Greater than 30ft issue?

[Penryn]

Jayco owners,

My wife and I are entering the travel trailer world with our kiddos, taking advantage of these younger years to get them out camping. We're a little surprised, at least on the West Coast, on the posted trailer size limitations. Hard to get a spot near 30ft and many sites restrict over that.

Many, many people have told us to plan to get a larger trailer than we need. We're surprised on this, given the fact that 30ft+ (total length) seems to be a restriction. My buddy had a long argument with a ranger in Yellowstone that because his Sprinter model was 28xxx, he was under the amount. Then came out the tape measure.

Looking for some advice, here. I don't mind having the bigger trailer, but it would seem that at least in West Coast camping, we really limit our options going >30ft end to end.

Help! Thanks.

[Jagiven]

Longer the trailer, the harder it is to find a spot. There are lots of options and lengths. Slide outs really make them feel bigger. Even slide outs can make spots restrictive. What I like about our hybrid is, it's small to haul, but it opens up to be large.

Good luck, and have fun with those kiddos.

[nbhybrid]

you are going to make your first ventures out camping "boondocking" in national forests?

I would think you would primarily camp at full hookup private campgrounds that could accommodate most size trailers.

We have been camping for ages and my wife has no interest in camping without services nor do I want to spend the money to do it(batteries,genny's etc). We enjoy the amenities of private campgrounds(pools,playgrounds,activity centers)

For us our X17A Hybrid at 15 feet is perfect for us. 4 year old and 10 year old and 55lb mutt. We love it. I have no desire ever for a large trailer. We don't have Tv's or reasons to stay in the trailer so we don't need the space.Not my idea of camping.

Slideouts can just be another issue with many trailers that personally I will always avoid.

Goodluck in your search

[mcfarmall]

If the places you'd like to go put limits on the size of the trailer they allow then you only have two choices.
1. Find somewhere else to camp.
2. Find a trailer that's just under the max length that has the features you need and want.

[eldermike]

There are plenty of State and Federal parks that don't have restrictions on length. We do most camping in parks that have water and electric and dump stations. No problems for us and we are always the longest rig in the park.

[Adk Camper]

Originally Posted by mcfarmall

If the places you'd like to go put limits on the size of the trailer they allow then you only have two choices.
1. Find somewhere else to camp.
2. Find a trailer that's just under the max length that has the features you need and want.

This pretty much sums it up.

[usmc616]

With a 36' TT and 4 children I prefer the private full hook up CG's. Never had an issue with getting a long enough spot. When we want to hit DEC CG's we tent it.

[norty1]

It may be a geographical problem. Many areas just don't have room for large rv parks or they are not economically feasible. Others were built for yesterdays smaller rigs. I don't think you will have any great problems if you will be traveling. If you are staying close to home you may need to rethink what you are buying.

Many public parks have data on their websites that limit the size of individual sites, not because they don't like long rigs, just for space constraints. Better to know before the reservation than upon arrival.

[Bassdogs]

[QUOTE=nbhybrid;240912]you are going to make your first ventures out camping "boondocking" in national forests?

I would think you would primarily camp at full hookup private campgrounds that could accommodate most size trailers.

We have been camping for ages and my wife has no interest in camping without services nor do I want to spend the money to do it(batteries,genny's etc). We enjoy the amenities of private campgrounds(pools,playgrounds,activity centers)

For us our X17A Hybrid at 15 feet is perfect for us. 4 year old and 10 year old and 55lb mutt. We love it. I have no desire ever for a large trailer. We don't have Tv's or reasons to stay in the trailer so we don't need the space.Not my idea of camping.

Slideouts can just be another issue with many trailers that personally I will always avoid.

Goodluck in your search[/QUOTE

Yup! Just not your idea of camping. Have a son in law who thinks camping has to be with what fits on your back and you can carry. The rest of us make personal choices about how to camp; TT, 5'er, hybrid, pop-up etc. Personally my wife and I just upgraded to a bigger TT after our 06 suffered some water damage and we outgrew the 28 footer. I wouldn't own a TT without slides. Great space creator and try selling one without a slide.

Bigger is not always better, but small with no amenities or modern features may be desired by a few, but not for all. I support the idea of buying bigger especially if its not a first time unit. Just make sure your TV can pull it. Too big is as much a problem as too small. Bottom line is buy what you want, just spend some time learning what you need.

[Old Blue]

The only places that I have had any trouble with is in older Forest Service camp grounds they were built so long ago that people didnt have trailers or they were a lot smaller that said we still have found places that we will fit into mine is a 25RKS which is a 25 foot living area but we are 30' 6 " long and 46' 8" truck and trailer we go most to state parks in Washington and Oregon with no problems .

[33 RLDS]

We like going to Watkins Glenn state park but all the electric sites are small. Even our previous 21 ft Hybrid was a hassle. Oh well. We are still close enough to drive for a day though..

[cekkk]

The replies reflect all the different ideas of what is good camping. For us, we want all the bells an whistles of a resort type RV park. Maybe because we live so far off the beaten path that it's a challege just to get to the highway. On the other hand, a daughter and her husband go camping with his Corvette. They really rough it. So the OP just needs to make sure he knows what suits his needs (and I hope his main consideration is what the family wants) and go from there. Maybe he's smarter than me. I've learned that what I think is going to be perfect often turns out not to be the case. So our first camper was bought with the idea in mind that we'd want something different once we got our feet wet. Sure enough, we wanted a larger camper and were able to sell that one for what we paid for it, only losing a few hundred dollars of improvements we'd made. Good luck!

[certified106]

Originally Posted by cekkk

On the other hand, a daughter and her husband go camping with his Corvette. They really rough it.

That's funny...... Camp with a Corvette and really rough it don't seem to go together LOL

[Salsa03]

I never had an issue with size... but yet again I always check websites (campground sites, Google Map, sometime reviews) to get a feel for what they have to offer.

I also book in advance, I never trust my camping nights to "HA don,t worry they will have some room" approach like my father still has!!!!

So when I book via online site or by phone, I tell them I'm 35' (although I'm only 33') long with a wide slideout!


This Summer I was gone for a 3 week trip (changing spots almost daily) and never had any issues with lenght...one time with width...but nothing dramatic!

[cekkk]

CERTIFIED - I had the same reaction. But considering they met while ocean kayaking, it's not so surprising. They are different!

[certified106]

Originally Posted by cekkk

CERTIFIED - I had the same reaction. But considering they met while ocean kayaking, it's not so surprising. They are different!

Haha, I'm not judging and whatever works for them is great. I just thought it was funny.

[cekkk]

Originally Posted by certified106

Haha, I'm not judging and whatever works for them is great. I just thought it was funny.

I could write a boo But they're the greatest!

[sask934]

The advice I got from another TT site was buy the floor plan you like.....I did and am very happy.

Good luck with your decision.

[etex211]

When I pay to park my camper somewhere, I expect a paved spot, 50 amp service, water, sewer, cable, internet, a picnic table, a swimming pool, and a shower building. A shuttle service to whatever event is going on nearby is also preferred.

I understand that other people got their campers for different reasons and have different expectations.


Here in Texas, one of the nearby state parks has 50 amp service available and the slots are long enough for the longer fifth wheels. Another nearby state park has only 30 amp service, and when I drove through, none of the spots looked long enough for my 38 footer.

[UPCamper]

30' + is not really an issue. Just requires planning and usually CG reservations ahead of time.