House with RV garage...

[mrcyrus16]

Good day!

***UPDATED PICS PAGE 3***

My wife and I just signed paperwork for a new house. Out here in AZ, some home builders decided to add RV garages onto a normal (ours is 1820sf) size house. The attached RV garage measures approximately 15'x15'x45'. They also offered a RV dump from within the garage which is connected to our sewer pipe. For me personally, besides the garage itself this was a huge bonus for me since I'm always the one to empty the tanks.

Once we're able to move in, I plan to tap into the panel which is on the garage side of the house. The idea is to add in 2 separate 220v plugs for my welder and compressor. Then adding multiple 110v for drill press, sander, trailer, work bench, welding table, shelves etc.etc.

The only difference between the model and ours in we didn't opt for the back garage door. The garage is a blank canvas which I can't wait to design the work area. Here's what we bought...

 

[ford33]

That's looks wonderful. You are fortunate to have such a place to store an RV or build a nice workshop.

 

[dagofast]

Welcome to GJ. Nice set up!

How big is your RV garage? Our set up is similar (same builder) except the 20x50 RV garage isn't attached. It sits about 5-6' away from the house and has its own 125 amp electric sub panel inside. Ours was also only available with a roll up door on the front end, not the optional back end one like the model has. Do you have a water source inside the RV garage for a sink? They offered a bathroom & HVAC as options on ours which, while expensive, I'm really glad we chose to do.

 

[larry4406]

Nice! What a coincidence!

I found out today for my day job (I manage construction of new homes), that my next project involves a home with RV garage! In particular, it will have a bi-fold garage door with faux exterior facade to be more in harmony with the surrounding homes. Something like linked below. It will also have a dump station, potable water hook up, and electric outlet. Mission creep also likely.
https://www.bifold.com/photo-of-the-day-washington-rv-garage-door.php

Sorry for the hi-jack.

 

[mrcyrus16]

Welcome to GJ. Nice set up!

How big is your RV garage? Our set up is similar (same builder) except the 20x50 RV garage isn't attached. It sits about 5-6' away from the house and has its own 125 amp electric sub panel inside. Ours was also only available with a roll up door on the front end, not the optional back end one like the model has. Do you have a water source inside the RV garage for a sink? They offered a bathroom & HVAC as options on ours which, while expensive, I'm really glad we chose to do.

It's 15'Hx15'Wx45L and yes, we definitely opted for the garage sink for easy fill up and to help put out the fires started from my grinder.

Jim

 

[ard]

Too bad the builder will likely hold you hostage, preventing you from doing any rough in or improvements....

be careful...in fact there's a builder here who used to take delight in cutting out any 'owner installed' wiring, not telling them, and sheetrocking over it all

 

[Git]

Something like linked below.
https://www.bifold.com/photo-of-the-day-washington-rv-garage-door.php

That is pretty cool!

Too bad the builder will likely hold you hostage, preventing you from doing any rough in or improvements....

be careful...in fact there's a builder here who used to take delight in cutting out any 'owner installed' wiring, not telling them, and sheetrocking over it all

I remember that! what a j*rk

 

[purduecrew]

Very cool! I saw a neighborhood of those where my parents live in Indianapolis. I think its a cool idea!

 

[mrcyrus16]

Too bad the builder will likely hold you hostage, preventing you from doing any rough in or improvements....

be careful...in fact there's a builder here who used to take delight in cutting out any 'owner installed' wiring, not telling them, and sheetrocking over it all

Yeah we've been through that BS in our previous house and the job site foreman already informed/warned us about that. No big deal, our nephew does drywall and such so it'll be after we get the keys unfortunately but at least it'll get done.

Jim

 

[yeldogt]

Being a number cruncher ... What's the benefit of having the RV close by? And the overall cost of the building?

It's not like it's a vehicle you take out to get cup of coffee ... just wondering.

We have a nice sail boat 46' ... for the most part everything is in it all ready. I may need some additional stuff for an extended trip .. but not having it close by is not a real problem.

Nothing needs maintenance like years ago ... the one guy I know well that has one keeps it a storage facility that handles these things ... at a local airport. They use a hanger for inside storage .. and they have people to do simple maintenance upkeep.

My older brother was thinking of getting one -- he ended up renting one for a summer trip.

 

[zmotorsports]

Congrats to you and your wife. Looks to be a nice place and trust me you will LOVE having your RV stored indoors.

 

[zmotorsports]

Being a number cruncher ... What's the benefit of having the RV close by? And the overall cost of the building?

It's not like it's a vehicle you take out to get cup of coffee ... just wondering.

We have a nice sail boat 46' ... for the most part everything is in it all ready. I may need some additional stuff for an extended trip .. but not having it close by is not a real problem.

Nothing needs maintenance like years ago ... the one guy I know well that has one keeps it a storage facility that handles these things ... at a local airport. They use a hanger for inside storage .. and they have people to do simple maintenance upkeep.

My older brother was thinking of getting one -- he ended up renting one for a summer trip.

I can't speak for the OP but I'm sure it will be a lengthy ROI to have an onsite garage vs. off-site storage but for me it's about peace of mind. A sailboat or plane are a bit different storing off-site in my mind unless you live on an airstrip or near a body of water with a slip.

That being said, I used to store my coach away from home and even though it was less than a mile away I absolutely hated it but it was the only option for me at the time. It was turn key ready to hit the road at any given time but it still sucked having it away from home not to mention the constant worry that while someone else was picking up their RV it would get damaged or scratched. One year that did happen but the guy who hit my coach was decent enough to own up to it immediately and contacted me to report it and provide his insurance info.

I have found peace of mind having it at home and especially indoors at home. I know it's condition and can walk into the RV bay and check on it at any time as well as if the wife and I get a whim and decide to take it out it takes all of about 5 minutes to fire it up, build up air pressure and disconnect the shore cable and she's ready to hit the road. I wouldn't say I've taken it to get coffee before but the wife and I have taken it on a Sunday drive before when I've missed driving it for a few weeks or so.

Also, if you're a numbers crunching guy you not only know that an RV garage may not be a wise investment but the whole RV thing period, is not an investment, it's a depreciating asset, but a really fun one.

 

[LXCam]

Congrats OP. Hey by chance are you up in the chino valley / Prescott area. Your place looks identical to a tract we were interested in up there for a new home with an attached RV garage.

 

[dagofast]

Being a number cruncher ... What's the benefit of having the RV close by? And the overall cost of the building?

It's not like it's a vehicle you take out to get cup of coffee ... just wondering.

We have a nice sail boat 46' ... for the most part everything is in it all ready. I may need some additional stuff for an extended trip .. but not having it close by is not a real problem.

Nothing needs maintenance like years ago ... the one guy I know well that has one keeps it a storage facility that handles these things ... at a local airport. They use a hanger for inside storage .. and they have people to do simple maintenance upkeep.

My older brother was thinking of getting one -- he ended up renting one for a summer trip.

I'm not the OP either or an RV owner. My RV garage is full of tools, machines, a motorcycle lift and a 4 post lift. About half of the RV garages in our neighborhood don't contain a motorhome or a 5th wheel. Many people have shops; wood, fabrication, metal etc. One guy makes custom wood baseball bats. Many more are gear heads, with hot rods, rock climbing jeeps, side by sides, ATV's & dirt bikes. About half of the gearheads have 2 or 4 post lifts.

For us, it was easier than jumping through all of the HOA/City hoops to build a shop in an existing neighborhood. The houses in our development that have an RV garage sell really fast, some as quickly as one day, most in a couple of weeks. Houses that don't have one tend to take 45-90 days because they have to compete with many other regular houses in regular neighborhoods. Sure, the demographic may be smaller but the demand seems to be far outstripping the supply. So far, based on the re-sale prices we've seen, the investment seems sound.

 

[larry4406]

What amenities are normally provided in an RV garage? Sewer dump station, shore power, potable water I would expect as minimum. Anything else?

Regarding shore power for RV’s, is it typically “normal 240v” or 120v? I was involved in a boat dock project about 10 years ago and the yacht required both “lines” of its 240V pedestal outlet to be on the same buss. Very strange.

 

[Viper98912]

wow!

 

[Innovate1]

What amenities are normally provided in an RV garage? Sewer dump station, shore power, potable water I would expect as minimum. Anything else?

Regarding shore power for RV’s, is it typically “normal 240v” or 120v? I was involved in a boat dock project about 10 years ago and the yacht required both “lines” of its 240V pedestal outlet to be on the same buss. Very strange.

A minor technicality but "buss" is a kiss. Lot's of people misuse that spelling for an electrical "bus" but it's not correct. Probably happens because of Bussman fuses.

 

[yeldogt]

I can't speak for the OP but I'm sure it will be a lengthy ROI to have an onsite garage vs. off-site storage but for me it's about peace of mind. A sailboat or plane are a bit different storing off-site in my mind unless you live on an airstrip or near a body of water with a slip.

That being said, I used to store my coach away from home and even though it was less than a mile away I absolutely hated it but it was the only option for me at the time. It was turn key ready to hit the road at any given time but it still sucked having it away from home not to mention the constant worry that while someone else was picking up their RV it would get damaged or scratched. One year that did happen but the guy who hit my coach was decent enough to own up to it immediately and contacted me to report it and provide his insurance info.

I have found peace of mind having it at home and especially indoors at home. I know it's condition and can walk into the RV bay and check on it at any time as well as if the wife and I get a whim and decide to take it out it takes all of about 5 minutes to fire it up, build up air pressure and disconnect the shore cable and she's ready to hit the road. I wouldn't say I've taken it to get coffee before but the wife and I have taken it on a Sunday drive before when I've missed driving it for a few weeks or so.

Also, if you're a numbers crunching guy you not only know that an RV garage may not be a wise investment but the whole RV thing period, is not an investment, it's a depreciating asset, but a really fun one.

I'm not a worrier ... I'm more of a ...."I'm coming Thursday ... fill it up and check the tires"

 

[yeldogt]

I'm not the OP either or an RV owner. My RV garage is full of tools, machines, a motorcycle lift and a 4 post lift. About half of the RV garages in our neighborhood don't contain a motorhome or a 5th wheel. Many people have shops; wood, fabrication, metal etc. One guy makes custom wood baseball bats. Many more are gear heads, with hot rods, rock climbing jeeps, side by sides, ATV's & dirt bikes. About half of the gearheads have 2 or 4 post lifts.

For us, it was easier than jumping through all of the HOA/City hoops to build a shop in an existing neighborhood. The houses in our development that have an RV garage sell really fast, some as quickly as one day, most in a couple of weeks. Houses that don't have one tend to take 45-90 days because they have to compete with many other regular houses in regular neighborhoods. Sure, the demographic may be smaller but the demand seems to be far outstripping the supply. So far, based on the re-sale prices we've seen, the investment seems sound.

Interesting ... my locations I don't see a value uptick in the way RV garages are typically built. My place in PA has an outbuilding ... but, it looks like a barn. Outbuildings are a plus ... not so much a pole (not allowed everywhere)

 

[mrcyrus16]

Being a number cruncher ... What's the benefit of having the RV close by? And the overall cost of the building?

It's not like it's a vehicle you take out to get cup of coffee ... just wondering.

We have a nice sail boat 46' ... for the most part everything is in it all ready. I may need some additional stuff for an extended trip .. but not having it close by is not a real problem.

Nothing needs maintenance like years ago ... the one guy I know well that has one keeps it a storage facility that handles these things ... at a local airport. They use a hanger for inside storage .. and they have people to do simple maintenance upkeep.

My older brother was thinking of getting one -- he ended up renting one for a summer trip.

It basically comes down to the cost of storage and constant maintenance. Storage is about $125-$175 for a dirt spot with no cover. Then there's the AZ sun, which is really hard on all RV materials specially fiberglass and plastic. Trailer covers last about 1 summer with the sand storms and monsoon winds so those are just a waste of money.

House wise we're going from 2200sf on a 12500sf lot with a pool and a **** ton of grass to 1820sf on a 7200sf lot with no pool and a 12x12 square of fake grass. Plus like zmotosorts said, it's just nice and convenient to have it parked at the house, in a garage, instead of outside. Specially when your loading/unloading when it's 115+ degrees outside

Jim

 

[mrcyrus16]

Congrats OP. Hey by chance are you up in the chino valley / Prescott area. Your place looks identical to a tract we were interested in up there for a new home with an attached RV garage.

I wish it was in Prescott but we're going to Queen Creek.

Jim

 

[kwb]

ROI is a lot faster than you think, keeping an RV out of the elements will slow depreciation a bunch and greatly reduce maintenance costs as well.

 

[yeldogt]

ROI is a lot faster than you think, keeping an RV out of the elements will slow depreciation a bunch and greatly reduce maintenance costs as well.

Leaving it outside ..... get there would be some long term issues -- my friend has his inside. I don't know what he pays .. exactly .... I don't think more than $200. I forget.

I guess you have to be quite sure you want to have the RV for a while to build new with an attached ... As an outsider it just seems like the garage wags the house.

When my brother was discussing them a few years years back -- he was thinking about moving to SC and ran into a few properties with an RV garage ... think only one attached. He did move there about 18 months ago.

I'm getting into my late 50's ... my brother is older. Really -- up against age and desire. I went and looked at some RV with him .... and the used "one owner" all had about the same history. The owner died or could no longer drive -- or they had enough money and just wanted a new one. Finding a nice one was not hard a few years back.

 

[Falcon67]

What amenities are normally provided in an RV garage? Sewer dump station, shore power, potable water I would expect as minimum. Anything else?

Regarding shore power for RV’s, is it typically “normal 240v” or 120v? I was involved in a boat dock project about 10 years ago and the yacht required both “lines” of its 240V pedestal outlet to be on the same buss. Very strange.

Depends - small RVs usually are wired 30A 120v. Larger units will be 50A 240v. Our race trailer is 50A 240v and tagged as an RV because of the bath package and water tanks. I can use an adapter to power it with 120 but I try not to. For small things like keeping the fridge running and the inverter charging, I could use a "suicide adapter" but I typically don't.

As for dump - Fortunately, the neighbor has a bare slab with sewer connections so we dump using the cleanout next to the slab, which is next to the driveway. Handy as hell LOL. There is a cleanout at the track, so we have a backup.

I hung shore power off the end of the shop. A shed roof for the shop side is on the wish list.

I need to tap that circuit and put an outlet on the front of the shop next to the big door for when the trailer is parked there to load cars.

 

[Falcon67]

I'm getting into my late 50's ... my brother is older. Really -- up against age and desire. I went and looked at some RV with him .... and the used "one owner" all had about the same history. The owner died or could no longer drive -- or they had enough money and just wanted a new one. Finding a nice one was not hard a few years back.

Having done the looking for an RV/Class A motor home thing, I can say that except for a large number of racers that use Class A pushers, RVs and motorhomes sit a lot. A large number have very low miles, even at 10+ years old. Easy enough to find a 10 year old $170K Class a for half or 1/3 of new. HOWEVER - good luck on financing if you can't spend $50~60K cash. RV trailers are same - I'd not buy new, I'd shop for used with cash in hand. Looked recently at a 5 year old unit, perfect condition - about $19K new, asking $7500. Have seen several nice smaller units in the 5~8K range. Personally, we have the trailer and are just going to go with a new truck.

 

[yeldogt]

Having done the looking for an RV/Class A motor home thing, I can say that except for a large number of racers that use Class A pushers, RVs and motorhomes sit a lot. A large number have very low miles, even at 10+ years old. Easy enough to find a 10 year old $170K Class a for half or 1/3 of new. HOWEVER - good luck on financing if you can't spend $50~60K cash. RV trailers are same - I'd not buy new, I'd shop for used with cash in hand. Looked recently at a 5 year old unit, perfect condition - about $19K new, asking $7500. Have seen several nice smaller units in the 5~8K range. Personally, we have the trailer and are just going to go with a new truck.

The guy I know who has one rarely uses it -- that's why I told my brother to rent. I'm sure some are really into it ... but, with the number out there with low miles ... they must be another toy to many.

For financing -- I always tell people to get a HELCO ... it's a great way to manage finances and they are cheap.

My boat is aging .... like me -- it's in beautiful shape!. I'm using it less and less ... I grew up around boats .. but lot's of people buy them and I guess like RV's don't use them. It's also financial .. for many, by the time they can afford them and spend time .. they can't or don't want to as much.

 

[zmotorsports]

What amenities are normally provided in an RV garage? Sewer dump station, shore power, potable water I would expect as minimum. Anything else?

Regarding shore power for RV’s, is it typically “normal 240v” or 120v? I was involved in a boat dock project about 10 years ago and the yacht required both “lines” of its 240V pedestal outlet to be on the same buss. Very strange.

Like Chris mentioned that smaller RV's require less current but in my RV bay I wired in two 50-amp receptacles on the side so I could plug in regardless of which direction I have the coach positioned in the bay and then another 50-amp outlet out near the rollup door as a "buddy" plug so when friends are traveling through they can back up to my shop and plug in for a night or two while they are in the are. My thinking also was I was more than likely going to be going larger in RV size rather than smaller so I wanted to be equipped enough to handle that 45' Prevost bus that I dream of owning some day.

Some people choose to install RV dump stations similar to a sewer cleanout but I opted not to for two reasons. Firstly because of the smell/mess. I have two friends a cousin who have them and seldom use them so I doubt I would use it, although I have a guy at work that has one just outside of his RV garage and he uses it a lot. Secondly I'm not gonna lie, was cost. The cost to run sewer back to the shop and tie into the sewer system was quite substantial and I wasn't planning on putting bathroom or sewer dump in to avoid that heavy cost.

 

[zmotorsports]

I'm not a worrier ... I'm more of a ...."I'm coming Thursday ... fill it up and check the tires"

I wish I could be that way but it's not in my DNA.

 

[zmotorsports]

The guy I know who has one rarely uses it -- that's why I told my brother to rent. I'm sure some are really into it ... but, with the number out there with low miles ... they must be another toy to many.

For financing -- I always tell people to get a HELCO ... it's a great way to manage finances and they are cheap.

My boat is aging .... like me -- it's in beautiful shape!. I'm using it less and less ... I grew up around boats .. but I lot of people buy them and I guess like RV's don't use them. It's also financial .. for many by the time they can afford them and spend time .. they can't or don't want to as much.

I agree that a lot sit because of budget. I get asked a lot of time about owning an RV and I'm sure it's like you and your boat, it's a lifestyle not just something to have or use once in a while. I also tell people that once you purchase an RV it is mainly the "cost of admission" as the real cost comes from the maintenance as well as usage. I have a couple of neighbors that have some nice RV's and they used them a couple of years ago when they first bought them but last year they never left the driveway. That's even a bigger waste of money because they aren't getting the enjoyment out of them. I was told that by the time they pay taxes and licensing and service they can't afford to use it. Like I said, "cost of admission". If you can't afford the maintenance and upkeep in my mind you can't afford the RV let alone if you can afford the payment or not.

I also tell people to plan on paying cash, or at least putting a lot down because once you get upside down in an RV it will be next to impossible to get out from under it. We have paid all of ours off very early and then at least it's a depreciating asset but it's paid for.

I know we've gotten off topic of the OP's thread but he's got a nice place and will thoroughly love having his RV at his home.

 

[yeldogt]

I'm not sure if we got off topic ? The OP came to show ... and he did mention the back door being different vs model.

 

[yeldogt]

I wish I could be that way but it's not in my DNA.

Had to learn .. otherwise the toys own you. My cars go to the car wash as well ... and I mostly buy black.

 

[december45]

If there is room (property wise) behind the RV garage, enough to back the RV out the back while working on some project, I could see that as a big + I would opt for the additional back door to enable pulling completely through the garage.

 

[sberry]

I agree they cost so much a cover may pay for itself.

 

[larry4406]

Some people choose to install RV dump stations similar to a sewer cleanout but I opted not to for two reasons. Firstly because of the smell/mess. I have two friends a cousin who have them and seldom use them so I doubt I would use it, although I have a guy at work that has one just outside of his RV garage and he uses it a lot. Secondly I'm not gonna lie, was cost. The cost to run sewer back to the shop and tie into the sewer system was quite substantial and I wasn't planning on putting bathroom or sewer dump in to avoid that heavy cost.

The client for my upcoming project wants a cleanout in the RV garage slab floor, flush to the surface. Sewer access is easy as the garage is attached to house. Anyone have links to the product/cleanout needed? Normal 4" threaded fitting with metal flush cap?

 

[PhantomEB]

I am sure if I had the room to put a travel trailer or Toy hauler inside, some other project vehicle would rank higher to take its spot. I’d be more likely to belong to build a lean to on side of the garage to put trailer there.

 

[HenryAZ]

We have quite a few houses around here with RV garages. And then there was this neighbor. We all wondered as he was building what the heck it was, about the size of an RV garage, but no overhead door. I finally asked him. It is a racquetball court!

 

[Jeffh40]

What amenities are normally provided in an RV garage? Sewer dump station, shore power, potable water I would expect as minimum. Anything else?

Regarding shore power for RV’s, is it typically “normal 240v” or 120v? I was involved in a boat dock project about 10 years ago and the yacht required both “lines” of its 240V pedestal outlet to be on the same buss. Very strange.

Depends - small RVs usually are wired 30A 120v. Larger units will be 50A 240v. Our race trailer is 50A 240v and tagged as an RV because of the bath package and water tanks. I can use an adapter to power it with 120 but I try not to. For small things like keeping the fridge running and the inverter charging, I could use a "suicide adapter" but I typically don't.

As for dump - Fortunately, the neighbor has a bare slab with sewer connections so we dump using the cleanout next to the slab, which is next to the driveway. Handy as hell LOL. There is a cleanout at the track, so we have a backup.

I hung shore power off the end of the shop. A shed roof for the shop side is on the wish list.

I need to tap that circuit and put an outlet on the front of the shop next to the big door for when the trailer is parked there to load cars.

We have quite a few houses around here with RV garages. And then there was this neighbor. We all wondered as he was building what the heck it was, about the size of an RV garage, but no overhead door. I finally asked him. It is a racquetball court!

No RVs run off of 240. They are all 120v. The larger ones have 50 amp services, but they are still 120. That is why with a simple adapter, you can run off of a 30 amp service in a pinch. The 30 and 50 amp plugs look a awful lot like 240 volt plugs but they are not. Don't confuse them.

Owner of a 35 ft. 5-th wheel with a 50 amp service.

 

[zmotorsports]

No RVs run off of 240. They are all 120v. The larger ones have 50 amp services, but they are still 120. That is why with a simple adapter, you can run off of a 30 amp service in a pinch. The 30 and 50 amp plugs look a awful lot like 240 volt plugs but they are not. Don't confuse them.

Owner of a 35 ft. 5-th wheel with a 50 amp service.

Many of the upper echelon coaches do have some 240-volt appliances such as all electric Prevost conversions, Newells and some Foretravels. The ranges and dryer will be 240VAC but doubtful you'd need that for storing at a home garage.

That being said, be careful using a jump box and don't use full demand because you can actually damage system because with two 30-amp legs you are potentially providing 60-amps vs. the 50-amps they were designed to handle.

 

[yeldogt]

We have quite a few houses around here with RV garages. And then there was this neighbor. We all wondered as he was building what the heck it was, about the size of an RV garage, but no overhead door. I finally asked him. It is a racquetball court!

Boy that's bad .. why bother designing a house if you are going to put that monstrosity next to it.

I love proper buildings -- good design.

Your picture is why zoning laws are needed !

 

[Falcon67]

No RVs run off of 240. They are all 120v. The larger ones have 50 amp services, but they are still 120. That is why with a simple adapter, you can run off of a 30 amp service in a pinch. The 30 and 50 amp plugs look a awful lot like 240 volt plugs but they are not. Don't confuse them.

Owner of a 35 ft. 5-th wheel with a 50 amp service.

Our trailer has a 60A 12 space breaker panel with a 240V 4 wire feed. Same bus style as the 100a panel in the shop. As I recall, the shore cord is terminated with a NEMA 14-50P. I do use an adapter for the generator - to go from the 14-50P to a 4 wire L14-30 240V twist lock on the Honda 7000. The genny is set for 240V.

I need to do up a shed roof to help protect the trailer from storm damage.