Hi – I realize that this question was asked almost a year ago over in the Campgrounds and RV Parks forum – but I figured there might be some additional views a year later. We are heavily leaning towards a motorhome as our rig of choice and have been looking at units right around the 40 foot mark (and have recently found a couple of 42/43 foot rigs we like). The question is will we be greatly limiting were we can set up with a 40 or 43 rig? Thanks. -Bill (Class of TBD)

When we started looking at MH I said 36' was absolute max.  Well, the price was right and we fell in love with a 40' so that's what we have had for 3 years.  We have been fulltimers since Sept. '06.  That extra 4' has never been a major problem,  we can go most places but would never consider anything any longer.  I think you would definately encounter some problems with 42' but then,  many places are adapting to the "big rigs".
Brenda

As a RV shopper I can only tell you what I think after looking at the same issue. Basically I decided to buy the floorplan we wanted foremost. We decided a king bed was required, so that puts us in the 40+ class. Then I decided that a tag axel would be good as they seem to ride nice and the CCC is much improved, so that puts us into the 42', and once you are there then 45 is not much more than 42. So in my limited opinion once you go to 40, 45 is not much of a step and we will plan and travel accordingly. Bottom line is I will pick the floorplan I like because that seems more important than the other constraints.

We are looking at new 5th wheels, our first one.  We have had motorhomes, the longest was 36' with only 1 slide.  That was OK, but not suitable for full-time for us.

I really don't want to go much over 36' in a 5th wheel and with 3 slides that should be more than enough space for us.  Even at that length we will not be able to get in some of the older national and state park campgrounds.  However, I know Howard and Linda's 5th wheel is over 39' and they get into lots of neat places.

We have been full timers since 1/05 with a 40 ft motor coach and this is not our first 40 footer. We haven't had a problem finding a site to park. However, we haven't traveled very much back east. We have seen many parks that state that nothing over 40 ft is allowed and others with even shorter restrictions. Many of these places have turned out to be places we wouldn't drive our coach any way.  Also a lot will depend on when you are trying to get into the park.  If it is at a time when they are in heavy useage then I am sure the length limitations would be strictly enforced.  Even Yellowstone parks, fishing bridge RV park, has allowed larger units than their posted length limit during off peak times.

-- Edited by ahoweth at 09:35, 2008-01-20

This is just my opinion, but I feel that there are 2 different lengths that may have an effect on where you can park.

The first length is in the 26 to 30 foot range. This seems to be the limit for a lot of the older State and National Parks, especially East of the Mississippi. The 2nd length is the 40 foot size. It seems to me that it is the limit at quite a few parks all across the U.S.

We have a 40' MH and so we watch the length limits closely. Now don't get me wrong, you will find exceptions to this all over the place, but IMHO this is usually the case. You will also find many places where you can park a 45' MH, but as your RV gets bigger, your choices are more and more limited.

Like I said, just my opinion.

Buy what fits your needs and lifestyle. You'll find a place to park it.

Jim

We, too, are considering the many RV options available to us. Since we are going to go fulltime (basically just jumping in feet-first!) and we very much want this lifestyle to work for us, we must go with the floorplan we are most likely to enjoy. If we skimp too much on the size or the quality, it will have an effect on our enjoyment as well as the chances of sticking with it. SO, we're really trying to figure out what will be the most likely set-up to ensure success. What we don't want to do, if at all possible, is to get two years into the lifestyle, only to find out that we're in the wrong rig! Details, details!

As one who was "lucky" and got it right the first time, I would offer these comments.

Unlike houses, RV's are not always suitable for fulltime living and don't necessarily have the build quality, or come with quality fittings and appliances. Since the RV business is very competititve, and the average RV is only used for vacation use of about 30 days a year, manufacturers generally build them for this market profile.

You have to look past the surface appearance and make sure the inherent quality is there.
Is it well insulated for 4 season use?, and is it quiet inside?
Does it have sufficient carrying capacity? The average couple will add between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds of "stuff". We've managed to add slightly over 4,000# between us.
Does it have sufficient storage space, and are the cabinets well built?
Does the manufacturer warrant it for fulltime use?

I think buyers today are lucky in that there are groups like this, and online forums for just about every brand that allow you to find out what current owners think, and whether or not there are design problems or customer service issues.

Also, I would recommend  spending the $100 or so and joining the RV Consumer Group. Their  rating system can be invaluable for weeding out the "wheat from the chaff". Once you pare the selections down to the 2 or 3 brands that are suitable for your lifestyle and pocket book, it's just a matter of finding the layout that suits you best.

Good luck, there's nothing more exciting than choosing your new rolling home!

Fred

I would also certainly recommend the RV Consumer Group CD.  We used it and we are also the lucky ones who got it right the first time.  It's been 3 years and still can't find another motorhome I like better than the one we have.  It suits OUR lifestyle.

I will chime in that I found the RV consumer group CD's almost useless for motor homes. They basically apply a standard formula to the model data provided by the manufacturers. They use data such as wheelbase length and weight to make handling judgements. Not that the formula does not provide a guideline, it does. But it is not the be all and end all that they present it as. I think the interface for the CD is so ancient as to make it useless. If anyone wants my CD let me know and I will send it your way if I can find it. If it sounds like I dislike the group I will elaborate as to why that is the case. Once you sign up they periodically send out updates with industry news. These updates tend to be sensationalist in nature. In one that I recall a RV burned very quickly with no injuries, and in another a family perished after the RV crashed going down hill. Now I fell sad for the family, but considering both incidents were in RV's approximately 20 years old, this is not useful data. If they could tell me what RV's currently have the design flaw that caused these catastrophic failures then it would be useful. But to notify me in a sensationalist manner of a major failure in a very old unit with no respect to maintenance history is just not needed. I think a responsible organization would provide useful data for someone shoping for a RV, not just a terrifying story about a unit older than most readers would buy. Just my $0.02 -- Bruce

Seeking advice on your purchase is a good thing.  There is wisdom in a myriad of advice if you can find it.  Consumer group is a good thing for advice too.  That being said there is no substitute for first hand information.  When you think you have a choice in mind, take the time to visit the factory where the unit is manufactured.  Then you will know exactly how it is made and the quality of workmanship that went into it.  When you are spending that much money it is your responsibilty to be the most informed purchaser you can be.  Don't short change yourself.  Only you can make the decision.