Perhaps you're already with standard garage door sizes and feel like choosing a new one for your larger-than-average vehicle shouldn't be too difficult. Whether it's a pickup, SUV, or RV, you're probably going to need much more than the “standard." Fortunately, you'll be happy to know that we can create custom garage doors for all sizes and types of vehicles, and it doesn't take much work to get your perfect garage door.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
First, let's look at those huge pickups and SUVs
1- With a larger SUV or truck, what size garage door should I get?
JD Power reports that the average SUV height ranges from 5'5" to 6'4". As long as you haven't modified your vehicle, they'll fit into this size group.
The average pickup is around 6' to 6'5" high, which means that both pickups and SUVs will be able to fit in a garage door that's 7 feet high. Those who want a little more wiggle room might choose to upgrade to 7 ½ to 8 feet. When it comes to the width, the average 9-foot door is generally enough for most vehicles.
Once you know the size you need, you can start looking through our image gallery to help you choose your new garage door. This is the fun part, and you'll find plenty of designs to choose from along with previous projects for added inspiration.
If your garage is attached to your home, you'll want to choose an insulated garage door so that the temperatures stay balanced throughout the year. If your garage is detached, this might be less of a concern and you could choose to forego insulation.
We have several options for insulation, based on whatever R-value you decide is right for the garage door you choose. And, the insulation won't impact the look of the door, as you'll see with our modern Vog door or our rustic North Hatley LP. Both feature R-16 insulation for premium protection from the elements.
Check out the Standard+ Vog garage door, shown here in charcoal with left-side harmony windows. These doors measure 9' x 7', making them ideal for a pickup or SUV.
Will you choose two separate garage doors like this? Or will you choose a traditional double garage door? And if you go with a double, how wide should it be?
This depends on a few factors. Firstly, how comfortable are you parking cars in tight spaces? While you could possibly fit two cars into a 12'-wide garage door opening, it's a squeeze. Some people won't even feel comfortable parking two cars in a 16'wide opening, and that's usually more than enough space even for trucks and SUVs. The great thing about working with us is every job is a custom job, so you don't even have to worry about “standard" sizes. Just get what you need.
Check out the Standard+ North Hatley LP design, 16' x 8' garage door in Moka Brown, and 4 vertical lite Orion windows. This garage door is wide enough to park two vehicles easily.
2- What lift should I choose?
The standard lift is the most common type of lift used today. This lift is installed 12 inches or higher above the door. If you're also going to add an opener to the garage door and install it on the ceiling, make sure to leave two extra inches for that, too.
There are some instances where there just isn't enough space for a standard lift. If there is less than 10 inches above the door, you can choose a low front headroom lift instead.
Another option for those with cathedral ceilings or sloped roofs is to choose an inclined track instead of a straight one.
3- What about the garage door hardware?
SUVs and pickups usually have a garage door of eight feet or less in height. This means residential hardware will do the job just fine. Of course, we also have two choices for your hardware: bolted and our Dura+ high-durability hardware.
Check out the main features of each type:
Talk to your garage door expert to learn about openers and the different options that you have. Some doors come standard with Dura+ hardware while others come with the standard bolted collection. You may be able to swap them, depending on the door, but you'll have to ask your garage door dealer to confirm that it's possible.
4- Which garage door opener is best for a pickup or SUV?
Now onto something a little easier—the opener options. Since your garage door is only going to be 7-8' high, you'll be able to pick just about any residential electric garage door opener from our collection.
There are several models with different features to consider.
- The LiftMaster 87504-267 opener features quiet operation and an HD camera so that you can always know what's going on in the garage. The belt-drive opener system also comes with a two-way microphone and the myQ app, so you can monitor your garage from your smartphone or tablet.
- The LiftMaster 8500W opener offers an alternative for people who can't install overhead openers. This wall-mounted opener has an impressive 24V DC motor, allowing it to open doors up to 14 feet in height.
- The LiftMaster 87802 garage door opener is a chain drive system that's not as quiet. It's a cheaper option when you don't need the monitoring features and you just want to open and close your garage door with ease. This one also includes battery backup in case you ever lose power.
Plus, all of these garage door openers can be linked to the myQ app, which allows you to control and monitor your garage door from anywhere.
The LiftMaster 87504-267 features quiet operation, battery backup, and even a camera to keep tabs on your garage. It's a great choice for premium garage door operation.
Now, let's talk about a door big enough for that RV of yours
1. So, how tall does my RV garage door need to be?
Are you building a new garage or looking to add a larger garage door to an outbuilding you already have? Start with the height of your RV and don't forget to leave headroom so that you're not ducking and worrying about hitting the top of the door when you drive into the garage to park the RV out of the elements.
Check out our G-5000, 16' x 18', Ice White. In some instances, you might even find the perfect door from our commercial line when you need something larger for your RV.
And who's to say you won't get a bigger motorhome in a few years? It's always best to go larger so you don't have to rebuild every time you upgrade.
Class A RVs, like the one pictured here, offer the most convenience but also have the biggest sizes. Image courtesy of Camper Report's website.
What class is your RV? That will help you decide on a garage door.
The Camper Report website classifies RVs into four main categories:
- Class A – These are the huge motorhomes that look like buses. They're massive and full of creature comforts, which makes them popular.
- Class B – These are generally the smallest models you'll find. Some even fit in car-sized garages.
- Class B+ – These RVs are a combination of B and C class models. They are slightly bigger than B-class but have fewer features, like C class.
- Class C – These are smaller RVs, usually built on a modified chassis from a pickup truck, offering the comforts of the RV without the huge footprint of a Class A RV in case you're not up to driving it.
Class C RV pictured here. Image from Pixabay.
All of these RVs have their own dimensions based on the class, which will be important to factor in when you are choosing the best overhead door.
The Jeffsettter Travel website offers a list of RV heights by category:
- Class A RVs range from 12-14 feet
- Class B RVs are between 7-10 feet
- Class C RVs will be 10-12 feet high
Image of a Class B RV. Courtesy of Unsplash.
Another thing people often forget is that RVs have AC units on the roof and other roof accessories. Therefore, you'll need to measure the height of your motorhome including those units, otherwise, you'll end up not fitting into the door. What if you decide later on to add more features like a roof rack? It's always best to go bigger just in case.
When it comes to width, 10 feet is the size you need for Class A RVs, although most experts (including us) recommend 12 feet. Classes B and C will do with 8-9 feet of width, so you don't have to get to custom with the sizing here.
Check out our 9-foot Standard+ Shaker-Flat XL garage door, measuring 10 feet wide and featuring a chocolate walnut finish with Stockton insert windows. These doors offer the perfect size for Class B or B+ motorhomes.
It's even easier if you already own the RV that you're measuring for. We can easily come out and measure the RV and calculate the perfect dimensions for your new garage door, down to the very last inch. As mentioned before, we always recommend a larger garage door when you're in between sizes so that you're ready for an RV upgrade in the future.
Check out this garage door from Houzz – it's perfect for a Class A model. If you like the style, consider our Shaker-Flat CC garage door model.
2- So, what lifts do I need for RV garage doors?
We have several lift options, including those for RVs and specialty vehicle needs. Roofs usually have a different configuration and can't accommodate a standard opener or lift system.
In these larger buildings, the walls may be quite high, leaving plenty of room between the garage door and the roof above. This could mean that you need to install a high lift track or full-vertical lift track, ensuring that there's plenty of room above your RV for the garage door to operate.
If you have sloped roofing, our inclined track is a great choice. Not only does it free up space, but it fits into the design more seamlessly!
Perhaps you're lacking headroom? We can install our low front headroom lift when you have less than 10 inches above your garage door.
3- This is a big door! What hardware should I get?
Fortunately, you also don't have to worry about the hardware that comes with your RV garage door. If the door goes beyond eight feet (8') in height, commercial hardware becomes the status quo so that the door can function properly.
Within our commercial line of hardware, you have 3 main options to choose from:
The type of commercial hardware recommended depends on your garage door, its weight and material, and more.
4- Finally, add the perfect garage door opener!
So you've got the perfect garage door and you are ready for the installation. But what about a garage door opener system? With a 14-foot-high garage door, you'll do best to install an industrial-strength LiftMaster garage door opener.
We recommend wall-mounted openers for larger garages like this that hold Class A motorhomes.
The LiftMaster H is from our industrial collection, and it has many benefits:
- More ceiling space and headroom since you don't need it for the garage door opener.
- Easy access and can be installed at the perfect height for anyone.
- Reduced noise and vibrations
- Compatible with the myQ smartphone app
With the LiftMaster H, you'll get access to the myQ app, allowing you to monitor your garage door no matter where you are!
With LiftMaster garage door openers, you'll enjoy every road trip and never stress about that garage door.
You're cruising down the highway in your SUV, on the way to a family weekend in the mountains. Since the kids kept everyone waiting, there was a big rush to get out the door to beat traffic, and no one remembers whether the garage door got closed—no need to panic or call the neighbors!
Just keep cruising and have your spouse log into the myQ app, where they'll be able to see whether the door is closed and if it's not, they can close it with just a tap.
It's easy to monitor your garage door with the myQ app. No matter where in the world you are, you'll know your garage door is secure!
Even if you have a Home Alonemoment and leave the garage door open as you're taking off for vacation, you don't have to worry about getting someone to close your door. The myQ app is designed to notify you if the door is open for an extended period.
Are you forgetful or do you have kids that sometimes leave the door open? With the app, you'll be notified if the door is open too long and you can easily close it with just a touch.
So, are you ready to get to buying your new garage door?
From small shed garage doors to RV garage doors and everything in between, we've got the solutions that you need.
Every single door we make is custom and made-to-order. Whatever height, width, or style you desire, let us know. You don't even have to know what size you want—as long as you know the garage opening measurements, we'll take care of the rest.
If you're not sure about how to measure, here's how you can do it. You can also contact us and one of our garage door experts will stop by to get the measurements so that you can start planning your new garage door.
Do you like the Eastman E-11? This stylish door measures 16' x 8', featuring a Black door and overlays, and 4 vertical lite Panoramic windows.
Even better, you can totally custom-design your new garage door!
Ready to experience a whole new world of design? In our Design Centre, you can customize the style of your door, color, accessories, and more. Choose decorative hardware, consider the different window options, and even try it out on your home by uploading a photo. With 10 colors and over 35 designs, there's something for everyone. Let your inner designer out and see what you can create!
Plus, it's an app that's easily accessible from any smartphone or device. Why not browse RV garage doors while you're enjoying a weekend at the campground in your RV?
Once you find the perfect fit, ask us about getting a free quote by email. You'll be surprised at just how affordable your custom garage door can be!
Reach out to us at 860-668-7991.
The team at Atlas-Coles Door Systems is ready and waiting to help you create the perfect garage door design, customize features, and even find the perfect size. Plus, our skilled installers will ensure your project is done right so you can enjoy years of use.
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