Motor home Lengths

[fishhogg]

We are in the market for a 40' Dp. My question is are you more limited in State, federal and private campgrounds over 40' in length. Thanks

[J-Rooster]

Most trouble that I have had was in Federal campsites!

[DSDP_Don]

We owned a 36' Monaco Diplomat for 10 years. In those ten years we never really had an issue getting a campsite. Four years ago, we replaced our 36' with a true 40' coach. We still fit into the same spots we did with the 36', but we find that when we say 40', while talking to a campground, some can act like the world is coming to an end. We now say 39' long, seems to be less of an issue.

The biggest problme that many are currently facing is that the RV industry is BOOMING again and campsites are getting tough to get. If you want a site in a popular National Park, you better be ready to book a year out.

We've driven cross country twice in the past four years and never really had a hard time getting spots, except at busy parks or on holidays.

[GHOST1750]

2gypsies wrote:

The Logans wrote:
Keep in mind that it's not just length... there is also an issue with 50a service at many Federal, State, County, City and Corps of Engineers camp sites.

We went back to a 31 foot class A to avoid the length and power issues.

Why would you need 50A or even electric at all? RVs are self-contained although nowadays people forget that because they think they need it all. 🙂

Good question.:B In my case, you might say I grew up boon docking most of my life until I went into service. I lived in houses without running water and inside plumbing so now I have no interest in dry docking. I paid good money for a fancy motor home with all the goodies, why would I want to rough it again. Just say I've lived a long, long, long time and am spoiled but enjoying it.:W

[GHOST1750]

TechWriter wrote:

2 Retired wrote:
Many state parks all over the country have very limited sites available for an RV over 35'.

It's not that bad. A few years ago, I compiled data on all the State and Federal parks. About 50% of State & Federal campground sites are at least 40 feet.

Federal Campgrounds

State Campgrounds

OP, RVers from the East Coast and California will tell you that state/federal parks have small campsites -- that's because East & West Coast public campgrounds tend to have smaller sites.

[NCC-1701]

fishhogg wrote:
...are you more limited in State, federal and private campgrounds over 40' in length.

I agree with those that said the longer you are, the more limited the number of spaces, especially in older campgrounds that have not "upgraded." I generally do not have issues fitting into Private parks as there is enough selection of those facilities around.

I love state parks, but in my home state, I have been very limited in spaces for a 40 footer, not to mention low overhanging branches (which would be a problem for a lot of high 5th wheels as well) and just trying to negotiate into a site even if it is long enough because the site is usually 90 degrees to the very narrow "road" through the campground and they seem to like to have big trees on both corners of the campsite right at the road.

I have been in State Parks in some other states that are no issue whatsoever with very large sites and easy entrance to them. So state facilities certainly vary.

I have been to a number of County facilities in Minnesota that have excellent big-rig capability, especially those around the Mpls/St Paul area.

Federal: I've had long rigs in a number of of National Park campgrounds, but for the popular parks, I'd recommend reservations well in advance if you want the sites that will fit you. Just my experience.

To me, it's all just a minor price to pay to have the coach my wife and I personally want to travel in. I would not go down in size just to have an easier time finding sites that will fit me.

[Old_Man]

2gypsies wrote:

Why would you need 50A or even electric at all? RVs are self-contained although nowadays people forget that because they think they need it all. 🙂

Why do you care?

[10forty2]

Not sure about government-run campgrounds west of NC. In most of the ones around here in NC, you'll find sites that will accommodate a 40' rig, but you may not be able to get by the trees on the narrow roads into the campgrounds, or maneuver onto the site once you make it there. Prior to buying our 36' rig, we went to every state park on Kerr Lake and surveyed which sites we could get onto and could actually get to without clipping trees. As far as hookups, most all of our state parks have 50amp service now as well as water, but no sewer. And after staying at and viewing several privately owned campgrounds around the area, I'm proud to say that our state parks are very well maintained!

[Mile_High]

TechWriter wrote:

It's not that bad. A few years ago, I compiled data on all the State and Federal parks. About 50% of State & Federal campground sites are at least 40 feet.

Federal Campgrounds

State Campgrounds

OP, RVers from the East Coast and California will tell you that state/federal parks have small campsites -- that's because East & West Coast public campgrounds tend to have smaller sites.

Wow! that took some work!

[TechWriter]

2 Retired wrote:
Many state parks all over the country have very limited sites available for an RV over 35'.

It's not that bad. A few years ago, I compiled data on all the State and Federal parks. About 50% of State & Federal campground sites are at least 40 feet.

Federal Campgrounds

State Campgrounds

OP, RVers from the East Coast and California will tell you that state/federal parks have small campsites -- that's because East & West Coast public campgrounds tend to have smaller sites.

[2gypsies1]

The Logans wrote:
Keep in mind that it's not just length... there is also an issue with 50a service at many Federal, State, County, City and Corps of Engineers camp sites.

We went back to a 31 foot class A to avoid the length and power issues.

Why would you need 50A or even electric at all? RVs are self-contained although nowadays people forget that because they think they need it all. 🙂

[Mile_High]

I stay at a lot of 30A sites. I guess I never felt compelled to downsize to fit. I can just change my demand on the power by reliance a little more on LP.

[The_Logans]

Keep in mind that it's not just length... there is also an issue with 50a service at many Federal, State, County, City and Corps of Engineers camp sites.

We went back to a 31 foot class A to avoid the length and power issues.

[Ivylog]

Sure longer reduces the # of sites BUT it's not impossible assuming you do not show up Friday. Not sure who sets the max length as even CGs that say 30' max I can find a site for our 42' and we mainly boondock in USFS CGs that do NOT take reservations.

[Mile_High]

Ironically, I've had more problems in private campgrounds - we are 43.5'. In CO the State took gambling money and upgraded most of the sites to 70-80'. Similar in Nebraska, but when we got to California I had a tough time with privates. I don't stay in too many National Parks so not sure.