Building a parking for the trailer and cover suggestions

[contento]

Hi all. We're moving into a new house this weekend and there is no HOA (YEAH!!). That means we can park the trailer on the side of the house. Right now, the area is all grass. I'm definitely not leaving the grass (don't want to have to maintain it under and around the trailer). I also don't think I want to have a slab poured (not only the cost involved, but the permanency - if we get rid of the trailer, I don't want to have to chip up a 30' long slab). So, I'm thinking I'll take up the sod, use a ground clear vegetation killing spray, landscape fabric, then a few inches of gravel/pebble of some kind (something small and smooth). Anyone have any issues with that? Recommendations?

Also, I'll want to put a nice cover on it. I've seen some sold through camping world that seem nice (Looking at the ADCO Designer Tyvek). Any suggestions in this realm?

Thanks all!

[Boband4]

I did the same a few years ago, gravel pad for the trailer. A couple of considerations are underground utilities and weeds. Call the "dig" number, lots of areas use 811, and they will come out to mark underground utilities. The city thought I buried a storm drain access, but I was able to show them the access about 6 feet off of where their map placed it. I also found out there is a gas line under my pad. I still would have done it, it is just good to know. I had to move the trailer for them once when they were working on the line. My first thought for your project was any sewer clean out next to the house, you dont want that buried. Next is weeds. I had to make a frame out of pressure treated lumber for two sides to keep the gravel contained, and not have it wash out during our WA rain storms. I poured larger gravel as a base, then small gravel as a topping. It really has solidified well. I have some weeds, but they arent coming from below. Seeds blow around and land then grow on top of the gravel. Bottom line is that I am really happy with the outcome. It isnt perfectly level, it stll has to drain, but the fridge works, and I am not parking in a mud pit.

[krobbe]

A cover runs about $300 and will keep the Florida sun off it. Might have to replace it in a few years. My neighbor only got 2years out of their last one here in Mich.
A 12'Wx27'Lx11.5'H car port runs about $2000 at Menards. The longevity and ease of use of a car port makes more sense to me. And tree debris is no longer a problem.

[BuckBarker]

Make sure you build for hurricane wind loads or your shelter will belong to your neighbor.

[spoon059]

Ummm... no permit needed to put gravel down in my jurisdiction. Also, depending on the size of the carport, no permit needed there either.

[sch911]

Good luck on your project. But even without an HOA you'll still have to get permits from your local officials. Hopefully you'll have no issues getting this approved.

[Markiemark32]

X2 - Suggest a RV carport, mine has a gravel/rock as the pad.

Well worth the investment in my opinion.


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[spoon059]

I did the same as you... gravel pad is perfect for an RV. It drains well, its easy to enlarge and reduce as camper size changes. Its a relatively easy DIY project and the cheapest option besides parking on grass.

In terms of the cover, I find them to be a pain in the neck. I won't use one. My father in law got started camping 2 years ago and bought a new trailer and cover. He uses the cover in the winter, but found it is a lot of trouble during the summer months.

When I purchase my new RV next spring, I plan on buying a metal carport. So much easier to just back underneath the cover. Its a little more money, but a lot easier and less likely to rip.

FYI, when we get the new camper, I plan on pouring concrete pats right where the tires sit. I'll make the pads level side to side so we can pre-cool the fridge before we leave. I figure a couple bags of concrete, some rebar and some 2x4 framing shouldn't be too expensive, permanent or difficult.

[classicdude]

I made a pad two years ago out of what they call road pack. My pad is about 20X12 and only cost a couple hundred bucks. It's been used for drive ways around here since forever and has worked very well. I didn't bother removing sod or using Weed Ender, but you sure can if you don't mind all the extra work. I spot spray any vegetation that manages to penetrate it (with Roundup). Very little makes it through several inches of road pack. I would love to install a cover, but I'll have to wait till I win the lottery or something for that!

[Crawfordville]

Instead of cover why don't you have a metal carport put up? It would cost more than a cover but not that much more.