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Hi,

We're considering converting our built-in garage to accommodate our caravan, and wondered if anyone else has done this? It will need the roof raising (or the floor dropping), and the entrance widening, but otherwise, the van should fit in quite snugly. We already have a Mr Shifta to manoeuvre it in and out, so that should be no problem.

Any comments about potential pitfalls would be most appreciated.

Thanks, Lizzo.

I can suggest one or two considerations - most of which you've probably already thought through.

Having done the work, you may find later that you want a bigger van and you'll have a dilemma over whether to waste the expenditure you've already made or whether to stick to a size limitation that your garage imposes.

- Or you may want to move house, and the changes may be off-putting to buyers.

Would you still be able to fit a wheel-clamp? (perhaps a requirement of insurance) and/or open the caravan door when it is stored?

Whether it is worthwhile or not depends on your reasons for doing it - is it for extra security, weather protection or because the van is 'in the way' at the moment?  You then will need to think whether there are easier cheaper means of achieving this and whether you can manage to sacrifice the garage space which presumably gets used for something else at present.

I can see that it would be a major security plus that onlookers wouldn't be able to tell when you were away in your caravan or not.

Many thanks for all comments & suggestions. The main reason for thinking about doing this was that the caravan is currently in a storage compound, which makes it quite inconvenient when we want to go away on the spur of the moment. We are lucky that our garage runs for the length of the house (not two car lengths, but certainly long enough for our 7 metre van). We don't currently have a Status aerial, but thanks for the warning, runone, if we ever change our van.

There's certainly plenty here to consider!

Hi there we have just bought a new caravan a few weeks ago and were considering storing ours in our garage, until someone told us it was a ad idea as with the changes in temp your upholstery can become mouldy although you could store your seating upholstery in your attic.  But then again what do you do with fitted curtains?  An awning or porch at the side of your house would seem like the best idea and you could still have your garage space for other things.

Wendy

Ah, I'd never thought about potential problems with upholstery. We usually take ours out and store them in the loft over winter, but that's probably just as bad!

Unfortunately, we have no room at the side of the house for a porch, so it's the garage or a storage compound! I wouldn't consider doing the work myself, so would have to get a buider in who, I would assume (!), would know the regulations about planning permission & structural details.

By the way, what a clever idea building a little A-frame extension!