Is 45 feet too long?

[KampingKris]

In our constant search for a new rig... the one we like the best so far is of course - 45 feet - tag. Right now we have a 36 foot 5er. Our other choice is a 41 footer, but it's not the same quality.
Is there a big difference in driving/backing such a big rig than say... the 41 footer? Or, are we going to regret driving around such a giant house?

[Roman_Duck]

Go for the big rig. We just jumped from a 30' to a 39' and have some concerns getting into some of the older campgrounds in the northeast. we discussed this at great length and decided that if we can't get into the CGs that we like, we would find different CGs that we'll learn to love.
More the concern is ground clearence issues than lengh issues. having a longer wheel base and a lower frame/chassis height then our previous MH I worry that I'll bottom out and get the chassis "beached on a hump/ knoll on some of the back roads in new england and my drivway. Go it I say. Friday the 5th is when we take delivery of ours, we'll repor back regarding manuverabilty

[JimM68]

Get the one who's floorplan will work for your family.
Everything else can be fudged or worked around.

[RVUSA]

There are lots of roads in Ca. that limit the length of a vehicle in terms king pin length. For a class a the king pin would be considered your front axle. The state hwy. that runs north and south just west of yosimite has king pin limits of 30'. You wont be taking a 45' rv on that one. I had a 37' rv when I was there and there was 2 switchbacks I would not have made in the rv.

Ca. has lots of roads with king pin limits.

[Executive45]

Buy the 45' and go camping at Folsom Lake, Beals Point!!!! You'll fit....one of my favorites until they raised the price to $58/night...:E:E...I think they closed the camping at Negro Bar.........Dennis

[Pop-Pop_C]

Need to Ck.out the lisence restrictions I your stat.
Just found out I may need to get a Class B! From Tx.
Still researching, am being to.d that Ins. Companies may balk at paying
with out a Class. B.

[Medico]

The key I believe was already mentioned. Turning radius. I am totally amazed at how my CC will out turn coaches several feet shorter. Next comes familiarity with that turning radius and how to use your mirrors to back up.

Just remember, the back end hangs over the rear tag quite a ways, so you have to account for it.

Now lets talk ride! You cannot beat a 45 foot with tag for ride comfort. I have driven the same model, 40 foot and 43 foot back to back (Allegro Bus) and the tag on the 43 foot made quite a difference. Next I drove my present CC 45 foot and boy o boy what a difference. It's like a Rolls Royce verses a Cadillac versus a Chevrolet!

[TechWriter]

msmith1199 wrote:

TechWriter wrote:

UsualSuspect wrote:
State Parks are the biggest issue, very few have spots for it.

You're judging ALL state parks by the ones you have in California -- which is a mistake -- as less than 20% of CA campsites are 40' and greater.

However, nationwide almost 50% of state park campsites are 40' and greater. Check it out.

The OP lives in California.

True enough, but since folks from all over the country are responding to this thread, that distinction may be lost. Also, maybe OP plans on traveling outside CA.

[msmith1199]

TechWriter wrote:

UsualSuspect wrote:
State Parks are the biggest issue, very few have spots for it.

You're judging ALL state parks by the ones you have in California -- which is a mistake -- as less than 20% of CA campsites are 40' and greater.

However, nationwide almost 50% of state park campsites are 40' and greater. Check it out.

The OP lives in California.

[msmith1199]

JTHarley wrote:
I would want a 50' if they made it.....no big difference in driving at all. You may be careful when manuevering in small areas or backing into sites but with a little help you will get used to it quickly and LOVE the added length.

I think they have Articulating buses that have been converted to motorhomes. I think they go up to about 60 feet or so.

[J-Rooster]

IMHO the longer the better! I own a 36' coach and I have trouble at times getting RV spaces in Washington State Parks and some Federal Campgrounds. This seems to happen to me when there's only a few RV Spaces left in these campgrounds. Plan ahead when traveling and you will avoid difficulties!

[JTHarley]

I would want a 50' if they made it.....no big difference in driving at all. You may be careful when manuevering in small areas or backing into sites but with a little help you will get used to it quickly and LOVE the added length.

[smlranger]

We pondered this same issue when we recently traded our 36' DP for the 42' we now have. In fact, we could have possibly made a slightly better deal on some of the 45' coaches we saw compared to the 41' and 42' we seriously considered.

My main concern was getting the rig into the fairly tight parking spot where we must store it in our HOA. However, with the lifting tag axle and the wheel cut of the IFS on this coach, I can actually turn in the same space as the 36' coach.

We understood that there might be some camping spots into which we will not fit. We've traveled enough around the US in our other motorhomes to feel like we will always be able to find a suitable RV spot even with the 42'.

[TechWriter]

UsualSuspect wrote:
State Parks are the biggest issue, very few have spots for it.

You're judging ALL state parks by the ones you have in California -- which is a mistake -- as less than 20% of CA campsites are 40' and greater.

However, nationwide almost 50% of state park campsites are 40' and greater. Check it out.

[Pogoil]

The biggest problem is not the length. The problem is the driver.

Many cannot back a pick up truck. And they will never go and practice in an empty parking lot.

Watched a guy in a 45 footer back into a spot and it took 25 minutes into an easy spot. He hit his air brakes every couple inches and seemed like 100 times. He was spooked.

Same trip watched a 5th wheel about 32 feet jack knifed every which way for over 20 minutes. Practice so you do not look like that.

Pogoil.