Tandem garage size

[Munich77]

We are looking for a new house with a three car garage. Unfortunately as we are in the DC suburbs, finding one in a house is almost impossible. We could get a new build where the builder can extend the two car garage into a four car tandem setup. The garage dimensions would be 37 deep by 21 wide. The garage would used for three cars with one side holding two cars 185 inches and 195 inches in lenght. What is everyone thinking of the size? It seems to work on paper but I need a sanity check.

 

[kbuhagiar]

You may find the 37-ft depth adequate, but it's not deep enough for my tastes.
My tandem six-car garage is 36 wide by 50 deep. The 50-ft depth gives us enough space to walk in between and all around two cars parked end-to-end, with room at the front for my workbench and other stuff.

On the other hand, your proposed setup it should be roomy enough If you don't plan on parking four cars in it.
You'll still have a larger-than-average garage, so take that for the win!

 

[Stuart in MN]

You're going to get responses from people who assume you need enough room for double cab dually pickups... The main thing is if your actual cars will fit nicely, also if you need additional room to work on them or for a workbench, storage of other items, etc.

 

[Munich77]

Cars will fit and garage will be used for parking and storage only.

 

[Rusted Nut]

Remember, most dimensions are exterior to exterior. So a 37’ garage will be about 36’ inside; and garage door will eat up another 6” or so.

 

[u2slow]

Mine is 37x20 (interior) and only fits two cars (end to end). Reason being my garage has tool chests, shelving, and workbenches that eat up the rest.

 

[Munich77]

Mine is 37x20 (interior) and only fits two cars (end to end). Reason being my garage has tool chests, shelving, and workbenches that eat up the rest.

Could you fit a third car if you moved stuff around?

 

[bakmopar]

Are you able to add a few feet to the 37' dimension. You could have slightly larger cars in the future. No one ever said "I wish my garage was a few feet shorter".

 

[u2slow]

Could you fit a third car if you moved stuff around?

Not anymore.

750sqft was the biggest I could legally build. My tools & supplies had to fit with room to work, and the leftover space is one 37 foot 'lane'.

 

[DrinkMan]

As mentioned, it depends on your cars. Our coastal house has a tandem 3 car garage (2 on one side, 1 on the other). It is just under 41 feet long on the 2 car side.

Last trip down there a couple of weeks ago, we had our 2 biggest vehicles on the tandem side. We could walk between them, walk behind them and while tight, walk in front of them. That was a 1968 Mercedes (193 inches long) & a 2005 Ford F150 (224 inches long). We had almost 6 feet total extra space. With our other cars, there is plenty of room. But we have small cars.

Will your other side be 37 feet as well? With the two car dimensions you noted (185 & 195), you can put two and be able to get around. You will be able to check the oil, do some simple things but you won't be comfortable doing bigger projects without moving a car out of the garage.

 

[carlaisle]

To meet my minimum requirements it would need to be possible to park 2 cars side by side and open all of the doors (not necessarily at the same time) all the way without hitting anything. The 21' width would be an automatic fail for me, but this is your garage. Might help to mock something up and see if it will be acceptable for you.

 

[Munich77]

Thanks everyone. According to the builder it is actually 40 feet deep which is awesome. But that house is getting too expensive