Class A storage shelter, barn or garage.

Did some searching online for garage plans & made modifications.

Dave, thanks
I've thought of that exact dilemma. I already told the DW I'm going to run out of room & she almost through a shoe at me. LOL. She has already claimed my garage of the 2 car connected to the house!!! I wish I had the room to go 40x60 but I was lot limited.

Kaven, Nice garage, I went out, instead of up with a 40 X 60 garage/shop/playhouse, used 14 X 14 doors with a 16' height inside.
Have never build a garage large enough, first thought a 24 X 26 was large, nope, than this one, it is also too small, seems I can fill what ever size I build.
Dave M

gsf35099 wrote:
I finally broke down and built my "man cave" to store all my toys & give me room to work & play. ??. It's kinda "L" shape with 2nd story over lower garage. RV garage is 16' H x 16' W x 43' L. I also put a 14' tall x 12' wide door with opener. Then other portion of garage is 9' H x 27' W x 32' L. Above that is a studio apartment ~856 sqft with an elevator plus stairs. Yeah, an elevator in my garage!! Everything is AC/heat with 3 separate thermostats to control temps.

Wish I could figure out how to post a pic, it's coming along nicely & should be done in the next 45 days!!????

Think I figured out how to at least link to a pic.
Here it is:

Great picture! Where did you get the plans? We are considering doing this very thing (even with an elevator!).

I finally broke down and built my "man cave" to store all my toys & give me room to work & play. ??. It's kinda "L" shape with 2nd story over lower garage. RV garage is 16' H x 16' W x 43' L. I also put a 14' tall x 12' wide door with opener. Then other portion of garage is 9' H x 27' W x 32' L. Above that is a studio apartment ~856 sqft with an elevator plus stairs. Yeah, an elevator in my garage!! Everything is AC/heat with 3 separate thermostats to control temps.

Wish I could figure out how to post a pic, it's coming along nicely & should be done in the next 45 days!!????

Think I figured out how to at least link to a pic.
Here it is:

Since manufacturers tend to be regional, and installers local, can't help you with that.

Here, with frequent severe weather and moderate snow loads, most people find a shed adequate for RVs and farm equipment, prefab metal, custom-built metal, or open-ended pole barns. Most people I know who have gone all the way to enclosed barns did so because they planned to heat it and work in there during the winter, thiugh many no longer heat since fuel costs have gone up so much.

What you can build will also depend on building codes. My current location, I would have to build a garage, and garage plus house would have to satisfy current setbacks and easements; the existing buildings do not, but are grandfathered, thus I could repair my garage, but could not replace it with a new building on the same slab :(

We have quite a few metal structures grandfathered jin places where new ones can no longer be built, too. This has people with space needs moving outside city limits or to more rural jurisdictions in other counties. But the general idea, you might decide what you prefer to build, what is practical for your needs, and building codes will tell you what you can build, and where on the property. If you want utilities to the building, check with water and power providers, we've run into cases where a circuit could not be run from the existing meter, utility rules requiring a new connection.

93mastercraft,

What ever happened with the garage build?

Tony

I can't help you with contractors in your area.

I would mention that you should make the structure large than you think you need right now. Not only will you find extra room nice for all the "other" stuff you may want to put in there but having it large enough to put the slides out and work on it is also great. The most important issue...make it longer and the door wider & taller than for your current rig. Think of "what if"...you buy another coach, your rig measurements don't pan out to be true, and what if you sell the property and a buyer needs a slightly larger building. I know we all don't think about any of that but it might be smart to do that.

Lord willing; I plan to be able to build my dream garage hopefully soon.
I have always loved the Gambrel style barn.

We need to store 6 to 8 class A MHs and have the space to work on one or two at a time.

bluwtr49 wrote:
I have been going over this same issue for the past 6 months. After scouring the internet looking at dozens of different option from S&S to pole barn and metal building kits I've finally decided on a VersaTube garage on a concrete slab.

The building will be 20' X 48" with a 14 H X 16 W sectional door plus a 3' walk in door. I'm also pulling 100 A power for the MH plus garage electrical circuits.

Why the Versatube? Looks reasonably simple to assemble and, so far, the customer service has been great. No problem speaking with anyone in the company about various issue and the price is OK.

A close second was a metal arch type building from American Steel Span which is actually about 3K cheaper but everything about the company triggers mental alarm bells. They may be cheaper but trying to pull detailed info is like taking to a used car salesman or a politician.

One big problem I'm dealing with today is the recently discovered 60' setback requirement which may put the garage on top of my septic leach line. Hopefully this issue will be settled soon when the septic guy comes out to stake the leach lines. Fingers crossed I won't have to move the field.

Hi Dick,

First check to see if you are allowed to have an RV parked on your property. (Some cities/townships do not allow it.)

When I lived in a small city/town I would call the by-law office by phone. That way they do not know who it was who asked.
(If you like: you can even block your name and number or use another phone.)

You do not want to let them know you are already parking an RV if the city/town does not allow it. It is like sending up a red flag; if they do not allow you to park an RV at your house and you then bring attention that you want to build a garage to keep your RV in and they do not approve it they will now keep an eye out on your property. :B (Big cites/towns – not so much)

I have lived in two cities or towns that I can think of where no RVs or work trucks of "ANY" size could be parked at home.

However, if you are allowed to park an RV at home:

Then ask your local Zoning/Building Department if you can get what is called a waiver, to build your garage, because of where your septic is and the property layout will not provide the needed space with the current set back rules/laws.

Also Note: If you are friendly with your neighbors; (not just the ones on either side, but others close by too) you will want to let them know your idea, before going to your local zoning/building department. Let your neighbors know what you are up to and ask them if they would have any problems with you building what you want. If they say no - ask them for a letter to give the city/town. When I had to do something like this; I would have a letter for them to sign; to move things along a little faster. ;)

Take the letters with you for your first meeting with zoning/building. It will help those who have to decide if you can do this or not. Letting them know that they will not be upsetting others who live near you - is a BIG plus for them and you to get it approved. (Been there done that)


Good Luck, Tony

I was lucky enough to purchase a place with a 50x60 stick built shop with 2 12x14 doors. Keep the MH and my sons toyhauler safe a dry all winter.