What Does Big Rig-Friendly Really Mean at an RV Park?
You’ve been driving for hours, and all you want to do is park that motorhome and put your feet up. There’s just one problem. The entrance to your supposedly big rig-friendly RV park looks a whole lot smaller than it did on the website.
Now you’re trying to maneuver 40 feet of motorhome around a tight corner, wondering just how much that picnic table is going to cost if you accidentally flatten it.
It’s the kind of situation that requires the accuracy of a brain surgeon and the patience of Job.
A campground can call itself big rig-friendly, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a driver with a 40-foot motorhome can pull in without breaking a sweat—or reconsidering every decision that led to buying that motorhome.
There’s more to accommodating a large RV than having a campsite long enough to park it.
How Big Is a Big Rig, Anyway?
There’s no single measurement that automatically makes an RV a big rig. Generally, the term refers to larger motorhomes and fifth wheels, especially those measuring 35 feet or longer.
But length isn’t the only consideration.
A 38-foot motorhome may fit comfortably into a campsite that would be difficult for a truck pulling a fifth wheel of the same length. That’s because the truck and trailer have different turning requirements, and the combined length may be considerably greater.
Height matters, too. Low-hanging branches can make an otherwise spacious campsite difficult to reach.
And then there’s the question of width. A site may have plenty of room for the RV itself, but what happens when the slide-outs are extended?
That’s why it’s worth looking beyond the advertised campsite length when choosing a big rig-friendly RV park.
Getting into the Park Is Half the Battle
Ever tried making a sharp turn in a 40-foot motorhome? There’s a reason most people leave their houses sitting on foundations.
Campground roads need to accommodate the way larger RVs turn. A motorhome may have to swing wider than expected to make a corner, especially when another vehicle is parked nearby.
At Woodland Creek RV Park in Tyler, Texas, our wide concrete roads make it easier for drivers of larger RVs to drive through the park. That’s a welcome feature when you’ve spent most of the day behind the wheel.
After all, the vacation should begin when you arrive, not after you’ve survived the parking experience.
Is There Enough Space to Enjoy Your Campsite?
Getting your RV parked is one thing. Having enough space to enjoy your campsite is another.
Some RV travelers bring a second vehicle so they can explore the area without taking their motorhome everywhere they go. But where does that vehicle go once the RV is parked?
At Woodland Creek RV Park, our back-in sites accommodate an RV and up to two additional vehicles. Pull-through sites generally have room for one additional vehicle, depending on the size of the RV.
Outdoor living space is another consideration. If you can reach over from your lawn chair and borrow the mustard from the camper next door, those campsites might be a little too close for comfort.
A truly big rig-friendly RV park should offer more than a place to squeeze in your motorhome. It should give you enough space to enjoy being there.
Pull-Through or Back-In: Does It Really Matter?
When choosing a big rig-friendly RV park, it’s worth knowing the difference between pull-through and back-in sites. Both can accommodate larger RVs, but one may be more convenient depending on your setup.
A pull-through site lets you drive in from one end and leave from the other without backing up. That’s especially appealing when you’re towing a vehicle and don’t want to disconnect it just to get settled for the night.
Back-in sites require a little more patience, particularly if you’re traveling with a large fifth wheel. But don’t rule them out. Some offer a more private setting, and an experienced driver may have no trouble backing into one.
The important thing isn’t whether a site is labeled pull-through or back-in. It’s whether the site works for your particular RV.
After all, nobody wants to discover they’ve booked the wrong campsite while holding up a line of fellow campers who are ready to call it a day.
Don’t Forget About the Hookups
Finding a campsite that accommodates your RV is only part of the equation. You’ll also want to know whether the hookups meet your needs.
Many larger motorhomes and fifth wheels require 50-amp electrical service, especially when running multiple air conditioners. Booking a site with only 30-amp service could mean having to watch which appliances you use at the same time.
Woodland Creek RV Park offers full hookups at every site, including 20/30/50-amp electrical service. Water and sewer connections are also provided.
Before making a reservation, check your RV’s electrical requirements. It’s a lot easier to ask a few questions before booking than to discover you can’t run both air conditioners on a hot Texas afternoon.
Finding a Big Rig-Friendly RV Park That Fits Your Needs
Before booking, take a few minutes to confirm that the campground can accommodate your RV. Ask about anything that isn’t clear on the website, especially if you’re traveling with a larger motorhome or fifth wheel.
At Woodland Creek RV Park, our guests can enjoy spacious sites with full hookups and wide concrete roads designed to make navigating the park easier.
Because when you’ve spent the day driving a house down the highway, the last thing you want is a parking problem waiting at the end of the road.