Hashtag #Blessed
If you’re blessed to own a motorhome, you see the world just a little bit differently than non-RV owners. Why? A motorhome is more than just some fancy house on wheels. It’s freedom.
Freedom to go where you want, when you want. Travel wherever the road may take you, from Seattle to Miami, and from San Diego to Bangor, Maine. As long as there’s pavement to get there, there really are no limits. Ready to hike a mountain or take in a scenic vista? Not a problem. Want to just put your toes in the sand at the edge of the water? There are more than 90,000 beaches in the continental US alone!
But what if all the hotels, condos, and Airbnb properties are full? Who cares! Your room is ALWAYS reserved if you’ve got your own motorhome or camper. Plus, you have the freedom to pack more of the home comforts you’re used to. All you need is a campground with an available hook-up. Heck, sometimes you can even make do with nothing more than a good place to park your rig.
But What to Do with Your RV When You Aren’t Traveling?
But what about those times between trips when you actually have to work or attend to other important matters? Sadly, chances are good you probably don’t use your motorhome nearly as much as you’d like to. While it’s estimated that over 11 million US households own an RV, only a small fraction of those live in an RV or boat full-time. Recent statistics indicate that typical RV owners only spend about 3-4 weeks in their RV each year.
So, what happens to your motorhome during the 11 months you aren’t using it? It’s an important question, because motorhomes and campers are significant investments that you certainly want to protect. In order to be ready for RV season, you need to have a smart plan for the long offseason.
At a minimum, you should keep your motorhome under cover to protect it from the elements and help keep it in good shape. You can buy an RV-sized car cover made of cloth or vinyl, and some of those soft covers advertise themselves as “water-resistant.” A soft cover is better than nothing, but not by much. It still leaves your RV exposed to any weather extremes, including wind, hail, snow, and flying debris.
Many RVers looking for better protection will opt to pay for off-site storage, but that rented space can get expensive. It’s also pretty inconvenient to drive to and from the storage facility whenever you need to pick up your RV or just check on it.
Here’s the Best Way to Shelter Your Motorhome or Camper
Soft covers won’t cut it, and off-site storage can be a pain. A better, more convenient, more reliable solution is to create your own permanent motorhome protection right on your own property.
Eagle Carports provides custom steel structure solutions you can count on, and we deliver and install on your level site at no extra charge. A properly designed metal RV carport or metal RV garage offers dependable protection from both sun and storms, and our structures go up much faster than a pole barn or stick-built. And you’ll also be happy to learn that a tubular steel RV cover isn’t just stronger and more durable; it’s also surprisingly cost-effective.
How to Plan for Your Perfect Motorhome Cover
What are some essential factors to consider when selecting the perfect RV cover for your Rolling Thunder? Start by asking yourself these questions:
How do you want to use your building?
We know the obvious answer: to protect your RV! But one of the great things about owning a tubular steel structure is its flexibility in terms of potential applications.
For example, are there other vehicles you’d also like to be able to park under shelter? Like maybe a boat trailer, truck, car, or tractor? Got some other stuff you’d like to keep out of the weather? The first thing to prioritize when planning for a metal RV cover is deciding what all you need to protect and whether you might also want to use your metal structure for other purposes (like seasonal storage or hosting family gatherings).
How much site space do you have available?
How much room do you have on your property for a building installation? Are there any local setback rules or zoning limitations that apply? Assuming your land isn’t already cleared and leveled, what groundwork will you need to have taken care of before moving forward with putting up your motorhome cover? Proper site preparation is key to the success of any construction project.
What building dimensions make the most sense?
When it comes to a custom steel structure like an RV cover, you’ve got lots of options in terms of width, length, and height. If you can dream it, Eagle Carports can probably build it! We can go as wide as 60’ with the main building, and can go even wider if you want to add side lean-tos. And as far as building length, there is practically no limit with a vertical roof.
But what about height? For proper motorhome clearance, a leg height of at least 12 to 14 feet is a good rule of thumb for an RV carport. Depending on what you have mounted on the roof of your rig (such as A/C units, antennas, or solar panels), you may want to allow a little more clearance for ease of maneuvering.
How’s the weather?
We’re not talking about the current weather, like whether or not the sun is shining right now. Rather, what are the typical weather and climate conditions like where you’ll be installing your building? Depending on your local building codes and regulations, your metal RV cover will likely need to be certified to meet minimum wind and/or snow load requirements. The good news? Eagle Carports can provide custom steel structures engineered to meet or exceed wind & snow load ratings across our 22-state service area. Not sure what your local wind and snow ratings are? You can check by address for free with the ASCE Hazard Tool.
You also have options for steel tube framing and metal paneling. 14-gauge steel framing and 29-gauge steel paneling are our default standards, but you can also upgrade to a sturdier 12-gauge frame with 26-gauge panels for even more rugged, durable protection.
RV cover or RV garage?
A standard metal carport or RV cover is essentially just a roof and a frame, but you don’t have to stop there. We can also add some extra metal panels and gables to create a partially enclosed structure that provides more shade and greater wind protection. In fact, why settle for an RV carport when you can have an RV garage! We can fully enclose all sides and add roll-up garage doors (as well as walk-in doors and windows, if you want) to enhance safety and security for your Happy Camper when you’re not on the road.
What’s your favorite color?
Would you like your motorhome carport to match the color of your Road Warrior? Or maybe you want your motorhome garage to match the look of your home or other nearby structures? Whatever you prefer, Eagle Carports offers a full palette of color options.
You select the colors for the roof, trim, and sides (if you choose to enclose your building). There are several colors to choose from for our garage doors, too. Ready to visualize the possibilities? Try out our metal building Color Picker. Better yet, just go ahead and design your own dream RV garage with our custom 3D Builder.
Eagle Carports Delivers the Best RV Protection Solutions
It’s essential to store and protect your motorhome or camper properly during the downtime, so it’ll be ready when you are ready to hit the road. After all, your RV probably cost a pretty penny; it only makes sense to invest in the right protection to cover your investment well.
To that end, nobody builds better RV carports and garages than Eagle Carports. The quality of our materials is second to none; we fabricate all of our custom structures in-house, we offer the best lead times, and we employ the best professional install crews.
But enough about us; let’s focus on you and what you need in a metal cover for your motorhome or camper. Reach out to us online, or connect even faster by giving us a call at 800-579-8589 today. Let’s build something great together!
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Scott Kyles has 8 years of experience as a marketing and training specialist in the metal building industry. When he’s not nerding out over words, Scott enjoys spending time with family, gardening, weather-watching, playing ping-pong, and sampling hot sauces.
