Motorhome Carport Blueprint: Dimensions, Height, and Tips for Making the Right Choice
A carport for a motorhome must be sized to accommodate not only the vehicle’s dimensions but also its overhangs, the available height, the roofing, and climatic conditions. Before choosing a design or the wood dimensions, you must therefore begin by precisely defining the usable dimensions of the structure.
What dimensions should a motorhome carport be?
You should start with the actual dimensions of the motorhome and allow enough space to move around the vehicle, open the doors, and easily access the amenities. Pay special attention to the height: skylights, antennas, solar panels, or air conditioning units may protrude from the vehicle’s roof.
The length of the carport must also adequately protect the front and rear of the RV. Therefore, you need to consider the overall dimensions of the structure, not just the distance between the posts.
What height should a motorhome carport be?
The height of the carport must be determined based on the actual height of the vehicle, including any roof-mounted equipment. A motorhome equipped with a skylight, solar panels, an antenna, or an air conditioning unit may be significantly taller than the height specified for the vehicle alone.
You must also take into account the structure of the carport: the height under the beams, any roof pitch, and the thickness of the roofing material. The goal is to maintain sufficient clearance at the lowest point.
Attached or freestanding RV carport: Which should you choose?
An attached carport is built against an existing building, which helps minimize the number of posts. However, you must have a wall suitable for securing the structure and carefully check the anchoring requirements.
A freestanding carport is separate from the building and offers greater flexibility in terms of placement. In particular, it can be installed away from the house or positioned to accommodate access and maneuvering of the RV.
What type of lumber should you use for a motorhome carport?
There is no one-size-fits-all wood size for a motorhome carport. The dimensions of the posts, beams, and roofing components depend, among other things, on the spans, the structure’s geometry, the type of wood, the weight of the roofing material, and the snow and wind loads.
That is why a design chosen solely based on the exterior dimensions of a carport—or copied from a similar project—may not be suitable for another project. Simplywoodplan blueprints use pre-dimensioned structures for the suggested configurations. For different dimensions, the app allows you to adapt the project to the dimensions you enter.
A pre-designed plan or a custom-built carport?
A pre-dimensioned plan is the simplest solution when the proposed dimensions match your project. You’ll immediately have access to the structure’s dimensions, the lumber sizes, a cutting list, the hardware, and the main assembly steps.
If your project requires different dimensions, Simplywoodplan also offers an app that lets you generate a plan tailored to the dimensions you enter. This allows you to choose between a ready-to-use plan and a customized solution tailored to your project.
Before Starting Construction
Before ordering the lumber, check the carport’s layout, the vehicle’s actual dimensions, the roof overhangs, and the clearance heights. The foundations and anchors must also be suitable for the site and the structure.
Snow and wind loads vary depending on the project’s location. They must be taken into account in the design, as must the weight of the roofing. If you have any doubts about the specific conditions at your construction site, have your project reviewed by a professional.
Choose Your Motorhome Carport Plan
If one of our sizes fits your project, simply choose a pre-dimensioned motorhome carport plan. The models are available in attached or freestanding versions, in a variety of widths and lengths.
Does your project have specific dimensions? Use the Simplywoodplan app to create a project tailored to the dimensions you enter.
Attached wooden carport for a motorhome