren't - If you have followed 2gypsies and others you will learn a lot, Do we make reservations...........on occasion but not as the Norm.

As you do this a little you will be surprised a the number of Great Areas of the Country that are not yet A National Park.....some really great areas that are still being discovered.

JMHO, Best of Luck,

[tealboy]

Great. Sounds like I will be fine but will take a little more planning than with something smaller.

[Bill_Satellite]

tealboy wrote:
If I were to purchase a 40 foot non tag axle DP to travel across the US to visit national parks and other must see places, how limiting will the above be for me? Intend to have a small tow vehicle behind me and wish to visit Yellowstone, Zion, Grand Canyon, Acadia, glacier , etc.

I’m avoiding consideration for a 44 tag axle unit due to size limitations but realize the 40 footer could be a problem too, not sure.

Not at all! You may not park the RV inside every park but you will be able to park nearby in all cases and drive the towed. Have a great time!

[2gypsies1]

We had a 40' motorhome and found it to be no problem staying in national parks, national forest campgrounds, state parks, national wildlife refuges, county and city parks along with traveling down a gravel road to an awesome boondocking spot.

We've stayed in Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park, Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Big Bend to name a few.

No - you won't fit in every site but there are sites that you will fit. Even with a 30' you won't fit in every site. Also, we traveled mostly west of the Mississippi but not solely. In the east there were many state parks and Corp of Engineer parks along with county parks that we've stayed.

[MrWizard]

a 40 ft Dp with toad

is going to be very limited 'inside' Nat Parks campsites
at leas tin the popular parks here in Calif, like Yosemite, Sequoia etc.. there are parks where it will be less of an issue, ones in more flat areas,

however most Nat Parks have RV parks, KOA, and other campgrounds nearby outside the park
where you will find larger sites, and you can day trip with the toad to visit the Park sites

[ScottG]

We moved from a 23' trailer to a 26' and found there were spaces we could no longer use. Now at 35', there are a lot more. It requires more planning, reservations and luck. There will be times that we simply cannot get a space.

[Teacher_s_Pet]

We have fulltimed in a 40 ft Tiffin DP now for over 12 years length and our 4 slides have seldom been limiting to getting a site. BUT, I do check websites, RV Park Reviews.com and Google maps when planning new overnight stops. I'm looking for clear SW skies for our satellite TV system.