RV Cover

[rjmonta]

I have a 38' Montana and would like to have a storage area constructed for it for both winter storage and for use during the summer to keep the sun off the roof. I see several metal pole buildings advertised. Anyone have any experience with how they hold up (high winds)? Would a wooden shelter work better? I would like to leave on side open (free from poles) so that we can enter and exit the vehicle onto a patio slab.
Thanks for any comments.

[DutchmenSport]

If you have a shelter built by a company that specializes in these types of buildings, then you'll probably have no problems as it will be built according to local "code" for the area you live in. Building codes vary, even between neighboring counties within the same state. But if you have a builder do the job, then it will be built right and should be able to withstand normal weather conditions.

Of course, no building can withstand a direct hit by a tornado, earthquake, flood, wild fire, hurricane, or a run-away semi truck driving right through it! But the local building codes will also have most of that covered too.

If you go with a specific local builder, then if it be metal or wood, it should be done right. .... granted, extremes can happen, but even your house can be swept away if weather conditions are severe enough.

[Mikendebbie]

I had a 45x18x 16’ eave ht. pre-engineered carport built by a local seller that I had used in the past for other projects (January 2021). I had panels run down 8’ on the west side (I have a garage bldg on the west that provides shade in the late afternoon). I ran panels dow 4’ on the east side. At the time I ordered I had a huge huisache tree on the east side providing lots of shade but the big Texas ice storm Feb 2021 killed it. Wish I had run the panels lower now. I had anchors installed for 90 (?) mph winds because the wind blows hard and regular out here. I installed the gravel base myself with a rented bobcat…well…I got the bobcat for free thru the company I work for. The gravel was $220 for about 10 cy…I live close to the pit. The cost of diesel now will affect that in a big way. The structure was $8500 IIRC. I originally set my budget at $5000 several years ago but prices go up (surprise surprise). I had some electrical work run to a couple of barn buildings and it included running 50 amp service for the RV for $6500, but that cost will depend on the distance for your underground or overhead lines. I put mine underground. Many of these pre-engineered guys have calculators on their website so that you can put in your length - width - height etc. and it will give you the cost. It ain’t cheap. Here is the only pic I could find on this iPad.

Edit: I live out in the country and I did not have to get a permit or ask any of my neighbors or neighborhood association if I could install this cover. Nice!

[RMcNeal]

That's a really nice cover! How do you tow the Montana with that car? Did you add air bags?

[Mikendebbie]

We have not tried it - but the dealer promised us that it the Subaru could tow the Montana.

[RMcNeal]

Oh cool. I bought mine at Camping World too. Must be the same dealer.

[MARK A]

I had a 24x45 metal building built. Best money I've spent. Put a 16"x8" concrete footer down with a compacted gravel floor. 12 grand.

[Lee-CI]

^^^ Ugh - I'm jealous! LOL Really liked the idea of just the concrete footer though in lieu of a concrete pad. Gives me food for thought....

[Theunz]

Originally Posted by Lee-CI

^^^ Ugh - I'm jealous! LOL Really liked the idea of just the concrete footer though in lieu of a concrete pad. Gives me food for thought....

Until you want to get down on your knees or crawl under it to work on it😎

[Cat320]

Make it bigger than you think you will need. I have a friend who built his MH barn to fit his 40' bus...fully enclosed, water and power. Perfect....until he found a new 43' MH he just had to have.

[Foldbak]

I'm on 1.5 acres and still don't have the room for one one of those.

[MARK A]

Originally Posted by Theunz

Until you want to get down on your knees or crawl under it to work on it😎

Works awesome for washing in the shade though! I have a huge asphalt
area to use for the crawl under stuff. I wash it far more often than crawl under.


Mark

[Lee-CI]

Originally Posted by MARK A

Works awesome for washing in the shade though! I have a huge asphalt area to use for the crawl under stuff. I wash it far more often than crawl under.
Mark

Same here - do have asphalt driveway area to utilize for underneath work. Had been seriously considering either compacted gravel or even reclaimed asphalt for the parking area for the fiver. I need to bring someone in with a stump grinder before I can do that though as I have two hugs stumps that I couldn't cut down closer than a couple inches above ground level. Baby steps for us. Between the truck and MHC purchase plus looking are retirement soon, watching the additional expenditures closely.

[jeririgged223]

Originally Posted by rjmonta

I have a 38' Montana and would like to have a storage area constructed for it for both winter storage and for use during the summer to keep the sun off the roof. I see several metal pole buildings advertised. Anyone have any experience with how they hold up (high winds)? Would a wooden shelter work better? I would like to leave on side open (free from poles) so that we can enter and exit the vehicle onto a patio slab.
Thanks for any comments.

For a previous bumper pull trailer I had a standard metal carport for years that I kept a trailer under. Never had any problems with wind or snow load (lived in the mountains). You have the options of having the sides enclosed with the same metal. In my case I did that part way down the sides and left the ends open so I could drive straight thru to park. Then I had tarps extended over the front and rear ends to keep the elements out.


For my Montana I had an RV barn built