Measuring your RV for a carport is straightforward, but the details matter. Get it right the first time and your metal RV carport will fit your rig perfectly — get it wrong and you’ll either be returning to the drawing board or squeezing past tight clearances every time you pull in.
At American Carports, Inc., you can use our Build & Price tool now to see what’s possible with our structures, and you’re always welcome to contact us if you need help. It would be our pleasure to serve you!
What Measurements Do You Need Before Ordering a Carport?
You’ll need four key measurements before sizing your carport:
- Total length — bumper to bumper, including the hitch or tongue
- Total width — including any slide-outs in the fully extended position
- Total height — including all roof-mounted equipment
- Clearance buffer — the additional space you want on all sides
Each of these has its own nuances, which we walk through below.
How Do You Measure the Length of Your RV?
Start at the rearmost point of your RV — usually the rear bumper or bike rack — and measure forward to the very front, including the hitch receiver, coupler, or tongue. This is the number that matters for carport length.
Common mistake: Many owners measure just the body of their trailer or motorhome and forget the tow hitch extends 1–3 feet beyond the front. A 30 ft trailer can easily measure 33–35 ft once the tongue is included. Always add at least 2–4 feet of extra length to your carport to allow for easy entry and exit without creeping right up to the back wall.
How Do You Measure the Width of Your RV?
Measure your RV at its widest point — typically the body walls — but if your unit has slide-outs, measure them in the fully extended position. Slide-outs can add 18 inches to 3 feet to each side of your RV, and a carport that doesn’t accommodate them forces you to retract your slides every time you’re parked, which adds unnecessary wear.
Standard RV widths run between 7.5 and 8.5 feet for the body, but with slides extended, the total width can reach 12–14 feet. Adding at least 2 feet of clearance on each side brings you to a recommended carport width of 14–18 feet for most Class A and Class C rigs.
How Do You Measure the Height of Your RV?
This is where people most often underestimate. Measure from the ground to the highest point of your RV — including any roof-mounted air conditioners, satellite dishes, solar panels, or antennas. These add-ons can bump your total height by 6 inches to over a foot.
A standard Class A motorhome body stands around 12–13 feet tall. With a rooftop AC unit, you may be looking at 13.5–14.5 feet. We recommend ordering a carport with at least 2 feet of vertical clearance above that measurement — so a 16 ft leg height carport is a comfortable minimum for most Class A owners.
Check out our comparison of RV carport sizes and what you need for a full breakdown by RV class.
Do Slide-Outs Affect the Height Measurement?
Slide-outs primarily affect width, but on some floorplans with pop-up or slide-up loft sections, there can be a minor impact on height too. When in doubt, measure with everything fully deployed to get the worst-case dimensions — your carport should be sized for maximum occupancy, not the most compact configuration.
What Is the Right Clearance Buffer to Add?
Here’s a simple framework to use when finalizing your carport dimensions:
- Length: Add 4–6 ft to your RV’s total measured length
- Width: Add 2–3 ft per side (4–6 ft total) beyond your RV’s widest point
- Height: Add at least 2 ft above the highest point of your RV
These buffers account for comfortable maneuvering, future accessories, and the natural variance that comes with driving a large vehicle into a covered structure — especially in low-light conditions.
What Tools Do You Need to Measure Your RV?
You don’t need anything fancy:
- A 100 ft tape measure (most RVs won’t hit 50 ft, but having extra length is useful)
- A ladder or step stool for reaching the roof
- A notepad or phone to record measurements
- A helper to hold one end of the tape for length measurements
Some owners also use a laser distance measurer, which makes height measurements especially easy — just point it at the roof from the ground.
Should You Round Up or Down When Ordering?
Always round up. A carport that’s slightly larger than your RV is an asset; one that’s even slightly smaller is a problem. Extra width gives you room to open compartment doors and work around your rig. Extra length protects your RV’s tow package from rain and sun. And extra height means you’ll never have to worry about clearing the structure when you add a new roof accessory.
Once you have your measurements in hand, head over to our Build & Price tool to start configuring your custom RV carport. If you’d like help interpreting your measurements or want to talk through roof style options — vertical roof is typically the best choice for RV storage — our team is ready. Just contact us and we’ll walk you through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I measure my RV for a carport if I have slide-outs?
Extend all slide-outs fully and measure from the outermost edge of one slide to the outermost edge of the opposite side. Use that number — not the body width — as your width baseline.
What height carport do I need for a Class A motorhome?
Most Class A motorhomes need at least 14–16 ft of leg height to comfortably clear the roof and any mounted accessories. When in doubt, go taller.
Do I need to include my hitch in the length measurement?
Yes. Always measure from the front of your hitch or tongue coupler to the rear bumper for the true total length.
Can I order a carport before I measure?
We’d strongly recommend measuring first. Our Build & Price tool makes it easy to enter your exact dimensions and configure the right structure — but the measurements are essential inputs.
What if my RV dimensions change when I upgrade?
If you’re planning to upgrade your RV in the next few years, it’s worth sizing your carport for the larger rig you expect to own. Going larger upfront is much easier than replacing the structure later.
