RV cover (carport) vs Barn / R-Panel load question

[cnttxmdc]

I'm trying to decide between building a RV cover, or the START of a barn where I can park the RV inside. I already have several pieces of R-panel; 10 - 16 foot sheets, and 8 - 30 foot sheets. One of my considerations is how far apart the trusses can be between each other to safely support the R-panel. I'm located in Texas, so we won't have the snow load considerations that so if you northern guys we have. I also bought a "RV cover frame" from the same person I bought the metal from, and they said they had a 30' RV awning constructed from this frame... The problem is there are only 3 truss/leg sets. Considering that these frame pieces are 2 1/4" square tubing, I don't really see it being safe to have 15' spans of R-panel between the trusses (one at 0', 15', 30').

Other considerations: the camper I'm trying to cover is a 26' 5th wheel that is about 12.5' tall in the center (smaller toward the sides). The current plan is to use some leftover 15 ish foot 2 3/8" oilfield pipe for the vertical pieces. I'll probably buy some square tubing to make additional trusses as needed. Lastly, this does not have to have sides, at least initially. I'd like to have something at the top to keep rain/sun off the camper roof, but they don't have to be all the way down.

Thought? Opinions? I'm trying to do this on the cheap, and not overbuild this like I do everything else. At best, it'll be a barn for Pete's sake!

Thanks in advance!

 

[PugetDude]

Wind is your biggest issue, not snow. Texas blows.

I wouldn't park an RV under a structure with R-panel spanning 15'.

 

[cnttxmdc]

Haha! Exactly!

I know 15' isn't a good idea. You should've seen the look I gave when they told me they were supporting 30' of metal with 3 pieces...

I know 5' is safe. I know 7' should be fine... But where is the line between being okay, and "oh hell no"?

 

[PugetDude]

Maybe buy another 3-bay frame to give you six bents. I would add cable bracing to the sides and closed end, cheap insurance. Anchor it well...

 

[readhead]

Three frames are fine. You are missing the purlins between the frames that the sheets will attach to.
Wind is your big issue. Cross bracing of the frames is crucial.

 

[cnttxmdc]

Thanks guys

Readhead: when you say "purlins between the frames that the sheets will attach to", if I go the RV cover route (instead of a barn) the plan is to use the 30' sheets for the roof, and they would be perpendicular to the frames. How would the r-panel be attaching to the purlins? What size do you suggest?

Any north Texas guys want to come over sometime and help?! I'll buy you whatever beer you want, and fire up the smoker!!

 

[readhead]

The purlins should be 4'-5' on center and the roof sheets will be parallel to the frames.
Just to be sure, this is R-panel. The ribs are 1 1/4" tall.

 

[PugetDude]

Problem is most carport frame "kits" have no purlins- they rely on the strength of the R-panel screwed to the wimpy tube frame to provide lateral stability.

If I had to have one of these, I'd double up the frame members, and cable crossbrace the heck out of the sides ...then worry about where the whole structure was going to land in the next Texas windstorm...

Build a barn or a put up a pre-engineered metal building. You'll be happier in the long run. These carports kits are cheap for a reason.

 

[readhead]

I run crane service and I love those things. When they blow over or collapse under snow someone gets to pay me to remove the twisted mess.

 

[cnttxmdc]

I run crane service and I love those things. When they blow over or collapse under snow someone gets to pay me to remove the twisted mess.

Haha! Nice...

Thanks again everyone. You've given me some ideas that I'm going to look into! I'll update when I decide/start on everything.