RV Length restrictions at Campgrounds?

Bo Dually · 03-09-2012, 07:29 AM

Hello Redwood Gang,

Looking for some feedback on a statement someone made to me when I told them I was getting a 36' length unit. They told me that most of the campgrounds out there have length restrictions and it is hard to get into a site with anything over a 32'?

Afterreading the forum it looks like most of you have ordered or have the 36'. One of my concerns before ordering is getting too long of a unit. I don't want to be restricted to size when it comes togetting into campgrounds. However since we will be living in the unit I don't want to go too small.

Has anyone had an experience with this restriction?

**Dave&Ginny** · 03-09-2012, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo Dually

Hello Redwood Gang,

Looking for some feedback on a statement someone made to me when I told them I was getting a 36' length unit. They told me that most of the campgrounds out there have length restrictions and it is hard to get into a site with anything over a 32'?

Afterreading the forum it looks like most of you have ordered or have the 36'. One of my concerns before ordering is getting too long of a unit. I don't want to be restricted to size when it comes togetting into campgrounds. However since we will be living in the unit I don't want to go too small.

Has anyone had an experience with this restriction?

I've asked fellow campers this same question for many years, knowing the day would come that I'd be buying a new rig. There are a few campgrounds I've been at that had a sign that said their limit is 34 ft. but I've seen 40 ft rigs sitting there so they don't keepthem out. I do know of one on top of a mountain that I don't think anybody would be able to get a 40 footer up to (Black Rock Mountain) in Georgia.

You have to remember that"class A"motor homes are 36+ and most are 40 ft. You can put a 5er in places a motor home can't fit because a motor home doesn't pivot and the placement of the axles. You usually see motoer homes in all of these parks. By the way if you ordered a Redwood 36RE, that trailer is 38ft 11 inches long...without the ladder.

dave

Bo Dually · 03-09-2012, 08:36 AM

Dave,

Thanks for the feedback and you are right, that 36' is actually 39' overall. Like you, I have seen many 5'ers over 34' in campgrounds so I guess with a little skill

we should be fine.

**hoosierguy** · 03-09-2012, 08:44 AM

One of the surprises that Ilearned aboutour Redwood 36RL was related to the length. The published length in the Redwood brochure is 38 feet, 11 inches. After getting our coach home, I did some measuring and discovered that the real length is 40 feet, 2 inches when you include the ladder on the rear to the king pin on the front.

**Dave&Ginny** · 03-09-2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo Dually

Dave,

Thanks for the feedback and you are right, that 36' is actually 39' overall. Like you, I have seen many 5'ers over 34' in campgrounds so I guess with a little skill

we should be fine.

You'll be fine...I used to teach both men and women how to drive and back up semi's. Find a large empty parking lot (usually on a Sunday)and put out some plastic garbage cans (they're bigger and easier to see). Practice backinging around them and then slowly move them closer to each other. Watch the overhang in the back and where your tires go when you back into a spot. Please remember to watch for low wires and branchesbecause these trailers are 13 ft high. Remember ...slow...slow...get out and look.

**Dave&Ginny** · 03-09-2012, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoosierguy

One of the surprises that Ilearned aboutour Redwood 36RL was related to the length. The published length in the Redwood brochure is 38 feet, 11 inches. After getting our coach home, I did some measuring and discovered that the real length is 40 feet, 2 inches when you include the ladder on the rear to the king pin on the front.

Big and beautiful!

Flyfisher · 03-09-2012, 09:47 AM

Our 2012 36RE is 38'11".We did a lot of research before we ordered because we had people telling us that it will be difficult to find parks that accept big rigs. We found that there are parks that have length restrictions generally in that 34' range.We also found that in all cases there were parks very near by that would accommodate big rigs. For example in Yellowstone National Park many of the campgrounds are length restricted but we found more than enough other places in the national park that have spaces for 40' rigs. Planning your trips and making reservations becomes important so that you have the peace of mind that you will be able to park your Redwood when you reach your destination. We went so far as to plan virtual trips to various destinations. In all cases we were able to find plenty of RV parks that advertise "big rigs welcome".

5th_Time · 03-09-2012, 10:08 AM

We were in Yellowstone this past summer, staying at the Old Faithful Inn before ordering our 36RL. When in West Yellowstone, we drove through Grizzly Bear Campground, which was first class, plenty of roomand mostly "big rigs." Also drove through many of the N.P. Campgrounds which were tight, with lots of low-hanging branches, and 5th Wheels parked tightly in between trees in some of them.

I love the serenity of the State& N.P. campgrounds, but with a rig as large (and high) and painted-up as these Redwoods are, "flyfisher" has got the right idea. You'll have to know where you are headed and where you'll be stopping before heading out.

**Dave&Ginny** · 03-09-2012, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5th_Time

We were in Yellowstone this past summer, staying at the Old Faithful Inn before ordering our 36RL. When in West Yellowstone, we drove through Grizzly Bear Campground, which was first class, plenty of roomand mostly "big rigs." Also drove through many of the N.P. Campgrounds which were tight, with lots of low-hanging branches, and 5th Wheels parked tightly in between trees in some of them.

I love the serenity of the State& N.P. campgrounds, but with a rig as large (and high) and painted-up as these Redwoods are, "flyfisher" has got the right idea. You'll have to know where you are headed and where you'll be stopping before heading out.

I agree with that "5_thTime and "flyfisher". I've noticed that most of the 5ers being built today are 36+ feet long. I intended to buy something less than36 but I couldn't find anything my wife and I could stay for a long time in that short. So I guess we all have to do a little planning but I think it's worth the effort, besides the longer the trailer the easier they are to pull down the highways.

KR2011 · 03-09-2012, 09:31 PM

I personally have only found 1 or 2 places that have had length restrictions, that being said you'll just have to add the length question to your research list when hunting for the parking portion of your trip.

Dave you are absolutely correct the longer the trailer the easier it is to pull and to back up, its easier to chase in reverse ( slower to react to your steering wheel in reverse).

sinder · 03-09-2012, 10:23 PM

My 31SL is 35ft 6in pin to ladder. There are a few good websites for finding campgrounds for bigger rigs. http://rvparkhunter.com/page2.asp . http://www.roamingtimes.com/Searchcamps/bigrigs.asp . In California we will be challenged with site length in many of the state parks, but there still is many other options available. Many of the popular National Parks in the West will accommodate larger rigs. Yellowstone, Grand Canyon South rim yes. North rim would be tight. Also NPs such as Bryce, Zion, Arches have some larger sites. I found many of the Canadian Provincial Parks will accommodate larger rigs. Olympic National Park and Crater Lake National Park would not work. BTW Zion National Park has electric sites for that warm summer camping.

**hoosierguy** · 03-10-2012, 06:57 AM

Sinder............thanks for the links about campgrounds. I added these to my campground information favorites list.

I spent my first 25 yearsgrowing up on a farm in Indiana. I was used to handling some larger equipment, backing grain wagons, hay wagons, etc. But, I have been away from that life for 45 years and was somewhat apprehensive about handling a large 40 feet long 5th wheel. I was pleasantly surprised thatI did not have as much difficulty as I thought I would. I have done some practicing in my driveway and last fallput the coach in my pole barn without any problem. If you have not done this before, just find a place to practice and don't be afraid to use a spotter or stop and do a lot of checking to make sure everthing has clearance.

Campers · 03-18-2012, 05:28 PM

Hi. All. Been hauling for the last 9 years and have never run into this problem. Last 3 with a 35 ft. Now gonna be 40. Hope I don't . Happy camping.

Peggy C · 04-27-2015, 05:51 PM

Like the info about length. Any more suggestions on campgrounds close to Yellowstone? 12 year old grandson along so need to be close.

travelin' texans · 04-27-2015, 07:24 PM

While searching you also need to take into consideration that at the time all of these parks were built a 35' trailer was huge & there weren't any crew cab trucks so your over all length will be close to 60'. And when they say "big rig friendly" doesn't always apply to a 40' trailer being towed by a 20+' truck.

Titan Guy · 04-27-2015, 08:38 PM

Width with 3 slides is an issue. Uses Good Sam Campground search because they list site dimensions.

almcc · 04-27-2015, 10:15 PM

We have been pleased with the size of the campsites and the roads in state parks in our travels, the ones we've stopped at in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Arizona and New Mexico were great. As indicated, some of the private parks were built before longer RV's and slides. We've hit a few RV parks in Yuma, we got into the sites with a bit of manuvering but you are close to your neighbours (front to back and side-to-side).

For folks traveling north into Canada, it's not so good. We've written off most of the provincial parks here in Ontario as we've moved up to our 36RL, even though some of the campsites are rated for longer RV's the park roads aren't amenable to longer, higher RV's, it's a bit frustrating to have the sidewall marked by a tree branch. The park folks prefer to save the trees, they don't cut or prune where necessary. Be forewarned!

bull_chips · 04-30-2015, 02:26 AM

I have camped in Yellowstone at the Fishing Bridge campground with a 39' 5th wheel. They have full hook up now, with 50 amp service. (A few years ago I stayed, they had no electricity) they do require measurements of trailer and tow vehicle so they can assign you to an adequate sight. I have seen class A motor homes at this campground. No tents or pop-ups allowed because of bear activity.

Jim & Mary · 04-30-2015, 05:51 PM

We have also stayed at Yellowstone Grizzly RV park in West Yellowstone. One of the best RV parks we have visited and definitely big rig friendly. Somewhat expensive for the nicer pull through sites.

Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park and Cabins

Second place we stayed was the north park entrance in Gardiner MT. at Rocky Mountain RV park. Not as nice as Grizzly but still quite good and space for big rigs.

Rocky Mountain RV Park and Lodging Vacation at Yellowstone National Park

Jim

slideone · 05-01-2015, 02:51 AM

Good evening, never experienced that myself, we pull a 39Mb, almost 42'. The longer the better for full timing. I am sure there are places out there that might have restrictions, but just haven't experienced that. I think most of the campgrounds can easily handle what you are thinking of buying, good luck.

You may also like: