RV carport contractor recommendation

[steve46]

We are considering having an RV carport with an attached enclosed lean to/shed erected to place our Airstream under cover—a metal building is my preference.

The picture below shows the type of structure that I am considering. Not that it matters for this discussion, but the RV side would be 18’ wide and 28’ deep to cover our 25’ Airstream. My objective is to find a provider who can sell, deliver and erect such a structure, and do that in a satisfactory manner.

I am seeking positive input, specifically a recommendation from someone who has actual experience with a company such that you’d recommend them. It seems like the companies and dealers selling/delivering/installing these RV carports are out of my area (not local) and some have rather mixed reviews of performance and buyer satisfaction. I’d appreciate some real life positive input, preferably based on an installation in Michigan or the upper Midwest. To keep this positive, feel free to send me a private message if you have something negative as I do not desire to make this a bashing of any provider.

Thanks for your help.

[nryn]

A lot of these structures can be built very well by local builders. Look for pole barn builders or folks who specialize in utility buildings or post frame construction. Local farmers will be your best source for recommendations. Find buildings you like and look for a manufacturer badge above the garage door.

There are of course regional and national builders as well. Morton, Cleary, and Wick are options in my area (Wisconsin). The advantage with these folks is that they are so large that they either manufacture their own materials or have priority for procuring the materials (not a small consideration these days with the supply chain shenanigans). I had a few buildings built by Morton in 2020 and they are outstanding. You can see a bit about one of them in my traveling with Tatay thread starting with this post (details in later posts).

Do know that materials and transport are at a premium right now and wait times for things like garage and walk doors and windows are measured in months depending on specs. It’s a very interesting time to build.

[jeffmc306]

Steve, I like your proposed building - wish we had the property to do something similar. Nyrn had a good suggestion about checking out local pole builders.

I came across this company that appears to match builders and customers. You can design your own building on their site. Might be worth checking out.

Good luck and let us know what you end up doing!
-Jeff

[SlowPokePete]

Wow, would I love to have the right property for something like this!

Despite having 5 acres, I'm on a hill with a driveway that is not conducive to getting a trailer backed into...we've done it once when we brought our GT 25' home last November, but starting May 1st it will be residing in a local storage facility.

Anyway, one thing I was thinking is you might want to go deeper than 28' as I believe ball to bumper on a 25' trailer is 26'.

I'd want a little extra room on each end, especially if it open.

Anyway, good luck and keep us all posted on what you end up doing!

SPP

[Silver.Gypsy]

Originally Posted by steve46

We are considering having an RV carport with an attached enclosed lean to/shed erected to place our Airstream under cover—a metal building is my preference.

The picture below shows the type of structure that I am considering. Not that it matters for this discussion, but the RV side would be 18’ wide and 28’ deep to cover our 25’ Airstream. My objective is to find a provider who can sell, deliver and erect such a structure, and do that in a satisfactory manner.

I am seeking positive input, specifically a recommendation from someone who has actual experience with a company such that you’d recommend them. It seems like the companies and dealers selling/delivering/installing these RV carports are out of my area (not local) and some have rather mixed reviews of performance and buyer satisfaction. I’d appreciate some real life positive input, preferably based on an installation in Michigan or the upper Midwest. To keep this positive, feel free to send me a private message if you have something negative as I do not desire to make this a bashing of any provider.

Thanks for your help.

We too are in MI (Central) and looking for the same type of structure. I can't even get Kent City to give me a quote. Please keep me in the loop of what you find.

[Mikebrady62]

I have to agree with SlowPokePete, Go a bit deeper and wider than you think.
I have a 27' AS and my garage is 35' X 18' and is just enough to back in comfortably, drop my hitch on the floor in front of it and pull out and close the door. I almost went 30' deep, I am really glad I decided to go an extra 5'.

[guskmg]

Find a metal building supplier. They will design a complete building kit for you. They will also have installers they recommend. An engineered drawing to meet city codes is usually offered on a money applied against the total cost. I am going to make an addition to my new building and the company will design the extra parts. My builder will simply R&R a couple of pieces and do the mod for me. I am really pleased with my building. Beware of cheap non-engineered buildings. Mine was designed for 105mph wind load. That is the building requirement in my city.
guskmg

[gamakai]

Width of 18' sounds good but length of 28' might be short. Our 25 is in a 30' shelter---wish I had gone 35'.

[Dingo Girl]

i see your are in michigan. try england pole buildings. they are in Marion Mi. nice buildings.
i had mine done 24 feet long for a 17 footer wished I'd have gone longer.
good luck!

[steve46]

It took some time—there were lots of moving parts that needed to be sequenced properly, and the shortage of availability of some trades (especially concrete contractors)—to get this built, but we are quite happy with it. This is an all steel structure with the RV side being 30’ deep, 20’ wide with 10’ legs, so 12’ tall in the middle. Someone with better backing skills than me could get two Airstreams under cover. The lean to/shed is 30’ by 10’ wide.
I bought it on the internet, but not until I had completed extensive due diligence to satisfy myself that the outcome would be acceptable. No, it is not a garage—but it could be someday—however it keeps all the pine needles, cones and sap off the Airstream roof and keeps it dry as well as minimizing sun exposure. This is what worked for us.

[barnhawk]

Great looking shed, that will serve you well.

[Mikebrady62]

Very nice-looking RV port and attached garage.

[eubank]

I was thinking along similar lines, but then came across the idea of putting solar on the roof rather than running a wire underground out to the location.


Lynn

[centennialman]

I switched up from a Shelter Logic (The fabric wore out after 6 years) to a metal carport 37 feet long, 20 feet wide and 14 feet tall. It was built by Coast to Coast Carports. It covers the Airstream and two vehicles. I am happy with the results.