MKish
SF
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Joined: 09/01/2011
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Tiger, you probably saw my aunt. Stay back! She's oblivious! Dangerous! 
Great lady but she drives her class A thing like it's her Rav4. It's actually just a smidge bigger and has the wounds to prove it.
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Eycom
32043
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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I'd have to be about two points below a rock to disagree with the fact that size does matter with regards to availability of space. Ninety-nine percent of my camping has been east of the Mississippi and in government campgrounds, ie., Federal/State/City & County parks. Many have a reservation system, some hold back X number of sites for walk-ups, and some are completely first come, first served. I've been engaged in extended travel for 6 years and full timed in the Lance for over two years. Looking forward to full retirement next year, here is what I have learned in my travels.
The TC is the SUV of RVs. goes just about anywhere at any time. It fits wherever the truck can maneuver (height considering)... in virtually every campground and otherwise. I can't tell you how many parking lots I've dry camped in during the dead of winter when campgrounds are closed and I've been totally comfortable. Easily off-loaded, it can be dropped in a spot and the truck used for whatever. Plus, towing is an option.
When one prefers or is in need of a TC for whatever reason, that's fine. However, most of the developed public campgrounds I've been in the east will accommodate much larger campers in the realm of at least 30-32'. I've been in several that would be a tight drive through the park at that size, but that is rare. Many, but not all will accommodate RVs in the 40' range.
Obviously, the smaller camper gives one far more options in campsites. However, an extended traveler or full timer with the larger rig has the advantage of traveling Sun-Wed and securing an adequate space in those campgrounds. In fact, during the camping season, they'll be sitting in their lawn chairs watching you and I head home after the weekend or week's vacation. Peace and tranquility will return. And during the off-season? For them, it's not an issue at all, short of visiting the heavily concentrated snowbird areas.
I'll change to a 32-34' unit in retirement when I no longer need the mobility of the TC. Sure... I won't expect to get off-road and fit into those nicks and crannies like I currently do on occasion. But, based on my experience in public parks in the east, I won't be sacrificing very much in terms of camping. The camping season gets a little rowdy on the weekend. But the off-season is pure heaven. Plus, I'll have more room. YMMV out west.
RVn Full-time
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Atchafalaya_man
Lafayette, Louisiana
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Joined: 08/24/2009
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How's this one for length? It's so long, I had to stop for fuel while backing in. National Forest CG, for $8 a night and I was the only person there.
My rig is over 25 feet long. It must be a 125 foot slot, and there were lots of others this size.
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rfryer
Phoenix
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Joined: 04/19/2005
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I thought your post was interesting because it’s somewhat similar to my perception after almost five decades of camping the Rockies from AZ north. I don’t camp in CA and I focus more on the undeveloped national forest campgrounds . Or even going further back in beyond the campground to boondock. But my conclusion is that under 20’ will get you back in as far as most people will want to go. 22’ still has reasonably good access, but at 25’ you start having real difficulty maneuvering the roads, not finding a big enough site, and you won’t get far from the pavement. Beyond that, forget it.
I know some people claim they don’t have a problem getting big rigs in the campgrounds and I don’t doubt them. But we are definitely not taking about going the same places. But most campgrounds are relatively close to the pavement, an area I haven’t paid close attention too, and I found your stats on relative size interesting.
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Dieselgem
Northeast
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Joined: 04/07/2005
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Super_Dave wrote:Mkish, never discourage those willing to stay out of CA on their own. ;-)
The only thing that stops me is having to obtain an additional passport  .
08-KZ Escalade 41'CKS Escalade
2008 F450 Super Duty Truck
2003 FLSTS
2003 FLSTC (Wife's)
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RZAR66
San Diego
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Joined: 10/17/2010
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Super_Dave wrote:Mkish, never discourage those willing to stay out of CA on their own. ;-)
+1
2011 Ford F-350 4x4 Regular Cab 6.2
2012 Lance 850
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zb39
slippery rock
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Joined: 10/26/2009
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I have never had a problem. Fed and state campgrounds always post smaller length numbers than they really are. YS and Acadia are 2 that come to mind. We rarely stay in private CG. 45 feet and pulling a toad 71 feet total. Of course I do own the TC in my sig also. It is used for other trips. I love them both!!
05 Tiffin Zephyr
07 Dodge Caliber toad
Artic Fox 1150 slide
2011 DRW 3500 Crewcab Longhorn
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Pete_k
Stantonville Tn
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Joined: 03/18/2004
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MKish wrote:Eastern CA is mountains. Not little ones. Big ones. Don't need big parking spots because big RVs aren't going to make it up the squiggly unpaved road to get there anyway. Some of the campgrounds were built during the depression and predate any concept of large RVs. When you're poking camp sites between giant sequoias, you can't just retrofit them to pack in RVs when they were designed for tent campers.
The campgrounds out there are mostly federal so don't dis California for something the feds did.
(The roads more than the campsite size are why I'm replacing my trailer with a TC--I couldn't get my trailer half the places I wanted to in CA.)
Driving for a living, Made me put a put a 53ft trailer and 260" wheelbase tractor in spots campers would run from. Plus I for one would rather stay where there's room. Set the truck camper off and drive the truck where I want to visit. Thus camping and sites for one does not fit the next. Also as for Dising CA, That state does all the can to make the rest of the country Hate that great state.
Have a great day and may your camping season be the best so far.
Pete
2004 Duramax/allison Trans C/C 4x4
2012 Landmark Key Largo
2008 Lund 1825 Pro Guide Tiller, With a Evinrude 90 HP E-Tec
Live near Pickwick Dam and the Tn river
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Super_Dave
Sacramento, CA
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Joined: 01/19/2007
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The campgrounds that really make site access tough are the ones that needlessly add road borders or curbs. The apron length is many times fine but the turning radius at the approach is ridiculous.
Truck: 2006 Dodge 3500 Dually
Camper: 2007 Eagle Cap 850
Boat: 2003 Jetcraft 2125 - Yamaha 150 HP & 8 HP Kicker
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JimK-NY
fulltimer
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Joined: 05/12/2010
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On this forum you are preaching to the choir. Most of us have truck campers because of the size and versatility. I have noticed that many folks get upset at national parks and forests. They think the idea of "camping" should include space for rigs which are as large as a mobile home. Even when there are some large spaces available, this can be taken by smaller rigs and even tent campers leaving no access for the bigger rigs. Some big rigs barely fit on the roads. A good example is Yellowstone. No way would I want to drive any large rig on the road south of Tower or even in the Lamar Valley.
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