Forum Discussion

MackinawMan's avatar
MackinawMan
Explorer
Apr 11, 2015

Attached RV Garage Feedback Request

For years I've wanted to build an RV garage (our TT sits in the backyard from April-October and then is stored in a pole building at a local fairgrounds from November-March). At one time I had even purchased a steel building, but ended up selling it in the end.

My dilemma is simple, while we have a nice size yard (3/4 acre lot with the house sitting close to the front, leaving a BIG backyard), logistically-speaking there is just no good way to build an RV garage in the backyard and then be able to manuever the TT in order to park it in the garage without driving through the yard and tearing the heck out of it. It's not so bad in the summer months when the ground is firm, but during the April/May months the weight of the F350 diesel and the 8500 lb. camper just ruts the yard up big time. (I just put the TT into its spot in the backyard and the ruts from all the wheels are everywhere.)

So, I got to thinking....our single-level ranch house has a two-car attached garage. We're getting ready to do a complete exterior remodel to the house and I'm now considering tearing down the old garage and replacing it with a much bigger garage that could house a TT (and possibly a 5er in the future), and still park 2 vehicles inside as well.

Anybody done something like this? An attached RV garage that would be taller than the actual house? Any suggestions/ideas? Any problems to consider?

I've always found this board a wealth of knowledge and people offers things I've never thought of.
  • wra's avatar
    wra
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2015
    I built a two car plus motor home attached garage, when I built my home. I have had no regrets. I also had it made with front and rear garage doors. Having the drive through feature has really been nice. Make sure to make the door openings hight enough for any future RV you may buy. It required commercial type of doors. I put in full hook ups for inside and outside use. I have found that visiting friends with RV like the opportunity of staying in their RV. This also lets us build Christmas parade floats out of the weather. If you can afford it...go for it.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2015
    Check with your local planning commission or zoning board before setting any plans in motion. In many older neighborhoods there are height restrictions as to total structure height. In my district it is 15'. It's very difficult to get a 12' door under a 15' high roof.

    If you do proceed with the front facing RV garage, leave plenty of space to the sides of the garage. This will involve some careful planning if you also want to park two cars in the same garage. You will end up with a garage bigger that the front expanse of your house and may be right at the limits of property line setbacks. It can be done but there will be some design work involved.
  • korbe's avatar
    korbe
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2015
    Height may be an issue, but sometimes putting a second garage door at the rear of the existing garage allows acces to the back yard.
  • MackinawMan's avatar
    MackinawMan
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2015
    lvylog, you have a very nice home!!

    Thanks for all the suggestions. I will check into building codes, I hadn't thought of that but honestly I will be shocked if something prevents us from doing what we want to do. We live in small town (900 people) in a very rural (i.e. farming community) area of NW Ohio. Things here aren't very strict when it comes to those things. As long as you buy a building permit, and stay so many feet away from property lines, most of the time things are fine.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Apr 12, 2015
    Here's a picture of the MH bay door. There is a adjustable cable running from the top R to the bottom L... just over the window to support the weight of the door.


    By swing the door you save 2' in the height of the building. The door is made of 2x6's, insulated, and sided the same as the house.
  • BubbaChris's avatar
    BubbaChris
    Explorer
    Apr 13, 2015
    MackinawMan wrote:

    Anybody done something like this? An attached RV garage that would be taller than the actual house? Any suggestions/ideas? Any problems to consider?


    We have a neighborhood two towns over that has multiple houses as you described - Single story home with an attached RV garage that is taller than the main house.

    I know some have their own air conditioning unit for the garage, and I have a friend south of here who has an extra-long boat section of his garage that has a swamp cooler built into the back wall.

    One thing to consider if building one is to put lighting along the sides (rather than in the middle). Otherwise the shadow cast by your RV would get annoying.
  • dadmomh's avatar
    dadmomh
    Explorer
    Apr 13, 2015
    Really nice home for the MH! Mackinaw, take a look at some of the camping magazines that have ads in the back for homes, usually in the SW, but they have facilities for their RVs and you might come up with an idea. Getting past any local regs might be a problem, so before you get too excited might want to have a talk with that dept. We put up just the aluminum carport enlarged to about 28 x 35 with no problem, but we live in the county and in TN where some things are not as stringent. Good luck. It really helps keep things looking new.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,029 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 13, 2025