Garage for the RV

[tc2000]

4 years ago I documented my epoxy floor project here and unfortunately I deleted my Flickr photo storage account when Yahoo was hacked. Grrr.

Fast forward to today, I'm the proud owner of a 3acre lake lot in NW Wisconsin with an Airstream trailer for a cabin.

My question is if I dare attempt to build/contract a larger garage on the property myself to store the Airstream, are there some tried and true plans to give me a head start?

 

[Diesel Dan]

None that I know.
If you are going to store RVs one door needs to a 14' tall, IMO.
That will clear any A/C unit.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

Have the big picture in mind when you pull the trigger. Future plans for the property might influence size and orientation. Local codes for snow loads and frost depth need to be paid attention to. Colors will determine if you want it to be noticed or to blend into the scenery. Just cold storage or future shop? So many options in style. Local contractors may sell different types of structures. Poll barns are not alway the most cost effective if your future plans include full interior finish. If you are in a high snow load area invest in extended rafter tails or a greater overhang. When the snow slides off the roof it will eventually apply pressure to siding as it gets stacked up. Having it an extra foot out can prevent damage to siding. Just thinking out loud.

 

[finn]

An Airstream may fit through a 12' door, but most newer fifth wheels require a 14' door, so plan ahead.

A pole barn is great for cold storage, but, as noted, a stick built building on a thickened slab is easier to work with if a finished, and well insulated interior is in the cards.

Consider water and sewage plumbing if you will be using the trailer while under cover.

 

[ToolmanGary]

Most Motorhomes will fit through a 12' door, usually they are about 10' 6" - 11' to the top of the A/C unit. I've never seen a Motorhome that wouldn't fit through a 12' door and I use to work on them.

 

[denis4x4]

Since you have three acres, consider an Airstream "hanger" like this, you can pull through instead of backing in. It's 12' high at the opening and is wired for 30AMP so I can keep it plugged in. In the Summer and fall, it's parked next to the Animas river and used as a 25' wet bar.

 

[tc2000]

Airstream specs say height is 9'-9" w/AC. So 10' door ok or too close for comfort?

Thanks for the ideas. I think stick built anticipating future insulated workshop. I'm sure I could work with a lumberyard on a plan, but I'm hoping to walk in the door with some creative ideas. Maybe there is a book or magazine with ideas?

 

[Poltax]

There is a whole thread on garages for RV's on IRV2

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/lets-see-your-coach-garage-182935.html

I would plan for the future if your not going to keep your current RV forever. Most fith wheels are 13' 5". Someone posted above that all Motorhomes are are a certian hieght. I would disagree. I used to have a 2002 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 4DST. It was 12"5".

If I were building a new garage for an RV I would at least make the door 14' you just never know what the future holds.

 

[galaxie64bs]

You also have to look resale, a future buyer might be turned off by too low a door. Even if it worked for you, next guy might have taller fifth wheel or motorhome.

 

[Blue XJ]

You also have to look resale, a future buyer might be turned off by too low a door. Even if it worked for you, next guy might have taller fifth wheel or motorhome.

x2 I was looking for a house. found one with a completely finished off 40x60 pole barn in the backyard, then realized it only had 10' ceilings with a 9' door. Would have been nice to put my camper in, ended up buying a difference house, that was a big factor for us.

 

[Lynden]

Have you done any online research?

https://www.google.com/search?clien...rints+construction+drawings&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

https://www.google.com/search?clien..._VAhXCjlQKHe7hAqQQ1QIIgQEoAg&biw=1124&bih=995

 

[Falcon67]

Wife says "What's it gonna take to put a roof over the new race trailer?" (34' plus 54" tongue) "Money" I think we are just under 10' to the AC unit. Trying to see how I can plan in a 6' shop extension as part of the update. There's some cuties on that irv2 link.

 

[zmotorsports]

Most Motorhomes will fit through a 12' door, usually they are about 10' 6" - 11' to the top of the A/C unit. I've never seen a Motorhome that wouldn't fit through a 12' door and I use to work on them.

Not necessarily. I made the same mistake 25 years ago. Built my shop with 14' tall ceilings because it fit our current motorhome. Then after six years bought our first diesel pusher and found out it wouldn't fit under the 12' tall door nor in the 34' deep garage.

So for the past 17 years our coaches have all had to sit outside, mainly also due to the fact that the shop was stuffed to the brim with tools and equipment. Fast forward to July 2016 when the wife decided it was time to move and build a big enough shop/RV garage to park our now 40' long 12'4" tall coach in.

When I built this shop/RV garage I built it deep enough and tall enough to store even a 45' coach in the event we ever upgrade to something of that size.

I now have a 14' tall door by 16' wide and can park about anything in the RV garage side.

Other suggestion(s) would be to make it wide enough to deploy slides and still move, walk or work around in the event you ever need to. Also put in some electrical plugs and insulate the RV bay.

Mike

 

[Falcon67]

Wife says "What's it gonna take to put a roof over the new race trailer?"

Actually there was a 2nd answer - "3 acres in the country"

 

[Onewolf]

I agree with the 14 ft tall door people. Maximum legal height for RVs/trailers/boats (without special permits) is 13'6" so I would want a 14' high door. Just in case.

 

[4 FN 27]

16 foot clear, 14 high x 14 wide doors for sure. Leave plenty of room around the RV for Maint and Loading and unloading. You may want to consider a Trench Drain so you can wash it in the shade. I planned the north end of my building around my RV.

 

[tc2000]

Awesome suggestions everyone. I should have been thinking of the resale opportunities.

 

[Showkey]

$50-$150k for a RV storage is an awesome building........but don't think that money is a great investment and will have returns on resale. The property tax might go up the same amount it costs to rent a storage building. Yes........your own building is safer and far more convenient.

I have a 24x36 shop just not big nor tall enough for the RV.
I rent a 14x45 building for $100 a month.........no return, very little invested. No bills, no maintenance, no taxes........

 

[Diesel Dan]

I rent a 14x45 building for $100 a month...........

That price gets you a 10x10 storage unit down here.

 

[Voi]

I'm the proud owner of a 3acre lake lot in NW Wisconsin with an Airstream trailer for a cabin.

My question is if I dare attempt to build/contract a larger garage on the property myself to store the Airstream, are there some tried and true plans to give me a head start?

In my area there are a lot of permanently parked RV's and park models. More and more are having pavilions added over them to decrease solar gain and to protect them from hail damage. I would think that would be good for an Airstream.

I've thought about building one behind my cabin. I'd make mine with a small garage area on one end. Sort of like this:

With parallel chord trusses as pictured one could build it large enough for a 13'6" tall RV to be backed in and still have reasonable side wall heights.

If I really felt the need to have a camper completely stored inside I might build it in a way that would allow a few extra overhead doors could be added so it would feel more open in the summer or when someone was staying there in the winter.

I found this pool house on Google Images. Something like this but with extra overhead doors to make it feel more open when the Airstream is in use.

 

[tc2000]

Very nice!

 

[Todd.Brock]

There is a whole thread on garages for RV's on IRV2



http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/lets-see-your-coach-garage-182935.html



I would plan for the future if your not going to keep your current RV forever. Most fith wheels are 13' 5". Someone posted above that all Motorhomes are are a certian hieght. I would disagree. I used to have a 2002 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 4DST. It was 12"5".



If I were building a new garage for an RV I would at least make the door 14' you just never know what the future holds.

Dammit man- now you have given me the RVGJ. It’s gonna take a while to get through all those garage builds. I let my boss know productivity is going to be down today....

And, tomorrow...

 

[NUTTSGT]

Dammit man- now you have given me the RVGJ. It’s gonna take a while to get through all those garage builds. I let my boss know productivity is going to be down today....

And, tomorrow...

No kidding. Talk about going down through a rabbit hole.