Length limit in State and National Parks - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Merikay · RV-Dreams Family Member

Length limit in State and National Parks

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

I just purchased a 45ft Truck Conversion (C). Some older parks and State Parks have length restrictions, but for full time use that was a risk i was willing to take. I asked the same question as you before i made my purchase, and in general everyone said go for it, 45ft would not be a problem, G.

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Length restrictions vary with each individual park, but with approximately 12,000 parks in the country you will not have any problem finding places to stay. It just might not be the particular park you want to stay at.

If it's going to be your home though, it's best to buy what you are happiest with and then find the places you'll fit.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

This has been discussed many times through the years and people who want to get in about everywhere find they should limit themselves to about 30 feet. People with 32 to 33 foot RVs, using the real length not the manufacturers model numbers, squeeze in most places. But 30 foot RVs seem to fit about anywhere.

Edit: We are 40 feet and do not fit in everywhere, but that is our choice.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Wednesday 21st of April 2010 07:22:38 PM

Happytrails · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are also 40 feet and realize that there may be national and state campgrounds we can't fit in but with that said....there are many we can. We opted for the space since we are full-timing. Fred is so right.....you have to purchase what is best for you, it is your home.

Good luck in your search!

Tylersamma · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just because your rig won't fit, does not mean you cannot visit the parks. We have almost always been able to find something on the outskirts, then make day trips in the toad.

Rancher7 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Sorry for the dumb question, but, it seems there is so much variation maybe someone here can straighten out my brain. When a person says a 30' RV will fit into most state parks, do they mean the TRAILER is 30' not including the tow vehicle? And is it 30' of living space or is the tongue/hitch included/not included. Do you ever have to worry about the over-all lenght (tow vehicle, hitch & trailer). Not talking about weight, just length and I'm referring to a TT.

Thanks!

-- Edited by Rancher7 on Thursday 22nd of April 2010 08:29:48 PM

tntlowrider · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with the others here. Get a rig that you are comfortable with. You will be in it more than you think. Recommend to do your research, get a guide to where "Big Rigs" can park. Most parks are good, but I have seen some with small crowded sites and close together. If in doubt check it out first if you are able.

heyduke · RV-Dreams Family Member

many say to get a rig you are comfortable with but for some including myself it means getting one that allows me in spaces that are smaller... in my opinion the outdoors are part of my rig once I am parked... my two cents...

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Rancher7 wrote:

Sorry for the dumb question, but, it seems there is so much variation maybe someone here can straighten out my brain. When a person says a 30' RV will fit into most state parks, do they mean the TRAILER is 30' not including the tow vehicle? And is it 30' of living space or is the tongue/hitch included/not included. Do you ever have to worry about the over-all lenght (tow vehicle, hitch & trailer). Not talking about weight, just length and I'm referring to a TT.

Thanks!

-- Edited by Rancher7 on Thursday 22nd of April 2010 08:29:48 PM

Yes we are talking the length of the campsite since these parks were designed mostly for trailers so the length does include the hitch on the trailer. The tow vehicle sits to the side once you are set up in most places, but sometimes in a separate parking spot. If you have an overly long tow vehicle you could have a problem which includes a four door extended bed pickup.

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Since Wednesday tends to be a good day to take off for Realtors, we had a choice of playing golf or going motorhome shopping today. With thunderstorms threatening all day we went with motorhome shopping. Drove 3 hours to Alvarado TX to check out the selection at Motorhome Specialists. Found a couple of good options -- if only we were ready to pull the trigger...

Was about to post a question inquiring if we would run into problems with a 42 foot coach. I had it in my head to stick to 40 foot, but the larger coaches just seem to fit us better.

A quick search on this forum and I found the answer to my question. Can I just say ya'll are GREAT!!!

We currently pull a 40ft 5th wheel with a King Ranch Quad Cab. When we hook up next week I think I'll have to measure the overall length. I'm pretty sure it's over 42 foot! So looking at it that way I think we'll be okay. We can always drop the towed vehicle before we get into the park if we need to...

Thanks again for a great forum and tons of helpful info!

-- Edited by Ckerr on Wednesday 28th of July 2010 10:23:43 PM

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Being worried about State and National park limits is in my opinion putting the cart before the horse.

What good is a unit that fits the most limited parks that is so small you can't live in it?

I suggest to everyone I talk to about this sit in a bunch of units sit in them long enough to start mapping out where things will go how things will interact you'll be right on somethings wrong on others because things change once your on the road.

But if you can't see your self able to do the things that are important to you and have the things you need to live your life then the unit won't do the job your asking of it.

This isn't a camper for the weekends where you can in the Brideandjoy's case simply not quilt that weekend. It's our house so her hobby has to come with that means room for fabric, sewing machine, and all the other bobs and ends that a quilter simply must have.

We tried to be under 30 foot that wasn't going to work we bumped out and tried to be under 35 and found units we could live in. Are we not able to camp some places? Yes but in general we haven't missed it.

Just one man's opinion and worth every penny you spent for it.

Mallo

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mallo makes a very good point.You have to remember first that it will be your HOME, not a weekend vacation RV.

Dreamers · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with Mallo and RacerGuy. We started out looking at 30' 5ers, then went to 34' but that was our tops because of truck weight limits. We still couldn't zero in on a unit so we researched our truck thoroughly and discovered there were things we could do to it - won't change the weight limit on the door - but will mentally for us. So we went for the smallest think we thought we would be comfortable in - 37'. And, we are happy in it. Anything smaller would have been disasterous.

As for our truck, the wrong year F350 Diesel, we have already added the Banks Brake system with power boost so we know we can stop it. In the future, as feel we need things, we plan to add the Banks exhast engine system for cooling and then possibly change out the rear axle ration. The rear axle ratio is the only difference in tow weight between our truck and a year newer. Ours is 4.10 and the other is 4:30. If truth be known, I think Ford was losing too much of the RV market so they made this slight change so they could raise the weight on the door and I really think that was a game they were playing to bring back the RV people. That's my opinion anyway. But we are proceeding cautiously and safely.

Judy

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

I didn't have to worry about it because our coach is 40', but I seem to recall that over 40' would require a different class drivers license. Might have been an California thing, but wanted to mention it...

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

NorCal Dan wrote:

I didn't have to worry about it because our coach is 40', but I seem to recall that over 40' would require a different class drivers license. Might have been an California thing, but wanted to mention it...

Actually, it is also a Texas thing. I think it is an over 16K lb requirement.

-- Edited by 53 Merc on Thursday 29th of July 2010 07:18:06 PM

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

53 Merc wrote:

NorCal Dan wrote:

I didn't have to worry about it because our coach is 40', but I seem to recall that over 40' would require a different class drivers license. Might have been an California thing, but wanted to mention it...

Actually, it is also a Texas thing. I think it is an over 16K lb requirement.

-- Edited by 53 Merc on Thursday 29th of July 2010 07:18:06 PM

Guess I need to check the license thing now.... Thanks everyone!

-- Edited by Ckerr on Thursday 29th of July 2010 08:47:45 PM

Jake62 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Because we haven't decided if "full-timing" is for us, we have to make the decision in the next two years whether to purchase a 32' diesel pusher vs. a 40'+ DP. If full-time, then 40'+ absolutely makes sense since it's our only home. If we just part-time & have a stix n' brix, then the 32' makes sense for us, since we would love to be able to stay in all the national/state parks without limitations.

Weaverworks · RV-Dreams Family Member

Texas is actually over 26,000 GVW...I believe smile

I'm sitting in a VA state park, as I type......40' MH and I pulled in the site towing my toad. No problem. Like you said...you can always unhook if need be. We have not ran into any problem being 40' to date....even this summer in the East.....Yikes!

-- Edited by Weaverworks on Sunday 15th of August 2010 05:42:34 AM

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just checked Texas Driver's License classifications. Paul W. is correct. It's not a matter of length but of weight. If the GCVW rating is 26001+ lbs you need a class B license in Texas.

Guess we will ultimately need a new license. Actually haven't seen ANY MH we'd consider for fulltiming that have GCVW rating of 26000 lbs or less...

Actually looks like quite a few of us based in Texas should have class B licenses...

-- Edited by Ckerr on Sunday 15th of August 2010 09:28:39 AM

Weaverworks · RV-Dreams Family Member

Class B license is no biggie....just a matter of jumping through several hoops. Written test of 20 questions then a driving test in your RV. If you drove it there, you shouldn't have a problem passing the test. JMHO

Jake62 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Weaverworks wrote:

Texas is actually over 26,000 GVW...I believe

I'm sitting in a VA state park, as I type......40' MH and I pulled in the site towing my toad. No problem. Like you said...you can always unhook if need be. We have not ran into any problem being 40' to date....even this summer in the East.....Yikes!

-- Edited by Weaverworks on Sunday 15th of August 2010 05:42:34 AM

So what you're saying here is you've not had any issues with a 40' MH going into National Parks or were you quoting the vehicle driver's licensing requirements?

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

I believe what he's saying is that he's been able to get into many state and national parks with his 40 ft MH and toad.

AND that if your GCVW is over 26K lbs AND your domicile is in Texas you need a class B license.

Two different issues that have run together...