We love to visit area state parks, mainly in MN and WI. Possibly throw in some IA once we get a TT. I went through and jotted down the length regulations at all of the possibly state parks we would like to visit. Looks like MOST are either 50 or 60 ft. So, with a 50 ft. max, that possibly limits us some? Does anyone know how strictly that rule is enforced at state parks? Within reason, of course. I don't expect them to let someone shove a 43' residential trailer in there Say we get an Excursion, which apparently is 19' long. Now they measure front of vehicle to back of towed trailer. That only leaves 31'. Does that mean we are safe with the manufacturers measurements of a 30 or 31' TT? I get confused with the LENGTH vs. OVERALL LENGTH that some dealers advertise. Most do not have both lengths listed, so if they do NOT, does that mean they are measuring just the unit or are they measuring the tongue and unit? And I'm assuming when they ARE listing the "overall length", they are including both.
Maybe I'm thinking about this too much, lol. I just don't want to be turned away at some of our favorite state parks.
We had a 19' TT and it was really only 16', as three feet were just the tongue. There was NO campground we were unable to park in. Some older national park sites had a sharper (90 degree) angle which made backing in harder but, size-wise, we were fine in NPs, state parks, NFS and others. This was also true with a 28' C with a toad, our first RV.
We were never measured. The site size was usually just based on an average. I've heard of some parks actually measuring RVs but have never seen it.
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6.8L Ford V-10 Engine, E450 Chassis
2002 Honda CR-V toad
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Nobody's going to come running out at a campground with a measuring tape, or checking your owner's manual.
In most cases, length "restrictions" are meant more as WARNINGS as to the size of available sites, the accessibility of roads, etc. The information is so people can use their common sense when deciding where and what to attempt given the limitations of their equipment.
You won't get ticketed, arrested, or thrown off the property for attempting to use/reserve a site your rig won't fit into. On the other hand, if you reserve a site that's advertised size is too small for your rig to get in to once you get there, you'll still have to pay for it.
Note:
ROAD restrictions are something else- if a public highway says "under 40 feet" or "no trailers" etc., you WILL get a ticket if you ignore the signs.
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies toJ.R.R. Tolkien
I think, generally, only the measurement for the "box" is listed - does not usually include the tongue. To be sure, you will actually have to measure it yourself. If you can park the TT on the site and the tow vehicle won't fit, too, there is usually an overflow area to park the vehicle in. Not convenient sometimes, but .... A lot of sites are such that you can back part of the TT off the pad and still be OK - it all depends upon the site. Getting around on the interior roads and having enough room to maneuver can be the biggest problems, more often than not.
Remember, most stated pad lengths are the actual paved or graveled section. In most cases, you can run your rigs rear tires up to the edge of that pad, so you can have a good amount of your rigs overall length OVERHANGING the actual pad...
You can also get creative in how you park your vehicle to stay within your site.. I only have a 22' long trailer from tongue to bumper and I've had to park my truck at an angle in the site to keep it off the road some times!
When you find that a park asks for the length of your RV, it usually means from hitch to bumper, simply because they want to make sure you can park any tow vehicle too.. Or in the case of a MH, the Toad or whatever..
Good luck!
Mitch
* This post was
edited 05/27/12 06:24pm by MitchF150 *
*Anything I post is for entertainment purposes only and what usually works for me.. Your Mileage May Vary..
Well, I'm a small trailer enthusiast... But... I think you will be OK with a longer trailer. Even with our 23 foot trailer (overall length) we sometimes have to park the truck to the side. Go to the parks you want to camp in and see what others have gotten into the sites.
Our 288RLS measures 33 feet from rear tire to front hitch. I have found some state parks and even National parks that the rangers have moved large rocks into the area around the parking pad to keep vehicles off the dirt behind the pad. What this means is that you can not back the TT up so that the tires sit on the edge of the pad because the back of the unit will hit the rock. So, I have to look for a pad that is advertised for 40 feet or more.
Also, some parks have pads that are 90 degrees to the road with trees, fences, or rocks along side of the driveway. This means it is hard to back a long TT into the site.
What I do when ever possible, do a day trip without the TT to check out a campground for good sites. Example: If in campground A and campgrounds B and C are within a short drive, I will drive over and inspect the campground listing sites that I can use.
Bob
Also, look for photos of the parking pads in a campground if they are posted. If there are trees, rocks, or short fence right at the back edge, then there is not over lap on that site.
And, when I am camping in a campground I will walk around with a note pad listing other sites that I could get into for another trip.
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2007 Jayco Eagle 288RLS
Cocktails for 6, Dinner for 4, Sleeps 2
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End of dirt road, no signs in sight, sun going down: I am not lost, just getting ready to go camping.
I have been to places that ask for your TT length and then park you on a site that the TT has back bumper at edge of site and hitch at edge of site (another site backs up so no overhang. The tv was practically on top of our patio mat to fit and that was w/ our smaller tv. As to what manufacturers list for length, it varies based on manufacturer. Crossroads tends to list bumper to ball.
Now do any of your favorite parks have overflow parking? This may resolve your issue. We are long and sometimes have to park our truck (22') sideways in order to fit. We also back all the way in and use the overhang space.
I've always felt that stating the maximum length means you are responsible if you exceed this length and cause damage to the camping area or to your equipment.
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Say we get an Excursion, which apparently is 19' long. Now they measure front of vehicle to back of towed trailer. That only leaves 31'. Does that mean we are safe with the manufacturers measurements of a 30 or 31' TT? I get confused with the LENGTH vs. OVERALL LENGTH that some dealers advertise. Most do not have both lengths listed, so if they do NOT, does that mean they are measuring just the unit or are they measuring the tongue and unit? And I'm assuming when they ARE listing the "overall length", they are including both. 
