Considering an RV Garage

I let my wallet (and DW) be my guide on the finish. We decided to go with white horizontally mounted siding. True the garage does look like the world's largest sugar cube but it's really a beaut. Horizontally mounted is easily replaced in case the wind rips it off. I had several pieces left over and I saved them for such a time.

Thanks for all the good input as it really helps us in making an educated decision.

Another question comes to mind as to the siding, we have seen some with vertical and some with horizontal siding and wondering what the benefits of each are. The horizontal seems to be less expensive but engineering specifications are the same for both.

Vehicle door minimum should be 14'. Raising a roof is a true PITA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Insulation and drywall (sheet rock)
also need to be in quote. Also consider electrical, at least a 200 amp panel with a 50 amp RV plug. Plumbing, heat, air distribution, floor sump, lighting, vehicle exhaust exhausted outside. The 4" floor doesn't sound adequate to me either. And then there is the question of the impact of such a structure on resale value of the property. Do you get your money back, make a $ or two or (as with a swimming pool in our climate) get the green weenie! It may make some sense to talk to several local licensed Realtors as regards their opinion regarding the impact of the structure on the property value. And before you do anything, check out the zoning/building code with the appropriate municipal authority to insure that the project is feasible and what bureaucratic hoops you have to jump through to obtain a building permit. The man door is not a common size! Was this intentional? Here the standard/common size is 2'8" by 6'8".

30 X 50 X 14 doors
Works great
2 50 amp plugs for when we have rv friends that want to spend a night

I agree with the others. Bigger is better. For both your future upgrades, as well as resale, go with a 14' door. Also, I hate to say it, but i wouldn't do anything less than 40' long. Lots of windows are nice for natural lighting. Skylights are a nice addition.

Mine is 52' x 24' x 16'. If I were to do it again I would do at least 28' wide.

pitch wrote:
May not be a problem in Arizona, but in the NE a steel building will condense from the ceiling and also the floor will be damp. Adequate ventilation is a must!

I agree with the condensation problem. At the very least, get a bit of insulation under the roof to prevent the drips. Pole building companies usually offer a thin foam that will do the job.

I'm in the process of finishing my "dream" garage. Just finished the ceiling yesterday and all that remains is installing two large ceiling fans. My rv is a 30' C so I built the garage 45' long for space to maneuver the rv. It is 30' wide and 14' high. The electric door is 12' wide and insulated. I used 6" lumber for the added strength. It has one walk-in door but no windows nor any plumbing except for a drain in the center of the floor. I sprayed insulation on the walls and cellulose on the ceiling so it won't take much to heat it. I installed 6 large lighting banks that hold 6 powerful fluorescent lamps in each. I built a workbench across half the back wall. As I said I keep the C parked on one side with room to open both slideouts and on the other I park my restored Tbird and my Corvette. In the space in front of the C I park my golf kart. In the center I built a 16' train table for my grandson. With the extra length I have a lot of room for storage at the rear of the garage and along both walls. The white metal ceiling just installed yesterday reflects the lighting downward making it brighter as a result. Be sure you install a large enough electric box to do the job if you will be using such things as heaters, fans, compressors and the like. Consider the placement of your outlets and what amperage you need. Electrical components are very expensive. You will no doubt have to store your materiels outside while building so buy insurance on those materiels and once done you can drop the coverage.

I would first work with a metal building supplier for the building and plans. Then I would get the foundation engineered. I would then put it out to bid. The more detail in your plans, the better the quotes will be.

May not be a problem in Arizona, but in the NE a steel building will condense from the ceiling and also the floor will be damp. Adequate ventilation is a must!

My wife and I built our own and are very glad to have it. Anyone who advises against it in my opinion is just jealous.
Prior to having it, all winter long it was exposed to the elements, and in the heat of the summer, the roof needed constant maintenance.
Since we have had the structure, it has stayed immaculate.

Please don't listen to the naysayers. You'll be very glad you have it.

I wish I could help you on the bid, but doing it ourselves saved us everything except the materials..


Jack L