Impact of owning a large 5er or MH vis a vis limitations on CG accessibility etc. - RV-Dreams Community Forum

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Impact of owning a large 5er or MH vis a vis limitations on CG accessibility etc.

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

RE: Impact of owning a large 5er or MH vis a vis limitations on CG accessiblity etc.

Bobc · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have now been full time for 7 months, we have a 42'6" 5th wheel. We really have not had a issue yet, (east coast) but we have so far only stayed at private CG close to most interstate highways.
In that 7 months we have stayed at 14 different sites, we do always call ahead. We try to book out at least 3-4 weeks ahead. This has worked for us just fine. We are spending the winter in Florida and will be staying for a month in 3 different places, these sites were book 6 months ago, as we have been told Florida can be difficult for the winter months.

Barb and Frank · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our 5er is just over 42 feet from tip to tail and we've had it since June of this year. We've camped at both state parks and private campgrounds without a problem. But we have found that we can't just pull into a campground and expect a site long enough for our rig to be available on last minute notice.

When traveling we plan our route and then select our campgrounds using rvparkreviews and the Allstays app (worth every penny). I look at each campground for sites that will accommodate our rig. I also use Google maps/Google earth to view the layout of the sites. Some sites may have a driveway or a pad that is, for example, 40 feet long, but in the Google earth image, you may see that there is plenty of clearance at the back of the site to accommodate the back end of the rig beyond the end of the pavement.

We are currently planning for our maiden journey as full timers in just a few months. We have our route planned out from northern Illinois through the south to KY, TN, NC, SC, GA, FL, and AL. We have selected all state parks and Corps of Engineer campgrounds that can accommodate our rig. My point in all of this is - if you are willing to do some research, you shouldn't have a problem finding a place that will fit a long rig. We love our Landmark Key West and the space it affords us.

We traded in a 30' travel trailer for our Landmark Key West and we absolutely love every inch of space we now have. Could we have selected a shorter rig? Yes, but we don't regret our decision and we look forward to many years of full timing in our new home.

Good luck in your search.

Barb

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

We started out with a 35' MH. Really didn't have any problems finding sites at all. Then we traded up to a 40' MH which

somewhat restricted where we could stay. Our last MH was a 45' London Aire. Big mistake. It elimitated many of the

campgrounds that we wanted to stay at. We were forced at times to stay at "resort" type parks, which just wasn't our style.

My suggestion would be to buy an RV at 40' or less.

Jim

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Brian and Cindi,

What is it that you want to do? Do you want to try to get off road, up some forest road, away from everyone and everything - if so a big rig isn't going to be for you.

For us, we wanted to be able to go most places, but also want to have at least power and water, because we aren't 'camping' we're RVing and enjoy our creature comforts. We are just over 37' long and with the car attached, 55+ long. While we have had to disconnect for some places that are 'pull through', it really has never been a problem. Most places we've been, including state parks, COE parks, membership parks, etc., we are amongs 40+ rigs with no one having a problem. Now we do know some people with 45' coaches pulling 30'+ that just are too long to make corners and really have trouble finding places to stay - - but when they do find 70+ pull through, you find the trailers contain cars/grills/kitchen sinks, etc.

It all revolves around what you want to do and where you want to go. Out west, not really a problem. In the east, length does become a problem because old parks were set up for less than 30' rigs.

Honeydeaux · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are approaching our second anniversary full timing in a 45 foot class A. We have encountered places that were not suitable for our rig. We do not consider it that much of an obstacle. We prefer public parks when ever possible. We traveled from Lafayette La. to Prince Edward Island and back this year and encountered only minor inconveniences in locating camp sites that would accommodate us. Knowing what we know now, we would purchase a 45 foot rig again.
Regards.

Lynn and Ed · RV-Dreams Family Member

Barb and Frank wrote:
... if you are willing to do some research, you shouldn't have a problem finding a place that will fit a long rig. ...

Very good points above, particularly agree with the above quoted comment.

One thing that you may not be considering is an RV’s height. We have a 40’ fifth wheel and through research we can pretty easily location places that will or will not fit our length (e.g., private campgrounds, National Parks, State Parks, BLM, etc.), but height is harder to research (i.e., we are 13’5” tall, about a foot or two taller than many RVs). Particularly in the north east, where we used to live and periodically visit, it can be challenging to find desirable campgrounds that we can fit into. We spend a bit of time researching campgrounds, to locate campgrounds/parks where we will not have tree limb clearance issues on roads leading to the park, within the park and/or length or clearance issues on particular campsites. Our research typically includes reading RVParkReviews.com and Campendium.com reviews, RV blogs, looking at google earth images as well as we call the campground if we still have questions, with the later not always being informative. Our research has paid-off, since we have stayed in many beautiful locations and selected solely one campground that we did not ultimately stay at (due to tree limb clearance issues) in our 2.5+ years of full-timing.

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Barb, we don't plan on taking whatever we end up with too far off the beaten path so I doubt that will be an issue. We can always take a toad or the tow vehicle (depending again on what we choose for our home on wheels) into those locations that are too remote for the rig.

Thanks to all for sharing your experience and allaying our concern. We're more comfortable, now, with the notion that there may be some locations we can't get into, but that something else comparatively nearby will be a suitable alternate.

bigboomer · RV-Dreams Family Member

RE: Impact of owning a large 5er or MH vis a vis limitations on CG accessibility etc.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have a 38ft 5th wheel with a longbed dually crewcab truck. In 21 years of having this combination we have only had two instances where we had to go the wrong way in a campground loop in order to get into our assigned space. Once was due to a tight turn and trees + Boulders the other was due to a slippery hill that I couldn't get enough traction to get up.

We pay attention to the length restriction and don't even try to reserve a spot in a campground or RV Park with length restrictions for RVs over 35 feet. We have found that most of the places we want to go will have a private RV Park in the area (within 25 miles) that will accommodate big rigs. So we will choose to stay there and drive in for the day to sight see.

We've stayed outside of many state and national parks or other tourist destinations through the years. Not only are you able to get a space big enough for your RV but there are usually amenities that you won't get at a government campground... nice restrooms, laundry, pool, full hookups, convenience store...etc.

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

2 1/2 years on the road and like others have said, not really any problems. We also like to be in State/National Forest/BLM etc type parks. If you will be in private parks you probably won't have any problems. We also use satellite maps and tip others have said. Call when in doubt. And yes, height and narrowness of campsite or roads within the campground can be a problem so check those too. We once got in a tight spot when the campground loop was too tight and it was such a headache to get around even though the sites were huge.

Have fun!

RetiredVagabond · RV-Dreams Community Member

I purchased a 31' Reflection by Grand Design. It's one of the smaller ones they build. I have been traveling full time for almost three years and the size is perfect for me. Of course I'm traveling solo. I do believe if I was married storage of clothes for that second person may be an issue.

When I was looking for a RV one of the major things I shopped for was a smaller unit that would fit into more National Forest campgrounds, since that's my favorite experience, not to mention the nightly rates are less. Especially if you're a senior.

Safe travels...

Rob_Fla · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have been fulltiming / traveling coast to coast in a 42 Ft 5th Wheel for 5 years now, never really had a problem getting a CG.
There have been some tight sites for an overnight stay but I made them work, if staying longer I have always found a nice site that accommodates my 5th Wheel.

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

In two years of full-timing we've not had a problem with our 40' motor home. We prefer COE or other State or Federal parks, but will stay at a commercial park if that seems to make more sense. As was mentioned above, height is often as much of an issue as is length. We don't have any slides, and it seems that at least once we were on a site that would have been difficult if we had had them.

fun2travel · RV-Dreams Family Member

We haven't had problems with our 5'er. Shorter might be nice at times, but since this our home, we wanted to be comfortable. It's quite nice for the two of us, but also nice when we've had new friends over for cards or dinner.
We'd buy this length again

Talensnana · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are a big boy (52' RV towing a 24' trailer) at 85'. We do not boondock much as I like my utilities. We are not camping to be one with nature but rv to explore the US. We tend to stay in Private parks. With that said we have been in 30+ states. I can always find a place to park, it just takes a little planning. I use Big Rigs Best Bets website and book, the Facebook group Where'd you park RV, KOA and Good Sams primarily. I plan my trips on Good Sams trip planner and we have a truckers gps. We are able to stay connected 90% of the time. When we do have to disconnect we just park in their overflow parking. You need to decide what type of RVing you want to do. Then find a floor plan and manufacture you like. I may have to adjust our route a bit but as fulltimers that is not a problem. We have not made it to the many of the most Northern states yet so I do not know what we will encounter. So far no problem is you are willing to do your homework.

LarryW21 · RV-Dreams Family Member

The RV lengths mentioned buzz so many RVers out of our Calfornia State Parks. Oh well. More sites for me along the coast and in the Redwoods...Sequoiadendron giganteum and Sequoia sempervirens. Sempervirens are my favorite.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/rvlength

The Restless Youngs · RV-Dreams Family Member

We're in a 45'er and think it all comes down to planning a little more. In the popular summer months and holidays we try to make sure we have a reservation...other than that, we have really not had any issues.

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

Talensnana wrote:
We are a big boy (52' RV towing a 24' trailer) at 85'. We do not boondock much as I like my utilities. We are not camping to be one with nature but rv to explore the US. We tend to stay in Private parks. With that said we have been in 30+ states. I can always find a place to park, it just takes a little planning. I use Big Rigs Best Bets website and book, the Facebook group Where'd you park RV, KOA and Good Sams primarily. I plan my trips on Good Sams trip planner and we have a truckers gps. We are able to stay connected 90% of the time. When we do have to disconnect we just park in their overflow parking. You need to decide what type of RVing you want to do. Then find a floor plan and manufacture you like. I may have to adjust our route a bit but as fulltimers that is not a problem. We have not made it to the many of the most Northern states yet so I do not know what we will encounter. So far no problem is you are willing to do your homework.

Like you, I'm all about air conditioning and long showers. Your rig is pretty unique, were you in Castroville, TX (at the Alsatian RV Resort) recently?

Talensnana · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes we were at the Alstasian in Castroville. Great people and a very nice park.

FOSJ · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wow 85 feet! We just sold our 12' trailer that carried 2 motorcycles and purchased one that is 24'. We wanted something that would hold one motorcycle and our jeep. (I'm selling my bike). This will allow me to ride in the motor home with Steve. I've been following for 5 years. I really didn't mind it as I could stop and take pictures whenever I wanted. I'm really nervous about our size, with the tongue we're 70 feet. Won't know how it goes until we leave Florida headed northeast. Joan

Talensnana · RV-Dreams Family Member

Since you are looking at going over 65' have you thought about using a pintle hitch. In most states if you have a pintle legal limit can be 75'. Plus DH says it is much safer.