Ceiling height clearance workarounds/solutions

[doughpat]

Hi all -

So we've fallen in love with the Airstream Bambi (either the 16, 19 or 22 foot model). My wife and 3 year old child (2 tall adults and one child) are really trying to figure out a way to make it work in terms of storage. We have a carport (covered, but not walled) that we'd like to store it in.

And therein lies the problem. The carport has a ceiling height of approximately 8'11" (107"), and a piece of fascia that is 8'10" (I could fairly easily cut that fascia back). The bambi lists a height of 111", according to RVUSA.com

It seems my options are:

1.) Remove the A/C from a Bambi (with the obvious drawback of some very uncomfortable afternoons)
2.) Off-site storage (major bummer as it will add $ and time)
3.) "Non-traditional" methods of getting the Bambi under the carport (i.e. removing the wheels and replacing with steel rims, deflating the tires, trenching out the concrete slab, etc.) None of these options sound like good ideas.
4.) Choose another camper/trailer : (

I'm hoping that either the true height of the Bambi is shorter than it claims (though that seems unlikely), or that maybe there is something I haven't thought about. I wish there were side-mounted A/C units but it doesnt seem that Airstream does that (fair enough--they're ugly!)

Would appreciate any feedback (including whether this is the correct sub-forum for this question)

[McStreamy_]

Welcome to the Forum! It seems like you've thought of some very elaborate solutions to make the AS fit. Taking a different approach - is modifying the carport an option?

[az-streamer]

1. Is the ceiling height fixed or is it a false ceiling that can be removed?
2. Can the length of each of the four legs of the carport be increased? Ie: raise the roof. A one time cost vs the aggravation of the other suggestions. Either new footings at the base of the legs or blocks inserted between the roof and the top of the legs.

[UncleBad]

Picture of the carport also might help spur some ideas....

[GeeSag]

My existing carport was too low.
Raising the Roof + Truss structure did not seem structurally sound.

So now I have a New Second Carport.
Really glad I did....I got the Trailer that I wanted and did not let the carport force me into a second best trailer.

Having the trailer on site makes all the home based activities so easy.

[Narv]

Hard to tell without a photo of the structure, but raising it shouldn't be too difficult.

[Alumaholic]

It may be simple and inexpensive.
But we need to see a photo to offer any fact-based recommendation.

[bibbs]

I like the steel rims idea. You can service the bearings when you put your wheels back on in the spring. That is if you can’t modify the carport ?

[banderabob]

Just me maybe, but I would build a new trailerport if the existing structure cannot be heightened. You will want to store it at home, and have it EASILY accessible.