Community Forums

vsheetz · 09-30-2015, 06:45 PM

Am planning to install a metal RV carport on the rear of our property. Have room for 40-42' length and 15-16' width. This is squeezing it into the available space.

Thoughts on sides - none vs. partial vs. full?

12 vs 14 gauge frame?

Color - heat transition, color retention, other?

Base/footing - the floor / parking pad will be compacted DG - concrete pads at each leg, concrete strips along each side, mobile home auger anchors, ground pins, other?

Height? Most companies offer maximum 12' side wall height, with another 6-12" where the roof curves down to meet the sidewall. Then the additional to 1-2' in the center of the curved roofline.

Other thoughts or comments?

Thx!
Vince

Tha_Rooster · 10-01-2015, 11:05 AM

12ft legs, at least half sides and back, and use mobile home screw anchors .

FRR2EYW · 10-01-2015, 11:20 AM

One consideration is slides and if you are planning to open them during storage while trying to move around outside the rig.

whem2fish · 10-01-2015, 11:44 AM

Bought mine from Carolina Carports here you can add height for extra cost

vsheetz · 10-01-2015, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRR2EYW

One consideration is slides and if you are planning to open them during storage while trying to move around outside the rig.

Yes, thanks. The width is dictated by the space available. May have to pull it out sometimes for full access.

znt1186 · 10-01-2015, 01:50 PM

Go for 12' eave height. As long and wide as possible, your rv may grow! Mine did, now I need to add on to the carport. 16' wide should allow for opening slides on one side.

vsheetz · 10-01-2015, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whem2fish

Bought mine from Carolina Carports here you can add height for extra cost

Thanks. Checked their web site, appears they don't do biz in SoCal.

vsheetz · 10-01-2015, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by znt1186

Go for 12' eave height. As long and wide as possible, your rv may grow! Mine did, now I need to add on to the carport. 16' wide should allow for opening slides on one side.

Thanks. Agree, bigger is better. I have to deal with the space available, but should be able to go 40-42 long and 15-16 wide. Will require the removal of a tree and cutting into a earthen bank (with a small retaining wall) to get to those dimensions.

TQ60 · 10-02-2015, 08:50 AM

Go 12 ga frame and galvanized if possible are if it is the usual they are that.

Be certian that it is engineered for your address as that could cause trouble down the road.

Permit is preferred as that makes it legal but if space is tight then local setbacks may get in your way.

DO NOT LISTEN TO SALES GUY!

Get a proposal for your project and stop by the building department to check on feasibility....took us about 6 months to work out details for our shop but end result was bigger and better...inspector wanted one just like it...

whem2fish · 10-02-2015, 09:26 AM

One more get the 80 mph wind guarantee it has more anchors

genesimmons · 10-02-2015, 09:37 AM

And it will have roof surports on every leg so plan on covering those cause of birds making nests and poopinl get all over it unless u are gonna close in the back and put doors on front. That's what I did

vsheetz · 10-02-2015, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TQ60

Go 12 ga frame and galvanized if possible are if it is the usual they are that.

Be certian that it is engineered for your address as that could cause trouble down the road.

Permit is preferred as that makes it legal but if space is tight then local setbacks may get in your way.

DO NOT LISTEN TO SALES GUY!

Get a proposal for your project and stop by the building department to check on feasibility....took us about 6 months to work out details for our shop but end result was bigger and better...inspector wanted one just like it...

Thanks. Yes, fam with the requirements. Its going in next to my workshop which we went through the process previously.

wingnut60 · 10-02-2015, 09:03 PM

I have about 12" clearance on my fiver with a 16' width. Has to be placed correctly as LR slide and BR slide extend further than the kitchen slide--any more than a couple inches off square when I park it will cause one of the slides to hit. Definitely 12 gauge and if you need more clearance than 14' than the sides have to be higher than 12' and that seriously affects the sidewall stud strength and requires heavier gauge again.
If you haven't poured the slab yet, consider having deeper, reinforced edges around the slab in case you might want to build something on it with solid walls. Also, if you want to enclose the front for security, this will affect how high it will have to be.
Best thing I have done for my fifth wheel for protection from sun and rain.
I had 55' length and divided the 28' width into 16' and 12'--16' for the fiver, and 12' is divided into 25' and 20'--25' is enclosed completely and secure.
Also, remember to lay conduit under the slab for future electrical work you may want to do--very little extra cost.
Joe