24'-25' Or 26'-27'??

[Huskerman]

I am new to RV'ing. I am currently looking at trailers in the 24'-25' and 26'-27' range. Leaning heavily towards the Jayco Jay Flight 26 BHS. My concern is that I have read on other forums that the jump from 25 to 26 is significant in terms of what camp-sites you will have access to. One person even posted that they thought it would cut down my campsite options by almost 50%!!



My intention is to stay away from the KOA's of the world and more than likely I will be using state campgrounds both with hookups and (frequently) without any hookups.



So, my question is, does going a little bigger really limit me that much?? Thanks.



Huskerman

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I've personally seen VERY few decently modern CG's where larger 5ers than our 24 footer were shut out, and would feel pretty safe up into the high 20 foot range with most CG's. Bigger than that, depending on your specific camping areas, *could* get to be a big issue.



AND, the few extra feet between 25 and 29 feet can make a BIG comfort difference in longer term camping stays!



A bigger issue than actual LENGTH in some older CG's, is the WIDTH of individual spaces - some sites are pretty narrow for modern slideouts, and vegetation and hookups CAN create problems...

 

[Huskerman]

A bigger issue than actual LENGTH in some older CG's, is the WIDTH of individual spaces - some sites are pretty narrow for modern slideouts, and vegetation and hookups CAN create problems...

That could definately be a problem as I am currently looking at the Jayco Jay Flight 26 BHS which has a pretty nice slide out.



Huskerman

 

[TowPro]

I have had 3 different 30' 5th wheel since 96. I have never found a site (that I wanted to be in) that I could not fit. the last 2 5ers have had slides, but never found a place there was not enough room to get it open. I have been in sites where it's tight when the slides are open, and 1 site where I had to park the truck in an open spot next to where I was but both were real old campgrounds that I pulled into with no reservations.



PS: Welcome back Gary

Will R

 

[Buffalo]

Some of the National Parks (Glacier & Sequoia) have restrictions for large vehicles due to the skinny roads with very sharp turns. The parks I've been to have had signs indicating the restrictions before you get into the park.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[TYCreek]

In my observations the length limitations, when posted, are usually 18 - 22ft marks ... then from there things open up or limit depending on how you look at it... to around the 30ft length area. When I had a 24ft TT I fit in spots that were listed for a few feet shorter RV's when allowed to try.



There's a difference between 5r & TT's fit lengths, trade-offs either way... I say shorter the better! ... I've a narrow body 21ft TH that I've had within inches of rock walls and drop offs getting to/from camp destinations. My spots are not camp grounds and in these types of areas, length really becomes an issue such as when you meet another vehicle and one of you has to back up a mile or more to find a spot where both can pass! Or you drive in a couple miles on a 1 lane trail to a favorite spot and find somebody already there and no place to turn around as the only open space is occupied!



Thoughts…

O- Understand the CCC’s as mfg docs sometimes claim 2300 or so pounds of capacity but not always clear is that water, LP, beer and all RV options come out of that mfg’s CCC. Let’s just say that 2klb is not much capacity when regular RV fluids & options get included. Get the tire upgrade if possible!

O- Water tanks can become a real issue if you boon-dock with a family for more than a couple days when everybody isn’t water conscious. Longer RV’s generally have bigger tanks! Though my 21ft’r has 100gal so these days that correlation or assumption is less valid.

O- Longer lengths require taller ground clearances to traverse less than level terrain. So, all is a trade-off … how far into the boondocks might you want to go? Do you mind camping with other people? How many must you sleep?

O-Suspension types might be a consideration … not to start a debate but if some lift is desired to keep the tail out of the dirt … leaf springs do axle over conversions quite effective both in results and cost. IMO, are better on rough dirt road travel too.



The list goes on!!! …

 

[Fireman]

Huskerman,



I know of a few National Forest CGs in the mountains of E Tenn that show restrictions of 25-26 feet lenght, but most can accomodate larger trailers.



I'll add this, the trailer you listed had BH in the model#, I assume that it is a bunk house model. Which leads me to further assume that there are Huskerkids. If you ever have to spend 4 or 5 cold rainy days in a trailer with the Huskerwife&kids and maybe the Huskerdog you,ll wish you had a larger trailer. It can get very close in a small trailer at times.



JMO

Fireman

 

[TowPro]

One solution is to get a Titanium 5th wheel. Mine is called a 31E36TBR

Its 30'-8" from the pin to the bumper, but its 35'-10" of living space. Because the pin is around 4' inside the bed of the pickup truck, it measures the same as towing a 27' camper, keep in mine a 27' camper is 4' of hitch which only gives you 23' of living space!

 

[Huskerman]

Thanks all for the replies. I definately have some things to think about. Like TYCreek, I will more than likely be camping in out of the way type areas with no hook-ups. In some respects its hard for me to gauge exactly being that I have never been camper-camping and I haven't gone camping at all since Huskerwife laid down the "no more tent camping" law about 5 years ago. Let's just say it involved about 3 days of non-stop rain!!!!



So, I am ready to jump back into the camping fray now that the Huskerkids are old enough to begin enjoying it. I will probably start out with weekend camping and work my way up to the longer stays.



Fireman, thanks for the new terminology, I like "Huskerwife, Huskerkids and Huskerdog"!



Huskerman.