bus length

[baddabing]

We're a family of 6 looking for our bus, and I have a question. Has anyone not been allowed to camp at state parks, etc, before because their bus was over 34ft? Thought I read that somewhere before. Just trying to decide how much is too much, and how much is just enough. We love to stop here and there on our trips, and I need to know if this would be a problem with a longer coach(say, 36-40ft). Thanks.

[white-eagle]

There are a number of places and things you can't do with a 40+ bus that you can do with a shorter model.  Many parks, private and public, have sites that won't work with a 40ft rig.  We went to a park south of St. Pete, Fl and it just barely took our 36ft.  now we have a 40ft and have not tried. 
We've also seen more places adding bigger sites because you can always park a 32ft in a 40ft site, but not the other way.

i do know that everyone has more room in a 40ftx102 than a 35ftx96". 

[Boomer]

We travel in a 45 footer and have not had any problem except in the Nazi state of California.  Most of their state parks are 32' especially on the coast.  I did put it into San Simeon State Park one time by telling the ranger it was 40'.  They were slow so said OK.

[Singing Land Cruiser]

Wally world takes all size rigs

[PP]

Never had a problem with our lenght, just the height .

[JohnEd]

You need to check your campsitye/park guide.  Lots of parks have a 30 or 32 foot limit but there are also lots that are 35 or 40.  You need to check the vacinity where you will travel.  WallMart takes 45 footers

John

[gus]

PP,

What problems have you had with height?

[chart1]

I haven't found anywhere yet that I couldn't find a place to accept a 40' you might just have to drive few extra miles or if all else fails Walmart.

[Chopper Scott]

Never had a problem yet.

[Sean]

Welcome!

This particular topic has been well covered on the board in the past -- you will find the search function to be a great resource.  Use the one on the menu bar between "forum rules" and "profile" as it is more complete and reliable than the quick-search box above and to the right.

This is what I had to say on the topic in several previous threads, with specific places mentioned including the infamous California:
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=16193.msg174015#msg174015
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=11877.msg124510#msg124510
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=11788.msg123642#msg123642

Hope that helps.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[Ed Hackenbruch]

You can't get a 40 footer into the free campground at Canyon DE Chelly in Az. We barely got our 35 footer in there.

[Barn Owl]

I love State and National parks, and yes there are some you cannot get into if you have a 40' bus. Here in Virginia they don't tell you no, but they leave you to figure it out as soon as you unsuccessfully try it. There are places you physically cannot put one. Also already mentioned is that height can often be more of a limiting factor than length. It is very easy to scrap off an A/C unit under some low lying tree branches. I have a family of 8 and I have yet to see a better setup in a 40' conversion than I have for a family in my 35'. I have a queen bed in the back, 3 bunks on the side, flexsteel couch that folds out, and a dinette that converts into a bed. The longest trip I have taken was 5 weeks and over 8500 miles. We never felt like we needed more room. If you full time you probably would need larger storage areas that you get in the bays. Most people over pack and think they need more than they do. Realize that my opinion on bus length is in the minority, but I feel that I have real world experience that many do not on this issue. It was also mentioned that there are parks making bigger spots. That is true, I have seen them, and I would never want to stay in one. They tend to be the pull through type and I want to be parked into the out-of-the-way places. Here is a tread that turned into a bus length discussion in the end that might help answer your questions: Topic: Found one...I think. I posted some photos of just a few places that a 40' would not be allowed. You will notice that they are definitely not the "parking lot" type of places that many of the 40' have to hang out in. I want to wake up to beautiful views, not the side of someone else's camper. Remember that many of the parks were built many decades ago, before anyone had any of these larger RVs.

[boxcarOkie]

There is a directory written by some folks with a Prevost.  They have been all over the U.S., Alaska and most of Canada.  What they do is "document every place that they have traveled in their 45 footer" and put it in the directory.  It is called Big Rigs Best Bets.

You can find it in several places, I believe they have an online version of it out now and they also have a website if I remember right.  I did a brief search and found this:  http://rvbookstore.com/shop/detail.aspx?p=509&m=2

Pretty handy little item to have in your coach, when I update mine (every two years or so) I give the old one's away to some unsuspecting soul that does not have one.

BCO

[bevans6]

We came close once, at a really nice state park in Virginia.  They had two spots that might fit our 35 foot MCI.  We called ahead, discussed our length as we always do (I am not disposed to take chances on such things, I like a sure-thing on my overnight spots) and they saved the best spot for us even though the rules said they don't do that.  Very accommodating of them.  So I would say 40' or 45' will limit your choices, you will find some state parks that won't let you in, but that with planning and foresight and the willingness to work within the restrictions you will be fine.

Brian

[baddabing]

Thanks for all the replies. This helped out a lot. I grew up camping in tt's, so I have a feel for what space we need. With one kid, we definiely overpacked all the time, but with 4 now, we've cut waaaay back on hauling stuff. I think I'd be happy with anything 33-37 ft. Thanks again.