First rule: measure the equipment in its normal travel configuration. Do not rely only on a manufacturer’s base specification when rooftop equipment, mirrors, racks, hitch components or trailer setup change the actual dimensions.
Your RV, boat or trailer
- Overall height at the tallest fixed point
- Overall width including mirrors or fixed accessories
- Overall length including tongue, hitch or platform
- Turning radius and required backing room
- Slides, doors or towers that need operating clearance
Garage opening + bay
- Clear door height and width
- Usable interior width
- True usable depth with the door closed
- Ceiling, track, beam and lighting clearance
- Steps, cabinets, lifts and mechanical obstructions
- Space to walk, unload and open vehicle doors
Driveway + access
- Driveway slope and curb transition
- Street width and opposite-side parking
- Gate, pillar, wall and landscaping clearance
- Angle needed to line up with the door
- Tail, hitch and undercarriage clearance
- Pull-through rear access where represented
Property use + rules
- HOA/PUD parking and storage rules
- Clear side-parking opening width; use 10 feet as the minimum for RV or boat-trailer access
- Usable exterior parking length, surface, slope and overhead clearance
- Workshop, power and climate-control needs
- Pool, home layout and neighborhood fit
- Guest or rental-use effect on owner storage
- Insurance and inspection questions
Questions to send with a listing
- What are the clear garage-door height and width?
- What is the usable bay depth from the closed door to the nearest obstruction?
- What are the narrowest interior width and lowest overhead clearance?
- Are the stated dimensions measured, builder-plan dimensions or estimates?
- Can the seller identify cabinets, steps, equipment or improvements that reduce the usable envelope?
- Are there HOA/PUD or recorded restrictions affecting RV, trailer or outside parking?
- If side RV or boat parking is represented, is the clear opening at least 10 feet wide?
Useful next step: send HavasuLew the equipment measurements and a link to the home. The garage and search criteria can be checked before you build a trip around the wrong property.