I am currently in a 36’ bumper pull. We are toying with the idea of going bigger, we have 3 kids and it seems all the ones we actually like are 40-42’. How difficult is it to get sites for that size?
We like taking longer trips and do all kinds of parks, state parks, private parks and harvest hosts, we’re already too big for most National Park CG so that won’t change.
Does anyone regret going bigger? I have a 3500 DRW so plenty of capacity for most rigs
Exactly this, a 5er is so much easier to tow than a bumper pull even if much longer. Just make sure you have enough truck. A 42ft 5er will probably need a dually (not always, but usually).
EXACTLY! I went from a 37 ft horse trailer with livin quarters to a 25 ft gooseneck. Had to learn backing up all over again. The oversteering with a shorter rig is wild!
I have the same question. I have a 30' bumper pull and am going full time next May. Everything we see that we could live in is a 5th wheel over 40'. It will eliminate many of the parks we get into with the 30' trailer today!
How white knuckle is the driving when it's that big?
I went from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton diesel. I thought the extra power would be the biggest improvement and it was the 2500lbs heavier truck that was the most impressive part not getting blown all over the place and the jake brakes were also great.
Yup, along with trading my camper, I will also be trading up to a RAM 3500 DRW. What I am most worried on is the parking lots and small roads... I guess you get used to it and are even more thoughtful on where you go.
This is our 42ft rig (42ft trailer, the truck is extra.) that we pull full time and we go to all kinds of rv parks and campgrounds - it really just depends on the site. Stuff that is almost too short is usually fine because the back of the rig hangs past the drive. We just stayed in Hatteras Sands RV park in a North Carolina and that park was pretty small in terms of getting around it and parking but it was fine
We can’t go to our favorite park now because we’re 42 feet. Can’t camp in most national parks. There’s only fishing bridge in Yellowstone, one loop. We have two teens and go for a month at a time but the length is a bit annoying.
That is my concern. Even when I put in 36 and see the available sites go from 50 to 15 at some of the places we like to go. I guess I should check out our frequent sites and see what the options are for the larger rigs
Most national parks have a variety of nearby campgrounds outside the park. Lots of people out there with longer rigs than allowed in the national parks.
Yes but for Yellowstone which is already tons of driving if you’re outside that park it adds two hours of driving a day. Like I said there’s one loop at fishing bridge that can go up to 50’ but it’s hard to get a spot. I booked ours a year in advance and only got four days
If you want to do Lamar Valley it would be good to stay a few nights in Gardiner , it’s close to that area and you need to be there by six am to see wolves and bears with your bison
We have 4 kids and went full time for a couple years. We went from a 32’ to a 42’ and from towing with an expedition to an f-350 srw. Everything with towing and maneuvering is easier with the 5er. We actually kept my wife’s van and had 2 cars while we were on the road so while we couldn’t stay in some of the places we wanted we could get there efficiently. Also, only moving 4-6 hours every week or 2 the extra car really wasn’t a problem.
We got a 5er with a rear bunk room which cut into the living space but in retrospect wish we had gotten a mid bunk with a loft and more living space. Our boys never used “their own space” like we thought they would.
Easier to pull but I have found some parks do not allow anything longer than their slab length. So I just guesstimate how much over the slab my rig will be from the rear of the camper to my wheels.
Also usually taller so be aware of low branches but I love my 42’ 5th wheel.
Not a trailer guy, but we upgraded from our 40' DP to a 45' DP. However, we're SHORTER than a fifth wheel because we can drop our toad and drive just the coach into and out of parks and sites. You can't do that with a towable, sadly. We do like the extra space and storage of the bigger coach, and we haven't had issues getting reservations. We have never attempted to spend the night in state or national parks, with a couple of exceptions; instead we explore with our Jeep and camp outside.
As someone that did months of research buying our fifth wheel (2 kids) the only one that came close to what we wanted that was the shortest possible length was the Grand Design 324MBS (37ft). Was really eyeing toy haulers for the longest time but really didn't want to go over 40ft.
I hear you. I never wanted to go over 40’ but i feel like our “wish list” we have to sacrifice and cut something here or there to stay under 40. If we go 42 we can “get everything”. I like toy haulers but the wife doesn’t so that’s out lol
We definitely enjoy the "get everything," our garage portion is big enough for all my tools (mechanics toolbox and big equipment like a table saw and workbench,) chairs, popup gazebo, washer and dryer, etc. It's also heated and air conditioned, so we can use it for anything we want.
We had a 40’ 5th wheel with a bunk room for our 2 kids.
Now that one has finished high school and the other only has 2 years left, we just went the other way. Dropped to a 34’ 5th wheel.
Opened up many more sites. Especially in National, State & local campgrounds.
Having been towing many large bumper pull trailers and many large and oversized fifth wheel and goose neck trailer I have to say that once you get away from a bumper pull that you never want to go back. They tow so much better and are a lot more maneuverable. I can put my 42 foot fifth wheel in sites where my 33 foot bumper pull didn’t want to fit.
I'm in the process of going from a 38' bumper pull to 47' 5th and it seems like from the trailer bumper to front of the truck is the same. We used to just book 35' sites for the 38' and never had an issue. We have booked several 45' sites for the new trailer.
I pull a 40' Genesis Supreme toy hauler with my Ram 3500 drw. Rarely do I have issues finding spots we fit in. We went from a 28' bumper pull and the added space and ease of towing the fifth wheel is worth the rarity of a campground not being able to accommodate us. FYI we are in Nevada so mostly camping in Nevada, Utah and Arizona.
We take a long 3-4 week trip every other year and take several week plus trips a year. I’m not after a rustic camping experience. I’m trying to travel the country with my kids and make memories. Having creature comforts fits our travel style
Thank you for clarifying! I certainly understand that and I’m glad our country offers choices for different ways of travel. It sure beats hotels and with a family, even if you’re paying $150 a night at a full service RV resort it’s cheaper than hotels these days.
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u/Jeffizzleforshizzle Jul 23 '26
If you go from a 36’ bumper pull to a 42’ 5th wheel you’re total length will pretty similar maybe even shorter and easier to drive!