Having an RV is its own kind of freedom, the comforts of home on the road or in the woods, and a great way to spend retirement too. Having an RV may be the peak of convenience, but storing one isn’t as easy if you don’t have the right size garage.
Whether you’re looking at buying an RV or tired of storing it elsewhere, learn what size garage different RVs need and the space that works best for you.
Why Get an RV Garage at All?
Expanding or building an RV garage may seem like an unnecessary expense, a kind of luxury item reserved for the wealthy and with lots of land. While the upfront expense can be off putting, it is cheaper over the long run and saves your RV from the elements.
Some RV owners like to store them at a storage site that caters to motorhomes and RVs, but those are large lots with no protection against the snow, rain, or extreme weather that can do serious damage to your RV. Beyond that, security is little more than a fence and privacy may also be an issue. Storing your RV on a lot may seem like the only solution, but it’s an expensive recurring fee that does little more than give you a place to park with zero protection.
RV Garage Dimensions by RV Sizes
Now that you know an RV garage is worth the upfront investment compared to the other option, what size do you need? We’ve organized RV garage dimensions by the RV class to make it easy to see the type of garage you need built:
Garage Width by RV Class
To know the right width for your garage, first, you have to know the width of your RV. Generally, an RV width is 8’6″ unless there is a slide-out addition, which increases it significantly. Then again, these slide-outs aren’t generally used in the garage.
Garage Length by RV Class
The length of an RV ranges between the classes:
- Class A: Averaging around 25 ft in length, but can reach up to 45 ft.
- Class B: Generally around 20ft
- Class C: Ranging between 20 ft to 30ft
Garage Height by RV Class
The height of RVs also ranges in class:
- Class A: 14ft
- Class B: 12 ft
- Class C: 14ft
Garage Doors
Now that you know the dimensions of your RV, you have an idea of the minimum space required for your RV garage. A factor a lot of people forget about is the door height and type of door best for your garage:
- Generally, the width of an RV door should be 12 ft
- On average, the height should be 12 to 16ft. tall
Also, there are a range of RV garage door styles to choose from to make access easier for you or to fit the aesthetic of your home:
- Roll-up Garage Door: A single sheet of material (usually metal) that rolls up vertically above the door opening.
- Sliding Garage Door: These doors slide horizontally to open and close along tracks mounted on the inside or outside of the garage walls. They are best for garages with limited ceiling space and provide a wide opening without swinging outwards.
- Side Hinge Garage Door: These doors swing open horizontally from hinges mounted on the side of the opening. They offer a traditional look and can be accessed without opening the whole garage.
- Tilt-up Garage Door: This door is a single panel that tilts outward and upward to open. They are simple in design and can be cost-effective, but require sufficient space in front for the door to pivot.
- Over-roof Retractable Door: These are mounted above the garage opening and retract horizontally along tracks installed on the garage ceiling.
- Swing Out Garage Door: These doors open by swinging outward from hinges mounted on the sides of the opening. They provide a traditional look and can be operated manually or with automatic mechanisms.
- Bi-fold Garage Door: Bi-fold garage doors consist of multiple panels that fold inwards or outwards as they open. They are space-efficient and popular in contemporary architectural designs.
The Driveway & RVs
When getting a garage to house your RV, another feature to consider is the driveway. It’s important to have a driveway that is at least 12 ft wide and 20 ft in length to maneuver better without hitting anything.
A Custom RV Garage Built to Your Needs
There are many kits to build your own RV garage, but risking it being built incorrectly or not fitting your RV needs comes with the kit. Rather than endangering your RV or it not being able to fit at all, explore our garage floor plans and ensure it’s built right for you the first time around.
Our Home Consultants can help guide you through our RV garage plans and ensure you choose the one best to house your vacation vehicle. Schedule a free consultation and let’s find out which type of garage works best for you.
