Carports: What Size & Other Features that You Need to Know Before You Buy

When it comes to safeguarding your cars, trucks, RVs, boats, and oversized vehicles, Keen’s Buildings stands as a beacon of quality and precision. With a legacy rooted in engineering excellence, we offer metal carports that not only meet but exceed the demands of vehicle protection. Our structures are meticulously designed to accommodate a diverse range of vehicles, ensuring that your investment remains shielded from the elements.

Understanding Carport Dimensions: What Size Carport do you need from a Technical Perspective

Single Vehicle Carports

For standard passenger vehicles, a minimum width of 12 feet is essential. This dimension ensures ample space for door clearance and maneuverability. However, for added comfort and storage, widths of 14 to 16 feet are recommended. These dimensions not only provide ease of access but also allow for additional storage options alongside your vehicle.

Double Vehicle Carports

Accommodating two vehicles side by side necessitates a width ranging from 18 to 24 feet. While 18 feet may suffice for compact cars, larger vehicles such as SUVs and trucks require at least 20 to 22 feet. For full-sized trucks or vans, a 24-foot width ensures unobstructed access and prevents door interference between vehicles.

Accommodating Oversized Vehicles

Large vehicles like service trucks, cargo vans, and heavy-duty equipment demand extended dimensions. A standard carport length begins at 20 feet (21 feet with overhang), but for larger vehicles, lengths of 25 to 30 feet are advisable. This extension not only accommodates the vehicle’s size but also provides additional space for storage or maintenance activities.

RV Carports: Tailored Protection for Recreational Vehicles

RVs, with their varied sizes and configurations, require specialized carport solutions. At Keen’s Buildings, we offer tailored carports designed to meet the unique specifications of different RV classes.

Class A Motorhomes

• Dimensions: Minimum of 18 feet in width, 41 feet in length, and 12 feet in high legs (15.5ft at center peak). (NOTE: DOT regulates 13′ 2″ maximum height of Class A motorhomes to be road legal)
• Considerations: These motorhomes often feature slide-outs and rooftop accessories, necessitating additional width and height for safe clearance.

Fifth-Wheel Trailers

• Dimensions: At least 18 feet wide, 35 feet long, and starting at 10 feet high legs (13.5ft at center peak).
• Considerations: The elevated front section requires increased height clearance, especially when accounting for rooftop installations like air conditioning units.

Travel Trailers

• Dimensions: A minimum of 12 feet in width, 30 feet in length, and starting at 10 feet high legs (13.5ft at center peak).
• Considerations: While more compact, these trailers still benefit from additional space to accommodate accessories and ensure ease of access.

For comprehensive protection, consider partially enclosed carports, a carport with side walls, or fully enclosed RV garages, which offer enhanced security and shield your vehicle from environmental factors.

Boat Carports: Customized Protection for Your Watercraft

Boats vary significantly in size and design, requiring specially designed carports to ensure optimal protection. At Keen’s Buildings, we provide custom boat carports tailored precisely to accommodate different types of boats, from smaller fishing vessels to larger offshore boats.

Pontoon Boats

• Dimensions: Minimum 14 feet wide, 30 feet long, and 12 feet high.
• Considerations: Pontoon boats have wide decks and rails, requiring additional width for comfortable maneuvering and maintenance.

Fishing Boats

• Dimensions: At least 12 feet wide, 25 feet long, and 10 feet high.
• Considerations: Though typically compact, fishing boats benefit from added space for equipment, motors, and safe accessibility.

Jet Skis

• Dimensions: Minimum 8 feet wide, 12 feet long, and 8 feet high.
• Considerations: Jet skis require compact yet accessible spaces for convenient storage, protection from weather elements, and ease of use.

Deep-Water Fishing Boats

• Dimensions: Minimum of 14 feet wide, 35 feet long, and 14 feet high.
• Considerations: These boats are designed for offshore use, often equipped with taller antennas, radar systems, and extensive fishing gear, requiring additional height and length for adequate clearance and safe storage.

For superior boat protection, consider our partially enclosed side walls, fully enclosed boat garages, or a utility carport for boat equipment storage. These structures offer enhanced security and comprehensive shielding from harsh weather elements, prolonging the life of your watercraft and additional storage options.

Pro tip for Boat Owners buying a Carport: Take into consideration your trailer length, height and space needed or additional width to maneuver or angle a boat into or out of the boatport.

Ensuring Adequate Height and Clearance

The vertical clearance of your carport is paramount, especially for tall vehicles such as RVs or for watercraft with towers, antennas, or other top-mounted accessories. It’s crucial to measure the highest point of your vehicle, including rooftop accessories, and add a minimum of 2 feet to determine the appropriate sidewall height. This ensures safe entry and exit without the risk of damage.

For instance, if your RV stands at 12 feet tall, a carport with a sidewall height of at least 14 feet is recommended. This accounts for both the vehicle’s height and the necessary clearance for comfortable maneuvering. Or in an instance with off-shore boats, if your boat’s highest point is 10 feet (on a trailer), a carport with sidewalls at least 12 feet high is advisable. This measurement ensures safe, damage-free entry, exit, and general maneuverability.

Engineering Excellence: Roof Styles and Structural Integrity

Keen’s Buildings offers a variety of roof styles, each engineered to meet specific needs:

• Regular Roof: Featuring a rounded design, this economical option. Horizontal running roof panels only
• Boxed Eave Roof: With an A-frame design, it offers a traditional look. Horizontal or vertical roof panels options.
• Vertical Roof: The pinnacle of durability, this design is optimal for areas prone to heavy rain or snow, facilitating efficient water and debris runoff. Vertical running roof panels.

All our structures are constructed using 14-gauge galvanized steel frames, ensuring longevity and resistance against corrosion. For enhanced durability, especially in regions with extreme weather, we offer 12-gauge frames upon request.

Customization and Additional Features

Understanding that each customer’s needs are unique, Keen’s Buildings provides a plethora of customization options:

• Anchoring Systems: Depending on your foundation and usage needs—be it concrete, asphalt, or ground—we offer appropriate anchoring solutions to ensure stability.
• Side Panels and Gables: Enhance protection against the elements and add aesthetic appeal with our range of side panel options.
• Color Choices: With a diverse palette, you can select colors that complement your property, enhancing curb appeal.

Commitment to Quality and Customer Satisfaction

At Keen’s Buildings, our dedication to excellence is unwavering:

• Warranty: We offer a 20-year rust-through warranty on frames and a 40-year warranty on roof panels, underscoring our confidence in product durability.
• Strength and Durability: We offer metal carports able to handle winds up to 180MPH and snow loads up to 90lbs per sq ft, making these carports ideal protection for all inclement weather.
• Professional Installation: Our team ensures that your carport is installed with precision, adhering to the highest industry standards.
• Customer Support: From initial consultation to post-installation support, our team is committed to ensuring your complete satisfaction.

Conclusion

Selecting the appropriate carport size and specifications is crucial for the protection and longevity of your vehicles. With Keen’s Buildings, you benefit from expert guidance, superior materials, and unparalleled craftsmanship. Trust us to provide a solution that not only meets but exceeds your expectations, ensuring that your vehicles remain protected for years to come.