Carport clearance surprises for RVs, trucks and boats happen more often than buyers might realize. A boat may look like it’ll fit until you realize the T-top sits higher than the sidewall. An RV that clears the front of a carport might catch the rear ladder on the way in. A lifted truck might fit under the peak, but not under the header. Getting the dimensions of a carport right before you buy it makes the carport easier to use and keeps regular parking from turning into a guessing game.
Height Matters More Than It Looks on Paper
When people picture height, they usually think about the base vehicle. The problem is everything on top of that base adds inches, and Florida coastal vehicles tend to collect extra roof gear. Common height add-ons include:
- Boat T-tops, rod holders and antennas
- RV air conditioners, roof racks and vents
- Pickup roof cargo, kayak mounts and LED bars
- Lift kits or oversized wheels that push the whole vehicle higher
The safe approach is to measure height as the vehicle sits when it’s used every day. That means measuring it loaded, fully inflated and with all accessories attached. A boat on blocks is not the height of a boat on a trailer.
A carport should give you enough overhead room to walk boats and trailers in without thinking about every inch. Bestway carports are available in heights that work well for tall equipment, so homeowners can size up without creating a structure that looks out of proportion for the yard.
Width Needs to Cover More Than the Vehicle Body
Vehicle width is almost never the real working width. Anything that sticks out becomes part of the clearance problem, especially if you store more than one type of equipment under the same cover. Common items and attachments that eat into usable width include:
- Trailer fenders, steps and guide posts
- RV mirrors, especially extended or tow mirrors
- Dock lines, spare tires or coolers strapped to the sides of trailers
- Paddle holders or rod racks attached to the sides of boats
Width also affects how comfortable it is to load or unload your gear. If you can’t open truck doors fully or move along the sides of a boat without squeezing past the posts, the carport feels too tight even if the vehicle technically fits.
Most homeowners add a few feet to account for walking space. Having room to check tie-downs, open compartments or load coolers without rubbing against the supports makes daily use easier. Bestway offers configurations wide enough to support everything from center-console boats to RVs with large mirrors.
Length Should Cover Tongues, Hitches and Overhangs
Length is where most carport buyers underestimate what they need. Hull length and vehicle length rarely represent the total footprint once everything is hooked up, hitched or packed for travel. Plan to add extra length to account for:
- Trailer tongues and winch posts
- Boat motors, transom savers or prop guards
- Rear ladders, tire mounts or bike racks on RVs
- Pickup hitches, cargo carriers or toolboxes
Boat trailers in particular add several feet to the published hull length, and most RVs have at least one rear feature that sticks out farther than expected. Measuring the full end-to-end footprint prevents you from ending up with a carport that covers the hull, but leaves the trailer tongue sticking out into the weather.
Choosing a slightly longer structure provides breathing room and gives you space to walk around the equipment without backing out first.
Clearance for Backing In and Out Without Stress
It’s important to have enough room to bring the vehicle in without scraping mirrors or clipping fenders on the posts. Long trailers and tall RVs need a comfortable entry angle, especially on narrow driveways.
You will end up fighting the angle every time if the cover is too tight and the posts are too close. A little extra width or height at the opening reduces the stress of parking and keeps the equipment from picking up unnecessary scratches.
Florida homeowners also tend to deal with soft ground after storms, which makes tight maneuvers even harder. A carport sized with a little margin helps compensate for real-life weather, not perfect conditions.
Custom-Sized and Built Portable Carports in Panama City, FL
If you need a carport sized for a boat, truck or RV, Bestway Portable Buildings can help you choose a height and configuration that fits your vehicle without clearance headaches. Call us at (850) 747-8974 to learn about options or request a quote.
