Fifth Wheel parking pad

[JosephC]

I have the oppoortunity to build a new house with an adjoing trailer pad for parking the RV when not on the road. The trailer is a 30 foot fifth wheel. Who has experience in building one and what did you use for the materials and layout?

I would like to know what type of base material will cost the least, middle and most expensive. I plan to provide a water spigot and 30 Amp outlet, but sewer is not needed.

Any other recommendations are welcomed as well.

Thank you!

[jetlag]

Ours ended up being more than I wanted to spend, but in the end I am happy with it. The shelter was a kit from a local company. Our future son in law built it, and the bracing he added since he was worried about hurricanes. We have over $15K I am guessing, my bride was in charge of it, and after a while, it became a "need to know" basis, and I didn't want to know.We have a small septic system, 50A, and I run water hose from the shop to it.

[TaftCoach]

Dirt is your cheapest base, concrete the most expensive, gravel could be a compromise. A metal building company such as Mueller can provide quotes on your many options.

[Jagiven]

We did a concrete pad decades a go. In the parking pad area wire, rebar and fiber reinforced. Poured 6" deep. Has held up nicely. Rest of the driveway as I recall, was 4" deep and just a little rebar and fiber reinforced.

[JosephC]

WOW! Super nice!

[JosephC]

Thank you! Any recommendations on the type, thickness and containment of the gravel?

[Happy wife / happy life]

I went with a concrete pad. I don’t have a weed problem. It’s easier to control bugs and critters. If you do your own repair/maintenance you will definitely be glad you went with concrete. DW likes it because she’s not tracking dirt/mud in when she’s getting ready for a trip. We don’t deal with severe weather so I can’t suggest a cover. Is it kinda expensive? Yep, but for my needs it was money well spent.

[norty1]

Mine is 18 x 36'. Concrete pad is monolithic, thicker on the sides and 4" in the rest. Fiber reinforced and some rebar. I had the shed installed by a company that does just those sheds. The shed legs are attached to the slab with bolts thru the slab. It fit my first 2 fifth wheels, this one is 2' longer than the pad but is still works well. This one was to close for comfort in height so we had some 18" extensions and added them to each leg.

Originally Posted by norty1

That is the width and height of mine it works well. Mine in 18 x 36' and was fine for my last rig but now it is a few ft short but still does a great job.

I poured concrete under mine and bolted it to the slab. Make sure they install bracing where the sides bend into the roof struts.Attachment 21640Attachment 21641

[harryjr]

Check your local zoning requirements. In our town, at least 10 feet from the side yard. In other towns the front of the RV or boat has to be behind the front of the dwelling. YMMV

[JosephC]

Good point!

[kirkelli]

I know quite a few people here in the desert that use DG (decomposed granite) which is very cheap and very close to cement if done right.. You would lay the DG out in a form just like you would in cement (but you want to leave the forms) and use water and compaction.. The end result is just about as close to cement as you can get but 'dirt cheap' and it looks nice too

[JosephC]

Thank you!

[poohbear]

Build it bigger than you need & go 50 amp now.
We built a 20/45 ,15 ft side wall, concrete, weld up frame, r-panel roof . On looking back 24 wide would have been better since we used our rv as our farm house & patio until we moved out here & built a home.

[JB13502]

Originally Posted by poohbear

Build it bigger than you need & go 50 amp now.

Agree 100%.

[kirkelli]

Originally Posted by JB13502

Agree 100%.

Build it Bigger?