What Size Garage Door Does Your RV Need?

If you’re an RV owner, having the properly sized garage door is crucial for protecting your investment and ensuring easy access in and out. With RVs ranging greatly in height, width, and length, garage door sizes need to be planned according to your specific RV model and dimensions. In this article, we’ll go over the standard garage door height and width requirements for common RV classes. We’ll also discuss best practices for accurately measuring your RV to determine the perfect custom garage door size if needed.

Overview of RV Types and Why Proper Garage Door Sizing Matters

RVs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from compact pop-up campers to enormous Class A luxury motorhomes. Even within specific RV classes, there can be major differences in dimensions depending on factors like slide-outs, roof attachments, and chassis design. Carefully measuring the height, width, and length of your exact RV model is the only way to determine what size garage door you need.

Undersized garage doors can damage your RV from scrapes when pulling in and out of the garage. Overly large garage doors are an unnecessary expense. Custom garage door sizes are often required to provide the ideal fit for many RVs, especially the tallest fifth wheels and Class A motorhomes. Precise measurements are key to getting the perfect door size to both protect your RV investment and make storage simple.

Standard Garage Door Heights for Common RV Classes

To give you a general idea of typical garage door height requirements, here are the standard door sizes that work for most models within popular RV classes:

Pop-Up Campers/Trailers

Pop-up trailers have canvas sides that collapse down for towing and travel.
When set up for camping, most pop-ups extend to around 10 feet in height.
Standard garage door height: 10 feet.

Travel Trailers

Enclosed rigid sides with hard shell roof.
Range from small 16 foot trailers to over 30 feet.
Most models are 11 to 12 feet high.
Standard height garage doors: 12 feet.

Fifth Wheels

Designed for towing by pickup truck with fifth wheel hitch.
Tend to be larger trailers up to 40 feet long.
Towering height often 13 to 14 feet.
Standard height garage doors: 14 feet.

Class A Motorhomes

Luxury RV with amenitites of a home.
Can be massive in size, up to 45 feet long.
Lofty heights of 14 to 16 feet.
Require extra tall garage doors from 14 to 16+ feet.

Class B Camper Vans

Converted vans with motorhome amenities.
Compact size but still tall due to high roof.
Typical height of 11 to 12 feet.
Fit standard 12 foot garage doors.

Class B+ Camper Vans

Slightly larger than Class B with wider body.
Standard van heights around 12 feet.
Good fit with 12 foot garage doors.

Class C Motorhomes

Easy to drive with van cab and RV living space.
Range from 20 to 30 feet in length.
Average heights are 13 to 14 feet.
Require 14 foot garage door.

Super Class C RVs

Larger and taller than standard Class C.
Can be over 40 feet in length.
Heights range from 14 to 15 feet.
Best fit with 14+ foot doors.

As you can see, garage door height varies significantly based on the type of RV. Even within a specific class, dimensions can differ quite a bit depending on exact model.

The only way to determine for sure what size garage doors you need is…

Accurately Measuring Your RV’s Height, Width, and Length

Since RVs vary so much in dimensions, avoid assumptions and precisely measure your RV to confirm garage door requirements. Here are some tips for accurately measuring your RV:

Use a tape measure for precision. Laser measurement tools can also work well.
For overall height, measure from the ground to the absolute tallest point of the RV. Make sure to account for any roof attachments like air conditioners, vents, antennas, etc.
For width, measure across the widest points at both top and bottom. Include mirrors and any attachments.
For length, measure from tip of hitch to rear bumper. For trailers, measure hitch pole too.
For easiest and most accurate measurements, tape the tape measure to the side of the RV.
For height and width, have someone stand at the tallest and widest points while you measure.
Take measurements multiple times from different angles and average the results.
Round up final measurement to the nearest 6 inches to allow extra clearance.
For trailers, also measure hitch pole length to ensure enough garage depth.
Write down all RV measurements to have on hand when ordering garage doors.

Taking the time to carefully measure your RV will help you determine the optimal garage door opening size needed.

Garage Construction Considerations for RV Storage

If building a new garage for RV storage, you’ll need to plan the size, door type, and construction to accommodate your RV’s dimensions and weight. Here are some key factors to consider:

Building a New Garage

Design garage interior height and width according to your RV’s measurements.
Allow 12-18 inches clearance on all sides for easy entry/exit.
Incorporate reinforced foundation and sturdy wall framing to handle heavy RV weight.
Install extra-wide double doors if RV width exceeds standard garage door width.

Retrofitting Existing Garage

Check if current garage dimensions will work or modifications needed.
May need to widen garage door opening and reinforce sides/header.
Confirm ceiling clearance suits RV height or raise roof if needed.
Evaluate if room for RV length plus additional space for access and storage.

Garage Door Styles

Roll up doors take up less overhead space vs swing out doors.
Sectional panel doors require more headroom compared to roll up.
High lift track hardware allows extra space above door when open.

Garage Door Opening Height

Size height to at least 2-3 inches above your RV’s height.
Accounts for door track hardware needing extra space above top of doorway.
Gives buffer zone to prevent scrapes from door components.

Proper planning of garage interior space and selecting the ideal door style to match your RV’s measurements will provide years of convenient protected storage.

Custom Garage Doors for Oversized RVs

For RVs exceeding 14 feet in height or other standard garage door sizes, you’ll likely need a customized oversized door. Here’s what you need to know:

Ordering Custom Doors

Many manufacturers can build doors up to 18 feet tall to fit large RVs.
Provide your precise height, width, radius arc measurements for custom build.
Expect long lead time of 4-6 weeks for manufacturing oversized doors.
Extra tall doors sometimes need to be reinforced to withstand windload.

Available Options

Select insulation value, material type, window styles, colors, and hardware.
Include reinforcement struts if door will be extra wide or tall.
Add garage door opener motor to automate lifting very heavy doors.
Incorporate smart technology like wifi-connectivity and digital keypads.
Oversized doors can often accommodate security camera and lighting pre-wiring.

With some advance planning and ordering, you can get a customized oversized garage door designed to perfectly fit your extra tall RV.

Key Takeaways for RV Garage Door Sizing

Determining the ideal garage door height and width for RV storage requires careful measurement and planning. Here are the key tips to remember:

Precisely measure RV height, width, length yourself for accuracy.
Standard door sizes are 10′ for pop ups, 12′ for trailers, 14′ for fifth wheels and class As.
Allow extra overhead and width clearance of 12-18 inches.
Consider door type like roll up or sectional to ensure space.
Build reinforced garage framing to handle RV weight.
Order custom oversize doors for RVs exceeding 14 feet tall.
Hire professional installers experienced with large doors.

Taking the time to properly measure and size your RV garage doors will give you a perfect fit plus protect your valuable investment while parked at home. Careful planning during garage construction or renovation will pay off in worry-free, convenient long-term RV storage for all your adventures on the road ahead.