text: Should I stay under 35'? - iRV2 Forums
  I currently have an Allegro 35 foot gasser and am seriously considering an upgrade to a DP for the improved ride, etc. However, I am paranoid about exceeding the 35' threshold because don't want to get shut out of state parks and beaches for camping/glamping. I'm considering some of the "mini" DPs but want I really want to know is if my fear is reasonable or not. Will I be relegated to RV parks and toads for access?? What changed for you when you went >35'?
  05-11-2015, 11:50 PM #2
  We bought the allegro Red 33aa diesel for the same reason, it's actually 35ft. I love the length, it has all the comforts we need including a king bed, and room for 3 more people if you include the padded dinette making in to a smaller bed, plus the full bed made out from the couch. We get 10mpg for the last 4,000 mi.
  So you can buy a diesel that fits in most state parks. There are a few California beaches that limit to 27 ft. And a few people claim they let you in anyway in most cases. But the crowds in California can limit your selection.
  We previously had an itasca diesel 25ft.Mercedes, a great small camper that is keenly built to maximize small. After two years, we decided we wanted more comfort and room for family. We actually got tired of banging our heads on everything, lack of storage, and an uncomfortable bed.
  The itasca was great for dry camping and using it for the day travel car. I do miss that. It was easier to travel on tight curves, and we were a little braver on difficult roads.
  If you are young and not too tall, the smaller 16mpg MH is great for maneuvering just about anywhere. So far our larger Tiffin is a big step up to comfort travel. I am happy with it all. The upgrades are worth the few challenges in state parks. In February we had a camp area in yosemite all to ourself, no prob with size. You do have to plan a little better than with a small one as you generally have less spaces to choose from.
  05-12-2015, 12:02 AM #3
  We went from 25' to 36' and we have no problems staying at State Parks. We love having a bedroom and the ROOM! Get what you want and you will enjoy it.
  05-12-2015, 05:12 AM #4
  Get what you want and you will enjoy it.
  Don't over think the whole state park size thing. We are 42 ft and fit in the tightest of California state parks on the beach. Find the floor plan/caoch you like, you can always find a place to park it.
  05-12-2015, 06:01 AM #5
  My advice would be to get the largest one you can afford comfortably. In 5yrs. of fulltiming we've never been turned away.
  We have a 35' coach now and while planning a trip from IN to WA & OR, I have run across a few CGs in parks that can't accommodate us. One thing to watch is the interior roads for tight turns, overhanging trees & rocks/boulders/trees that are close to the road.
  Not everyone needs a 42' coach so get what you feel would give you the creature features you want in the length that gives you the most options for camping sites. Check some of the campgrounds in parks you'd like to visit on reserveamerica.com. Plug in various lengths and see how many sites are available. Towing hasn't been a problem for us. Most parks will have a place to unhook before entering the actual campground. One just needs to remember to do that!
  There are private CGs near most of the Nat. Parks that can accommodate most lengths.
  It's really about where you like to camp. We don't RV park much. Mostly open camping in the desert where there is no issue with length but also in the summer we camp in a lot of national forest campgrounds. That's where we run into the length limitations and why we bought a 33' coach to replace the 33' we had for fifteen years. A lot of the places we go it's a squeeze for a 33' so we didn't want to go any longer. We are not currently or ever intend to be full timers but expect to take some extended trips once retired. Nothing wrong with full timing just not my thing. I like my s&b workshop
  05-12-2015, 11:08 AM #8
  If you're going to a DP, then go to a 40'. You won't regret it!
  05-12-2015, 11:17 AM #9
  Having recently shopped at length for a <35' DP, I can say that there are a lot more used +/- 40' units on the used market, than the shorter DPs. For a buyer, I interpret that to mean more choices because of the greater number of longer units available. (I do not think the greater number of longer units for sale means folks don't like the longer units, only that less short DP were sold in the first instance, so less available in the resale market.)
  05-12-2015, 11:34 AM #10
  Get the MH that suits your needs. Don't worry about state parks. In 5 yrs with my 43' I have rarely found it's length to be a factor.
  05-12-2015, 11:39 AM #11
  Don't see the problem and the only reason for not going over 40ft, would be if you didn't want a tag axle.
  05-12-2015, 12:21 PM #12
  what was your experience with 35' gasser, national/state parks? Its not going to be different with a 35' DP...
  05-12-2015, 06:52 PM #13
  +1 ....!
  05-12-2015, 07:00 PM #14
  I can tell you definitely there are CGs in WV, VA and FL where many if not all spaces are too small for my 38' FW.