opened or unopened length for site regulations

[jeb3]

Thinking about getting a hybrid RV.
Which of the hybrid's length should be used when selecting a RV camp site? The closed length or the open length? Many sites specify max 25' for RV, I am looking at an hybrid RV that is 23' closed and 27' open. Would I not be allowed to use a 25' site if I plan to open both front and rear wings?
thanks
Jeb3

[SeaDog]

Use the size of your rig as listed on the brochures its a 23. JMHO

[timfromma]

Most campsites have plenty of margin. It would not surprise me in the least if the site itself measures at least 30' long.

[windsurfdog]

Turtle Beach Campground near Sarasota requires the entire trailer length to be reported...from tip of hitch to the outmost point of anything attached to the rear bumper. The campsites there are a bit limited lengthwise and numberwise and the campground managers will assign sites based upon total length. They will even measure if they think your number is off. In the case of a hybrid, they would definitely include the length of the rear berth.

So, using published length is generally fine but there are exceptions.

[5picker]

The vast majority of campgrounds will not require exact measurements. Are there those that do, sure but in 40+ years we've seen maybe two. Is there a problem in booking a 25' campsite and showing up with a 36' rig, yes but a couple of feet on a hybrid, no.

[wharfrat48]

Campground site lengths are based on full length of your camper (opened in your case). That being said, most if not all sites usually have plenty of "wiggle" room, so the 5' difference in your case would not matter. Also, I've never seen or heard of any campground measuring your vehicle prior to setting up camp. If your trailer (or TV) is sticking out in the road is when you will have issues with management.

[joeuncool]

On back in spaces I would mostly be concerned with tip of the hitch to the rear bumper. Of course, the front bunk doesn't count because it hangs over the hitch. I find the rear bunk hangs over into campsite space which just means it is something I have to walk around. No big deal. On pull through spaces, nothing to worry about. Most of those are looonng. We in the hybrid world are shorty short campers. We fit just about everywhere.

[jeb3]

Everybody,
thanks for the information. We plan to RV in the Rockies. Very glad to hear that there is usually a lot of flexibility. Many of the RV camp sites have a picture of each camp site, so I can get idea as to how it will fit. Really happy to hear that most places don't have "RV length police"....
jeb3

[bikendan]

The front bunk will be a little past the end of the tongue, so it's a wash.
The back bunk will hang past the rear bumper but usually it can hang over the pad's concrete or log stop.

[DrLewie]

Unless you're planning to be inside the camper with the extensions closed, I suggest using the open length.

[lablover]

Originally Posted by joeuncool

On back in spaces I would mostly be concerned with tip of the hitch to the rear bumper. Of course, the front bunk doesn't count because it hangs over the hitch. I find the rear bunk hangs over into campsite space which just means it is something I have to walk around. No big deal. On pull through spaces, nothing to worry about. Most of those are looonng. We in the hybrid world are shorty short campers. We fit just about everywhere.

Ditto, I think it is the footprint. If you wanted to add feet to be on the safe side, you would probably only need to add the length of the bed over the rear bumper. We stay mostly in public campgrounds which seem to be less concerned.

[Scrapper]

I'm a seasonal across from weekend sites. I've seen rv's from tents to 40' in the sites and there's plenty room left. The site I'm in according to the cg owners is for 30' but there is enough room for a 45' depending on how the rv is parked on the site.

[Timan]

So far, I've made my reservations with the bunks being extend. I'd rather have the extra room, than roll in and not have any room to park my tow vehicle.

[BobHanke]

When in doubt, give them (the campground) a shout.

[Hersbird]

Yellowstone often doesn't have an extra inch, I think they actually measure some sites 1/2 way into the road. On a hybrid though you can often back up to the curb and then the whole back will hang over and not take up more space. Yellowstone also wants you to consider the length of the trailer and the TV combined. We have had success finding somewhere else to park the TV but often the spots are 1 wide with no extra room.

[Villagerjjm]

Always use the fully opened measurements of your hybrid when reserving a site at a campground or RV resort. That is the only guarantee that you will not have issues when you arrive at your destination.

[emm-dee]

Toy hauler trailers have three lengths depending on what you need. If the site is really long then mine is 39 feet. If sites like that aren’t available then close the rear deck and now it’s 31 feet. Or, if that’s not available then don’t count the hitch and now it’s 27 feet.

[bareftn]

Originally Posted by windsurfdog

Turtle Beach Campground near Sarasota requires the entire trailer length to be reported...from tip of hitch to the outmost point of anything attached to the rear bumper. The campsites there are a bit limited lengthwise and numberwise and the campground managers will assign sites based upon total length. They will even measure if they think your number is off. In the case of a hybrid, they would definitely include the length of the rear berth.

So, using published length is generally fine but there are exceptions.

I would not stay in a campground that will come out and measure you, what else are they going to do ? time you on your shower time?

[Ron045]

I used to say 23 (size of the box). But we like big spaces and with both ends open we are close to 30. So now I get spots for 30 to guarantee success.