Building a RV garage input needed. Pictures helpful

[fly4fun]

Finally got settled in the new house so now its time to build my RV garage. I am going to have a 40ft wide by 50ft deep. My question is that I think I would like to have only one door 12 wide by 14 high in the center verses putting in one high door for the rv and a smaller one for my boat.If I go this route will I be able to put my trailer in all the way to the back ( 32ft ) and still be able to angle my bass boat in and out fairly easily? I use my boat alot and the trailer not as much. Any thoughts would be appreciated and pictures of what you have built would be even better. Come on guys, show us your man caves!

[Ivylog]

The door pivots on 2" pipe nipples and floor flanges. There is a cable from the top right, down over the window to the bottom left with a turnbuckle to tighten as more weight was added. 2X6 framing with insulation. Left side is 12' and right is 14'

Inside the ceiling goes from 12' to 16' so I can still get on the roof of the MH if needed. With the MH inside, it's easy to change the overhead light bulbs.

[ependydad]

Ivylog, ok I'm slow... even w/ the second pic- where's the door?

[fly4fun]

Ivylog

That is slick!

[Ivylog]

Since you are concerned about the appearance of the door... where's the MH door?

Maybe this will help.

[TakingThe5th]

Sadly my man-cave, aka "The Barn", doesn't have the necessary height to store my 5er. After using the barn for over 20 years - if I were to build it again - I would make it 14 feet high and would also allow extra perimeter space so the toys are not stored too close to the walls. I have had some mold issues due to lack of air space.

[Lgreen]

I built a 34 wide by 45 foot building for my fifth wheel. I put two 12 wide by 14 tall doors on the front so I could put anything I wanted in either bay, and I also believe it gave the building a better look that having one large and one regular door. I put two regular doors on the back to allow access from rear (building was located where I could not pull the camper through. I used panal type doors to give a better appearance.

[jrp]

fly4fun wrote:
.... Do you guys like the roll up doors or the panel door on a track best? Thanks for all the pics guys. You all have some neat toy boxes.

Mine are regular rollup doors, with manual chain operators. You can get electric operators at an additional cost, but I didn't see a need. I only use the roolups when I'm moving a rig in or out. Insulation is a valid issue, depending on your location. I insulated my walls & roof significantly, but not the doors. out here in the desert, although we do occasionally get below freezing. its not severe or extended cold. I don't heat or cool the open garage area, it stays at least 20 degrees warmer/cooler than the outside temps with just the insulation. I do have a closed off, finished apartment like living area in the 3rd bay (15'x60') where I have heating & cooling, and additional insulation.

One issue I've noticed out here with the rollups is wind blown dust. When I return here each fall, the 1st day is spent cleaning out a half inch of fine dust that blew in under the door bottoms & sides during the summer. After one of our rare winter snow storms here, I had a 6" drift of snow just inside the bottom of the rollup doors. There are probably add on systems that would provide a better seal around the doors, but it really hasn't been that big an issue for my part time seasonal use.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I agree with 2 or more doors. No matter how much light you put in the building, when you back in, it's hard to see. Here at work, Ed always has me guide him as he backs our car-hauler trailer in, and that part of the building is brightly lit.

Regarding door types: on our old pole barn, we had a sliding door because it gave us a few extra inches of height (12' walls). Here at work, we have 12' wide x 14' high insulated overhead doors opened by commercial openers. The biggest drawback is that if we ever lose power, I'm not sure we could open the massive door by hand?

[laknox]

fly4fun wrote:
Finally got settled in the new house so now its time to build my RV garage. I am going to have a 40ft wide by 50ft deep. My question is that I think I would like to have only one door 12 wide by 14 high in the center verses putting in one high door for the rv and a smaller one for my boat.If I go this route will I be able to put my trailer in all the way to the back ( 32ft ) and still be able to angle my bass boat in and out fairly easily? I use my boat alot and the trailer not as much. Any thoughts would be appreciated and pictures of what you have built would be even better. Come on guys, show us your man caves!

How =wide= do you plan on making the door? That'll be the key to doing what you're thinking of with a single door. Personally, I'd go 2 doors if cost wasn't too much more than 1 big one. I might consider going 14.5-15' high on the door, too, but that's just me.

Lyle

[liberty2010]

we have a 30' X 50' 16' sidewall. the top 2' of sidewalls have clear polycarbonate sky lights. One 14' x 14' door one std auto door. 7' x 9'. We have added the same clear material to one side allat the level of our bus windows for the living room and bedroom. this gives us a 'view' sort of a window on the weather. We use this for spring and fall stops near our daughters area of the country. When we are not there (must of the time) we rent the one side to a family to store their moho in. I would only add a window to the back wall to allow air flow.

[RCMAN46]

I have the panel doors. I live in cold country 20-30 below. I went with panel so I could have the door insulated. I have 6 inches roof and side walls. 3 inch in the door. For most of the winter my shop will stay above freezing with no heat in building.

Make sure the door railing allows full 14 ft when door is open. May require special truss's for the door area. Trailers and Motorhomes of today get into the 13' 10 inch range.

I went with no windows or roof panels. Privacy so no one can see what is in the building and better insulation.

I use outdoor yard light type florescent light fixtures,

X2 on going 60 feet long.

In my 30x60 I have had two 5th wheel trailers a boat and a truck and still had room for a small workshop (8x16) and way too much just stuff.

[fly4fun]

I see what you are saying guys. I just thought one door would give it a cleaner look and save a little cash. In retrospect two doors will be the way to go. Once you get past 12 ft wide on a roll up door the price skyrockets. Do you guys like the roll up doors or the panel door on a track best? Thanks for all the pics guys. You all have some neat toy boxes.

[jrp]

The RV garage I built at my winter ranch is 45' x 60' and I put 2 sets of doors; 14 ft high x 12' wide for the RV's and 9'x 9' for my cars/trucks/tractor; with matching doors at the opposite end for drive thru ability.
Not sure why you'd want to limit it to one door, but if you do, I'd make it a wider door.

[glazier]

The part about leaving your truck hooked up is another important thing as mentioned. If you are preparing for a trip you can hook up the night before, no advertising to the world your going to be gone. Makes for a quick get away the next morning.

[SolidAxleDurang]

Here's a cool utility for planning purposes -> http://www.cbstructuresinc.com/layout-planner