Prep and Tools to Build RV Garages
RV garages encourage a happy RV lifestyle. They can be fitted to fulfill more needs if you like but let’s just think about the size, scope, and the minimal tool kit you could need. When it’s time to invest in a place to store it, protect your investment with a specially designed RV garage.
Sample Metal RV Garages
Let’s look at a few projects from the gallery at Lesterbuildings.com. These show off the tall garage doors. A one-bay garage could also fit next to your home and a 2-car garage.
- Project #614415 is an insulated garage with a wraparound porch and stone wainscot. The color scheme includes ‘Antique Brown with Clay trim and an asphalt shingle roof. 32’ x 40’ x 17’.
- Project #614247 is a hobby shop with concrete flooring and a Mansard roof done in Clay with an Antique Brown metal roof. 40’ x 50’ x 16’.
- Project #604725 features an insulated interior with a lean-to and a porch. This hobby shop also features a Clay exterior with White Sand trim. 40’ x 60’ x 16’.
Hobby Garages – Size and Scope
The size of your RV garage will depend on the type of RV that you acquire. Motorhomes, fifth wheels, and pop ups usually fit into standard 12- or 18-foot wide doors and 20-30 feet in depth. The overhead door needs to be tall enough to accommodate the RV. Class A RVs need more space, up to 18 feet wide and 50 feet deep.
Dimensions – RV’s and Motorhomes
Measure yourself, making sure to include the hitch. Add 2 feet to the top to accommodate the track and the motor for the garage door. As far as the width, some have accessories that pop out that need to be considered.
Standard sizes for RVs without motors: Pop up trailer: 20’ x 20’ x 12’. Travel trailer: 30’ x 40’ x 14’. Fifth wheel: 24’ x 40’ x 16’.
Types of Garage Doors
In addition to the overhead doors, Lester Buildings offers several sliding doors. This can be useful for those who want to be able to open one side of the building.
You’ll often see these two types of garage doors. Sectional doors have metal panels that are raised and lowered using the motor and track. The roll up door has smaller sections of metal that roll up to a hood at the top. This reduces the space at the top of the door. In lieu of building a bigger garage, owners have added a second entrance or otherwise modified their existing garages.
Common Garage Door Heights
RV’s and motorhomes that require other vehicles to move them may not exceed 13.5 feet high.
Class A: 14-16 feet; 18’ x 50’ x 16’
Class B: 12 feet; 20’ x 24’ x 14’
Class B plus: 12 feet; 12’ x 25’ x 14’
Class C: 14 feet; 26’ x 36’ x 14’
Super C: 14 feet; 24’ x 48’ x 16’
Essential Tools
Large empty walls can be lined with an assortment of tools. When you hit the road, think of the weight. Gather only essentials into a bag for the RV storage compartment. The following list will help you keep things running smoothly.
1) Flat and Phillips screwdrivers or multi use screwdriver
2) Set of open-end wrenches
3) Crescent wrench
4) Set of pliers and wire stripper
5) Standard and metric socket sets
6) Cordless drill, bits, and drivers
7) Hammer, small axe, saw, shovel
8) Assorted small parts including screws, nuts, and bolts
9) Zip ties, Velcro, and Eterna bond tape
10) Dicor self-leveling sealant, rubber putty knives, caulk gun
11) Silicon spray and self-fusing rescue tape
12) LED flashlights and headlamp
13) Digital multimeter
Contact Sapphire Construction, Inc.
Contact the team at Sapphire Construction, Inc. and Lester Buildings by calling (303) 619-7213. We design and build custom pole building kits of any size. Our buildings feature high-quality, engineer-tested materials from Lester Buildings.
NOV
2024
About the Author:
Allen Randa is a second generation Master Carpenter and Owner of Sapphire Construction Inc. Allen personally manages each project from beginning to end. That includes the first meeting, the estimate, the contract and architectural designs.