Properly sizing a shed, garage, or carport for your caravan is essential for proper storage, ease of access, and protecting your investment from the elements. Caravan dimensions vary considerably, with many models reaching up to 2.5 metres in width and 2.7–3.2 metres in overall height once accessories such as air conditioners, solar panels, and antennas are included. Designing a structure that accommodates these variations is crucial. This quick guide highlights the important features to consider when planning your caravan’s storage structure.
Height and Width Considerations
The opening height is one of the most critical dimensions. Caravans can vary in height from 2.5m up to 3.2m or even higher, depending on the type of caravan. When designing your caravan shed, garage or carport, it is important to consider the height of your caravan or future caravan, including roof-mounted accessories. Consider allowing extra door opening clearance not only for safe entry, but also, should you wish to upgrade to a larger caravan in the future (especially when a larger off-road caravan is a possibility).
If you are building a carport and would like to allow for a future roller door on the front, it is important to make allowances for the necessary headroom clearance required for the roller drum, as well as side-room clearance for the tracks and brackets and if desired a roller door motor.
Width is equally important. With the legal caravan width limit in Australia set at approximately 2.5 metres, a minimum opening width of 2.7m is recommended for easy access. Inside the shed, consider an internal width of at least 4-5m to allow for door and hatch opening, cleaning, and maintenance tasks and clear walk space.
Allowance for Access Around the Caravan
Allow sufficient space around your caravan in your shed for walkways, usability and practicality. 1m or more clear space is recommended to comfortably navigate around the caravan’s sides and at the drawbar end. At the rear of the caravan, plan for 0.8m to 1.5m space depending on storage needs and whether you require access to spare wheels, rear hatches, or mounted accessories. Consider if you require shelving and cabinets in your shed and allow space for them as well as access to them.
Length Requirements
Caravan lengths vary significantly based on chassis design and drawbar configuration. Smaller caravan lengths start at around 6.5m, and common caravan lengths are typically between 7.8m to 8.5m, including the draw bar. Larger adventure-style caravans, however, can be as long as 9.6m+. To calculate your internal shed depth, consider both the space at the rear and front of your caravan for walkways or other requirement,s plus the length of your existing caravan (inc. drawbar). Where possible, consider going bigger if there is a chance you may upgrade to a bigger caravan in the future.
Practical Factors to Consider
- Driveway Gradient: If accessing the shed or carport on an incline, account for changes in clearance height as the caravan angles during entry.
- Door Opening Size: This is one of the most important factors to consider, as this provides the caravan access into your shed. Roller doors or sliding doors require varying headroom and side-room clearances depending on the size of the opening (and type of door). Door type and size will influence the height and width required for your shed as the required clearances for the door hardware are vital.
- Semi-enclosed Carports: Some customers prefer to semi-enclose their carport with walls or part-walls on one or multiple sides. This feature allows for extra protection from the elements (inc. sun, wind or rain) and is something that is best allowed for at the design stage rather than as an afterthought.
- Permits: Caravan sheds and carports require building permits due to being over 10m2 in size. In some cases, a planning permit may also be necessary, depending on site overlays, the location of the shed, and local council regulations. CV Sheds can manage all plans and permits on your behalf, making the process simple and hassle-free.
- Future-Proofing: Upgrades and installing additional caravan accessories (e.g. on the roof) may require extra clearance height, width or length. Where possible, consider allowing extra space during the design stage to help future-proof your shed and avoid potential size issues later.
Need help planning for your Shed?
Protecting your caravan starts with a structure designed for practical access, long-term durability, compliance with Australian Standards and designed for Australian conditions. Built with high-quality Australian RHS steel frames and Colorbond® steel cladding, our carports and sheds are engineered to exceed Australian Standards.
Whether you need extra height, extended bay width, or customised solutions, CV Sheds works closely with you to ensure your structure is purpose-built to suit your needs.
CV Sheds offer customisable carports and sheds tailored to your caravan’s dimensions, providing sufficient clearance, easy access space, and dependable structural strength.
With flexibility across size, layout, window and door options, and cladding finishes, CV Sheds delivers a streamlined process from design and permits through to installation, ensuring a seamless build experience and a structure built to last for generations.