Looking to build a RV shed

Gary Fowler · Jul 18, 2015

I just bought a 38" Class A Motorhome and will be needing a shed for it. Recommended is 18 x 40x 12 high (preferable 14) minimum. I see some metal carport type that are basically just a roof and no sides or ends for about $3500. I think that is a bit high at least for the material used and time to install (about 1/2 day) on your foundation of choice.
I am thinking that perhaps a wood structure might be cheaper especially if I did most of the work myself and just hire a couple guys to do the heavy lifting stuff.

Any opinions on this and what might be cheapest way to go?

tman1020 · Jul 18, 2015

i think that the carport is going to be the cheepest way to go but not the strongest. the open sides and back will limit protection but that may be fine depending on what you want. if open shelter is what you are after i think the steel carport is the way to go over wood plus i would think the wood may have more trouble with nesting birds depending on the design. If more protection is what you want or will want in the future its hard to beat a pole barn. One thing for sure make sure that it is large enough to accommodate not only your current motor home but also one as large as you would ever own. things change no telling when the future might bring a upgrade and that would suck to have a building not large enough to store what you want. congrats on the new motor home and have fun.

Gary Fowler · Jul 18, 2015

The only place I have to put it where I would have sewer dump AND electric power would be next to my shop on the North side of my 30 foot deep shop. So if I put it on that side, I have shade from morning sun plus most of the day from the shop on the south side. The only exposure would be in late afternoon sun. I might could get by with a roll up tarp for the summer sun on the west side and still get good ventilation on it. It is fairly flat there already so I might not have to do any dirt prep which is another bonus.
I kind of agree that metal building (carport style) is going to be cheapest but it is hard to put $3500 on that flimsy structure even though one mfg. claim it is 130 MPH wind resistant.

Gary Fowler · Jul 18, 2015

tman1020 said:
One thing for sure make sure that it is large enough to accommodate not only your current motor home but also one as large as you would ever own. things change no telling when the future might bring a upgrade and that would suck to have a building not large enough to store what you want. congrats on the new motor home and have fun.

HAHA. I don't think I would be ever looking for anything else as this one will last me well into my later driving years (I hope). I wouldn't ever be looking at anything more than 40 foot long for sure, hench the 40 foot shed x 18 wide gives plenty of room to open the 36" slide and still walk around the perimeter on both sides.
Now to do some comparison shopping.

BWfarms · Jul 18, 2015

I like the metal buildings for ease of build. Dad and I disassembled a 12x20 with 14' legs (sides 3/4 enclosed) then erected it in the farm yard. I premarked each piece so it would all go back up the same way it came down. Can't beat free, only bought new metal screws to replace the old ones. Since I found out how easy it was to construct, I've been looking for places that will sell just the building material. Nobody will do it, every time I ask they say installation is built into the price. The most generous I was given off was $100 if I wanted to do it myself. So with that in mind, search craigslist for ones people are either giving away or selling cheap.

Gary Fowler · Jul 19, 2015

BWfarms said:
I like the metal buildings for ease of build. Dad and I disassembled a 12x20 with 14' legs (sides 3/4 enclosed) then erected it in the farm yard. I premarked each piece so it would all go back up the same way it came down. Can't beat free, only bought new metal screws to replace the old ones. Since I found out how easy it was to construct, I've been looking for places that will sell just the building material. Nobody will do it, every time I ask they say installation is built into the price. The most generous I was given off was $100 if I wanted to do it myself. So with that in mind, search craigslist for ones people are either giving away or selling cheap.

Man that business is a rip off. I was looking at the material and there cant be more than $1000 at most in material for a 18x40. The support frame looks to be 14 ga square tubing and likely 29 gauge metal roofing/siding.
My problem is finding anyone nearby that even sells structural steel, closest place is 75 miles away.

BWfarms · Jul 19, 2015

No kidding Gary! I would go 75 miles for material, roughly a 3 hour round trip ain't too bad. I've gone further to look at equipment and cattle, then turn around and come home empty. You can look at doing pole barn with metal trusses at $4.10 linear foot. 6x6x16 pressure treated posts are $50 each at Lowes. I think I just paid $24-26 per 14' galvanized roofing tin. You'll have to quote the 2x6s and bolts/fasteners. A bit more labor involved but still pretty simpe with help.

If in your travels you find factory direct carport materials close to central NC, let me know.

newbury · Jul 19, 2015

What do you need for "structural steel"?

My "RV shed" structure (focus on the greyish outside elements)

appears to be built out of pallett racking uprights.

I've often thought of another building with 14' high sets of pallet racks comprising the outer framework.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY about high winds and extreme snowload all you need is a sturdy skeleton to fix the sheets to.