TOPIC:

Hello!
I am retired and my husband are considering rving full-time.

Question: is there a maximum length of RV allowed at campgrounds/rv sites? We're considering buying a Class A 42'.

Thank you!
Joyce

Welcome to the site!

The limitation on the length of your RV is restricted only by the access to the campground, the roads in the campground, and the site you get. You just need to do your research before yo go to a specific campground. All of the military campgrounds listed on this site have a "Big Rig Friendly" checkbox on their listing. If this checkbox is marked no, then you really need to do some research (call them) or don't go there.

We have a 40' motor home and have rarely had problems with the length. But we also don't go to places we know we won't fit. We've been to a few state parks where we did barely fit (I was amazed we got in and out).

We lived in and traveled in our motor home for over 16 years. COVID has slowed us down!

Thank you for the information! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Joyce

Joyce,
We have a 42' 11" ( I call it 43 feet) MH. Over the years I have learned when making reservations to ask the question, "Can you handle a 43 foot motorhome?" If they say no, I move on to another place on the list of reservations. Always ask if the web site does not display a maximum length.

I also will look at a satellite view of the RV park to give me some indication of MH's and 5'ers that are in the park at the time of satellite picture taking by Google. One time when I asked the question, I was told "No, I looked at the satellite view and decided to call back and talk to the facility manger. This was Williamsburg, VA. I told him what the reservation desk said and he said, "That's crazy, come on in, there will be a spot for you.

What happened was that the reservation people were going by the size of the cement pad and not the total length of the site. We fit with no problems, so always ask the question and if told no, do some research. Many of the summer hires have no idea as to what the length of an RV is, let alone what an RV is.

Happy trails.

One factor that you also have to think about is getting onto the base. We have been to many bases across the US and some gates are very much a challenge to get in and out of the base. Kirkland AFB in Albuquerque NM recently rebuilt their gate making it very narrow and almost impossible for a large rig to enter. They do have another gate to use but it is a couple of miles from the campground and requires you to travel on some narrow roads with tight turns to get back to the campground. Not fun in a large rig.

Naval Station Memphis has a very narrow back and forth barrier that takes a steady hand and strong nerves to get your rig and toad onto the base. The barriers have many marks from vehicles hitting them because the drivers were not careful enough. While staying there two years ago a rig parked next to us and the owner was beside himself due to a 14 foot gash down the side of his motor home, from the rigid barrier, as he entered the base.

Other locations where access is tight; Nellis AFB, Tinker AFB, NAD Earl New Jersey, to name a few off the top of my head. While I fully support the base commanders who fortify their base from attack, I just wish they included a plan for those of us who wish to use the MWR facilities.

Use Google earth and this website to plan ahead for access to the base, directions to the campground and ability to park your large rig when you have reached the campground. Every base have different ideas on how to secure their access gates. Some of those ideas make it very difficult to access with a large RV.

At the Naval Station Memphis you'll get a strong lecture from the civilian security guards if you use the commercial truck lane instead of navigating the serpentine.