Community Forums

patrickemb · 03-02-2018, 08:08 PM

Going to put in a pad to park my MADP. Using gravel, concrete is to much for my budget right now. Was wondering how wide it should it be. I was thinking 16'. Next will be a carport to cover. Is 16' wide standard for those carport kits you see advertised ( versatube for example). Speaking of those kits, who has the best price on them?

**NLOVNIT** · 03-02-2018, 08:17 PM

Our T-N-T RV Port (51'x18'x12' - nearly 15' at the peak):

Plenty of room to maneuver around with all slides out. We made it long enough so we can hook up & stay completely dry when it's raining out.

You can see more construction photos in MY ALBUM.

Lori-

patrickemb · 03-02-2018, 08:24 PM

From the pictures I guessing it's a 3 man job to install? Looks like you used gravel as well. How have you anchored the structure?

**NLOVNIT** · 03-02-2018, 10:21 PM

Yep. 3 man job. The crew drove up w/it from NC. Got there at 9A & were done by 3PM. They didn't even take lunch. It's anchored with these really long grooved nails that are sledge-hammered in the ground through the base rails, in between each of the ribs. Then it's also bolted to these huge screws with loops at the top that are screwed into the ground with some special made driver. The nails & screws are at least 3ft long to go down below the frost line. More pics below.

Every year in the Spring, I have to pound down about half a dozen or more of the nails that've heaved up over the freeze-thaw season. They only come up about 4-5 inches & are easy to pound back in with a sledge hammer.

Lori-

cfowler55 · 03-02-2018, 10:34 PM

When I was looking at this style standard widths were 12' and 18'. Trou get something in between was 18' charge and they cut it down. Some had a small up-charge for the cutting. I ended up going with red iron.

vsheetz · 03-02-2018, 10:45 PM

Several RV port providers have sizing tools with pricing on their websites. As you play with changing size what the price change. There are differing widths and lengths that are the same price. You can maximize what you get for your money.

vsheetz · 03-02-2018, 10:48 PM

I have a DG parking pad and driveway. Packs down hard and pretty smooth. Much better than gravel IMHO.

patrickemb · 03-03-2018, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

Yep. 3 man job. The crew drove up w/it from NC. Got there at 9A & were done by 3PM. They didn't even take lunch. It's anchored with these really long grooved nails that are sledge-hammered in the ground through the base rails, in between each of the ribs. Then it's also bolted to these huge screws with loops at the top that are screwed into the ground with some special made driver. The nails & screws are at least 3ft long to go down below the frost line. More pics below.

Every year in the Spring, I have to pound down about half a dozen or more of the nails that've heaved up over the freeze-thaw season. They only come up about 4-5 inches & are easy to pound back in with a sledge hammer.

Lori-

Thanks for the pictures and explanation. I'm planning on doing the install myself with the help of a couple friends.

**NLOVNIT** · 03-03-2018, 01:47 PM

I wouldn't count on doing it in 6 hours. The guys we had, the only thing they did was put up car & RV ports. They had it down to a science & each guy knew exactly what went where & how to get it assembled timely. It's a kit & all in pieces, the ribs don't come pre-assembled. If you're doing it for the 1st time, plan on doubling (or more) that assembly period.

For them, we had to have the foundation level to within 6" end to end. DH is a perfectionist, so we were within 2" end to end.

Good luck.

Lori-

patrickemb · 03-03-2018, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

I wouldn't count on doing it in 6 hours. The guys we had, the only thing they did was put up car & RV ports. They had it down to a science & each guy knew exactly what went where & how to get it assembled timely. It's a kit & all in pieces, the ribs don't come pre-assembled. If you're doing it for the 1st time, plan on doubling (or more) that assembly period.

For them, we had to have the foundation level to within 6" end to end. DH is a perfectionist, so we were within 2" end to end.

Good luck.

Lori-

Thanks. I not that speedy and if it takes a couple days that's fine.

bandcworkhorse · 03-05-2018, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

I have a DG parking pad and driveway. Packs down hard and pretty smooth. Much better than gravel IMHO.

I can't figure out what DG stands for.

rarebear.nm · 03-05-2018, 09:28 PM

DG is decomposed granite. Made up of fine grains of granite that will form a very hard surface. It may require a little maintenance from time to time.

charliej · 03-05-2018, 09:28 PM

Naturally occurring decomposed granite, commonly known as DG, is created as granite is compressed over millions of years and broken down into a combination of sand and gravel.

rarebear.nm · 03-05-2018, 10:04 PM

Granite is an igneous rock that forms from material forced upward from inside the earth. It is not formed by compression over millions of years like sandstone or marble.

Decomposed granite is the mixed sand and small gravel sizes resulting from the natural weathering of exposed granite. Some of what is sold as DG is the waste from granite quarry operations. Still very good material, just not truly naturally decomposed.