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Old 03-20-2013, 05:19 PM   #1
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In your Travels what is the Optimum Trailer Length for Most CampGrounds < 40ft or ?

I am hoping to make this next camper purchase my last one for many years, We have only Traveled to the beach but moving forward I would like to visit more places. What would you say is the optimum Trailer length for most campgrounds. 37-40? I am looking at about 40 footer, any suggestions on what you feel is too long or any other suggestions.
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Old 03-22-2013, 08:27 AM   #2
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I enjoy State Parks and find that my 30' FW is about optimum for me. i'd like to have more room in the FW but don't want to sacrifice the ability to use alot of state parks. I've been in a few that 30' was tight.
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Old 03-22-2013, 08:56 AM   #3
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Hard to say what is right for you, it is just to personal. We have owned fifth wheels in 27', 31' and 38.5' and they were all perfect at the time we bought them for many reasons. The rear living area is what we liked and ended up with.

After almost 2 years, there are no places I frequent or want to go that have been prohibited by the length of the newest rig.
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Old 03-22-2013, 09:41 AM   #4
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I think it depends on what part of the country you are in and what type of camping you do around here in the Northwest dont have a problem in most State parks but if you like to bondock thats where I have run into trouble as most of the old forest service camp grounds were made for tents and the smaller trailers there are two of the camp grounds we used to go to a lot that I can only fit into a couple of spaces the rest are to tight or to short.
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Old 03-22-2013, 10:45 AM   #5
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You don't say where you are located, in California there are size restrictions for most State & National Parks and especially in the Forest Service CG. A TT/5er <30' leaves provides of options and <25' you are good to go almost anywhere. However, near all the CGs we use that do have size restrictions there are typically private CG that can accomdate bigger RVs.
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Old 03-22-2013, 11:37 AM   #6
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I am 40ft, 43 if you add the bike rack and while there are tight spots I usually try to pick a CG or spot where I will fit. That being said you can't always pick your spot and you might find yourself in a tighter spot due to slides and total length. When we bought our last unit I was more concerned with inside living quarters, storage and amenities.

In most cases you can find an alternative CG that will suit you in the area you want to visit. Not every single area, but most. Where I have found the most difficulty is manuvering into some spots due to narrow roads, trees or parked vehicles not within their sites. With a 5'er you need to turn later and sometimes I can't get out far enough to make a tight turn where either the back end is going to hit something or the side will brush a tree. Sometimes it takes a few back a fourths to get out or in. I can live with that as I am very happy with my unit and will be keeping it for several years to come.
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Old 03-22-2013, 07:56 PM   #7
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Thank you all, I am in NC. and most of the Beach Campgrounds are not an issue. I am thinking about doing some Trips North towards NY,NH,DE,PA. I would love to go west but that will be a while. Thank you again for the input those all help.
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Old 03-22-2013, 08:06 PM   #8
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I am not sure what kind of parks you are wanting to visit, but for most East Coast state campgrounds, 30' is pushing the limit. National and state parks are not big rig friendly, IMO.
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Old 03-25-2013, 05:49 PM   #9
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I have noticed that the "older" parks were built for shorter units & the "newer" parks for longer units, howbeit, an experienced driver shouldn't have a problem. I went from a 35'9" to a 39'11" last fall & no prob's yet.
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Old 03-25-2013, 05:57 PM   #10
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Quote:
I have noticed that the "older" parks were built for shorter units & the "newer" parks for longer units, ...
That's been my experience too. We camped in one of Ohio's oldest SP's, on Lake Erie, and we couldn't fit our 17Z (Small TT, but hybrid) on some of the sites. One of the reps told me it was a common problem because the park was built when most folks arrived in cars and camped in tents.
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Old 03-25-2013, 06:44 PM   #11
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We are in NC as well. We like to go to some of the South Carolina State Parks. Hunting Island, Lake Wateree and Dreher Island to name a few. All 3 of these parks have sites plenty deep and wide enough for a 40+ unit with slides on both sides. I am only 33' and there are some sites in the Lake Wateree campground that I can park 2 of my TT's in there. We also camp with 2 families that both have 39 footers and they have not had any issues around here. Make sure when you make your reservations that you let them know how big the 5er is.
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Old 03-27-2013, 08:25 PM   #12
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Thank you All!
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Old 04-05-2013, 12:08 PM   #13
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We toured the NE last fall, Maine, NH, VT, NY, Penn, VA, WV, etc and never had any problems with our 39.5' 5th wheel. I always requested pull thru sites which made a big difference. We stayed mostly at commercial campgrounds because we were sight seeing and not "camping". My biggest worry was my height. My 351RLSA is 13'2" with the front AC unit. I had made reservations at one campground in Maine, when I turned down the road to the cg I encountered a train tressel that was only 13'3", I had to stop and do some manuvering. I cancelled my reservations and then I downloaded the Allstays Low Clearance app to my Iphone. We also went out west for 30 days in 2010, with a 30' TT, didn't have any issues there either. I also have the Trailer Life Directory app on my Iphone, use it extensively to find campgrounds that accommodate big rigs. With technology today you shouldn't have any issues. I am going to down load the height warning to my TomTom GPS as well. Have fun, don't worry, be happy.
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Old 04-08-2013, 03:52 PM   #14
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We also like to camp in SC State Parks, Dreher and Myrtle Beach. There are plenty of sites for big rigs, but mostly only 30 amp hook ups. The site descriptions on the reservation web site tells you how long and wide the sites are and the maximum lenght of unit that can be accomodated.
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Old 04-14-2013, 07:32 PM   #15
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I think a lot would depend on what you are going to pull it with, how long you plan to stay or live in it. and how much time you have for traveling. I have a 35ft 5th wheel and we like the comfort and used it for long stays a month or more. Now that we are getting up in years and health problems. We will not be spending as much time traveling or staying to far from home. I will be selling or trading for a small TT maybe 28 to 30 ft long. I would use it for weekend camping close to home.
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Old 04-15-2013, 04:45 PM   #16
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Thanks to everyone. Update....
got a 2009 355fbhs.
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