Pole Barn or Enclosed Shed

[BeSerious]

If you decide to build a pole barn, keep in mind the different sun/UV exposures in summer vs winter.

We keep our 16ft NEST in the carport of our pre-existing tractor shed, which faces south. In the summer, the NEST is almost completely in shade with a nice view of our property. But in winter the side of our NEST is bathed in sunlight — great for warmth but less so for UV damage. We ended up installing a seasonal tarp-wall which blocks the UV and the view in winter

Seriously consider providing a full hook up: 30amp power, water, and sewer. An AS with a full hook up provides iconic guest quarters; and keeps guests out from under foot

[FloydCoVa]

Hello here is my experience. I had a 24x36 foot pole barn built. I hired a local contractor that builds all kinds of barns. I used the fella to set posts ,trusses,metal roof ,and pour the concrete pad as well as some very lite grading. This cost me $14000.00

Then I took over from there. I bought 1x8x12 rough cut hemlock boards for siding and I sided the pole barn my self. I screwed the siding on vertical and as tight together as this lumber is “green”and will shrink. It has now dried and I have 1/4inch gaps. Good for air flow. Also I’ll mention that under the concrete pad I had them put cheap tarps and a heavy plastic maybe 4 mill thick. Between the air circulation and tarps under the concrete pad I’m hoping to keep moisture to a minimum. I also only sided the right side and back as most of our weather comes from the west. This will allow air flow to keep things dry and out of the direct sun. Right now I’m finishing the shed roof I put on the left side it is 16x36. Next spring I will get some electricity and some lights installed. Right now as it sits I have about $16300.00 in it. I live in the country on 10acres so I have some room to do this. Here is a pic as from yesterday. I have a few siding boards I will put on the back side of shed roof today then I will be finished till next spring. Also about moisture make sure you put gutters on and grade the sight (no flat land here) to keep water away as best you can. Yes I plan on gutters as well. Also I like the flexibility a pole barn/building brings. Sorry for the crooked pic as I downsized it like the first one.

[Hittenstiehl]

That is a very nice pole barn including the add on attachment, looks great with lots of room.

[FloydCoVa]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

That is a very nice pole barn including the add on attachment, looks great with lots of room.Attachment 356617

Thank you for the compliment,and turning my pic. Scott

[Lafitte]

Nice pole barn
I have a 24' square carport , but alas , it isn't tall enough
so off to the covered storage I go (only 7 miles)

[rkteck]

We went with a Versatube building. The one major thing I would recommend is whatever you end up with is to make sure it is rodent proof if there are in your area. They can, will and do get inside the airstream and cause damage.

[1811SAR]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi
Why open sides: With a fully enclosed building, you are backing the trailer into a dark hole. You have no references
Bob

For ~$30.00 you can purchase a couple Midland FRS handi-talkies and your significant other can talk you into any tight spot out there.

Nothing creates more joy for me than to have people walk over after watching us put the trailer into the tightest of spots available on one or two pull-ups. "Radios? Never thought about that option before..." Developing trust in your mate is pretty cool too.
All the wife needs to do is tell you what direction she needs the back of the trailer to go in and when to chase out the drift.

Cheers mates,
G

[85 Sovereign]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

Why open sides: With a fully enclosed building, you are backing the trailer into a dark hole. You have no references to work against as you do the process.( = there is nothing to aim for). With an open set of sides the normal sunlight will provide you with lots of light to see what you are doing.

Bob

Lights make it not so dark. You can also use reflective tape or marks of some other sort for marking if you need a reference or aiming point. I've been backing fire trucks including tractor drawn trailers into enclosed buildings for decades with no problems.

[vikx]

We love our pole barn shelter. It's 30 x 60 with a cement floor. It has siding on the weather side, which also shades from the afternoon sun in the summer. The overhangs prevent splash back on equipment and trailers. We love our shelter!

Pros:
Open with lots of light
Easy to drive in and out
Nice breezes and stays cool; great working space
Access thru the open side

Cons:
Lots of DUST and debris on the trailers
Critters have access but cement limits them somewhat
Bird netting had to be installed across every rafter to prevent nesting above the trailers

In our area, it is legal to side a permitted building with no further fees or inspections.

Long story short: We had a temporary 40 x 20 portable shelter for a while. It was "iffy" in the wind, very concerning. I don't recommend the larger temporary structures. Then the nasty neighbor lady filed a complaint because it blocked her view of a dying elm tree up the hill. So.... we built our big shelter which is 20 feet longer and 5 feet higher. Be careful what you wish for.

[tjdonahoe]

[QUOTE=RichardJ;2309191]Ordered a 2020 16' Bambi and need to build a protection structure. We are leaning towards a pole barn but want to know your thoughts of a pole barn versus an enclosed structure for Northern Adirondack weather.[/QUOTE. Enclose it....

[ForestStranger]

Open ended 24x36x12 pole barn. Oregon, mostly rain. Not much snow.

[David57]

Late in this discussion. I have a 2001 Safari in storage, or it was till I pulled it back home. The storage unit is dark, with little ventilation and no power hook up. When the temps dip cold then rise, as it does on the lower east coast, or is rainy for days, I end up with condensation and mold in my AS. I would love to have a shed for it. Sunlight is great to keep mold and mildew away. I'm currently looking for a shed with power so I can operate a dehumidifier or a heater. My storage is $800 per year, and of no use now, bummer.

[mefly2]

Check this thread:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f483...-188904-2.html

We did it in stages ... because we were worried about snow accumulation on the AS roof in the winter.

First - the 24' x 32' pole barn with a gravel floor.
Second - added shed roof.
Third - added the metal and composite siding to match our house.
Lastly - added concrete floor with epoxy finish.

We like the shed roof / over hang in the summer
... because it allows easier access to the AS with partial solar charging - yet provides protection from the elements.

We like the inside of the barn for Eddie during the winter
... because we can close it off from the winter temps and often heavy snow.

Only the roof is insulated at this point - and the project has been done as limited teacher retirement finances allow. Windows matching our house open for ventilation and cat shelving was installed because our cat likes to visit the barn and keeps critters away from Eddie.

[Njg]

Pretty proud here and had to jump on. Fully enclosed, climate controlled, 50a power, dump and water inside, dormer windows allow roof solar battery maintenance. We had half dollar size hail the day after I got the airstream in there....

[Hittenstiehl]

Njg that is a beautiful structure. Congrats

[FloydCoVa]

Njg, wow nice airstream barn! Hehe... no really nice, enjoy.

[Ultraclassic]

Originally Posted by Njg

Pretty proud here and had to jump on. Fully enclosed, climate controlled, 50a power, dump and water inside, dormer windows allow roof solar battery maintenance. We had half dollar size hail the day after I got the airstream in there.... Attachment 364148Attachment 364149

Ok now I have AS and Workshop envy

Beautiful Workshop!!

[Llittle54]

Originally Posted by Njg

Pretty proud here and had to jump on. Fully enclosed, climate controlled, 50a power, dump and water inside, dormer windows allow roof solar battery maintenance. We had half dollar size hail the day after I got the airstream in there.... Attachment 364148Attachment 364149

Nice. What size is that garage door?

[Njg]

Originally Posted by Llittle54

Nice. What size is that garage door?

They are 12’ wide by 10’ tall. No lift kit in my future!! Doors at both ends so I can pull through. It building will hold a 33’ airstream but I don’t think I’ll ever part with the 25’. I like being able to fit into small spots..

[naildriver58]

I already have a barn with my shop, but I got tired of leaving the AS out in the weather so I built an addition on the back, 14x28 That was last summer when we had a 23’ Safari...zoom to 2020 and we upgraded to a 2019 GT27FB...(very happy with the new rig, now if we could only go somewhere). Unfortunately, the access to the storage addition was already tight, and with the additional length I’m either gonna need to flatten about 10 yards further out from the entrance to swing in, or build a new building...I can always find a use for the storage so now I’m designing a pole barn type structure...good thing I love building!