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If you’re like us, then you love spending time outdoors. And if you’re an RVer, you know that limited living space can be a bit of a challenge. That’s why you should consider adding an RV porch.
It’s the perfect way to expand your living space and enjoy the great outdoors at the same time. If you’re thinking of doing so, this blog post is for you!
We’ll share some tips on building your own porch and discuss some of the pre-built options available. So, sit back, relax, and let’s get started!
What Is Considered an RV Porch?
An RV porch can be anything from a large wooden deck to a built-in fold-down patio to enclosed tent-like structures.
You can be particularly creative if the structure will be permanent for stays that last months or even years. But there are also many more portable options, such as enclosing your awning for when you’re on the move.
Pros of an RV Porch
The most obvious advantage of adding an RV porch to your rig is a bigger living space. Many folks put an outdoor rug out, but a porch can add a hard surface that is usable even if the ground is wet.
You can also set up furniture, a grill, or other accessories, making your outdoor living space an extension of the inside of your rig.
Even if you simply add a tent-like structure to the outside of your rig, you can use it as a mudroom during inclement weather. It can also protect you from pesky mosquitoes and flies.
Enclosed porches can also provide shade on hot days and keep the rain off you on wet days.
Cons of an RV Porch
The big drawback of an RV porch is that it can take up a lot of space. A mobile solution you plan to take wherever you travel will require storage space on travel days.
Depending upon the porch solution you choose, this could be as easy as packing up a tent, or it could require a huge storage bay or even its own trailer.
If you build out a more stationary structure, assembly and disassembly are time consuming. The more elaborate your RV porch, the more time it will take to set up, take down, and store. Using heavier materials (such as wood) could also add a lot of weight to your rig when traveling.
Not all RV parks and campgrounds allow external structures. Some wouldn’t even have the room for you to set up an RV porch. So if you travel a lot, you are almost assured of running into places where it would be unrealistic to set up a porch.
The Best Solutions for an RV Porch
There are many ways to set up an RV porch. You can build out your own solution, especially if you’re going to be in more of a stationary situation.
You could also purchase a pre-built option that is more mobile. Whatever you’re trying to achieve with an RV porch, there is likely a solution to meet your needs.
Permanent Porch for Stationary RV Living
First, let’s talk about building your own RV porch. This will only be a good solution if you plan to be stationary with your rig for long stretches. And we’re talking about several months, not days or weeks.
There are many YouTube channels and Pinterest solutions you can look to for inspiration on building an outdoor deck next to your RV.
Unless you’re in a situation where you’re staying permanently, you’ll likely have to build the deck supports to sit on concrete patio stones or footers that sit on top of the ground. Aside from that, the process is similar to any outdoor deck build.
Make sure the frame is level. Add joists to the framing using joist hangers for support so your decking doesn’t sag. Then apply your choice of decking on top.
It’s also a good idea to install some 4×4 posts so that you can attach a safety railing around the deck. But what the decking and the railing look like is open to your creative instincts to make it as basic or extravagant as you want.
Keep in Mind: If you’re not ready to build an RV porch but still want to expand your outdoor space, you’ll love these 13 Outdoor Camping Rugs!
Portable RV Porch: Travel Easy Decks Portable Deck Kit
If you want many of the advantages of a permanent porch without the permanence, consider Travel Easy Decks Portable Deck Kits.
These are simple-to-assemble portable squares. They also have feet to raise the deck off the ground away from mud and bugs and for easy leveling on uneven surfaces.
The Travel Easy starter kit has 12 2-foot by 2-foot panels for 48 square feet of surface area. That’s just the start, though, as you can buy additional individual panels to increase the surface area and customize the build to fit your needs.
The deck panels are sturdy and slip-free, even in the rain and snow.
Enclosed Awning Porch: Carefree of Colorado Awing Vacation
This enclosed awning porch is an easy way to extend your outdoor living space. It attaches to your awning, providing an outdoor room safe from the elements and bugs.
The walls can be opened up to be a breathable screen, which still keeps out the bugs, but provides airflow. They can be fully closed to keep out inclement weather or for privacy.
One of the best parts of this awning porch is that you don’t need to install any permanent fasteners to your RV for set-up. It’s also lightweight and packs away in the included storage bag.
- Carefree of Colorado 20'-21' Awing Vacation'r 292000
Screen Room Porch: ShadePro – Villa RV Awning Screen Room
This custom-sized screen room porch fits the measurements of your specific awning and rig. This allows for a near-perfect fit with an RV porch that opens to a full wrap-around screen room for maximum ventilation on hot days.
It’s a bit more of a commitment than the enclosed awning porch above because it has some assembly that includes adding permanent components to your rig. This, however, adds to the sturdiness of the room, as well as making it a breeze to set up and tear down.
- Awning Screen Room for RVs: Fits most straight-sided RVs with awning rail to ground dimensions of 100" to 141" with side...
- A RV Screen Room That Fits: Heavy-duty marine grade fabric, privacy panels, heavy-duty zippers, and custom-made side...
Mini Porch with Stairs: Sunrise Decks Kingston
If you want a portable deck that isn’t a huge living space addition but is functional for getting away from mud, snow, or sand, this 45-inch by 45-inch mini porch might be just the fit.
It’s a good option for adding just enough space outside your door to put out some plants or maybe a small grill.
Or perhaps you want to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning, leaning against the railing. This mini porch is super sturdy, with a weight capacity of 600 pounds.
Keep in Mind: Reinvent your space with these 15 RV Renovation Ideas!
Can You Make a Toy Hauler Ramp Into a Porch?
Many modern toy haulers either come with a patio kit installed or at least as an option to convert the ramp into an RV porch. But even if your toy hauler didn’t come with a patio, there are a few options for making the conversion yourself.
There is an aftermarket kit to convert a toy hauler ramp into a porch. The kit consists of some heavy-duty brackets. It also has metal cabling that should be able to hold up to about 1800 pounds.
The brackets attach to solid points on the toy hauler frame and ramp. The cables then attach to the brackets at a length that holds the ramp level. That converts it into your new patio.
You can also do this cable method without a kit. You simply find the appropriate brackets and cables to match what would have been in the kit. It’s simply a handy way to get all the necessary parts.
Be forewarned that this cable method of support would likely void any warranty you might have on your toy hauler. However, there’s a less risky method regarding your warranty.
You can create support to convert the ramp into an RV porch by using jacks. Remember that toy haulers typically have high clearance, so you must consider that when selecting the appropriate jacks.
Many folks using the jack method opt for slide-support jacks. They typically support a substantial weight and extend to the height necessary for a toy hauler ramp.
Be aware that the jack method may require slight modifications to the jack support to ensure it doesn’t damage the ramp. It’s also a good idea to add clamps to the jacks so that they’re more stable when people are walking on the ramp or in the toy hauler.
Can You Add a Patio to a Travel Trailer?
Yes, you can absolutely add a patio to a travel trailer. You can modify any of the initial methods we discussed for most travel trailers.
Do you have a permanent porch, a portable porch, or an awning attached room? As long as you can alter the size to match your travel trailer, you can add an RV porch to a travel trailer.
Add On to Your Tiny Home on Wheels With an RV Porch
Whether you travel in a motorhome, fifth wheel, or travel trailer, an RV porch can be a terrific way to add more living space. As you can see, there are many ways to maximize your RV’s outdoor space.
Hopefully, we’ve inspired you to find a way to add to your tiny home on wheels. Find the right RV porch for you, then sit back and enjoy!
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
