03-29-2016, 08:21 AM
Henry, welcome and good luck with your search. I am happy to report that our 1982 38' Classic serves us well for what we do. We "part time" spending the winters away from the weather up here.
Something else to consider besides the Length is the Width. Our '82 is 8' wide and I don't want anything any wider just because of the freeways around here, just looked and some of the lanes are less than 10' and even 9.3' on the Long Beach Freeway. Saw another report that states some roads are even 9' wide!
http://articles.latimes.com/2003/sep/24/...y-wheels24
The Detroit 6V92 is no "boat anchor" and does a fine job of moving us along with good mileage. We have no plans to repower although you do need to learn how to drive it when on grades, there is a reason that the best of the best used these Diesels. The 5 Speed Alison has also been dependable and they make a great combination.
Haven't been to any National Parks just yet but we do visit allot of California State Parks that have a 34'-35' size limits. Yes, I try to get away with stating that we are 34' (a trick I learned from another Classic Owner). I always get a kick when we show up...the typical response is "hope you fit!". But the fact is that I try to look at the park before hand (road trips when staying nearby) so that I can get a look and see if we may fit, this has also helped identify places that we didn't want to stay at as well. I have also used Google Maps to help get a better look when going somewhere new.
Patti will go out with the radio and help guide me when making tight turns...our cousin Carol once stated "I'm impressed" after we wiggled our way out of a site at Doheny Beach, CA.
As a side note I am almost finished with our 1958 Airstream an 18' Traveler that will be used for camping at National Parks, State Parks etc.
Something else to consider besides the Length is the Width. Our '82 is 8' wide and I don't want anything any wider just because of the freeways around here, just looked and some of the lanes are less than 10' and even 9.3' on the Long Beach Freeway. Saw another report that states some roads are even 9' wide!
http://articles.latimes.com/2003/sep/24/...y-wheels24
The Detroit 6V92 is no "boat anchor" and does a fine job of moving us along with good mileage. We have no plans to repower although you do need to learn how to drive it when on grades, there is a reason that the best of the best used these Diesels. The 5 Speed Alison has also been dependable and they make a great combination.
Haven't been to any National Parks just yet but we do visit allot of California State Parks that have a 34'-35' size limits. Yes, I try to get away with stating that we are 34' (a trick I learned from another Classic Owner). I always get a kick when we show up...the typical response is "hope you fit!". But the fact is that I try to look at the park before hand (road trips when staying nearby) so that I can get a look and see if we may fit, this has also helped identify places that we didn't want to stay at as well. I have also used Google Maps to help get a better look when going somewhere new.
Patti will go out with the radio and help guide me when making tight turns...our cousin Carol once stated "I'm impressed" after we wiggled our way out of a site at Doheny Beach, CA.
As a side note I am almost finished with our 1958 Airstream an 18' Traveler that will be used for camping at National Parks, State Parks etc.
Steve & Patti, Bonnie and Tucker
1982 Newell 38' Classic, DD 6V92
cocktails for as many will fit in the site, dinner for as many can sit at the pick-nick table and sleeps 2 since I fixed the couch