Hi my name is Steve and I live in Oakland Ca. I have been lurking on this site for some time now waiting to become (hopefully) a proud owner of a Barth motorhome. A few Thanksgivings ago we were up in Fort Bragg Ca. and I saw my 1st Barth and have wanted one ever since. We just came back from a week of tent camping and I am more determined than ever to get a motorhome. I have a few questions though I hope you all can help me with.

First, like I said I live in California and I'm worried that if I buy a Barth out of state I will not get it to pass Ca. smog laws. Were some of the units made with 50 state emissions or only units sold to California buyers (from Barth)

One of the other things that has held me up on buying one is I can't decide on the length. I wanted to keep it 24' or 25' max. 24' gets you into most parks. But it has been hard to find a unit like that with a full bed (or 2 twins) and a couch to foldout into a bed. (there are 3 of us) I was wondering if the state and national parks are strict about the max length or is 1 or 2 feet over the limit ok? I have seen a lot of nice 28' Barths (including the "Rolling Turd" in PA.) If I had set that as our max then I think I would have bought one already. 28 footer is starting to look better. I have rambled on too long.

Thanks for any feed back, and if anyone has a 25' for sale let me know.

Steve

Two possibilities come to mind on the CA emissions issue. You should check to see if there is a grandfather clause for earlier years that may be exempt. You might also look into the Montana registration loop hole. I see many large RVs registered there yet the people don't have residence there. I'm not at all sure of the legality in your state, but Montana seems to be in favor at least.

I drive a 34' Barth and haven't found any place on the east coast that makes me feel too big. I'd go for the 28' and wing it. It's a bit like the 10 year old rule that's been discussed .... ahh yes, it's a 25'....and a 2000 model too!!! If you don't believe me, just ask my wife......Morgan Fairchild

I am not sure about the Calif emission stuff, but as far as size goes . . . I had a 22' SOB for the last 15 years, loved it, could go anywhere with it. Now I have a 32' am very happy, have not found a problem yet with its size. I do pay more attention as to what unknown street I turn down, but the space and comfort is great. The parks I have been to so far have not been a problem, but I do find myself being more aware of my surroundings while on the move. I think a 28 would be a very good size, not sure you would really notice the extra 3 feet.

I agree with noble, call whatever agency oversees the smog laws and ask about older vehicles. In IL, vehicles over a certain year are exempt because there's no way they would pass and you can't exactly retrofit them to "emit" like a newer car.

As far as length, I can't imagine too many parks sticking to a 24-25 foot limit anymore. There are almost no motorhomes that small these days. I'm not sure about the CA state parks, but I know many US parks have been upgraded to accommodate larger rigs now. You'd have to call and check with any individual park you're planning on visiting... but we have a 35' motorhome and have never been turned away because we're too long. And there are a lot of rigs out there longer than us, although not necessarily in the Barth family.

Steve, I live in Los Gatos CA. Smog laws do apply but there is not a 49 State Barth gasoline model (all except CA=49 state) that I am aware of, they are all 50 state units. (after '75) If all the original smog equipment is on and functioning, then you should be fine in CA. The SMOG test is a two part idle test because no smog stations have a dyno tester that would handle larger heavier vehicles. Fairly easy test to pass, again '76 and newer must have cats and will have to be tested bi-annually. Pre-'76 are smog exempt.

Edit: A problem that may exist is many states do not have smog tests and people routinely take off the smog equipment, if that has to be replaced it gets expensive VERY fast

I have a 30' diesel pusher Breakaway and I have found that 30 foot is the maximum at some parks, We just got turned away at Lake Tahoe because their limit is 19 foot. It is mostly a turning radius issue and we have had not trouble at all in places that has a strict 30' or less rule. I have gone where a lot of 1 ton pickups don't go!

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I have a 30' diesel pusher Breakaway and I have found that 30 foot is the maximum at some parks, We just got turned away at Lake Tahoe because their limit is 19 foot. It is mostly a turning radius issue and we have had not trouble at all in places that has a strict 30' or less rule. I have gone where a lot of 1 ton pickups don't go!

I agree about the silly size restrictions in some places. My 28' Breakaway has a 146" wheelbase, only 2" longer than my '87 1T Ford 19' diesel van. I can get in and out of places Tahoes can't...

A check of CA emissions regs reveals that any diesel powered vehicle with a GVWR in excess of 14,000 lbs is exempt. A Breakaway of 28 feet with a Cummins or Detroit diesel is listed as 15,700 lbs. Buy a diesel Barth and enjoy.