tafische
Memphis
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Joined: 10/14/2009
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Trying to understand some restrictions I see on camping sites.
#1 - Size Restrictions - What measurement do you go on for a travel trailer? I have a 26BH, which I assume the interior is 26 feet; however the exterior in the specs is around 29 feet. One place I am looking at has a 28 foot restriction, so am I "legal" or not?
#2 - "RV Restriction" - some places say "RV Only". When they say that, is it typically a Class A/C type or do travel trailers with a tow vehicle fall into "RV Only" as well and they are just trying to keep out tents?
Obviously the best route is to call and make sure before a trip, but would like to understand what is generally accepted. Trying to be a good, polite camper 
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bldrbuck
Boulder, Colorado
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Your trailer os 29 feet long but will fit in a 28 foot site with no trouble.
The RV only sign means no tents or sleeping bags on the ground.
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Terryallan
NC
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bldrbuck wrote:Your trailer os 29 feet long but will fit in a 28 foot site with no trouble.
The RV only sign means no tents or sleeping bags on the ground.
Yep. Even popups are considered RVs
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hwybnb
Southern California
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Particularly in public parks (National, State, etc) I have found that published size restrictions should not be taken too literally. If they are published for the campground as a whole they often mean the a typical site is that size, or that most of the sites are that size, but in fact there are some smaller and some larger. In any case the number refers to the overall length of the RV. On some web sites including Reserve America you will often find more exact information on a site-by-site basis.
If in doubt it is best to call, as you suggested.
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the bear II
Torrance CA.
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Size restrictions may also have to do with the tight roads within the campground, or tight turns. One campground I would like to stay at, has plenty of sites big enough for my 38ft 5th wheel. The problem is the entrance road into the park, it turns back on itself, 180 degree very tight turn. There's no way I could make the turn without taking out a lot of the landscaping and signage. The size limit for the park is 32 ft and ranger says even some 32 footers can't make the turn.
RV only can mean only a unit that is certified by the RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association)Look for the RVIA sticker on your RV. So no tents and possibly no home built RV's. Also may require a bathroom in the RV (toilet & sink).
There are also some RV resorts with age restrictions, not only for people but also the RV. Most are restricted to 10 years or newer.
So the best bet is to call ahead and ask. I've been in resorts with limits of 30 feet, I called and discussed what I had and the manager set aside a couple of spots where ours would fit and the roads weren't restrictive. I had to go the wrong way in one park to be able to get into a site, but it worked.
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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tafische wrote:Trying to understand some restrictions I see on camping sites.
#1 - Size Restrictions - What measurement do you go on for a travel trailer? I have a 26BH, which I assume the interior is 26 feet; however the exterior in the specs is around 29 feet. One place I am looking at has a 28 foot restriction, so am I "legal" or not? Leagls....yes but you could be in violation of the park rules (now laws). There is little doubt they don't CARE how big the INSIDE of your RV is. that being said, I've NEVER ONCE seen anyhone at the check in counter using a tape measure on RVs entering their place.
#2 - "RV Restriction" - some places say "RV Only". When they say that, is it typically a Class A/C type or do travel trailers with a tow vehicle fall into "RV Only" as well and they are just trying to keep out tents? You have an RV so it the sign says RVs only you're good to go.
Obviously the best route is to call and make sure before a trip, but would like to understand what is generally accepted. Trying to be a good, polite camper
RV Parking Lots and campgrounds are NOT governed by a single or uniform set of rules and or regulations. Even LAWS pertaining to using them differ from place to place. The ONLY way to get a real answer to your question is to give them a call and ask for clarification....OR....you could do as most do and "make an assumption and go camping". I wouldn't over-think the problem because it's just not necessary. Good luck /Skip
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tafische
Memphis
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Good info! Thanks....I figured a few feet here and there would not matter, but the last place I was at the "park host" was really militant. They even got upset when the kids were playing in an empty spot. They also had a person that was there long term that drove around every time someone new came in to check them out - no authority - they just like to check it out and complain if they didnt like it.
Guess my takeaway is - it is really going to be hit or miss and always call first when in doubt - lol...It is going to be a fun adventure!
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Wildcat63
MN
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Please pay attention to size limitations, this summer we were trapped behind a big Bunkhouse 5th wheel trying to get into a spot that was just too tight and too small for it. Besides causing traffic to back up on the one way campground rd the banged up their trailer onall the tree branches they were trying to get through. In the end they finally got it in the spot, their TV stuck out in the road a couple of feet because they had to have their slide out and it wouldn't fit if the trailer was back a ways. And this was in a State Park where I found the descriptions of the sites were pretty much spot on when I made the reservation.Our site had a warning that it was a tight back in and it was even with our pop up, it would have never worked for a travel trailer or anything bigger than a small tt.
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Bob Shaw
Newnan Ga
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Just a quick note. If you call them to make a reservation, give them the inside measurment. If you tell them 29' and their limit is 28', they may not take your reservation.
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Kirk
Livingston, Texas.
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If you take the advice here to try and downsize your RV you could well end up with a site that is not usable to you. In addition, our public parks and campground usually have the limit because of difficulty getting the RV to the site, or parked in it. I have seen more than one RV owner who chose to ignore the length limit with his RV hard up against a tree or a rock and waiting for a wrecker to get there to drag it off. You should see the kind of damage that results from these intelligent choices.
Good travelin! ........Kirk
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