RV garage

Bhickey2304 · 08-26-2016, 11:14 AM

This may be the wrong forum and if it is please move. My wife and I are building a house with an attached garage for our travel trailer. We are a young couple and plan on staying here many years we have a 30ft tt now with plans for a 5ver next what dimensions would you build the garage to be able to accomadate future rvs? I plan on at most 40ft length of RV so I think probably 45 ft for the garage but what about height and width and that of the door as well?

notanlines · 08-26-2016, 01:45 PM

Let's put a maximum width at about 8'-6" and a maximum height of 13'-8". You can go from there on how big you might want to go. An actual 14' by 14' garage door will suit you just fine, but a 12 foot wide door would not. Backing in a 40' trailer with only 1-1/2 feet to spare on each side is not a comfortable thing to do. Make sure your builder understands that a 14 foot high door means 14 feet, not 13-9". Keep in mind that this is my opinion. I'm quite certain that others will follow.

Pull Toy · 08-26-2016, 01:50 PM

What you build has many variables. I would suggest a 13'5 x 10(min) doorway to accommodate any future 5er that you might consider. After that you probably want 45' in length so you can walk around the rear of the rig, also some "oops factor" when backing in. The inside width should be wide enough to open opposing slides, minimum 16'5' to allow for walk around, unless this this building is just for storage.

Also 50/30 amp electrical service, and a water spigot are a good adder. If you need to move in, or use it as a weekend guest house, you're good to go!

It's way "over big" for your current rig, but once it's up, its tough to "resize" except for length, and you can use the extra space for bikes, lawnmowers , maybe even the car, etc...

I would check with the insurance companies about coverage before you build "attached". Propane in an enclosure, hooked to the house might be an issue, whereas a modest buffer might be cheaper.

Good luck!

Desert185 · 08-26-2016, 02:47 PM

14x14 door, 45' deep garage with water, 50A and sewer. You'll never look back and say, "I wish..."

malabarbob · 08-27-2016, 12:55 PM

Build it as big as you can to fit future purchases. I build one of those large car ports for for 30' Class A and eventually moved to a 38' Class A.
I did make it plenty wide to accommodate slides for company.

My uncle build a custom garage for 2 RVs. He neglected to measure the mirrors. He had to unscrew both mirrors ever time he moved it. Measure twice, cut once.

CaptnJohn · 08-27-2016, 04:40 PM

If only I had room ~~~~ no less than 45' long. My door would be 16' wide and 14' tall minimum. Opposing slides and walk around room would mean inside dimension would be at least 20, preferably 24'. A 50 amp RV service and water/sewer with the ability to dump. I'd have a 36" man door ~~ possibly 2. Building interior height ~~ high enough to get up and check the roof.

**JRTJH** · 08-27-2016, 05:12 PM

If you assume that you'll always be "trailer folks" then I'd look at a 45' long, 20' wide, 14' tall (interior height) structure with a 12' wide x 14' tall door.

If, by chance, your "chosen RV" might change to a motorhome, many of the "mid price, standard" models are now in the 41-45 foot range. So, a 45' structure may not be long enough, if you decide to RV in a larger class A motorhome.

I also would recommend the ability to get on the roof while inside your structure. With a 13' tall RV, you'd need to look at 17' or even more (if you install a ceiling). If you leave the rafters open, then you can "crawl between the rafters" to access your entire roof with just 14' of interior clearance.

Quite the ambitious project, but as others have said, do it once, do it right and don't look back.

A personal experience: We built our "last RV storage" for our Springdale. We really didn't expect to ever buy another RV, so we didn't "go big".... The following spring, a tree fell on the Springdale, after repair, we traded for another fifth wheel, but were limited in what we could store, so we weren't able to look at fifth wheels that we preferred because we couldn't store without significant investment in adding onto the pole barn. So, consider your "potential biggest RV" and build for that (and possibly more)...

Bhickey2304 · 08-27-2016, 05:55 PM

We are restricted in our neighborhood and have to build a brick exterior structure so I want tone sure to not leaving any "wish list" items for later. I don't ever see going to a motorhome so I think 45 ft will be plenty. Everyone has suggested 14ft are all fifth wheels under this height?

Cbrez · 08-27-2016, 06:01 PM

Agree on door and RV utility hook ups recommended by others. Additionally, I would design for pull through, like our local fire departments do, not back in. Obviously the site must be able to accommodate the required turning radius to the rear of the garage. Wheel guards to protect the overhead door jambs are smart, whether pull through or back in. I would provide overhead clearance so I could walk upright on the roof inside the garage. I would install two floor drains so I could wash down the RV. Install a tool bench, deep sink and high pressure air station. If you want to deploy the slides inside the garage, increase the width accordingly. Bottom line is to consider what you want to do with the RV while it is in the garage and design accordingly.

Laredo291OH · 08-28-2016, 06:33 AM

bhickey, federal law says vehicles aren't allowed to be taller than 13'6", unless oversize permitted and I don't think any RV you ever get will be that, so a 14' door should be good.

Pull Toy · 08-28-2016, 06:39 AM

Regarding clearance height...

Any Travel trailer or Motorhome over 13' 6" would have a serious issue on American or Canadian Roads. Commercial trailers are standard at 13' 6" or less.

Remember, it's not just a bridge, overpass, and power-line issue. It's the commercial rigs that take out the low hanging leaves and branches on secondary routes and provide us with a usable overhead.

Even so, on routes your not familiar with, keep one eye looking up!

Good luck,

Bhickey2304 · 08-28-2016, 06:04 PM

Ok good thanks for the input

Bugsnyder1778 · 09-17-2016, 02:10 PM

Ever consider a drive through? Double the garage doors and need for another driveway, but maybe worth it, only you can decide.

Travel well.

Jay Pat · 09-17-2016, 03:21 PM

Ceiling height and garage opening for a overhead garage door will probably be two different numbers. My overhead door company required a minimum of 18" clearance from the top of the open area to the ceiling.
So, check with overhead door company for their required clearance.
Pat

Ddubya · 10-30-2016, 12:59 PM

I would do a minimum 45 ft with 16ft walls to accommodate a14x14 door. Also make sure you have a straight or near straight shot to back in.

Timon · 10-30-2016, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ddubya

I would do a minimum 45 ft with 16ft walls to accommodate a14x14 door. Also make sure you have a straight or near straight shot to back in.

If one ever plans to move up to a larger rig or sell their home I'd do at least 48' inside dimension. Then yore covered all the way to a 45' MH and still have room at each end. If one has room go for 18' wide.

In addition I'd put a 8' tall garage door with the door going straight up the wall so one has room to work on the back of a DP or get into the back yard.

IMHO

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