Garage input please April 13, 2012, 02:28:40 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129813Hi Everyone!!! I'm Jan from Lakewood Oh. I'm 4 yrs from retirement and planning to get a used 23.5" LD next yr. I am building a garage and one bay will be for my RV. I live in a snug residential area, so space is at a minimum. I can add a foot or two here or there but not much more.I would very much like you input on these questions:1. Would a 10' wide door be a comfortable fit? Would I have to fold the mirrors to get it to fit?? 2. Would 27' deep garage work?? 3. What kind of outlet would I need to plug in the RV? 4. What else might I consider in building an RV garage??Thank you for all your informative posts. I have learned so much and have much more to learn. I'm so grateful to know help is only a post away.
Re: Garage input please Reply #1 – April 13, 2012, 02:50:22 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129814Here is an idea! Watch the clip. {:>) http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/see-5-million-garage-driveway-elevator-used-park-133847141.htmlBigger is always better if you can squeeze it in. I'd go 12' by 34' in case you decide a 24' is too small, plus it will help your resale value.Bob in FL__ From: mj nyjan@...> To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, April 13, 2012 2:28 PM Subject: [LD] Garage input pleaseHi Everyone!!! I'm Jan from Lakewood Oh. I'm 4 yrs from retirement and planning to get a used 23.5" LD next yr. I am building a garage and one bay will be for my RV. I live in a snug residential area, so space is at a minimum. I can add a foot or two here or there but not much more.I would very much like you input on these questions:1. Would a 10' wide door be a comfortable fit? Would I have to fold the mirrors to get it to fit?? 2. Would 27' deep garage work?? 3. What kind of outlet would I need to plug in the RV? 4. What else might I consider in building an RV garage??Thank you for all your informative posts. I have learned so much and have much more to learn. I'm so grateful to know help is only a post away.[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Garage input please Reply #2 – April 13, 2012, 02:55:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129815Oops! Missed a couple:30 Amp for an LD is sufficient.If you can get a sewer drop, go for it. Would be handy for those times when you come home with "stuff" in the holding tanks.A city water faucet would be great as well. (See above, so you can add water to drain the tanks a couple of times to clean them out.)If you were to ever use it as an extra "bedroom," a cable hook up would be nice to have.Have a wonderful retirement!Bob in FL__ From: mj nyjan@...> To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, April 13, 2012 2:28 PM Subject: [LD] Garage input pleaseHi Everyone!!! I'm Jan from Lakewood Oh. I'm 4 yrs from retirement and planning to get a used 23.5" LD next yr. I am building a garage and one bay will be for my RV. I live in a snug residential area, so space is at a minimum. I can add a foot or two here or there but not much more.I would very much like you input on these questions:1. Would a 10' wide door be a comfortable fit? Would I have to fold the mirrors to get it to fit?? 2. Would 27' deep garage work?? 3. What kind of outlet would I need to plug in the RV? 4. What else might I consider in building an RV garage??Thank you for all your informative posts. I have learned so much and have much more to learn. I'm so grateful to know help is only a post away.[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Garage input please Reply #3 – April 13, 2012, 03:34:23 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129816Jan - The first thing we did when we moved here a couple of years ago was build a garage for the LD. The opening is 12' wide by 11' high, and the inside depth is 34'. We wanted to make it longer but ran into property line restrictions. I can back the LD in without folding the mirrors in, although the antennas will hit the garage door. The biggest problem with that is that the CB is aftermarket and the antenna is held on by a magnet. It always gets knocked over when it hits the garage door. Annoying, but not a major problem. There is a standard RV 30 amp outlet and a water faucet on the driver's side wall. I wanted to install a sewer outlet, but the city wouldn't allow it. However, I can just reach the sewer cleanout beside the house. I normally dump before I get home, but I like to be able to clean the tanks, and the sewer cleanout works well for that. I wanted to eliminate winterizing, so I had a gas furnace installed on the ceiling. It is set at 40 degrees, so the garage never freezes. There is also a laundry sink for clean up.Have fun with your project!--Al in Scappoose, OR --2002 26.5 MB
Re: Garage input please Reply #4 – April 13, 2012, 03:52:26 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129817"1. Would a 10' wide door be a comfortable fit? Would I have to fold the mirrors to get it to fit?? 2. Would 27' deep garage work?? 4. What else might I consider in building an RV garage??"Jan2003 and later 23.5' LDs are wider than the previous years models. Pre-2003 23.5' - 94" wide plus 12" for mirrors, total width 106" 2003 and later - 99" wide plus 18" for mirrors, total width 117" --Specs from LD Factory literature or website. Both will clear a 10' door, you may want to fold one in if it is a wide body. With both mirrors folded, a 9' door is possible.A 23.5' will fit in a 24' deep garage...barely. Besides full hookups, a roof-mounted power ventilation fan, with wall vents, to keep your LD from baking in the summer. You might even insulate the roof. Excess heat can be as damaging as sunlight.Larry
Re: Garage input please Reply #5 – April 13, 2012, 04:28:26 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129818One thing to keep in mind: a 30A RV outlet has a different prong configuration from the more common 30A dryer/stove outlet. Make sure you get the right kind, or your RV's power cord won't fit.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Garage input please Reply #6 – April 13, 2012, 05:48:01 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129820wrote: One thing to keep in mind: a 30A RV outlet has a different prong configuration from the more common 30A dryer/stove outlet. Make sure you get the right kind, or your RV's power cord won't fit. --- These links might help: http://www.myrv.us/electric/http://www.myrv.us/Imgs/PDF/30-amp%20Service.pdfJoan
Re: Garage input please Reply #7 – April 13, 2012, 07:58:31 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129826I would recommend a 11' or 12' wide door for convenience. On roller doors, the actual clearance is at least 6" less than the nominal width so don't be fooled as we were 12 years ago when we built our home
Re: Garage input please Reply #8 – April 14, 2012, 05:59:24 am Yahoo Message Number: 129829Larry (and all) - Please elaborate about how "excess heat can be as damaging as sunlight". I'd much appreciate more info.Thanks, Lisa
Re: Garage input please Reply #9 – April 14, 2012, 09:33:10 am Yahoo Message Number: 129831First thing to do is look up your local zoning ordinance and find out what the limits are on "accessory" structures.
Re: Garage input please Reply #10 – April 14, 2012, 11:32:40 am Yahoo Message Number: 129833Hi Jan,The house we bought new
Re: Garage input please Reply #11 – April 14, 2012, 11:54:46 am Yahoo Message Number: 129836"Please elaborate about how "excess heat can be as damaging as sunlight". "Lisa An LD is made of many materials, some of which decay when exposed to high temperatures. The plastics used are the most likely to be damaged. Many do not realize that almost the entire surface area of the interior of an LD is coated in plastic. All of the paneling is made of a thin plywood, covered in a printed plastic coating that simulates wood and other wall coverings. High heat will cause the plastic coating to peel, expand, or buckle. Heat also causes plastic to become brittle over time. It is best to keep the interior of your LD as cool as possible during the summer heat to reduce the damaging effects. Our LD stays outside so the bath's Fantastic Fan, has its thermostat set to turn on at 90 degrees and stay on until it cools below 90. In mid summer, its on 12 hours or more a day. Better to have the interior at 100 vs. 140 degrees.Larry
Re: Garage input please Reply #12 – April 14, 2012, 12:21:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129841Please double check the wiring of your new 30 amp outlet for 120v before you plug in an RV. It wouldn't be the first time an electrician thought they knew more than the owner and hooked it up with 240v--that'll ruin your rig. Lori Godzilla
Re: Garage input please Reply #13 – April 14, 2012, 01:21:05 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129844"L Youngs " wrote: Please double check the wiring of your new 30 amp outlet for 120v before you plug in an RV. It wouldn't be the first time an electrician thought they knew more than the owner and hooked it up with 240v--that'll ruin your rig. --- Could be a bit of a jolt to the one who plugs the rig into a 240V circuit, too! http://www.noshockzone.org/rv-electrical-safety-part-iv-%E2%80%93-hot-skin/This can and does happen; electricians' knowledge, experience, and skill sets vary, as do those of owners, techs, mechanics, service advisors, tire guys, and the rest! Two very basic common sense suggestions that can help save a lot of hassle and expense down the line: Knowing one's own skill limitations before personally tackling a job will go a long way towards not having to pay somebody else big bucks for "do overs" on some owner-caused lash-up, and the same goes for (understanding what the repair or installation entails and) "monitoring" the process, then double-checking the results before paying the bill and leaving the premises.Joan
Re: Garage input please Reply #14 – April 14, 2012, 04:45:28 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129845Quote Hi Everyone!!! I'm Jan from Lakewood Oh. I'm 4 yrs from retirement and planning to get a used 23.5" LD next yr. WOW Thank you so much for all the responses!!!! I knew you all would have great ideas. This group is so willing to help with any problems that come up. What a good feeling it is to know there is this support system to rely on. What great food for thought. I have learned much and will make the changes to my plans to build a better garage and make sure that it is done right by the contractor. If you have any other ideas, I'm still listening. Like you, I would like to protect my LD from the weather and have what I need to maintain it. Thank you for all your help on my first of many questions I will sure to have.Jan
Re: Garage input please Reply #15 – April 15, 2012, 11:26:10 am Yahoo Message Number: 129855Hi Jan Another option... not nearly as convenient, but maybe doable since you live reasonably close..have you checked out some of the rv storage places? There's one south of Medina on Rt 18, the individual units are mostly owned by individuals. Some are about 12 x 35 and some are 14 x 40 I believe. Insulated, with wiring and heaters. Don't' remember the name, here's an approximate address.1096-1162 Medina Rd Medina, OH 44256 If nothing else, you can check out the sizes and the width of the doors. Had tons of room for my little 30' Holiday rambler era 1977... I rented from individuals the 2x's I needed storage.Better to build a little big, they haven't invented "garage-stretchers" yet! Just thot if you can't really build something big enuf, might be easier to buy or rent something already made.... Good luck, Mary[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Garage input please Reply #16 – April 15, 2012, 10:40:39 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129880Beware, beware. You will have an absorption fridge
Re: Garage input please Reply #17 – April 15, 2012, 11:15:06 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129883"Beware, beware. You will have an absorption fridge in that RV. Mine destroyed my 2004 Country Coach motorhome in my driveway." I'm very sorry for your loss, Terry, and appreciate your concern. I could be wrong about this, but my understanding is that an absorption refrigerator can only catch fire if there is an open flame--that is, when it's running on propane. As far as I know, the worst that can happen to an absorption refrigerator running on electricity is a nasty-smelling leak. The electric heating element doesn't get anywhere near hot enough to ignite the refrigerant. This fits with Dometic's advice to owners of refrigerators affected by their recall a few years ago: only run the unit on electricity until the fix can be installed. Since a garaged RV that's plugged into electricity would have no need to use propane, it seems to me that all one need do to be safe is make sure the fridge is on "automatic" mode and plugged in.Am I missing anything?Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Garage input please Reply #18 – April 16, 2012, 08:16:37 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129906"all one need do to be safe is make sure the fridge is on "automatic" mode and plugged in." And close the valve on the LPG tank, just in case the electricity fails.Howard
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