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The RV-owners Guide to Choosing a Carport

RV beside a river

Unless you’re a fulltime RV traveler, your RV probably sits in your driveway for most of the year, exposed to sun, rain, wind, hail, and snow.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to choose the best carport to protect your RV while you aren’t traveling around this beautify country.

In this post you will learn:

  • The different types of RV carports
  • How to calculate the right size of carport for your RV
  • The pros-and-cons of several carport features and add-ons

Types of RV Carports

Here are some of the most popular types of RV carport styles:

RV Cover

Instead of a carport, many RV owners use a carport cover to protect their RV. This is a quick and simple solution, though not very elegant.

Prefabricated Metal Carport

This type of carport has a steel tube frame and a roof made from steel paneling. This is the long-lasting solution, and offers the best protection from the weather.

Pergola-Style Wood Carport

A pergola is a flat-roof structure usually supported by four posts. This is the fanciest style of carport. It isn’t commonly used for RV carports because most RVs just won’t fit under a pergola!

How to Calculate the Right Size for Your RV Carport

When shopping for an RV carport, you should take into account the size of the RV itself. Grab a tape measure and a friend to help you measure the dimensions of your RV. As you measure the length, be sure that you include parts that extend from the body of the vehicle such as the bumper and the ladder.

At Alan’s Factory Outlet, we have a selection of RV carports that includes open-sided designs as well as partially and completely enclosed ones. If you opt for one of our RV carport kits that is enclosed, then you’ll probably want to allow yourself a few feet of walk around room inside the structure. Ideally, you want to give yourself an adequate amount of space for both moving around inside the carport as well as backing in.

The width of your vehicle is another thing to consider as you shop for an RV carport. With the help of a friend, take an accurate measurement of the width of the RV. Open the door of the RV to see how much space it needs to swing freely inside the structure. Even with an open carport design, you may want to allow yourself some extra space for storage within the shelter.

Measuring the height of the RV is very important. Some RV’s have a satellite and air conditioning unit on the roof so include those items in the measurement. An RV carport should offer plenty of space above the vehicle.

RV Carport Features and Add-Ons

Roof Styles

At Alan’s Outlet, we want your RV to be protected from the rain, hail, snow and other elements that Mother Nature has to offer. In addition to supplying our customers with dependable RV carports, we also give them options as to the design of the carport’s roof. Two of those options are the boxed eave and the regular style. Both of these designs offer protection and visual appeal. If you choose a vertical roof style, you’re purchasing a design that features vertical sheeting that allows snow to slide off instead of accumulating. You may want to give a vertical roof style some thought if you live in an area with lots of snowfall.

Side Panels

Adding side-panels to your carport adds extra protection from the sun, wind, and rain.

Not a One Size Fits All Selection

Finally, when you buy one of our customizable RV carport kits, you can dictate the style, size and even the color of the structure. You may have a clear vision of what sort of carport you want for your RV. If you aren’t sure, we’re glad to help you find answers to your questions. Feel free to send me an email or give us a phone call. Thanks for reading and safe travels! Alan

Alan Bernau Jr

Alan Bernau Jr. is the founder and owner of Alan’s Factory Outlet. He has helped more than 75,000 homeowners design and install custom carports and garages over the last 20 years.

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