An RV garage door is usually 12 to 14 feet tall, but for most full-size RVs the safer choice is 14 feet tall.
For a standard car garage, a 7 or 8 foot door is common. For an RV garage, that is usually not enough. RVs are much taller because of roof air conditioners, vents, antennas, satellite domes, roof racks, solar panels, and suspension height.
Common RV Garage Door Heights
| Door height | Best for |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | Small vans, some low Class B campers |
| 12 ft | Many Class B and smaller Class C RVs |
| 14 ft | Most Class A motorhomes, fifth wheels, larger travel trailers |
| 16 ft | Extra clearance, tall RVs, commercial-style storage |
For many RV owners in the USA, 14 feet is the practical standard if the garage is being built for a full-size motorhome or fifth wheel.
Best Size for Most RVs
If you are building a new RV garage and want fewer problems later, I would plan for:
- Door height: 14 ft
- Door width: 12 to 14 ft
- Interior ceiling height: 15 to 16 ft minimum
- Garage depth: 40 to 50 ft for many motorhomes
- Extra space: for mirrors, slides, ladders, storage, and walking around
A 12 ft door may work for some RVs, but it can become too tight once you count the roof AC unit or a slightly sloped driveway.
Measure the RV Correctly
Do not measure only the body of the RV. Measure to the highest point on the roof.
Include:
- Roof AC units
- Vent covers
- Solar panels
- Antennas
- Satellite dome
- Roof rack
- Ladder
- Suspension lift
- Tire size changes
Then add at least 6 to 12 inches of clearance. More is better if the driveway is sloped.
Short Answer
A small RV may fit through a 12 ft garage door, but a full-size RV usually needs a 14 ft tall garage door. If you are building new, 14 ft is the smart minimum for most RV garages, and 16 ft gives even more flexibility.