40 ft vs 42 ft

[Jay]

Hi All.
I am in the process of buying my very first motorhome and have been told not to go over 40 ft. I don't quite understand all the good or bad about the magic 40 ft. number.  We will be going full time and need to know if there are a lot of advantages of not going to 42ft. Would like someone to explain both the pros and cons of each size.
Thanks for your help
Jay

[Steven]

I'm a fifth wheel puller so take that in to consideration...

I don't know of any practical reasons to avoid motorhomes over 40'  Once you get to that size there can't be much difference in driving, backing etc.

I do know that, in California, to drive a motorhome over 40 feet requires a noncommercial class B drivers license. I imagine other states may have similar laws.

It's also possible insurance rates are higher for coaches over 40 feet but I don't know that for a fact.

Hopefully someone with first hand knowledge will post an answer.

[C5ron2001]

Like Steven says I have a 2008 40' 11" MH and I love all the room went from a 35ft
I'm in the process of the Non commercial
Class B lisc now. I haven't taken the drivers test for a motorcycle in maybe 10 years
I failed 2 times last Thursday and only get one more crack at it. so Monday back down there.
to get it. I passed all the Car, Motorhome test but missed the MC testand I want to keep that even though
I don't ride any more, By up grading I had to take all the test again,
and no one at California know how to do all this.
In CA if it is over 40' or 26,500 lbs you need the NC class B.
I spent 3 hours at DMV Thursday because of the Motorhome lisc.
and I still have to go back, also I had to fill out a medical report
one lady said Dr. Must sign it but the form didn't say that
like I said no one knows how to do this.
3 times I was told no driving test in the MH but 2 said yes
this is also the one that said Dr Signed form.
I slid the DR form past her and got that taken care of
but when I go back to to the MC test Monday my last chance
of I have to ride again to test. I'll find out if there is a driving MH test
depends on who you talk to down there.
Back to the size bigger has its drawbacks, I been to some parks where
the 40 footer will barely fit and your limited to lots of parks due to size
and spaces. Our favorite park will no longer let us in over 35 ft.
We go to Ventura beach a lot and those spaces are tight for 40ft
and some wont take that if you have to back into one with a big in front and
a big in back. My drive way would be a problem If I was 4 feet longer
would limit access to the back yard.
don't get me wrong I paid Cash for MH so I would have no bills
if I could have afforded a 45' I still would have got it. But there
are some problems with bigger rigs. we like dry camping the best
and a 90 footer would be perfect for that

Ron and Katie
2008 Discovery 40X
with all the bells and whistles

[CAC RV]

In addition to the licensing issues; Generally when you get into coaches over 40ft there is an industry standard change and the quality and grade of the coach increases.  The coaches become more expensive and more complex to maintain.  The coaches over 40 ft usually have a tag axle and approach the maximum lengths the highways and roads are designed for, like the turning radii at intersections and in parking lots.  The other issues you might find is the amount of camping spaces there are available for these size coaches and how difficult it is to park them in tight camp sites.