Need to Know:
- When building a caravan shed it’s important to consider the height clearance, taking into account accessories like aerials.
- Roller door clearance is a key factor, with a minimum of 3m clearance recommended to accommodate the caravan.
- The width and length of the caravan shed should allow for both the caravan itself as well as space for maneuverability and opening doors. Don’t forget the length of the drawbar.
- Ensure the shed has an electricity connection for charging, cleaning and maintenance.
- You might own a bigger caravan one day! Plan ahead for potential future upgrades or additional storage needs by building extra room into the shed.
Managing Director, Buffalo Built
In this Article:
Building a Caravan Shed (The Right Way)
Building a caravan shed or carport is a simple task if you follow these tips to ensure it is the right fit for you.
Caravan Shed Height
One of the biggest mistakes people make when designing a shed for their caravan is not making it tall enough. Horror stories include going to the effort and expense of building a shed, but having to let the tyres down on the caravan so it can fit in. It’s important to consider your caravan height clearance and its particular size and accessory needs.
Items such as air conditioners and aerials exceed the height of the main caravan structure and must be taken into account. It’s recommended that sheds for caravans should be at least 100mm over and above what you think you need, just to be sure.
Roller Doors
The most important figure is the clearance height through the roller door. Caravan sheds need a minimum 3m clearance through the roller door opening. It should also be remembered that 50mm of the roller door curtain is below the lintel height.
What Width Should Your Caravan Shed Be?
Buffalo Built recommends that your caravan shed should be wide enough for more than just squeezing your caravan in. This provides room for the caravan and an allowance for manoeuvrability.
Plenty of room for reversing the caravan into the shed is important, but space on either side of the caravan also allows for things such as opening the caravan door while it’s in your shed.
Length is Very Important
Caravans (and the sheds that house them) vary in length.
When calculating the length required for your shed, remember to include the drawbar. It’s all too common to see draw bars poking out of open-ended structures, but this does not work for lock-up garages.
Power Requirements
When planning your shed, ensure it has an electricity connection to charge your gear and help with tasks such as maintenance and cleaning of your caravan. Also install skylights in the roof, because this allows you to charge your solar panels.
Think Ahead for Your Caravan Shed!
It’s important to ensure that the caravan shed or carport you build matches the needs of the specific caravan you have ordered or already own. However, it’s also advantageous to think ahead about your future requirements.
Caravan enthusiasts often start with a smaller van but upgrade to a larger van in due course. Build some extra room into your shed to account for this. Some customers also allow extra length and width for other storage in this space too.
Ross Barker
Managing Director, Buffalo Built
Get Advice from Buffalo Built Sheds Wangaratta, Mansfield and Braeside
If you would like to talk about building caravan carports, or a shed for your caravan, or you’d like to find out caravan sheds prices, contact the team at Buffalo Built at (03) 5721 2633.