Help deciding on carport or cover for 5th

tinkerreknit · 04-09-2012, 05:17 PM

We have a 32' 5th wheel and are planning on getting a carport for it - one of the metal carports that you see everywhere. We will get a top-quality one that is engineered for snow. It will probably have vertical roofing so snow will slide off. My questions concern the length, height, and width. The camper has one slide. I am considering 36' length and probably 16' width (possibly 14'). I would want to keep the slide out sometimes. I understand it's hard to discuss height, and I am pretty much on my own there. I plan on minimum clearance for height to keep cost down, and also to minimize exposure of the camper to the weather. Also, the structure is certain to be more stable and wind-resistant if it is as small as possible. I want the sunny side covered down to within 3' of the ground.
So I just want to hear from ya'll and see what else I need to consider before I purchase.

grhodes50 · 04-09-2012, 08:47 PM

I had my cover built for my tt and pup last year and really like it. I didn't opt for the verticle roof since snow isn't a problem here.
I did go 41' in length and 18' in width with an addtional 21' x 12' lean to for the pup. The width gives me plenty of room for the slides and makes it easy to enter the tt. I went with 12' sidewalls. I didn't really need them that tall, but I can easilypark a 5'er under it if I ever go that route. My tt is a little under 12' at the highest point (AC) so I'm able to stand on the roof to do inspections or clean.
I also had 20, 30 & 50 amp service installed.

Here's a few pics.

**Herk7769** · 04-09-2012, 09:12 PM

OMG I want one...

OldCoot · 04-09-2012, 09:19 PM

Ballpark cost on the carport without the lean to

grhodes50 · 04-09-2012, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Ballpark cost on the carport without the lean to

I had to dig the papers out. Here's the breakdown without the lean to added in.
18' x 41' RV Cover (price includes 20 - 3' rebar stakes) = $1,895
12' Leg Height = $600
18 - 3' Braces = $180
6 Mobile Home Anchors = $150
18' Extended Gables = $300
2 Side Panels, 41' and 20' (shorter panel on one side because of the lean to)= $250

Total = $3,375.00

Price includes installation, but does not include the driveway, pad, railroad ties or the electric.

OldCoot · 04-09-2012, 09:51 PM

Thank you very much.

grhodes50 · 04-09-2012, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Thank you very much.

Your Welcome!

House97 · 04-10-2012, 12:08 AM

I have seen on line outfits selling rv carports similar to this. Was this one of those, or did you build from scratch?
Any recommendations for those of us who are thinking of doing something similar?

PapaSmurf · 04-10-2012, 05:59 AM

I currently have a quote for almost the exact carport (no lean too), 18 X 40 X 12 installed, anchored, and taxes = $3,085.

grhodes50 · 04-10-2012, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by House97

I have seen on line outfits selling rv carports similar to this. Was this one of those, or did you build from scratch?
Any recommendations for those of us who are thinking of doing something similar?

This is one of the online outfits. Most are just a middle man and sell nationwide so you can shop around to find the best deal. The dealer I dealt with sold several different brands, such as Carolina, but the one I purchased is an Eagle carport. Same grade of materials, colors and cost but they had a crew in the area that could get it built quicker.

Here's a link to thread I posted last summer. Maybe it will help answer some of your questions.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ics-14069.html

Gotago2 · 04-10-2012, 01:52 PM

Very Nice. Definitely on my to do list if there is any $$$ left after the new roof on the house next week.

tinkerreknit · 04-10-2012, 05:09 PM

Thanks for the input, guys. I still think I want a 16' width - that 14' isn't enough and 18 is a little too much for me. I don't want to obstruct the view of the woods beyond the camper parking area, and also I have quite a bit of grading to do and lots of gravel and timbers to buy. I want to minimize that cost and work. I did look at the Eagle model and I was impressed. I like the extra braces up top, and I feel that they are necessary. How about my suggested length of 36' for the 32' unit? Is this skimping too much?

onetonford · 04-10-2012, 06:15 PM

Did you have to get any Permits?

grhodes50 · 04-10-2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinkerreknit

.......I did look at the Eagle model and I was impressed. I like the extra braces up top, and I feel that they are necessary. How about my suggested length of 36' for the 32' unit? Is this skimping too much?

I think all brands in that price range & style use the same materials, so it shouldn't make any difference. Finding a good dealer will be more important. There is one in town, but he kept adding on and told me the build time would be 2 to 3 months out. I found a dealer in Tulsa and they had the same grade of metal, colors and everything else. He was a little cheaper and then knocked off an additional 5% (I forgot to deduct that from the total price I posted earlier). They had it built within 3 weeks.
I went with 41' length. The panels are 21' with a 1' over lap. My tt is just under 35', so that leaves 3' at the front and back. That's not a big deal open like it is, but if I ever get the side and end panels on, and maybe a door, it will make a difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by onetonford

Did you have to get any Permits?

Didn't have to get any permits where I live, but I suggest you check first.

kamp k · 04-10-2012, 10:24 PM

My goal is to get a carport in place by the summer. Gotta get the driveway done first and take down a few trees. Have been quoted $3081.75 for an 18x36x12. My TT is 34.5'.

tinkerreknit · 04-11-2012, 04:18 AM

I have several local dealer/installers, too. But I contacted 2 of the companies directly via internet and got 2 quotes that were way under the local quotes. It does seem a little scary doing business without a contact in my community though. Here in my city, no permit is needed. I was surprised by that since we are taxed at every turn. There is reason to think that will change soon though. Here's something interesting; we had an existing concrete driveway but we needed a separate driveway for the camper. Here you have to get the city to do this work. They did a great job and only charged $100 (cost of the pipe). I thought that was a pretty good deal, since I didn't have to do anything but make the phone call.

T.L.T. · 04-13-2012, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapaSmurf

I currently have a quote for almost the exact carport (no lean too), 18 X 40 X 12 installed, anchored, and taxes = $3,085.

Papa Smurf, I have a SilverBack 29 re and the hight is 12.9 so I went 14 foot high

tinkerreknit · 08-24-2012, 06:52 PM

Good news! I am the original poster; the canopy should soon be a reality. A shed that sits on that site has been sold and will soon be moved. Soon I can get some railroad timbers, and a big load of gravel, and start leveling the site. I have to dig up the electrical service and get it out of the way. I decided on 18 x 36 with 12' legs. I didn't want one this wide, but I think it will be better in the long run. I am very excited about getting a cover over our baby.

eisbell · 08-24-2012, 09:02 PM

So who did you decide to get one from. We have looked online and it is scary to do it online we have poured addition to driveway and need to find a cover.

Smitty75 · 08-24-2012, 09:34 PM

I just ordered mine today, unfortunetly it will be significantly smaller but so is the camper (2109s). 13.5'x25' with 10.5' legs. Local dealer actually beat carport.com and carports.com, but only by a little bit. But I found out it's coming from the same company as everyone else. Even the local guys are just a middle man. Just hoping the 10.5' legs are enough. According to CAD they are, but you never know until you back it in.

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