What Length Are They Really Referring To?

[sonuvabug]

When I go on-line and look at individual campsites at either RV campgrounds or at State Parks etc., many will state something like ... "suitable for rigs, set-ups or RV's up to xx feet in length."

Are they referring to just the RV/trailer itself or are they including the tow vehicle? i.e. we tow a cargo trailer behind our truck/TC set-up so are we 43' long (trailer plus truck) or just 23' long (trailer hitch plus cargo trailer without the truck).

How do you interpret what they write?

[jimh406]

I think it depends on the website or campground. If you can give examples, we can probably interpret or give our view.

When campgrounds ask how long my truck/camper is, I usually say 25 ft. Yes, it's a bit shorter, but that's pretty close. I've never had a problem fitting in any camping spot unless there are limbs in the way. Yeah, I still made it, but it was more work than it would have been otherwise.

[Ski_Pro_3]

The maximum length is the break-down length. What ever is the longest separated piece of RV. If a trailer or 5th wheel is within that maximum for the individual spot you are looking at, you'll be good to go.

I've sometimes have wondered about my truck-camper. You would think that it would be a no brainer; short compared to anything being towed out there. But I carry a small motorcycle on a front receiver hitch carrier and the steps into the camper come off the back end. Unless I unplug the the carrier, my truck-camper is over 28' long including the steps!!

However, I've never let that stop me from just taking any spot I can fit in without extending into the roadway.

Today with google earth, it's easy to look and see if your RV will fit. Chances are there's an RV in the photo and you can judge your RV compared to what's parked there in the photo.

[Oasisbob]

Based on the article in previous post and personal experience there really seems no consistant answers. If memory serves, and sometimes it does, Washington state gives driveway length and lets you do the math. I had a USFS camp host measure my 19 foot HTT as he was sure it was over 22 though it fit fine. Other places I bump trailer tires up to the wheel stop and drop the landing gear off the black top. Great question. No solid answers

[Bedlam]

I'm 47' long with my trailer and find the campsites typically measure the pad to determine length. I usually nose into a back-in spot so my trailer ramp faces outward making toy access easier. If all the long spots are gone, I can back the trailer into a 37' spot or some spots are double wide and I can fit in a 25' double wide site if I unhitch.

[2oldman]

From Saturday's edition of RV travel newsletter:

Article about that.