Ideas for RV Garage

[kbuhagiar]

Storage Ideas for RV Garage

Hello Folks,

My wife and I are looking for a home in San Diego County. One of the pre-requisites is an abundance of garage space, with room for both of the daily drivers, three or four hobby cars and a four-post lift. With that in mind we are trying to find a place that has a conventional three-car garage plus an RV garage, either attached or separate.

We have found a couple of places with nice attached RV garages (measuring approximately 15' x 15' x 45'). I envision the four-post lift in the back of the structure, with room to park another car in the front. Plenty of room on the sides for all my tools and equipment. But the space at the top of these buildings seems to be wasted, so I was wondering if anyone had done anything (such as a mezzanine-type structure) to make use of the upper air space for storage.

Also looking for other ideas to best utilize the space in an RV garage.

Thanks in advance for your ideas and suggestions!

 

[Matt D.]

I may have misunderstood, but it looks like your dimensions are 15’ wide X 15’ tall X 45’ long.

If this is correct, and you wish to park an RV of substance inside, you really don’t have much room left over.

Our first RV was 13’ 6” high by around 41’ long. Our last RV was 13’ tall by 45’ long.

Most current generation Class As and 5th wheels are right at the 13’ 6” mark.

Even a fairly low profile Airstream is right under 10’

If the peak of your RV bay is 15’, you would spend a lot of money for a gain of only a few feet of usable space. You lose 12” to joists and decking. You also lose another foot or two to having a safety margin above the RV. Take the 10’ A/S + 3’ = 13’ required. You would have a small 2’ space when you’re done.

Mezzanines are possible, my neighbor has one in his GarageMaHall. However his shop is 50’ wide X 80’ long X 16’ eaves. The roof pitches 5/12 so his peak is around 26’ 6”.

I hope I misunderstood your dimensions.

-Matt

 

[kbuhagiar]

I hope I misunderstood your dimensions.
-Matt

Actually, you misunderstood my intentions.

I will not be using it to park an RV, but solely as a parking area and workshop (with lift) for my hobby cars.

No RVs are involved in this equation.

 

[dcg9381]

> But the space at the top of these buildings seems to be wasted, so I was wondering if anyone had done anything (such as a mezzanine-type structure) to make use of the upper air space for storage.

For "full size" RVs, you need a 14' door, which is a 16' eve. That will allow an 8' lower story, 12" of joist framing, and a 8' upper floor. Build what works for you.

 

[Utilifix]

If you're just looking to maximize the available space for use (storage), I don't see why you wouldn't construct a mezzanine if there's that much wasted in the upper space of the garage. I can't say I've done it myself, but it seems like the logical approach for what you're after.

 

[Matt D.]

Gotcha! In that case, go ahead and build a mezzanine.

I’d suggest building it inside the shop skin so you don’t have to sweat sorting out the engineering questions.

Just build a stick or metal stud walled structure and focus on using LVLs or steel to span the 15’ space. You’re a bit wide for a typical 2X12 floor joist.

Build it back to just prior to your 4 post lift and don’t forget stairs.

-Matt

 

[nadogail]

If I were to attempt to erect a mezzanine in a garage without the benefit of stamped plans, I would very seriously consider repurposing pallet racking.

A weldor with a little imagination and a pile of steel can fabricate something.

 

[dagofast]

My shop is in an RV garage. (also sans the RV) Ours is 20'x50' with a 15' ceiling. There is unused airspace in one section of mine in front of the 4 post lift where a mezzanine could be built, but I'm not sure what I'd put up there as most of my shop stuff (welders, saws, lathe, mill) is heavy as hell. Plus one would then need to add more lighting under the mezzanine, plan for stairs, possibly increase the size of the AC unit and run additional ducting to keep both levels cool.

Honestly, the current 1000 square feet is more than I ever hoped for and yet it forces me to stay grounded, organized and to not collect junk. A basic rule of thumb is no matter the size of your shop, you'll expand to fill it up. Sadly, unlike our universe (and my waistline) shops aren't ever expanding. A most curious exemption that I'd like to hear Einstein or Hawking explain over beers.

 

[finn]

Another vote for pallet racking instead of a mezzanine. For a mezzanine to be fully functional, ladders don’t cut it, so you need stairs, which eat floor space, or a fork lift, which also needs storage. They also become junk repositories.

A simple pallet rack, with maybe a workbench at the bottom seems more practical.

I have a small mezzanine over the boiler /compressor/ water heater/ electrical room of my shop. It’s really sort of useless.

My garage has pull down stairs and attic trusses. Another bad investment.