When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
99, Good Afternoon.....beginning my research for the optimal 5th wheel length (minus truck length) that will be accepted by most US sites when I retire from my second job. I'm retired Navy, I have a 2020 F450 Limited with a 32.5K 5th wheel hitch. I've been around the world geographically twice and now want to see my own beautiful country. What is the best 5th wheel length (minus truck length) that 90+% most sites will accept.
In 5 years it will be time to visit my own beautiful country.
I can only speak from my personal experience. I have a 44ft 5th wheel. In the last 12-16 months we have traveled about 12k miles in it all on the west coast and NW. We are limited a bit but what we have found is with a little planning we can always find a park that will accommodate big rigs. I think it one of the biggest factors for you is what type of "camping" you want to do. I would say if you are like us and like full hook ups, 50 amp, wifi etc. you can go as big as you want. If you want to travel on roads less traveled and will be dry camping I would go smaller, probably under 35ft. The other dimension to consider is height which can be a more important than length if you are looking into smaller rv parks or dry camping.
I can only speak from my personal experience. I have a 44ft 5th wheel. In the last 12-16 months we have traveled about 12k miles in it all on the west coast and NW. We are limited a bit but what we have found is with a little planning we can always find a park that will accommodate big rigs. I think it one of the biggest factors for you is what type of "camping" you want to do. I would say if you are like us and like full hook ups, 50 amp, wifi etc. you can go as big as you want. If you want to travel on roads less traveled and will be dry camping I would go smaller, probably under 35ft. The other dimension to consider is height which can be a more important than length if you are looking into smaller rv parks or dry camping.
Good luck and have fun!!
Ps....Thank You for Your Service!
ALWAYS look up, most newer 5er’s are right at 13’6”. Real easy to get into trouble!!
I'm thinking of going from a fifth wheel to a travel trailer Black Series Camper. The regular RV campgrounds are now overloaded with people and you have to make reservations months in advance. Many of these campgrounds are just not well kept. With an off-road capable Black Series, you could go off-grid and boondock to your heart's content.
ALWAYS look up, most newer 5er’s are right at 13’6”. Real easy to get into trouble!!
Correct, Im 13'3" but I assume Im 14' to be safe. The good news is there are many apps that have all the hwys/interstates and show any height restrictions which makes it easy to plan trips. I try to always fuel up at truck stops because many regular stations awnings are too short.
I'm thinking of going from a fifth wheel to a travel trailer Black Series Camper. The regular RV campgrounds are now overloaded with people and you have to make reservations months in advance. Many of these campgrounds are just not well kept. With an off-road capable Black Series, you could go off-grid and boondock to your heart's content.
99, Good Afternoon.....beginning my research for the optimal 5th wheel length (minus truck length) that will be accepted by most US sites when I retire from my second job. I'm retired Navy, I have a 2020 F450 Limited with a 32.5K 5th wheel hitch. I've been around the world geographically twice and now want to see my own beautiful country. What is the best 5th wheel length (minus truck length) that 90+% most sites will accept.
In 5 years it will be time to visit my own beautiful country.
I can't tell you what you should do, but 30' is a common cut off for many State and National Parks and Forests. Whether they check, and how they enforce .... no comment.
I can't tell you what you should do, but 30' is a common cut off for many State and National Parks and Forests. Whether they check, and how they enforce .... no comment.
The 5er I am looking at is 29' 11".
Here in California, many state parks won't allow longer than 22 to 24 feet.
If you are going to stay in private campgrounds and KOA's, you can pretty much get what you want. State and Federal campgrounds, I'd stay 35' or less. 40'+ rvs can be accommodated, but there are a lot less spots. I use campground review sites to find their opinions on length and Google Maps. I stayed at one site that listed our campsite as a 35' site, you could easily put a 44' rv in it.
Correct, Im 13'3" but I assume Im 14' to be safe. The good news is there are many apps that have all the hwys/interstates and show any height restrictions which makes it easy to plan trips. I try to always fuel up at truck stops because many regular stations awnings are too short.
That is *mostly* true; but when an obstacle is on a rural highway (that used to be in the Fed. Highway system) that runs right next to an Interstate, it may not show up. This is one example
The pictured bridge is just used by local fishermen and farmers and ranchers. This road at one time was U.S. highway 89 and is right adjacent to I-15 that gets the traffic. It doesn’t bother until one wants to use a nice campground a couple miles downstream from it. And I have not found it in a database yet.
We had s big 5th wheel and now loving a LARGE slide in camper, an Eagle Cap 1200.
We can camp just about anywhere and have just about everything a 5th wheel has, just don't have to walk as far to get to it.
It's not for everyone, but we love it.
We never make reservations and can be totally spontaneous.
like I said it might not be right for you. But there are a lot of people going smaller now
That is *mostly* true; but when an obstacle is on a rural highway (that used to be in the Fed. Highway system) that runs right next to an Interstate, it may not show up. This is one example
The pictured bridge is just used by local fishermen and farmers and ranchers. This road at one time was U.S. highway 89 and is right adjacent to I-15 that gets the traffic. It doesn’t bother until one wants to use a nice campground a couple miles downstream from it. And I have not found it in a database yet.
You are spot on. Many of the older or more rural hwys require extra attention. My rule of thumb is if I dont see any tractor trailers I need to be extremely cautious. The other issue that wont show up on the gps or apps are construction areas but again on all major interstates/fwys its usually not an issue.
We had s big 5th wheel and now loving a LARGE slide in camper, an Eagle Cap 1200.
We can camp just about anywhere and have just about everything a 5th wheel has, just don't have to walk as far to get to it.
It's not for everyone, but we love it.
We never make reservations and can be totally spontaneous.
like I said it might not be right for you. But there are a lot of people going smaller now
Smaller is sometimes better. For us we haul dirtbikes, mountain bikes, paddle boards...all of which require space so the garage in the toyhauler is a must.
MDK933, Thank You and it was my pleasure> The Navy was the best thing that ever happened to me.
Thank You to all for all the replies. While I have plenty of time to research.....5 years isn't that far off to begin planning for the next chapter as a hopeful 90% full time RV'r. My current eye is on a 44ft Toy Hauler, even though it is just me....I would still like all the creature comforts similar to my current home. My health unfortunately does not allow me the joy of hiking, but I do enjoy float trips and most other types of water recreation, so for me, my needs will mostly be to find sites that can accommodate both the toy hauler and the dually and then venture out once established at the site.
I have seen a lot of cool things around the world, but now I want to see the awesome sites and beauty of our country and the awesome beauty and sites of our neighbors to the north.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
