How tall is my Ambassador?

[BingoBob55]

Hi All. I've been a member for a few months and have been learning quite a lot from all the interesting blogs and forums. I am planning on building a pole barn to house our trailer but unsure how tall to make the garage door. I would like to have a 10' door with a 12' ceiling height but I'm not sure that a 10' door will be tall enough. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

[AnnArborBob]

I would highly recommend that you and an assistant use a 2x4, a level and a tape measure to be doubly sure! Then add 4 to 6 inches for good measure. Also, keep in mind that when open, some garage doors hang below the opening. You wouldn't want to come up an inch short!



Also you might consult this web page:

Document Archive - Airstream

But, I'd still measure!

[Studioman]

My 61' goes into my 10' door with PLENTY of room to spare.

[AnnArborBob]

One thing you might want to consider is that a modern Airstream is 9' 10" high. That could be tight fit in a 10' door. If you think there is a chance you might ever want to get a newer unit, you might want to add a couple of more inches to your door height. It's a whole lot cheaper now than once you've built the pole barn!

[JamuJoe]

Originally Posted by BingoBob55

Hi All. I've been a member for a few months and have been learning quite a lot from all the interesting blogs and forums. I am planning on building a pole barn to house our trailer but unsure how tall to make the garage door. I would like to have a 10' door with a 12' ceiling height but I'm not sure that a 10' door will be tall enough. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Measure! I just re-measured my 2011 FC23FB (with 15" wheel and tire upsize) using a 4' level and tape and it is 9'6" atop the aircon shroud. Aftermarket antennas may be higher.

Cheers,
JamuJoe


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[BingoBob55]

Thanks for everyone's info, I knew I'd get the answers on this forum. I think the 12' door is the height to go with since there is always the possibility of upgrading and you're right Bob, it'll be a cheaper up front cost than a retrofit! Thanks again!

[wahoonc]

All of mine go under a 10' door opening. My barn has a 14' door just in case...

Aaron

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by BingoBob55

Hi All. I've been a member for a few months and have been learning quite a lot from all the interesting blogs and forums. I am planning on building a pole barn to house our trailer but unsure how tall to make the garage door. I would like to have a 10' door with a 12' ceiling height but I'm not sure that a 10' door will be tall enough. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

The height of all Airstream trailers built since 1961, also depends on the condition of the torsion axles. Same for the ball height.

If the axles are old, or the trailer has been parked for a couple of years or more, the rubber rods are finished doing their job.

When the coach has bad rubber rods in the axles, the height will be 3 inches less than when brand new.

When building a garage door it is wise to increase the height to 12 feet, so that when the axles are changed, the trailer will still easily go through the door.

Andy

[msmcv51]

According to the specifications on airstream.com the outside height from ground was 8'10". That may have been WITHOUT an AC unit on the roof.

[terryV]

According to my Airstream brochure (2014) the height to the top of the AC for a 31' Classic is 9' 7".

My '02 Classic goes thru my 10' overhead door with several inches to spare.

My pole barn's walls are 10' so that was all I could have for a door opening.

[BingoBob55]

Once again thanks to all who offered their opinions. After reading the factory height specs and all your inputs I will remain with my decision for a 12' door with the extra margin for error.

[AnnArborBob]

Originally Posted by BingoBob55

Once again thanks to all who offered their opinions. After reading the factory height specs and all your inputs I will remain with my decision for a 12' door with the extra margin for error.

Wise choice. I'm sure the incremental cost over a 10 foot door/barn is trivial.

I'm probably going to build a roof over our RV/TV pad next year and will set it at 12 feet of clearance at the entrance.