Found one...I think

[Barn Owl]

There I am on the left, my 4106 in the middle. Anyone want to guess who that is on the right? My kids call him "Pizza Man". He was my best asset on my trip. Pizza Man's knowledge is invaluable to me and the busnut community.

[scuba44]

I appreciate the straightforward advice Barn Owl and great pics!  We have also been to those places but while traveling and sleeping in a Suburban (yes, all 6 of us!).

[scuba44]

Barn Owl - Can you tell me more about the benefits of the 35' over a 40'?  Most buses I have found are 40' (I believe) and we have traveled to many Nat'l Parks, State Parks, RV parks and Walmarts(!) around the country and I don't recall ever noticing any signs restricting 40' vehicles.  I wasn't really looking for them though since we were in the SUV.

[John316]

Jared,

No doubt, Barn O is 100% correct that a 35 is more maneuverable. But, our bus is 45' long, and a solid 13' tall. We have gotten it into some incredibly tight spots, and gotten it back out. So to us, 40' is a sports car. But then again, a 35 would be even better. I haven't seen too many signs restricting lengths. It is often a matter of whether you can get safely in and out.

God bless,

John

[Busted Knuckle]

There I am on the left, my 4106 in the middle. Anyone want to guess who that is on the right? My kids call him "Pizza Man". He was my best asset on my trip. Pizza Man's knowledge is invaluable to me and the busnut community.

Pizza Man huh?
Shoot I would have mistaken him for RJ! But then again what would I know?
  BK 

[RJ]

 

[Chopper Scott]

35', 40', 45'?? If they made a 60' we would be wanting the new 65'er!!!  Another thing to remember is the longer wheelbase the better the ride. Longer busses ride better. I'm sure that a shorter bus has it's good points as far as getting into certain spots but that's about all. They don't ride or drive as well as the longer bus with a tag axle. I have never in my life seen a place that would allow a 35' bus and not a 40' bus. I have seen places that limit the length of a vehicle to continue but they are places you wouldn't want to take even a 35' bus.

[Barn Owl]

I sat down to post a reply and had to deal with a crisis on the phone so I will have to do a better job later. Sean is an expert on what a 40' bus can and can not do. You can read a lot about it on his blog: Our Odyssey

Eastern states and California are where I see the problems. Here in Va they don't restrict size, but you go in at your own risk. Many of the State parks where built back in the days before RVs so the roads are small, the curves are tight, and the branches are low. I will try to post some photos of places I have been that a 40' or a tall 35' bus would not have made it.

You might have to give the photos time to load because I didn't shrink them much.

[Barn Owl]

Sheridan, Wy. Wendy's drive through. This was just one of those stupid fun things to do.

[Barn Owl]

Douthat State Park VA. It takes spotters and some tricky back and forth to get Wheezy in here. What a great site.

[Barn Owl]

Grand Canyon. They said nothing over 30' but I asked the Ranger how long he thought I was, and he estimated Wheezy to be 30' so I got to stay.

[Barn Owl]

Va Beach, Va. First landing, right on the water. One of my favorites. I have to sneak Wheezy into this site because I can only get in by going the wrong way into the loop. Extremely tight narrow road and lots of branches scraping the sides. You wouldn't do it if you had good paint. This park also has a place to accommodate big RVs, they built a special area that is pull through, and resembles a parking lot. Not my idea of a good time.

[Barn Owl]

Kings Canyon, Calf. Note how big the Sequoia stump is. Almost the size of Wheezy. The campsites in this one were small. Notice that the wheels are at the back of the pad and the back of Wheezy is hanging over. Not much room in the front either. I think this was a 20' site but I got it in before the camp host found out I was there so he just laughed and said it works for him. Even the roads where unusually tight. He did say that if it was the busy season that I would have had to go somewhere else because others would have wanted the same privilege. I used the squatters rights at some other places, and because I was in and set up they didn't make me leave, but all said that normally my length was too long.

[scuba44]

Point well-taken....but the diff between 35' and 40' is still only a measly 5'

[zubzub]

IMHO a 35' GM  has almost as much interior room as a 40 MCI/eagle etc.. Plus a rear window if you so desire.