Motorhome Home

[Kota]

Looks like the move to Michigan is going to happen sooner than planned due to medical issues with my folks. My dad has an existing 56 x 32 pole barn with 10' ceiling.



I'm planning on building a 56 x 24 addition for a shop and storage area.

What height ceiling and door should I use? I know what the AS will fit in but I may start a business working on RVs and boats.

[Hans 34.5]

14 feet for the door.

[Isuzusweet]

Kota sorry to hear that about your family. It's going to happen to me fairly soon as I have both of my parents in their 70's.

Let me know when you're hanging up your shingle and I'll drive to the big M to let you work on my rig any day.

As for ceiling height I would try for a minimum of 18' which would give you 8' above the height of an Airstream but less on other coaches. I would then build a wheeled gantry could be rolled along an Airstreams roof or SOB and then lowered to provide a secure flat work space accessed by a adjustable ladder fixed to the gantry that would also have a winch for raising and lowering A/C units to the floor.

http://www.ag-cranes.com/AG73.htm

Imagine a flat platform below the top of the A frame. Or something like it.

A 14Hx12'W door front and back would allow you to drive thru without having to back up.

A service tunnel (negates having to buy a motorcoach lift) built into the floor with an engine/transmission lift built in that once the engine or transmission was lowered into the tunnel it would be rolled to the end of the service tunnel. The winch on the A frame gantry could then be used to lift it out of the service tunnel to floor level or to a service truck for delivery to another shop.

I could go on forever......hire Brad(Bkahler) to do electrical.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

....I could go on forever......hire Brad(Bkahler) to do electrical.

He wouldn't want to do that, I take WAY to long to get anything done

[martin300662]

And order two so I can have one the same!

[Gregsch]

I would recommend a 12' overhead door. Be sure to consider how high the track mounts . Be sure to order it as close to the ceiling as possible to allow the most head room when the door is open. I just made same modifications to get my MH in my existing 10' door but, I would not recommend that to anyone building a new building. If I try to pull in without removing all the air from the air bags I will rip the AC right off the roof. I have been a Carpenter for 30+ years. I think when you start going over 14' ceiling height the cost will go up exponentially. Obviously more is better but cost will likely drive your decision. Price it out to be sure. I built my building to accommodate a 31' trailer. A 10' door is fine for a trailer. Your MH is likely 10'-4" to 10'-9" to the top of the AC. Don't forget to give due consideration to the layout of your access road. I drove around in the lawn in the exact location of the proposed building to confirm the turning radius's would work with the trailer and truck.
PS. Go with an R-19 insulation in the walls you will be glad you did when you want to work in January.

[Kota]

Originally Posted by Gregsch

I would recommend a 12' overhead door. Be sure to consider how high the track mounts . Be sure to order it as close to the ceiling as possible to allow the most head room when the door is open. I just made same modifications to get my MH in my existing 10' door but, I would not recommend that to anyone building a new building. If I try to pull in without removing all the air from the air bags I will rip the AC right off the roof. I have been a Carpenter for 30+ years. I think when you start going over 14' ceiling height the cost will go up exponentially. Obviously more is better but cost will likely drive your decision. Price it out to be sure. I built my building to accommodate a 31' trailer. A 10' door is fine for a trailer. Your MH is likely 10'-4" to 10'-9" to the top of the AC. Don't forget to give due consideration to the layout of your access road. I drove around in the lawn in the exact location of the proposed building to confirm the turning radius's would work with the trailer and truck.
PS. Go with an R-19 insulation in the walls you will be glad you did when you want to work in January.

I've got a couple guys giving me bids. Should have them in a couple days. Going with 56' x 24' with 14 foot ceilings. A 20' wide overhead door as tight to the ceiling as the tracks will allow. One guy said we can share the wall of the existing building by sistering in poles and tie into the existing roof. I want to continue the 4-12 pitch of the existing roof up to the new ridge above the shared wall. The other company wants to put in a parallel wall and design a truss that won't place any load on the existing roof. I think that's a bit of overkill to avoid liability.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Kota

I've got a couple guys giving me bids. Should have them in a couple days. Going with 56' x 24' with 14 foot ceilings. A 20' wide overhead door as tight to the ceiling as the tracks will allow. One guy said we can share the wall of the existing building by sistering in poles and tie into the existing roof. I want to continue the 4-12 pitch of the existing roof up to the new ridge above the shared wall. The other company wants to put in a parallel wall and design a truss that won't place any load on the existing roof. I think that's a bit of overkill to avoid liability.

Kota,

Before you make any decisions on a building check out Dandi Systems. They do turnkey building construction with pre-designed trusses for clear spans inside buildings. I absolutely love the 40'x50' shop building I bought from them. From the time I had the ground leveled and ready for them to start building it took exactly one week for the building to be completed. That included all of the concrete work (footers, floor, etc) and the building construction. On the 8th day I was able to start the electrical wiring installation. Price was very competitive as well.

I can't say enough good things about the building and its construction.

Brad

[Kota]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Kota,



Before you make any decisions on a building check out Dandi Systems. They do turnkey building construction with pre-designed trusses for clear spans inside buildings. I absolutely love the 40'x50' shop building I bought from them. From the time I had the ground leveled and ready for them to start building it took exactly one week for the building to be completed. That included all of the concrete work (footers, floor, etc) and the building construction. On the 8th day I was able to start the electrical wiring installation. Price was very competitive as well.



I can't say enough good things about the building and its construction.



Brad

Thanks, sent them an inquiry.

[bkahler]

Kota, here's a few shots taken during the construction of my shop.



One door is the standard 7' tall by 9' wide and the other one for the motorhome is 10' wide and 11' tall. The 11' is high enough for a 310 and my Argosy which is all I was concerned about. I have no plans for anything larger.

Like I said I really like this building.

Brad

[Kota]

Pulled the trigger today. Finalized the deal with the contractor and started clearing the site today. This is a big event. Retiring, moving form Colorado back to Michigan, and caring for my parents. Construction starts Monday.

[martin300662]

Big event indeed, and I hope it works out for the best.

[Lily&Me]

Yes, that would be a major life change.

Hope all goes well and your transition is smooth.


Maggie

[Gregsch]

Congratulations! A man and his barn, its a beautiful thing!

[mayco]

Heres to a smooth transition!!

Mike

[ericpeltier]

Well darn. I'l take you off my list of locals! (but this might be a good thing for you....I had a list of people to contact when I was stuck)

[Kota]

Progress has been slow but it finally done!

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B08532ODWJp1FDi

[mayco]

Looks great Dave. Beautiful setting.

[bkahler]

Great pics! Working inside is SO much better than the alternative

[Kevin245]

Nice design. Looks fantastic.