RVs are High!!! The Conclusion!!

[Spizzer]

All,

A month or so ago I posted a thread on suggestions about being able to utilize my RV garage for a class A. (thread here) The ceiling has a low portion of 11' 7", and the door opening goes 12'. In the far end, the width changes to 9' 6". Most RVs, especially newer models, have the A/C on the roof, making their max height well over 12' 5", and some to 13'. The pre 2009 Winnebagos and others had residential air in the basements, which made their max height 11' 6" to the "highest standard feature". Through the 8 pages of the thread, I recieved a lot of thoughts and suggestions. Thanks to everybody, I appreciate it.

After measuring and checking and measuring and checking, our first pick to begin with, a Winnebago Journey. We finally bit the bullet and bought one (luckely without the satellite dome)drove it back to Colorado and after about 30 minutes of work, got it to fit in the garage.....Talk about a stressful exercise!!

I have a finger width of room between the side view camera and the wall on the passenger side and a finger width of room between the drivers mirro and wall on the opposite side. I am going to notch out my drywall to give me another 3/4" of clearance for the camera to allow for the coach tipping on the airbags if it does.

Here are some shots:

[SCVJeff]

The one thing that will KILL you is having a dead battery while in the garage. I have a neighbor that has his coach in a similar position and his has been dead, and the coach not moved for months because he can't get to the battery to jump or charge.

If i were you I would drop a stinger down somewhere where you can crawl under and grab onto it to do a jump/ charge if that ever becomes an issue. Welding cable, and a couple of stage lighting paddles or equivalent would work nicely.

You also might want to consider a watering system for the batteries so you can keep them topped off without needing to pull out the coach.

[Mr_Mark1]

Jeff, I bet the previous owner backed his unit in so the sewer is on the correct side. With the space being so tight for your coach, I don't think I would attempt a 'back-in'..... and, you would not be able to get out of the coach anyway as the door would be so close to the wall.

Mark

[Spizzer]

FIRE UP wrote:
I was just wondering,

Just what was that garage built for in the first place? They've had "wide body" RVs since around '99 haven't they? Even the narrower bodied units would still be snug fit. I mean, if the OP didn't build that M/H garage, than the previous owner must have and if so, what was he intending on fitting in there? He had to have known that RVs of todays world are a certain width and, that does not include the mirrors etc.

I can see not going too high, that's a problem with many RVers out there but, just wondering about why build it so narrow and yet, it is supposedly for a motorhome?? Just wondering.
Scott

Scott, that is a really good question! The house was built in 92, and we bought in 97. Judging from the tennis ball hanging from the ceiling he had a 32 footer. That length keeps you just short of the narrow wall. The neighbors all say he bought several MHs when he was there. The last of which was a "big one". It has a dump station that is right there by my coach door. Why did he put it there? I'll never be able to use it.

Jeff

[Spizzer]

carpetguy2 wrote:
Hopefully.the ground dont expand and the concrete lifts up through winters .:'(

It is pretty stable so at least that will not be an issue.

Jeff

[Spizzer]

CC Crabman wrote:
Can you extend the slides?

Unfortunately the slides are on the tight side, so no.

Jeff

[Spizzer]

427435 wrote:
If your mirrors can't be swung in, consider changing the mounts. That's what I did in a similar situation.

Edit: Opps, looked a the photo's again and see that your mirrors do swing in.

The passenger side is mounted on front and swings totally forward. On the driver's side only the head rotates. I considered taking it off to buy about 5 inches.

I'll look into a different one, thanks.

Jeff

[Spizzer]

SolidAxleDurango wrote:
Don't accidentally hit the "extend slides" button. LOL

Or the auto level buttons, of which there are three I think.

[Spizzer]

racerguy wrote:
I have 3 feet on each side, 6 in front and back. I still have my wife spot for me going in and out.

Man, I would love to have half that!

[Spizzer]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I see repairs in your future.......

That is so tight there is NO room for any error.

I sure hope you are wrong!

Jeff

[Spizzer]

Daveinet wrote:
In some ways, that finger width is not bad. You can just drive it in, only looking at your side, and know the other side will be OK. What you may want to do is come up with some type of soft instrument you can attach to your mirror, so you know if that is touching the wall, the other side clears. The place that I take my coach to change the oil has rubber door seal on either side. I know if I just touch the door seal with my mirror on the driver's side, the other side clears by about an inch. So I pull it in, tag the rubber seal with my mirror, and know I'm good. Kind of freaks out the new employees when I just drive in, knowing where I need to put it.

I don't think I'll ever get that brave to just do that. With my DW watching that side and me out the window on the other....

Jeff

[Spizzer]

funtime wrote:
Boy, that is super tight. I also would like to know how you get in and out of the coach? My eyes might be wrong but is that an Ohio tag on your coach? Did you buy it here in Ohio and drive it home? Glad you got it in.

The door opens up just enough to get in and out. They are actually Idaho tags from the prior owner.

Jeff

[Spizzer]

fcooper wrote:
Nice job of parking, but many of us are now wondering if you're still trapped in the motorhome.

fred

I was afraid I might be!

[Spizzer]

MewshawManor wrote:
Wow!!! Don't sneeze when backing out.

It scares me because just releasing the brakes can cause quite a bit of movement.

Jeff

[Spizzer]

bsinmich wrote:
With that finger width of room my question is "How do you get in or out of the MH when it is in the garage"? I am a lot wider than a finger myself. Is your wife bringing food to you regularly?

The close wall is just past the door hinge. The door opens just enough.

Jeff

[Spizzer]

Uma & Papa wrote:
How did you get out????? Holy Cow!:E

The door opens just enough to squeeze through where it is right now. I can actually back up about five inches or more and that will allow it to pretty much open.

Jeff