You can’t overstate how useful it is to know your RV’s exact length, though what you might find really impossible to deal with is the stress of arriving at a campsite that you’d booked only to find out later that your rig is too big for the spot. Whether you’re just starting to hit the road with your first RV park booking or you’ve got years of travel under your belt, having a clear grasp of how to measure your RV length properly is something that will give you a huge amount of peace of mind every time you book a site.
But here’s the thing, your RV manufacturer’s specs just aren’t the whole story. That “28-foot travel trailer”, for instance, might in reality need a 35-foot site to fit all your gear in, thanks to the bike rack, tow vehicle, and clearance you need to set up.
This guide will take you through the exact steps to measure your RV setup, and explain why adding extra space in to account for all the bits and bobs you’ve got hanging off the back is so important. It’ll also help you explain your needs to RV park folk when booking across the country.
Booking an RV site that’s too small creates problems that can derail your entire trip. Parks like Bryce Canyon RV Resort and Cedar City RV Resort carefully design their sites to accommodate specific RV lengths, but they rely on accurate information from guests.
When you underestimate your RV length, you might face:
Understanding how to measure your RV length correctly prevents all of these headaches and ensures you’re matched with the perfect site every time.
Your RV’s model name or manufacturer specs don’t tell you what campgrounds actually need to know. Here’s why those numbers fall short:
Manufacturer length includes only the RV body – It measures from the front bumper (or hitch) to the rear bumper, excluding anything that extends beyond like bike racks, spare tire carriers, or cargo boxes.
Model names are often rounded – That “Winnebago 32-foot” might actually be 32 feet 8 inches, and those extra inches matter when sites are measured precisely.
Tow vehicles aren’t included – If you’re pulling a travel trailer or fifth wheel, the manufacturer length doesn’t account for your truck taking up several additional feet.
Slideouts can affect maneuvering – While slideouts don’t increase your travel length, they impact how much space you need once parked.
RV parks need your total setup length—the complete measurement from the very front of your tow vehicle (or motorhome) to the absolute furthest point on the back of your rig.
Follow these three simple steps to get an accurate measurement that ensures perfect site selection every time you book.
Park your complete travel setup exactly as you’d arrive at a campground. This means:
Make sure everything is aligned straight. Any angle between your tow vehicle and trailer will give you an inaccurate measurement.
Start measuring from the absolute furthest point forward on your setup. This means:
Measure to the furthest point back, which might be:
Use a long measuring tape or—for an easier approach—drive your setup past a fixed point and mark where the front and back align, then measure between the marks.
Critical: Add 2-3 feet to your measurement for real-world parking space. This buffer accounts for maneuvering room, allows comfortable access around your RV, and prevents your setup from hanging over the site boundaries. Most RV parks design their sites with this buffer in mind, but you need to account for it when stating your length.
When contacting RV parks, provide two numbers:
For example: “I have a 28-foot travel trailer. My total setup length with my truck is 52 feet.”
Providing both measurements helps RV park staff at properties like Cortez RV Resort and Lakeside RV Resort match you to the ideal site. Some parks list site lengths based on RV-only measurements while others specify total setup capacity.
Even experienced RVers sometimes get their measurements wrong. Watch out for these frequent errors:
Mistake 1: Measuring Without Accessories
Removing your bike rack or cargo carrier before measuring gives you a false number. Always measure with everything you’ll actually travel with installed.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the Tongue Extension
Travel trailers with long tongue extensions (the A-frame that connects to the hitch) can add several feet to your total length that’s easy to overlook.
Mistake 3: Rounding Down
If your measurement comes to 38 feet 7 inches, don’t book a 38-foot site hoping it will work. Round up to 40 feet to ensure adequate space.
Mistake 4: Ignoring Slide-Out Clearance
While slideouts don’t affect your length, they do affect site width. When booking, mention if you have multiple slideouts so the park can ensure adequate side-to-side space.
Mistake 5: Trusting Outdated Measurements
Added a new bike rack? Upgraded to a larger spare tire carrier? Changed tow vehicles? Remeasure. Your setup changes, and so should your stated length.
Understanding your RV length helps you make smarter booking decisions across different types of RV parks and campgrounds.
Most RV parks categorize sites by length ranges:
Properties like Cheyenne RV Resort and Laramie RV Resort offer various site sizes to accommodate every type of RV, but you need to know your length to choose correctly.
Pull-through sites typically accommodate longer RVs more easily since you don’t need to unhitch or maneuver in reverse. If your setup exceeds 40 feet, requesting a pull-through site makes arrival and departure significantly easier.
Back-in sites work perfectly well for most RVs but require more maneuvering skill with longer setups. If you’re new to RVing or traveling with a particularly long rig, mention this when booking so staff can recommend the most manageable site.
Different RV configurations have unique measurement considerations.
Key measurement: Hitch coupler to rear bumper (or furthest rear point)
Don’t forget: Your tow vehicle adds 18-22 feet typically
Buffer needed: 3 feet minimum for tongue clearance and rear accessories
Key measurement: Front of truck to rear of fifth wheel
Don’t forget: The portion of the fifth wheel that extends over the truck bed doesn’t add length, but measure from your truck’s front bumper
Buffer needed: 2-3 feet for overhang clearances
Key measurement: Front bumper to rear bumper (or furthest point)
Don’t forget: Towing a vehicle adds its entire length plus the tow bar
Buffer needed: 2 feet minimum, more if towing
Key measurement: Front cab to rear
Don’t forget: Roof-mounted accessories and rear-mounted bike racks
Buffer needed: 2 feet for comfortable setup
Key measurement: Usually straightforward bumper-to-bumper
Don’t forget: Roof racks, awnings, and rear-mounted cargo
Buffer needed: 1-2 feet (these are more forgiving)
When you call or book online at RV parks, use this script template for clarity:
“I’m booking a site for [dates]. I have a [RV type and brand] that’s [manufacturer length] feet. My total setup length including [tow vehicle/towed vehicle/accessories] is [total measurement] feet. I have [number] slideouts. Do you have a site that can accommodate this comfortably?”
For example:
“I’m booking for July 15-20. I have a Grand Design fifth wheel that’s 35 feet. My total setup length including my F-350 is 52 feet. I have three slideouts. Do you have a site that can accommodate this comfortably?”
This gives RV park staff all the information they need to match you with the perfect site at properties throughout the RJourney network.
Most RV experts recommend booking sites that are at least 10 feet longer than your total measured length. Here’s why this buffer is so valuable:
Comfortable maneuvering – Extra space means less stress during setup and departure
Utility hookup access – Ensures you can position your RV to easily reach water, electric, and sewer connections
Neighbor courtesy – Prevents your rig from encroaching on adjacent sites
Slideout operation – Gives you room to fully extend slideouts without interference
Storage access – Ensures you can access rear storage compartments and basement bays
For a 40-foot total setup, booking a 50-foot site provides ideal comfort and convenience.
Example 1: Travel Trailer Setup
Example 2: Fifth Wheel Setup
Example 3: Class A Motorhome with Toad
No. Slideouts extend perpendicular to your RV’s length and don’t affect how much front-to-back space you need. However, always mention that you have slideouts when booking so the park can ensure adequate side-to-side clearance.
Always book the larger size. A 36-foot RV fits comfortably in a 40-foot site, but will be cramped in a 35-foot site. The extra room is worth the typically small price difference.
While possible, this isn’t recommended. You’ll need somewhere to park your tow vehicle, and many RV parks have limited extra parking. Additionally, reconnecting for departure adds complexity. Book a site sized for your complete setup.
Drive your complete setup past a landmark like a fence or building. Mark where your front bumper and rear-most point align with the landmark. Then measure between those two marks with a standard tape measure.
Yes. Different trucks have different lengths. A crew cab long bed might be 3-4 feet longer than a regular cab short bed. Always remeasure when any component of your setup changes.
Most don’t measure, but if your RV clearly exceeds the site capacity, you may be asked to move to a different site (if available) or could be refused entry. Accurate reporting protects everyone.
Now that you know how to measure your RV length accurately, you’re ready to book with confidence at any RV park across the country. Understanding your true setup length eliminates arrival-day stress and ensures you’ll always have comfortable space for your rig.
When you’re ready to plan your next adventure, explore RJourney’s nationwide network of RV parks and resorts. From compact sites perfect for weekend getaways to spacious pull-through sites designed for the largest luxury coaches, RJourney properties offer accommodations sized for every RV.
Not sure which RV park is right for your travel style? Read our complete guide on how to choose an RV park to discover what amenities, locations, and features matter most for your next trip.
Model numbers alone are not enough. We need the true exterior length of your setup. Measure correctly, book confidently, and enjoy stress-free RV travel at RJourney parks from coast to coast.
