Best RV Length for Fitting in National Park Campgrounds

Best RV Length for Fitting in National Park Campgrounds

http://www.camperreport.com/best-rv-length-for-national-parks/ I’ve been doing tons of research to find the best length for a travel trailer, fifth wheel, or RV to fit in camping spots at national and state parks. This is the video where I show what I’ve learned.

50 Comments

  1. Larry Grimm on April 30, 2020 at 3:13 pm

    The “COMBINED LENGTH” only applies to motor homes with a toad, not TT or Fivers. I wish he made that clear.

  2. Dave Smith on April 30, 2020 at 3:15 pm

    13ft teardrop. I’m good to go.

  3. Oscar Rodriguez on April 30, 2020 at 3:15 pm

    While I can appreciate the work he did and how it was done in good faith, he is completely wrong. Campsites and campgrounds are completely different things. Additionally sites care mostly about three things, number of people, site you are looking to use, and amperage. It is nearly impossible based on his information for anyone to own a 28 ft to 32 ft trailer (average sizes) with a regular sized 19ft truck. This would mean you must have a short bed small Nissan Frontier and a 12 ft trailer. You better leave the kids at home because they won’t fit in your trailer with the wife. Sorry kiddos we only fit in 7 percent of campgrounds so we had to downsize. Does this make sense? I’ve been camping for 15 years all over California with a 32 ft trailer and Chevy Silverado 1500 and I have yet to see a place where I don’t fit. Just want to clear it up for people that are looking to buy and need help.

  4. James B. on April 30, 2020 at 3:16 pm

    I am looking into RVs my favorite is the Thor Axis or Vegas 24.1, LTV Unity corner bed is nice too but way too expensive.

  5. David Dion on April 30, 2020 at 3:17 pm

    When you are talking about the length of the rv in feet, are you referring to the box length only or the total length, ie; rear tire rack to farthest front point of tow hitch? Please advise. Thank you.

  6. Belia Luedke on April 30, 2020 at 3:17 pm

    Great stuff. <3

  7. Doug S on April 30, 2020 at 3:21 pm

    What’s your experience with size limitations on BLM land? Is there a limit? Do you know where I can find that if so?

  8. Leon Allan Davis on April 30, 2020 at 3:21 pm

    It never fails to amuse me how people buy these big honking motor homes, take them to a national park, then stay in them all day watching TV and playing video games. If you do see these couch potatoes out on the trail, they’re walking real slow and staring down at their cell phones. Now and then one of ’em walks off a cliff or gets eaten by a grizzly. Very droll…

  9. Slavia Polandia on April 30, 2020 at 3:24 pm

    excellent report

  10. Bluesidian on April 30, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    Does that include the vehicle that is pulling?

  11. Jennifer Stephenson on April 30, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    For people saying the total length doesn’t sound right……just remember….these parks and sites were built when families traveled and camped out of the family car. They slept in a tent or possibly pulled a tiny trailer. There are several roads in Sequoia NP that your TOTAL vehicle length can’t be over 22ft because you are basically driving on the edge of a cliff. Some are 25ft. The pad at our site there would barely fit our 9×12 canvas tent. Luckily we were tent camping out of a Ford Flex during that trip. Having always been Class A and large 5th wheel people from the Midwest we learned a valuable lesson in Western NP. We need a SMALL footprint in the future.

  12. Pilgrim's Journey, A Nomads Life on April 30, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    Great info!! 👍

  13. ChelseeMarie on April 30, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    This was so helpful, thank you!

  14. Tim Miller on April 30, 2020 at 3:29 pm

    Your article mentions nothing of the combined length except for a few sites however, you did mention it in the video. Mind you at the time I am viewing the video it is 3 yrs later and some but not all National parks are stating to accommodate larger rigs. My suggestion to any one would be to check each National park for the information, granted you have given them something to think about in the event they want to stay in the park.

  15. Angie Taylor on April 30, 2020 at 3:29 pm

    Very COOL! I would like to do all the national parks, so 12 feet is the limit!

  16. Finesse Muse on April 30, 2020 at 3:32 pm

    great information, thank you for helping with the research and tips that I haven’t even thought of.
    every 5th wheel, class a & c that I’ve considered buying is a lengthy rig & I’d like to do some boon docking, not always being confined to koa camp grounds.
    great info in your videos, definitely subscribing to future videos.

  17. sly angler on April 30, 2020 at 3:33 pm

    27 to 29 feet is ideal..

  18. Sandie Smiggs on April 30, 2020 at 3:34 pm

    Wow, I love that you’ve done all the work and I don’t have to do it. thank you!

  19. David Wainio on April 30, 2020 at 3:35 pm

    I pull a 31.5 ft trailer with a Ford F-250. So far I have always been able to disconnect and park across the front of my sites with no issues yet.

  20. pukwudjivc on April 30, 2020 at 3:37 pm

    I think people should think about camping outside the national park. Park outside the national park where it will be significantly cheaper, then drive in with your towed or towing vehicle and make the park a day-trip.

  21. JP Powers on April 30, 2020 at 3:38 pm

    Well done. Continue your posts as your presentations are quite comprehensive and informative.

  22. pyroman49 wedd on April 30, 2020 at 3:38 pm

    Ok. We are talking about class a rv length . Most people might pull a dolly with a car . So what about that as well. So if I have a 32 feet class a plus my car . Explain

  23. bartellj on April 30, 2020 at 3:39 pm

    You should check out this ghost town its close to Yosemite! It is in amazing condition! https://bit.ly/2KUerlu

  24. J. Wesley Stevenson on April 30, 2020 at 3:39 pm

    If you are an RVer and like water toys or fishing boats, Look into Expandacraft, a modular watercraft that stores in small spaces and converts into all sorts of different craft. Oh, and we ship all over the world.

  25. mpgolfzen on April 30, 2020 at 3:41 pm

    thank you for the great info!!!

  26. andy cairns on April 30, 2020 at 3:42 pm

    you need to edit this , that combined length statement is incorrect.

  27. Second Thought on April 30, 2020 at 3:42 pm

    Good info!! I’m about to purchase a trailer and travel. Never even considered this!! Thanks.

  28. DEBS CREEPY AND ABANDONED PLACES on April 30, 2020 at 3:44 pm

    Interesting. I subbed so please look at mine.

  29. Jack Frick on April 30, 2020 at 3:45 pm

    Appreciate your fact based reports and helpful links. Jack

  30. Matt S on April 30, 2020 at 3:47 pm

    to get into 84% of these parks, us half ton truck owners would have to stick to a 12′ trailer…lol hard pass

  31. Steven Hemmah on April 30, 2020 at 3:47 pm

    In National Parks is the length requirement absolute? That is is 30′ really 30′ or is 30′ 11" Ok?

  32. Paul L. on April 30, 2020 at 3:47 pm

    One problem with 5th wheels is that you have to place your truck along side your 5th wheel, which limits the percentage of parks you can camp at.

  33. William Wyer on April 30, 2020 at 3:49 pm

    IF you buy a new class A go with a full size bed witch is just under a queen and have them use a residential shower. You will be a lot happier

  34. William Wyer on April 30, 2020 at 3:50 pm

    Meant to say a 35ft has a lot of room in it for a couple with 1-2kids

  35. Ger Ger on April 30, 2020 at 3:53 pm

    RV Length is big pain, visiting many cities, county- national parks and some incity RV Parks. USA really has done very little to promote RV’s/
    Currently, have retired from RV life, cause of medical conditions/small retirement finances. Retirement funds have not met with the international financial index. SS Ins. is nothing, does not combat cost of living. Plus some genes, grow older faster; can not keep up with traveling.
    My favorite is a small TOY HAULER; because there’s a lot of things you could do in the attached rear garage and if you don’t get a fifth wheel toy hauler, just conventional toy hauler, you can always get a new TOW UNIT: ( Truck or SUV); not out a lot of money compared to the class A or Class C motorhomes. Any types of RV Trailers, is having a diversified RV portfolio. I ENJOY the garage portion, great protected garage- patio, plus some have bath tubs and frt kitchen in the floorplan. I hate galley kitchen, cause of traffic flow issues. Garage is great storage for toys, or thro in air mattress, great sleeping. Slide outs are okay, but just another problem, when least expected. Solar panels are must have, better then generator….
    Class A Motorhomes okay if you’re going to be mobile, & have lot of bank accounts for infinity of repairs. . They’re very expensive to maintain/ operate, they have a lot of toys on them, so be ready for breakdowns, warranties are useless. Accessories are known to break break break… If you wreck them, Ins. are very poor to pay out!! Not many mechanics really know how to work on them, expensive $$ beast. Good mechanics are working in union auto garages, not RV garages. Diesels are smelly, both around the patio and smells lurk in to the units interiors. I ditched my diesel, could not stand the smell of diesel around the coach.
    Class C motorhomes are very mobile to get around, sleeper over the cab is a waste of time : either too hot or too cold for good sleeping and if your senior, it’s very risky getting in and out of there. Plus if there’s two people sleeping up there, the frame over the cab really can’t support much activity. Class C is more affordable, less toys on them compared to the Class A & the upkeep is considerable less, plus USA parks are designed to fit class C, not class A.
    I would prefer a truck frame chassis with a trailer attached to it, because if you don’t like the truck frame chassis, always get another one, just remove the trailer, get a new Chev /Ford truck frame, and attach the trailer on to the frame.. Engines are up front, so repairs are much easier/ cheaper, cause of being accessible.
    I have: Class A, Trailer and Truck camper. Truck / SUV are the only two of all of the above mentioned units, which have Lemon Law Protections. RV in general, carry no help from the courts and RV warranties, are collection of A-Z products and not insured by one manufacturer. My trailer is great for long length stays in the desert, Class A is okay, but expensive for interstate traveling and my camper has over 500,000 miles on it, as this is my weekend RV and gets a lot of usage. Wish my camper had a Murphy Bed, hate the over head sleeper and most of the time, sleep on floor. Store my units on my property and visit them daily.

    SIDEBAR: Ageing, lack of finances, is not our friend for RV’s and traveling. Remember, RV’s are not loved by everyone, there is equal love/ hate for RV’s, as many call us trailer trash. Many cultures invading USA are not warm/fussy towards RV’s.
    Stellar boon-docking is great, when traveling day to day. Prefer to pay to park and received full hookups and use the unit, which is was intended for: FULL HOOKUPS. Remember, there is no LEMON LAW to protect RV units, so off road n boon-dock with caution, as the units are built very fragile & not intended for moon terrain walking. Snow n freezing temps, are not RV best friend, no matter how they are rated, they have no LEMON LAW protection against severe low temps. Remember, over night fees for RV camping can be pricey, some are reaching $100 ( PLUS) per night and more and more are privately owned w/ annual membership by prescription.

    Point of Interest, no RV was designed to travel: Snow, freezing temps and day after day rain/wind storms. Extreme weather quickly takes years off of the RV coach, there were not built for this abuse.

    Here is a question for all RV owners: Do you advertise your bank account finances to the world? Reply: No!!!. So why advertise the cost of your RV to the world: via fancy paint jobs, luxury tow units, luxury tow boats, chrome everything/ anything. RV’s who advertise their wealth, are only advertising to the nation, I have arrived in wealth and heck with your thoughts. Flashy RV’s ruin lifestyles for everyone. Stellar & non-monochromatic downplayed units, fit in everywhere and are less offensive to the nation, which do not have RV’s. We live in a country of extreme biases. Less is really more, when traveling and exploring USA.
    https://littlefreelibrary.org/start/
    I belong to this free library, allows me to pick up books for free, anywhere in the USA and return to any location. Every city has this and is free and better then internet books. I have spent days in parking lots, using Wifi for free, when many stores and restaurants provide it for free. Now the little library, allows for national library, where ever anyone travels for free. RV’s don’t need TV/ IT/when we have free books at our disposal. Remember, some books, government archived shows, you tube, news, etc. can be download from IT for free, providing 100 hrs of viewing, anytime, anywhere, without IT connections.

  36. Sammy Zonna on April 30, 2020 at 3:55 pm

    helicopters and hardons is whats up

  37. Michael Lowrey on April 30, 2020 at 3:59 pm

    I didn’t know the total length was the requirement. I had heard of the 29 / 30 foot. I just thought it ment your trailer lenght. Thanks for the information.

  38. dragonmyst000 on April 30, 2020 at 3:59 pm

    Can’t imagine driving a 40′ RV with a towed vehicle. Just the logistics of getting from point A to point B makes my head hurt..Turning tight corners, backing up and making sure you don’t lose your AC on low bridges must be a nightmare.. Personally I will stick with my 20′ class B for simplicity and ease.

  39. Derek Feng on April 30, 2020 at 4:01 pm

    Great information! Thanks!

  40. Bruce Litteaur on April 30, 2020 at 4:01 pm

    Great Information.

  41. William Wyer on April 30, 2020 at 4:03 pm

    Also should check some of the camp grounds won’t be able to run a generator after 8pm till 8am

  42. Mike White on April 30, 2020 at 4:04 pm

    Once you have used your RV for a couple of months you will not want to park in the National Parks. You will use private. So buy the RV you want do not take into account National Parks.

  43. Jack Devero on April 30, 2020 at 4:05 pm

    He failed to list how tall the old railroad bridges are on the old roads leading into the rv parks .. most are under 11 feet …

  44. Don Gordon on April 30, 2020 at 4:05 pm

    This is a lot of work…take a bow!! Thanks….heading out west for extended trip next year and this has been on my list to research! I’ll buy you a beer if our paths cross!! Mine is 37′ but a Class Super C, with lots of rear overhang. Sometimes you can squeeze in and cheat just a little if you back in a bit further and hang over the back of the campsite.

  45. Light The Way on April 30, 2020 at 4:06 pm

    Thank you so much for all your hard work. You have been a great help!!

  46. Jo Newell-Martell Ret. Paramedic on April 30, 2020 at 4:10 pm

    This Information is Fantastic. If I could reach through the screen so my wife can give you a hug & I would High 5 for sure! For the 1st time ever my family and I will be homeless as of July 1st if I can not find a camping trailer or spot I am a failure so I will find a trailer. A spot to put it, I’ll keep working on that.

    But Brother, keep the videos & The vlog coming, Even if itbstuff I know already, it make my wife feel more secure.

    Cheers Mate

  47. Tom Olofsson on April 30, 2020 at 4:11 pm

    Thanks for doing the research. 16 sounds like a good choice for me.

  48. Nellie Rutten on April 30, 2020 at 4:12 pm

    Why would you take such a huge trailer, isn’t the fun of camping to minimize and to live outside and just sleep inside the trailer and maybe have a seat at the table reading a book or playing a board game when it’s really rainy. I would be so annoyed if I would be pulling a 30 foot trailer, what would I do with a 30 foot trailer, with camping less is more.

  49. sixshooter4570 on April 30, 2020 at 4:12 pm
  50. mark ray on April 30, 2020 at 4:12 pm

    Thanks for all the hard work

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