HiMy name is Jim and I'm new to the forum : )My wife and I are interested in purchasing our first travel trailer. That said, I would really like to be able to store it at my house. I'm on over a 1/4 lot and have "RV side access" but the problem is that my lot is pie shaped and is narrow in the front. I have what looks like about 9 1/2 ft. from one side of my RV gate to the eave of the house. What are your opinions on this? Doable? What are your experiences? FYI it is a straight shot through the gate, no obstructions etcOnce inside the gate I'm good as my back yard really opens up..... heck i could probably fit 3 or 4 trailers back there its just a matter of getting through the opening in the gate.Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated!JiM

I don't think a TT would pose a problem. now a large class A with mirrors sticking out two feet per side is different.bumpy

Most Travel Trailers are 8 feet wide, how well it will pass the house is a question of how straight your path is. If the trailer is not to be a large one, there are some 7' and 7'6" wide models as well in units less than 25' long. If you are really concerned with fitting one by there, you could rent a u haul 6x12 trailer for a day, the actual length is about 17' by a total of about 7' wide.

Minimum width is the width of your trailer... likely 8'. 9.5' is pretty tight, but doable if you are capable of backing up a trailer. Is your trailer as tall as the eave of the house? If not, you'll have even more room. My suggestion is to actually measure, not assume, your dimensions. Find out if you need to worry about the eave due to trailer height, or if you are under your eave. Find out exactly how wide it is and them determine if you are comfortable with your backing ability. I've been towing a travel trailer for a decade, so I'm fairly comfortable backing into a tight space (provided I have good vision by mirror or a trusted companion to help while I back up). Your results may vary.

if you're not comfortable or experienced in backing a trailer, is it possible to widen the gate ? Or do you even have room for that?

My old house was 12', and it felt tight! I suppose 9.5' is doable, but there's not much wiggle room. Use a spotter or three at first, then mark with paint where the tires need to be at various points for future reference.

Minimum gate opening width needed for TT parking........

Seon
Explorer II
Aug 14, 2020
Front receiver hitch would really help squeezing an 8' trailer between 9.5' gate. Dollar to a doughnut, you'll scrap if not bump one side or the other.
gmwelder86
Explorer
Aug 07, 2020
I’ve got a 9 foot opening and eves on onside of the driveway. It’s really tight and planning on redoing gate to get a bit of room on far side from house. Hoping to gain about a foot. It’s only doable in day light.
joelc
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2020
We have our 5er parked on our lot and our gate opening is 10'.(double gate-2 5' pieces) Just back up slowly. Watch the mirrors on your truck though.
Fifty7Coupe
Explorer
Jul 31, 2020
Thanks for all the responses!
In general from what I am hearing is to measure to get exact dimensions first and formost as well as using spotters when backing but all in all it is doable.

Thanks !
joshuajim
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2020
Do you have room to add a gate on the other side of the house? If so with a large back yard you might be able to drive in and drive out with minimal fuss.
wapiticountry
Explorer
Jul 31, 2020
The physics of the clearance changes if it isn't completely level the whole way in. Tilt one way of the other and those measurements will change. And, like another poster noted, if you have to execute any turns all bets will be off.
Terry_25
Explorer
Jul 31, 2020
We have an 11' driveway with the house on one side and a chain-link fence on the other. Two below grade window wells intruded about 18'' into the space. 25ft TT not bad getting in but harder to get out. Real trouble was when you wanted access, the fence made it impossible to fully open the door. {It was a no slide model). We lived with it for 12 years. Bought a 30 footer and rented a storage lot. Best $45 I ever spent even tho it's 11 miles from home. Stress - free coming and going. Sure wish we could store it at home but "the juice wasn't worth the squeeze".
pennysmom09
Explorer
Jul 31, 2020
We have a 5th wheel and a 9ft wide gate to our backyard. We backed in very very slowly because the clearance is mere inches. Ours is adjacent to our house too, with roof of Rv same height as gutters. Talk about stress!! Our gutters have a few dents from the initial efforts! We did get good at it though!
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jul 31, 2020
buy a 7 or 7 1/2 ft wide trailer. back it in straight and buy a small motorized dolly to inch it thru the opening.
bumpy
valhalla360
Navigator
Jul 31, 2020
It's not a lot of spare room but certainly enough if you can hit it straight.

Now if there are odd turns on either side of the gate, all bets are off.