Camp dad, I may not understand the question myself, but I think he's asking "When a hybrid camper says it's 17', is that open or closed 17'?"
I couldn't answer him authoritatively, but I'd venture the guess that it's an open measurement. Otherwise, it would be a towing or storage dimension. JMHO.
I'll be watching to learn myself.
To my knowledge, the lengths listed for hybrids are from the rear bumper to hitch, in the closed position. Ours is listed at 25 ft and when our beds are deployed it adds about 5ft of length at the rear. The front bed does not really add much, if any, to the length because it deploys out over the hitch.
yes, the front bunk doesn't add any length up front, it's usually even with the end of the tongue. but if you open the rear bed you should add about 3'.
BUT if it's a back-in site, the open rear bunk will be able to go past the concrete bumper that's usually where the back-in site stops. so the open rear bunk isn't affected by the length of the back-in site.
in the 7 years we've owned our hybrid, as long as the trailer's closed full length fits in the site, we've never had an issue with both ends open.
another reminder, model number RARELY means actual length on any RV. my Roo 23SS is 24' 10" long from bumper to tongue.
[quote author=bikendan link=topic=2779.msg26750#msg26750 date=1383510398]
BUT if it's a back-in site, the open rear bunk will be able to go past the concrete bumper that's usually where the back-in site stops.
Unless there are obstructions, like trees or drop-offs behind the curb. I've been at sites with both. I usually slightly overestimated my trailer length just to be sure I had an adequately sized site.
I agree with the points everyone made above, especially the ones about model number and size of the unit. Our old hybrid was a Palomino S-21RGS, with a 23' box and 25' overall closed and about 29' open. I have no idea where the 21 came from. I usually looked for a 30' site just to be safe.
[quote author=twstdpear link=topic=2779.msg26772#msg26772 date=1383579412]
Unless there are obstructions, like trees or drop-offs behind the curb. I've been at sites with both. I usually slightly overestimated my trailer length just to be sure I had an adequately sized site.
I do this as well and also did it with the pup. I'd hate to get there and not actually fit.
My 233S has the side bunk and a side slide. I've been in sites that were fairly tight side to side. One site I had to maneuver so the power pole was between the side bunk and the slide. It fit fine, but was a pain.
