RV Garage, let's talk about it

[lenny-shawna]

Originally Posted by TonyMac

In a week or two we begin building our retirement home -- yeah, who cares. BUT, I'm also building a 40x50 shop for the RV and some old cars. I have a few questions.

1. "RV drain inside the shop causes odors," says my contractor. What say those who've done it?

2. The RV side will have a 12' wide by 14' tall garage door installed to roll up completely out of the opening, yielding a 13'10" opening. For those who've done it, any reason to go to a 16-foot tall door? My rig is 12'9" tall and 8'5" wide, so the 12'x14' door will work for me, but what about resale? Any rigs out there that need more than 13'10" of opening?

3. I'll have a RV pad outside the shop for visitors with 50a power, but what about inside? Do I need 50a inside when I'll likely never run the heat pumps while inside in Idaho. Maybe just 20a to keep the batteries topped off, maybe 30a? For those who've done it, have you seen the need for 50a inside?

4. Most importantly, what am I forgetting?

Thanks y'all, you're the best.

I have a large garage for my rig and since you are building it, do it right. I have never had a sewer smell, never. It does require a p trap and a vent.

50 amp power along with a bunch of 20 amps is the smart way to go. I also leave my rig plugged into 50 amps when I'm not using it.

Hose bib completes your full hookup garage.

Max rv height is 13'6. I also have a 14' opening so zero issues.

Make sure you have a good amount of led overhead HO lights. I have one in the front and back, a couple directly over the roof and a couple on each side that are out away form the opened slide.

FYI, your house washing machine is not sealed as the drain hose sits inside it, any odor?

[Bedlam]

My sidewall is 12' but the 3:12 roof slope puts the top of the gable at 19.5'

[dvidrine]

If has a P-trap and is vented properly you won’t have problems. Also install a water tap and 50A outlet. You won’t regret it. We lived in the motorhome inside the pole barn for over a year. I like the width you choose but I would extent to 56 ft.

[jacwjames]

X2 on the ceiling height, I built 16' high.
I am short and if I am parked with the air dumped I can barely walk under the steel trusses. With jacks down and coach elevated the slightest I hit my head, with air up I bang my head.

Should have gone 18' high but that's water under the bridge.


I live in rural E TN, county building inspector was for both the new house and the garage was good to deal with. Since my metal garage was bought from a reputable company only had to show general design to get a permit, they did the install so the inspector just asked to let him know it was complete so he could sign off. Nothing was said about drains in the floor, the drain near the RV dump goes to my septic so I am careful about not letting oils go in there.

[williamsda1]

We built a RV home in The Gardens in Crossville, TN. Every home has an RV garage, and they all have full hook-ups inside the garage. Some even have hook-ups on both sides, so it works for either a coach or 5th wheel. No odors at all. What I have observed is the older homes had smaller garage doors and now they are being re-done when the house is sold to accommodate larger rigs and it's a major pita to find workers to do it right now. So, YES, it will matter at resale and it doesn't cost much right now to get a bigger door! We did a 90' garage, with a 14h x 16w door. We have plenty of room to back in a coach, and extend the sides. Another thing every garage has is a powerful exhaust fan. We are building out a workshop in the rear, with a bed/bath/storage above it. We planned for the I-beam that we installed with a hoist to get things up to the storage area. We have a large gas heater that is mounted from the ceiling. We are adding a big workshop sink on main floor. Small, linked, LED strip lighting down each side of the bay puts out an amazing amount of light. Good luck with your build!

[edroelle]

Many different priorities for many different individuals.


- Build in 50 amp for later.

- No P trap to minimize risk when dumping

- Small odor out the roof vents when barn closed up and dumping

- Screw cap on dump



- Drive through if possible. Allows for 12' wide doors


Many will disagree, but I had occasion to loose power in house and utilize coach generator until power restored. 50 amp outlet when coach park allowed for this. But, had to keep doors open. (great neighbors)


Put in a mechanics pit. 5' deep worked. Buddies and I used it many time for repairs, oil changes, car repairs, etc.


When initial building, it is not the time to minimize.


When I ask individuals if they built their barn too big, you can guess the answer from everyone.


Ed

[djbmsu]

Our home has a 76 x 19 insulated RV Port. 16 ft ceilings with LED lighting and 36 Inch exhaust fan Three windows and Garage door is 14 by 14.
Two 50 amp with breakers and two 120 volt receptacles. One at back and one at front for pull in or back in. Two 4 inch sanitary connections and two water bibs. All is plastered. Back 10 ft x 19 ft is A/C and heated Shop with stairs for over head storage.

[Rev. Roy]

I have a 40 by 60 garage with water 50 Amp electric and a sewer dump hook ups. The sewer has a screw in cap for when not using. The door is 16x16 but I could have gotten away with a 14 ft since I am 13'4" high. I also have a full bath so, if I am working on something that gets grease, sawdust, or just dirt on me, I can clean up before going inside the house. I have 2 RV pads on the property with full hook ups. (50 amp)

[mike5511]

Originally Posted by williamsda1

We built a RV home in The Gardens in Crossville, TN. Every home has an RV garage, and they all have full hook-ups inside the garage. Some even have hook-ups on both sides, so it works for either a coach or 5th wheel. No odors at all. What I have observed is the older homes had smaller garage doors and now they are being re-done when the house is sold to accommodate larger rigs and it's a major pita to find workers to do it right now. So, YES, it will matter at resale and it doesn't cost much right now to get a bigger door! We did a 90' garage, with a 14h x 16w door. We have plenty of room to back in a coach, and extend the sides. Another thing every garage has is a powerful exhaust fan. We are building out a workshop in the rear, with a bed/bath/storage above it. We planned for the I-beam that we installed with a hoist to get things up to the storage area. We have a large gas heater that is mounted from the ceiling. We are adding a big workshop sink on main floor. Small, linked, LED strip lighting down each side of the bay puts out an amazing amount of light. Good luck with your build!

We need some pictures of this when you get it done!

[Rev. Roy]

Originally Posted by edroelle

Put in a mechanics pit. 5' deep worked. Buddies and I used it many time for repairs, oil changes, car repairs, etc.
Ed

That's the one thing I might consider adding if I was building another one. I currently have a garage with a car lift so I likely would only use the pit for the RV. I have 20 ft ceilings inside so I can stand up on the roof without hitting rafters. I also bought an electric scissor lift for working on the roof so I don't have to climb a ladder. Works well for washing and waxing my RV as well.

[rdibbxsh]

LOL, EV's use far more than 240v, 50A. We have a Model S Tesla and any Tesla will take up to a 90A 240v breaker, meaning it will actually charge at 20% less, so it will charge at 72A. Tesla Superchargers can push through 200+ amps.

[Kid Gloves]

Originally Posted by rdibbxsh

LOL, EV's use far more than 240v, 50A. We have a Model S Tesla and any Tesla will take up to a 90A 240v breaker, meaning it will actually charge at 20% less, so it will charge at 72A. Tesla Superchargers can push through 200+ amps.

Fascinating. Are you aware that the discussion is about an RV garage?

[augerdogger]

Kid Gloves makes a valid point in that EV power requirements are about twice that of a 50A RV. Very few developments can meet power requirements for multiple EV owners in the same development. My RV garage has it's own 200A breaker box and I paid a premium to have 400A service.

[augerdogger]

I think Mike is about 2 yrs out.