Is 45 feet too long?

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

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!