B Garage

[markopolo]

We looked into garage and shed prices earlier this year. Even a normal garage seemed unaffordable. So I focused on a shed and a carport for a while. Then I saw a local ad and the garage prices quoted were within reach. So I looked at Sprinter specs and discussed that size garage with the contractor and immediately dismissed that idea again because of cost. We started to firm up plans for a garage that could fit a Chevy based B with a high roof like a 190P or a Lexor. Even the price of that made me pause. We got a quote for just a normal two-car garage from the contractor with the good price and saw that the difference between a Chevy based B with a high roof sized garage and a normal two-car garage wasn't that much and was worth it to us. I figured no Sprinter (in a garage) ever for me.

So I mentioned the small B based garage to Mike................ and suggested:

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest you make it big enough to hold a Sprinter based RV, just in case you decide the new one might need an upgrade at sometime.

Well, that got me thinking again. It makes sense. Hopefully I'll own a B for many years. So I looked into it all again. I'm not planning on buying a regular Sprinter based B but if in 5 or 10 years a good deal comes up then who knows?

We decided to build a garage that could be easily modified to fit a regular Sprinter later if needed. Regular Sprinter Class B's are pretty big at 22' 9" long and 9' 7" high. The garage will have 12' high 2x6 walls because the studs come at 12' and 4' x 8' sheathing divides into 12 without waste. Less cutting, less waste but more concrete, siding, and roofing etc. needed. The garage door headers will be built for 10' doors but framed in for less expensive 9' doors now. Basically it added $1,200 to make the garage 2' longer and 2' higher. I may never need to put in a taller door but at least I'll have that option. No doubt the extra 2' in length will nice to have now.

Have you built or modified a garage to fit your B?

Post photos if you have them.

Oh yeah...... Thanks Mike

[Mike]

You're welcome.
In hindsight, and hopefully foresight, should you ever decide to move again, a garage large enough to
house taller longer vehicles makes your property more valuable, and it makes your house more attractive
to a larger buying audience. We're looking to move again, and would like to find something with a larger
garage for the Roadie.
No, I'm not a realtor.

[Johnny R]

I really lucked out. We downsized in 2006. The property we purchased:
House was built in 1938. We spent 2 retirement years gutting and restoring.
Garage was built in 2000. 26' x 26' x 15' high. 2x6 insulated walls. 1 regular and 1 truck door.
All my guy friends are gaga. My wife is gracious. I am content.

[markopolo]

Not going smooth.......

Said goodbye to the contractor. He screwed up the slab so badly. I should've done it myself.

Went with one 8' high door and one 10' high door because the price was the same as two 9' doors.

[booster]

When hail destroyed the vinyl siding on our big garage, the insurance was enough to replace it with cement board siding, and increase the door height from 8' to 9' 3", if we did all the work ourselves. We didn't have the Roadtrek yet, but knew we would shortly, so I spent the entire summer doing the work by myself.

Here is the before



And the after



We even had room to squeeze in openers with the 10' ceilings. The track is bolted to the ceiling.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by markopolo

Not going smooth.......

Said goodbye to the contractor. He screwed up the slab so badly. I should've done it myself.
Got a couple of guys who know their stuff doing it now but it will take longer because they have day jobs.

Went with one 8' high door and one 10' high door because the price was the same as two 9' doors.

I hadn't though of that, 2 different door heights. Good call. Unless you plan to get 2 Sprinter based vans????

[Mike]

Originally Posted by booster

When hail destroyed the vinyl siding on our big garage, the insurance was enough to replace it with cement board siding, and increase the door height from 8' to 9' 3", if we did all the work ourselves. We didn't have the Roadtrek yet, but knew we would shortly, so I spent the entire summer doing the work by myself.

Here is the before



And the after



We even had room to squeeze in openers with the 10' ceilings. The track is bolted to the ceiling.

Nice job. Subtle difference in door height might only be noticed by an RV owner.

[Dieps]

Looks great! I have garage envy!

[markopolo]

Ok, some photos and maybe some ideas for anyone considering to build a B sized garage.





In hindsight wider would have been better. Look at Booster's photos above.
I'm not complaining - just an observation. I am thrilled to have it and can hardly believe that it is real.
We were on a tight budget so I made as small as I could practically get away with.

There's a little more than 100 sq ft of space behind our car in the garage so the small garage door on the side is a real bonus. It is 7' high and 6' wide and cost around $350. Lawn tractor, lawn mower, bicycles all fit there with easy access.

Length is good. This garage is 22' wide by 26' long. 24' x 28' would be what I'd do if I could choose again.
The large door is 10' high and the car door is 8' high. My Dodge van could enter on the 8' side.

Lot's of space above my B. That will make it easy to work on the B roof.

[markopolo]

Oh yeah, we made the 8' long picnic table out of left over lumber......

[Photog]

Very nice! Now it just needs electrical outlets, insulation and wallboard, to finish it off.

[Mike]

nice. i know what side i'm parking in.

[yizit]

We had this carport built last fall after a large tree branch just missed our "Roada", but did hit the edge of the gutter on the garage. We decided it would be cheaper to replace a damaged metal roof, then the roof of the B.