RV size vs camp grounds

[Tobster]

I am considering changing from a 32' class C to a 38 to40' Class A. Will I have trouble finding camp grounds that do not restrict size of RVs.

Thank You
Tobster

[norty1]

In my experience even that length difference in a tt or fifth wheel will limit your camping choices. The height will be more of a consideration also. On the plus side, the extra room may be worth it.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by norty1

In my experience even that length difference in a tt or fifth wheel will limit your camping choices.

Especially Federal & State Parks

[Marcm157]

We routinely camp with a relative who has a 45 foot class A. We camp mostly in private campgrounds and many times he is either far from us in a remote section of the campground or in a spot that resembles a parking lot. He has had to pass on trips to many of the the State Parks that we visit.

[EA37TS]

We go FHU campgrounds and never had an issue with our 39 foot Challenger or with the Accolade. Some state parks have large sites (40 - 50 foot), you just have to do the research.

[Tobster]

Thank You all for your replies

Tobster

[Lake Huron]

We went from a tent to a 34' Montana 5th wheel. We could fit that into about any site in any state park in Michigan. The couple we camp with all the time was in a 27' Dutchman TT. We upgraded to a 40' 5th wheel. That restricticted us by being able to fit on about 60% of fhe sites. Sometimes we would have to get creative and park it on an angle to fit it on some sites. Now we got a 45' Northpoint and that has 2 more challenges the others didn't. Besides the length, it is a higher trailer so we have overhead clearance issues AND it sits lower to the ground than the other two 5th's we had. Being as long as it is even pulling into pull thru sites can poss issues. You have to turn in wide and if the trailer dips off the road you can rip off some plumbing, a leveling jack, etc.
Back to the length issue, when booking a site we put in for a 40' trailer and then look at the size of the site. They'll say the site will fit up to a 40' but the site will be a 60' x 50', L x W. We've never had anyone come and measure our trailer and say its too long for the site. But, this is Michigan. Other places, other states may not be as accommodating.

[Trapper2020]

It depends on where you like to stay. Length does matter and the longer you are the more difficult it is getting into sites. Many will disagree. It all comes down to how you like to camp. Where do you currently like to stay with the 32’ rig? We down sized from a 45’ class A to the 32’ class C to get back into national and state parks. Makes it a lot easier to get reservations. We do some dry camping but in general like to have electric. Last Summer’s 11 week trip included 3 weeks dry camping in Yellowstone. Trip was a breeze to schedule. Take care


Enjoy the journey

[Tobster]

Originally Posted by Trapperbob

It depends on where you like to stay. Length does matter and the longer you are the more difficult it is getting into sites. Many will disagree. It all comes down to how you like to camp. Where do you currently like to stay with the 32’ rig? We down sized from a 45’ class A to the 32’ class C to get back into national and state parks. Makes it a lot easier to get reservations. We do some dry camping but in general like to have electric. Last Summer’s 11 week trip included 3 weeks dry camping in Yellowstone. Trip was a breeze to schedule. Take care


Enjoy the journey

my dream trip!!!! Thank You

[JimD]

My 32 foot Greyhawk fits MOST California State campgrounds but not all. Some require you to be 26 foot or less. I have checked for my son's 40 foot trailer and the options are quite a bit less. Many of the ones he could get into require him to be in a back row. So glad I went with only 32 feet!

[kblast523]

Camped in Ruidoso on the way back from Arizona at a former KOA, Pine Ridge RV. It was built in the 60's WAY before slide-outs. There isn't level ground anyplace in the campground, but it is SPECTACULAR, and they do have sites that accommodate up to 50 ft rigs. They are limited however. And the pull up some of those hills...exciting to say the least. And there is a 60-80 ft drop down a sheer cliff to the area being prepared for larger rigs, hopefully open by the end of this year.

[Slurugger]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Especially Federal & State Parks

^^^this, we've never had an issue with a private campground ground in our 40ft 377 5er. Keep in mind, the majority of those federal or state parks restricting size also won't have much, if any, in the way of hookups. So again, comes down to your camping style.

[HJ Rosch]

I found an interesting site that gives you stats for length camping in National parks. Pretty interesting and State parks will be similar or a bit more restrictive. Most private parks can accommodate "Big Rigs" and their web sites say so. I use RV Trip Wizard for planning our trips and can easily check size restrictions, pull through sites and available features like electric, water and sewer. Go to camperreport.com/best-rv-length-for-national-parks/

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by Tobster

I am considering changing from a 32' class C to a 38 to40' Class A. Will I have trouble finding camp grounds that do not restrict size of RVs.

Thank You
Tobster

Sure, every campground has sites of different lengths, some are double sites. Some are pull thru and others are back-in. It depends on what that campground has available when you want to go there. We always call and the first thing the campground asks is "how long is your equipment". It is all dependent on what they have available in your size range. Go and research the campground with Google maps. You can measure the length of each space to see if they have spaces you can fit... before you call.

Originally Posted by norty1

In my experience even that length difference in a tt or fifth wheel will limit your camping choices. The height will be more of a consideration also. On the plus side, the extra room may be worth it.

Very true, Many National Forest primitive campgrounds have lots of low hanging trees and tight corners.

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Especially Federal & State Parks

Most were built in the 50's - 70's when there were very few large RV's

Originally Posted by Marcm157

We routinely camp with a relative who has a 45 foot class A. We camp mostly in private campgrounds and many times he is either far from us in a remote section of the campground or in a spot that resembles a parking lot. He has had to pass on trips to many of the the State Parks that we visit.

Our experience is that these campgrounds lay out the spaces so they can get the most number of campsites they can, and the most campsites next to the lake (feature of the campground) the shorter spots are close to the amenity and the larger pull-thru spots are further away. We find that our friends that want to camp along with us, find the same thing - as the park is not going to put a 16' trailer in a space where they can serve a 38' FW.

Originally Posted by EA37TS

We go FHU campgrounds and never had an issue with our 39 foot Challenger or with the Accolade. Some state parks have large sites (40 - 50 foot), you just have to do the research.

Agree... so far, we have had no problems getting a site because of our size... more-often it is because they are 100% Full.

[javan]

We moved from a 34’ to a 40’ 5th wheel. Traveling does require more planning to insure you have a reservation at a campground that will accommodate your size. It is also 14” taller, so route planning is more important. We knew these things before we made the move up, and we believed the added comfort was well worth it.

[putz]

Remember length is not the only problem.
A lot of large & small rv's now come with slides on both sides.
The extra width just don't fit in many older campgrounds.