Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-25-2014, 08:10 AM   #1
1 Rivet Member
 
2014 28' International
Hollis , New Hampshire
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 10
Airstream Garage Dimensions

My wife and I just purchased a 28' International Serenity. It is in storage at the dealer now, but we are thinking of building a storage garage behind our house to store it in.

My question has to do with the right length dimension for the building. The spec's say the trailer is 27' 11" long. Does that include the tongue? We have a Fiammi bike rack on the rear of the trailer, but I don't think that adds a lot of length. Beyond that though, I assume we'll want some additional building length for safety and "walk around" capability.

If anyone out there in Airstream land has any experience that might guide us, it would be appreciated.

Dave Robertson
Hollis, New Hamposhire
Daver49 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 08:13 AM   #2
Rivet Master
 
murreywalker's Avatar
 
2013 25' FB Flying Cloud
2011 23' FB Flying Cloud
Branson , Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 734
Images: 1
That measurement DOES include the tongue, and the bumper.
__________________
2013 25 FC FB (Twin)
2013 Suburban 2500

https://www.pbase.com/murreywalker

2011 23 FC FB
murreywalker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 08:20 AM   #3
Rivet Master
 
m.hony's Avatar
 
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood , Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
My trailer is 31' coupler to bumper.
I am planning an RV garage soon.
I think 36-40' long and 12-24' wide.
How much it costs will determine the size.
It will be angled like a spot at a campground to make backing in from the alley easier.
If I can manage a 24 x 36' building, other things will go in there like the tow vehicle, motorcycle, lawn mowers, bicycles, etc.
If I have to get a smaller building it will contain less stuff.
I want to stay in the $7,000 range, which might make the building 18' wide rather than 24', but we will see- soon-
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
m.hony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 08:58 AM   #4
Figment of My Imagination
 
Protagonist's Avatar
 
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over , More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony View Post
My trailer is 31' coupler to bumper.
I am planning an RV garage soon.
I think 36-40' long and 12-24' wide.
How much it costs will determine the size.
It will be angled like a spot at a campground to make backing in from the alley easier.
I want to stay in the $7,000 range, which might make the building 18' wide rather than 24', but we will see- soon-
Ergonomically, you would want at least 3 feet clear space all around for access. Except you can shorten the garage front-to-back by only providing your clearance at the rear, and not around the hitch; you can always get enough room at the hitch just by opening the garage door. Your 18×36 is well-chosen in that regard, allowing nearly 5 feet on each side and the rear if it if it's centered and with the coupler as close to the garage door as you can get it. That gives you room to line the garage walls with shelves or cabinets and still have adequate clearance.

Also, if you plan to do any work on the A/C or roof vents inside the garage, you'll want at least 3-4 feet of clearance over the trailer's roof, too. But you'd need about that much over the door anyway if you intend to install a roll-up garage door, to provide clearance for the roller mechanism.

If you're looking to buy a pre-engineered metal building, the wall panels are usually 3 feet wide, and you'll get the materials slightly cheaper if you stick to all dimensions except height being evenly divisible by 3 including the width of the door opening, so there's no need to vertically section any wall panels. Again, your 18×36 is ideal in that regard, especially if the garage door is 12 feet wide (9 feet wide would be too tight, what with awnings and such sticking out the sides of the trailer, and anything between 9 and 12 requires one or two wall panels to be cut to fit at extra cost). On the other hand, instead of 24×36 for your double garage, to fit a 9-foot-wide garage door for your tow vehicle alongside a 12-foot-wide garage door for your trailer, with one 3-foot wall panel in between and on each end, you're looking at 27 feet wide, rather than 24 feet.

Inside the garage, put the overhead fluorescent lights around the sides at the tops of the walls, not down the center of the ceiling like in most garages (although fluorescents on the ceiling between the two garage doors is okay for a double garage, in addition to along the walls). That way the trailer itself won't block the light and leave the sides in shadow.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
Protagonist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 09:41 AM   #5
3 Rivet Member
 
SStar's Avatar
 
2004 28' Classic
Midland , Texas
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 182
There are several very informative threads concerning garages / storage / covers. Look in winterizing /storage. Lots of great ideas!
SStar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 09:53 AM   #6
Rivet Master
 
m.hony's Avatar
 
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood , Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
I haven't decided on height, but anywhere from 10-12' at the top of the door should do it.
Some people say make it 13' 6" high because you might buy a fifth wheel or motor home.
Ha ha- buy a fifth wheel- I can't foresee either of those events transpiring in my life.
Motor home? Only if I find a good clean used 1996 Classic 360- or Airstream re-introduces the Classic motor home-
I would like to have room inside the building to get on the roof (at least on my hands and knees- I'd be too scared to stand up anyway) if necessary.
In a fantasy world I envision catwalks on both sides of the trailer to facilitate washing/waxing and a drain in the floor both for washing/waxing and dumping at home or using the trailer as a guest house (the guests would actually stay in the house and I would stay in the trailer).
There is already 50 amp electric service and a water supply where the building will be.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
m.hony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 09:54 AM   #7
Rivet Master
 
m.hony's Avatar
 
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood , Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
I think the trailers are 9' 6" high.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
m.hony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 10:07 AM   #8
Wise Elder
 
Jammer's Avatar
 
2010 30' Classic
Vintage Kin Owner
South of the river , Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,169
There is considerable benefit to being able to park the tv and trailer hooked up.

For a 30' trailer allow at least 4' clearance to the back wall for the avoidance of bent aluminum. Allow at least 2' in front of the hitch.

In general due to differences in light levels it is extremely difficult to see objects on the sides of the trailer while backing into a garage therefore for avoidance of bent aluminum considerable clearance is necessary especially if you do not have a 50' straight approach so that you'll be completing your turn as you enter the garage. The longer trailers are nominally 102" (8.5') wide but projections e.g. awning poles and tow vehicle mirrors require more clearance than that. I would see a 12' wide door with 14' clear width inside as a safe minimum however a great deal of care will still be needed while backing.

Be careful since shed sizes are usually quoted as outside dimensions so the interior clear space will be smaller. With doors it's usually panel dimensions not opening size that is quoted.
__________________
To learn to see below the surface, you must adjust your altitude
Jammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 11:20 AM   #9
Rivet Master
 
m.hony's Avatar
 
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood , Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
So, an 18 x 36' with lights on the side with a 12' door and 12' ceiling height should git-r-dun.
We will discuss dimensions when we discuss price with the shed man.
I do have the rear view camera on the trailer.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
m.hony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 11:37 AM   #10
Figment of My Imagination
 
Protagonist's Avatar
 
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over , More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony View Post
So, an 18 x 36' with lights on the side with a 12' door and 12' ceiling height should git-r-dun.
We will discuss dimensions when we discuss price with the shed man.
I do have the rear view camera on the trailer.
Also make sure it includes a roof vent to dissipate heat, and a vent low on one wall (rear?) to let air in to make up for what the roof vent lets out. Insect screens on both vents.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
Protagonist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 11:53 AM   #11
1 Rivet Member
 
Currently Looking...
1999 33' Land Yacht
Portland , Oregon
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 7
Please post elevation photos of your home and indicate the proposed location of the new garage.

FORM

FUNCTION

BEAUTY

These are integral in timeless architecture.

Natural lighting when you enter from either access will cast a glow on your Airstream. This is not just a storage unit!

More to say after the photos.

john
99 ALY 33 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 11:56 AM   #12
Rivet Master
 
m.hony's Avatar
 
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood , Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
I will post pictures at some point.
I live in the Mississippi, which is flat as flat can be.
I want the Airstream building to match the existing building and the trim on the house.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
m.hony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 12:05 PM   #13
Figment of My Imagination
 
Protagonist's Avatar
 
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over , More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
Quote:
Originally Posted by 99 ALY 33 View Post
Please post elevation photos of your home and indicate the proposed location of the new garage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony View Post
I will post pictures at some point.
I live in the Mississippi, which is flat as flat can be.
"Elevation" photos have nothing to do with elevation per se. It's the front, rear, and side views in architectural parlance.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
Protagonist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 12:15 PM   #14
Rivet Monster
 
wahoonc's Avatar

 
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak , North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
Images: 40
I have vintage which is a bit narrower than the new Airstreams. New barn is in the works... as soon as we get done battling with the zoning board

Our barn is going to be a "monitor" style. Center section is 12'Wx40'L with 12' ceiling on the ground floor, second floor is 8' ceiling height. Two side wings will be 16'Wx40'L with 9' side walls height. It will cost a bit less than a new Airstream

We are going for the all steel construction with a reflective insulation layer, we can add more insulation as needed.

The picture is a of a smaller, similar building, ours will have 3 roll up doors across the front and windows down the sides.

Aaron

__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #XXXX AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
wahoonc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 12:18 PM   #15
Rivet Master
 
cameront120's Avatar
 
1972 25' Tradewind
North Vancouver , British Columbia
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,421
Images: 23
Before you think too heavily on this, I'd recommend you contact your local building department (town hall or similar) to find out if there are any restrictions on what you can build. There may be limits on square footage or height of a garage, as well as requirements on where it is placed on your property.
__________________
Cameron & the Labradors, Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Live! Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death! - Mame Dennis
cameront120 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 12:25 PM   #16
Rivet Master
 
m.hony's Avatar
 
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood , Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
Please give me a little bit of credit for having a brain.
As a school of architecture dropout I do understand the concept of "elevation", as in the requested photo will be the "rear" or "west" elevation of my house/yard/existing storage building.
I do also realize that a building permit will be required.
What's up with people stating the obvious?
While y'all are at it, let me also go ahead and say yes, I know my property tax will go up.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
m.hony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 12:36 PM   #17
Figment of My Imagination
 
Protagonist's Avatar
 
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over , More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony View Post
Please give me a little bit of credit for having a brain.
Never thought otherwise. Never knew you studied architecture, either. So when 99 ALY 33 asked for elevation photos, and you replied that it's flat where you live, I put two and two together, and came up with 17.

Anyone who has been around the Forums at least as long as I've been here should already know that "Thoughtless" and "Insensitive" are my noms de plume judging from my many other social gaffes. I don't mean any offense by my overbearing pedantic attitude, but if you took offense, then I do apologize.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
Protagonist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 12:53 PM   #18
BAB
Rivet Master
 
BAB's Avatar
 
2015 30' Classic
2012 28' International
Greensboro , North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,708
I had a shed custom built for my 28' 2012 Intl. (same as your trailer). I had the architect design it to fit with an adjacent pool house. It's 32 feet long, 12' wide and 11' high. Size had much to do with available land. It is not fully enclosed (as you'll see from the pictures)...and I did this intentionally. I have a concrete driveway and pad for it. Quite a challenge to back it up around 60' of driveway, but it is eminently doable. PM me if you have specific questions.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0131.jpg
Views:	244
Size:	550.0 KB
ID:	208271  
__________________
_________________
"SilverLeaf II" 2015 30' Classic
2019 RAM 2500 Limited 4x4 CC w/6.7L Cummins
ProPride 3P
AIR# 58452
WBCCI # 3430-Unit 21
BAB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 01:05 PM   #19
2 Rivet Member
 
78SovIntl31's Avatar
 
1978 31' Sovereign
Paris , Ontario
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 50
Images: 2
My garage is 35x40, and would fit my 31' perfectly - if only the A/C cleared the top of the door.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	trailer.jpg
Views:	272
Size:	338.8 KB
ID:	208272  
78SovIntl31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 01:21 PM   #20
Rivet Monster
 
wahoonc's Avatar

 
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak , North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
Images: 40
Quote:
Originally Posted by 78SovIntl31 View Post
My garage is 35x40, and would fit my 31' perfectly - if only the A/C cleared the top of the door.
What is the door height? 9'?

Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #XXXX AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
wahoonc is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
3rd Car Garage Ideas for Airstream Storage Jezibels Winterizing, Storage, Carports & Covers 30 11-17-2010 03:20 PM
1999 Airstream Bambi - Garage Kept w/ Damage Functional eBay Watch Airstreams on eBay 0 09-20-2010 07:30 PM
1999 Airstream Bambi - Garage Kept w/ Damage Functional eBay Watch Airstreams on eBay 0 09-15-2010 11:30 AM
Garage Storage Dimensions for Trailer 1956Safari Winterizing, Storage, Carports & Covers 4 04-26-2007 08:46 PM
My Airstream Won't Fit in the Garage! campadk Winterizing, Storage, Carports & Covers 25 01-22-2007 05:49 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:30 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.