16x40 RV Carport: Fit, Price and Permit, and What Sellers List
CarportBay Editorial Team Reviewed
Last verified:
A 16x40 RV carport covers 640 square feet and fits an RV up to 35 to 37 feet long with a 3 to 5 foot buffer. Height decides the rest: four of five listings read on 2026-10-05 show 12 feet, and Class A motorhomes and fifth wheels stand 12 to 13.5 feet. Four complete listings run $6,600 to $8,685.
| Question | Answer in the sources |
|---|---|
| Footprint? | 640 square feet |
| Longest RV with buffer? | 35 to 37 feet |
| Side room, 8.5 foot body? | 3.75 feet each side |
| Complete 16x40 listings? | $6,600 to $8,685 |
On this page
Will a 16x40 carport fit your RV?
A 16x40 carport fits an RV up to 35 to 37 feet, and clear height at the entry is the check listings leave out.
This section works the 16x40 case. The wider question of which RV fits which carport spans every size.
RV capacity means the length, width and height of RV that a carport can hold. For a 16x40, length is the RV plus a 3 to 5 foot buffer, width is the body plus slide-outs, and height is the RV with roof gear plus a buffer. By class, Class B runs 17 to 23 feet long, Class C 20 to 33, travel trailers 12 to 35 and fifth wheels 22 to 40 (Storage.com, updated June 2026).
| RV class | Length (ft) | Width (ft) | Height (ft) | Length test | Side room (ft each side) | Height test, 12 ft entry | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class A motorhome | 26 to 45 | 8 to 8.5 | 12 to 13.5 (Storage.com); 12 to 13 (Extra Space) | Fits up to 35 to 37 ft. Longer does not. | 3.75 to 4 | 12 ft leaves no room. | Check height |
| Class B motorhome | 17 to 23 | 7 to 8 | 9 to 10 | Fits. 23 ft leaves 17 ft. | 4 to 4.5 | Fits. 10 ft leaves 2 ft. | Fits |
| Class C motorhome | 20 to 33 | 8 to 8.5 | 10 to 12 | Fits. 33 ft leaves 7 ft. | 3.75 to 4 | 10 ft leaves 2 ft. 12 ft leaves none. | Check height |
| Fifth wheel | 22 to 40 | 8 to 8.5 | 12 to 13.5 (Storage.com); 12 to 13 (Extra Space) | Fits up to 35 to 37 ft. Longer does not. | 3.75 to 4 | 12 ft leaves no room. | Check height |
| Travel trailer | 12 to 35 (tongue adds 2 to 4) | 8 to 8.5 (Storage.com); 7 to 8.5 (Extra Space) | 9 to 11 (Storage.com); 10 to 11 (Extra Space) | 35 ft body plus tongue is 37 to 39 ft, at or over the limit. | 3.75 to 4.5 | 11 ft leaves 1 ft. | Fits with limits |
| Toy hauler | 24 to 44 | 8 to 8.5 | 11 to 13 | Fits up to 35 to 37 ft. Longer does not. | 3.75 to 4 | 11 ft leaves 1 ft. 13 ft is 1 ft over. | Check height |
Fits means all three tests pass across the class range. Fits with limits means the class passes only at a stated limit. Check height means part of the class stands taller than a 12 ft entry less 6 inches, the smallest seller buffer. The 12 ft entry is a stand-in and not a measured opening.
RV sizes are class ranges from storage-company tables. Your RV may be larger.
Length: the 3 to 5 foot buffer
Eagle Carports advises adding at least 3 to 5 feet to an RV's length. In a 40 foot carport that caps the RV at 35 to 37 feet. A travel trailer's listed length leaves out the hitch tongue, which adds 2 to 4 feet (Storage.com). Direct Metal Structures says its 40 foot length suits "most RVs up to about 40 feet overall," which leaves no buffer, so ask the seller what it means.
Width: slide-outs and door swing
In a 16 foot width, a centered 8.5 foot body leaves 3.75 feet on each side, and an 8 foot body leaves 4 feet. The 8.5 foot figure is the 102 inch width the Federal Highway Administration sets for commercial motor vehicles, a limit that RVs are not subject to. A slide-out adds 2 to 3 feet or more (Storage.com). One slide-out out makes an 8.5 foot body 11.5 feet wide. Both out at 3 feet each make it 14.5 feet, which leaves 1.5 feet in total before the legs and bracing. No door-swing figure was read, so measure your RV's own.
Height: leg height versus the clear opening
Leg height is the side wall height a seller lists. American Steel Carports says the peak runs about 2 feet above it, and Eagle Carports ties door clearance to side height, not the roof peak. Three of the four 16x40 titles read carry "x12" and the VersaTube frame lists 12 feet high, while Direct Metal Structures lists a 16 foot eave. No seller page read says that "x12" is a leg height, so this page calls it a title number.
Class A motorhomes and fifth wheels stand 12 to 13.5 feet, so a 12 foot leg leaves them no room above the roof unless the entry opening is taller than the leg, and no listing states the opening. The test is RV height + roof gear + buffer = minimum clear height at the entry. Roof gear such as an air conditioner or solar panel can add 8 to 12 inches or more (American Steel Carports). The Federal Highway Administration sets no federal height requirement, and states set their own, typically 13 ft 6 in to 14 ft.
| Item | Height (ft) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Carport leg height in four of five listings read | 12 | Product titles, read 2026-10-05 |
| Peak above the leg | about 2 ft taller | American Steel Carports |
| Class B motorhome | 9 to 10 | Storage.com, updated 2026-06-09 |
| Class C motorhome | 10 to 12 | Storage.com, updated 2026-06-09 |
| Class A motorhome and fifth wheel | 12 to 13.5 | Storage.com, updated 2026-06-09 |
RV Fit Checker
Enter your RV's length, width and height to test it against a 16x40 and the next sizes up.
Worked examples, computed with the same arithmetic as the Fit Checker
| Example | Inputs | Length | Width | Height | Overall and next size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WE1: Fifth wheel, class midpoints (the tool default) | length 31; width 8.25; height 12.75; slide-outs 1 x 3; leg 12; opening blank | Fits. 31 ft used, 9 ft spare | Fits with limits. 11.25 ft wide, 4.75 ft left | Does not fit. 12.75 ft against 12 ft, margin -0.75 ft | Does not fit. Next size: 16x40x14 |
| WE2: 30 ft Class C, one slide-out | length 30; width 8.5; height 11.5; slide-outs 1 x 3; leg 12; opening blank | Fits. 30 ft used, 10 ft spare | Fits with limits. 11.5 ft wide, 4.5 ft left | Fits with limits. 11.5 ft against 12 ft, margin 0.5 ft | Fits with limits. Next size: 16x40x12 |
| WE3: Travel trailer, 28 ft listed body length, 10.5 ft listed height with roof gear | length 28 + 4 tongue; width 8; height 10.5 + 1 roof gear; slide-outs 0; leg 12; opening blank | Fits. 32 ft used, 8 ft spare | Fits. 8 ft wide, 8 ft left | Fits with limits. 11.5 ft against 12 ft, margin 0.5 ft | Fits with limits. Next size: 16x40x12 |
| WE4: 40 ft Class A, slide-outs both sides | length 40; width 8.5; height 13.5; slide-outs 2 x 3; leg 12; opening blank | Check length. 40 ft used, 0 ft spare | Check width. 14.5 ft wide, 1.5 ft left | Does not fit. 13.5 ft against 12 ft, margin -1.5 ft | Does not fit. No size on the ladder clears all three |
| WE5: WE1 with a stated 14 ft entry opening | length 31; width 8.25; height 12.75; slide-outs 1 x 3; leg 14; opening 14 | Fits. 31 ft used, 9 ft spare | Fits with limits. 11.25 ft wide, 4.75 ft left | Fits with limits. 12.75 ft against 14 ft, margin 1.25 ft | Fits with limits. Next size: 16x40x14 |
| Test | Rule | Verdict | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | Used length = length + tongue (4 ft when the box is on). Spare = 40 minus used length. | Spare 5 ft or more: Fits. 3 up to 5 ft: Fits with limits. 0 up to 3 ft: Check length. Below 0: Does not fit. | Eagle Carports: add at least 3 to 5 ft to the RV's length. |
| Width | Extended width = width + slide-outs x depth. Room = 16 minus extended width. | Over 16 ft: Does not fit. No slide-outs: Fits. One side: Fits with limits. Both sides: Check width in a width under 18 ft, Fits with limits at 18 ft or more. | Storage.com for slide-out depth. American Steel Carports: 18 to 24 ft with slide-outs on both sides. |
| Height | Effective height = height + roof gear (1 ft when the box is on). Margin = opening minus effective height. The opening is the entered value or the leg height. | Margin below 0: Does not fit. 0 up to 0.5 ft: Check height. 0.5 up to 2 ft: Fits with limits. 2 ft or more: Fits. | American Steel Carports and US Patriot Steel: 2 to 3 ft. Engineered Metal Buildings: 6 to 12 in. |
| Overall | The most severe of the three words. | The Fit Checker names the first size on its ladder where all three words are Fits or Fits with limits. | Listings and wordings read on the date shown. |
What does a 16x40 RV carport cost?
Four complete 16x40 RV carport listings read on 2026-10-05 run $6,600 to $8,685, or $10.31 to $13.57 per square foot.
Rows run lowest to highest price per square foot, and the frame kit sits apart because it covers a frame only.
| Seller and listing | Size and sides as listed | Price | What the price covers | $ per sq ft (derived) | Source and read date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProBuilt Steel Buildings"16x40 Vertical Roof Carport" | 16x40x12 vertical roof, six-foot panels down each side | $6,600.00 | "Starting At"; free delivery and 14-day returns shown; install scope not read | $10.31 | Google row and page metadata, read 2026-10-05 |
| Quality Carports"16x40x12 - A Frame Style Carport - Vertical Roof" | 16x40x12 A-frame style, vertical roof | $7,635.00 | Free delivery shown; install scope not read | $11.93 | Google row, read 2026-10-05 |
| Gold Tier Structures"16' x 40' x 12' RV Carport" | 16x40x12 RV carport, A-frame vertical roof, 2 sides and 1 end enclosed, 12x12 end wall frame-out | $8,293.42 | "Starting price" set by zip code; delivery and installation stated; 12-gauge framing; 20-year rust-through warranty | $12.96 | Seller page, read 2026-10-05 |
| Direct Metal Structures"16x40 Metal Carport" | 16x40, 16 ft eave, vertical roof | $8,685.00 | "Starting price"; delivery and installation included; 14-gauge frame; 29-gauge panels | $13.57 | Seller page, read 2026-10-05 |
| VersaTube Building Systems"Frame Only - Classic Carport - 16'W x 40.5'L x 12'H" | Classic Carport frame only, 16 ft W x 40.5 ft L x 12 ft H | $3,494.00 | Frame kit only, do-it-yourself; free delivery and 15-day returns shown | $5.39 | Google row, read 2026-10-05; the seller page was not fetched |
Prices are listed prices on the dates shown. Confirm the current price and what it includes with the seller.
Gold Tier Structures and Direct Metal Structures both state delivery and installation, so those two rows share a basis: $8,293.42 and $8,685.00.
The tables above report what each seller states, so you can compare sellers on their own words before you ask anyone for a price.
| Seller | Size as listed | Price | $ per sq ft (derived) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alan's Factory Outlet | 18x40 vertical roof | $3,595.00 to $4,595.00 | $4.99 to $6.38 | Google row. Snippet says "up to 16 feet" tall RV. Scope not read. |
| ProBuilt Steel Buildings | 18x40 RV metal carport | $3,925.00 | $5.45 | Google row. Scope not read. |
| Keen's Buildings | 18x40 | $4,355.75 (listed $4,585, 5% off) | $6.05 | Price on the page after 5% off. The carousel showed $6,555 as the listed price. |
| Gold Tier Structures | 18x40x12 RV carport | $4,539.15 | $6.30 | Google row. Scope not read. |
| Gold Tier Structures | 18x40x14 RV carport | $5,904.22 | $8.20 | Google row. "14" in the title, not labelled leg height. |
| Metal America | 18x40x12 vertical roof | $5,699.99 | $7.92 | Google row. Scope not read. |
| American Metal Buildings | 20x40 steel carport, 12 ft leg, A-frame vertical roof | $11,093.50 | $13.87 | Free delivery and installation; 14-gauge frame, 29-gauge panels; "Certified for 140 MPH wind load" and "Certified for 30 PSF snow load" with no code edition stated. |
The 18x40 rows run $4.99 to $8.20 per square foot while covering 720 square feet, below the 16x40 rows, and this page cannot say what drives the gap. Of the seller pages read in full, none states a wind or snow rating for a 16x40. The one rating read sits on the American Metal Buildings 20x40 row of table T3.
Kit, delivered or installed: what the price covers
VersaTube lists a frame-only Classic Carport at $3,494.00, 16 ft by 40.5 ft and 12 ft high. That is a kit price and not an installed one. Gold Tier Structures and Direct Metal Structures word theirs as a "starting price" with delivery and installation.
Which leg height, width and roof style do RV owners need?
Two seller guides advise a leg height of 12 to 16 feet for travel trailers, Class C, Class A and fifth wheels.
| RV class | RV height (ft) | American Steel Carports, leg (ft) | Engineered Metal Buildings, leg (ft) | Eagle Carports, height in size guide (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class B motorhome | 9 to 10 | 10 minimum | not stated | 12 (12x30x12) |
| Travel trailer | 9 to 11 (Storage.com); 10 to 11 (Extra Space) | not stated | 12 | 10 (12x25x10); 12 (12x30x12) |
| Class C motorhome | 10 to 12 | 12 | 13 to 14 | 14 (18x35x14) |
| Fifth wheel | 12 to 13.5 (Storage.com); 12 to 13 (Extra Space) | 13 to 14 and up | 14 | 14 (18x35x14) |
| Class A motorhome | 12 to 13.5 (Storage.com); 12 to 13 (Extra Space) | 12 to 14 | 14 to 16 | 16 (20x45x16) |
Listed heights are the numbers in the seller's product title. Ask for the leg height and the clear opening at the entry before you order.
American Steel Carports and US Patriot Steel add 2 to 3 feet to the RV's height. Engineered Metal Buildings says "Most people aim for an extra 6 to 12 inches." The sources disagree, so this page recommends no single leg height. An 11 foot Class C, measured with its air conditioner, needs 11.5 to 14 feet of clear height at the entry across that range.
Gold Tier Structures lists 12-gauge framing, and Direct Metal Structures lists a 14-gauge frame with 29-gauge panels.
16 ft wide versus 18 and 20 ft
American Steel Carports gives 12 ft as the minimum width for most RVs and 18 to 24 ft for a 40 foot Class A with slide-outs on both sides. Coast to Coast Carports recommends 18 ft for an RV or camper. Room each side of an 8.5 foot body is 3.75 feet at 16 ft, 4.75 feet at 18 ft and 5.75 feet at 20 ft.
Vertical roof, A-frame and regular roof for an RV
Sellers name three roof styles in the listings read. ProBuilt Steel Buildings and Direct Metal Structures list a vertical roof, Gold Tier Structures an A-Frame Vertical roof and Quality Carports an A Frame Style with a vertical roof. Carport Solution offers vertical, A frame and regular, and Coast to Coast Carports requires a vertical roof for RVs. No seller page read ranks one roof style as better for an RV, so this page makes no such claim.
Does a 16x40 RV carport need a permit?
In the 2021 model International Residential Code, a 640 square foot carport is 3.2 times the 200 square foot permit exemption.
Section R105.2 of the 2021 code exempts one-story detached accessory structures when the floor area is 200 square feet or less (Grant County, Washington, copy of the code, read 2026-10-05). The same section gives no authority for work that breaks the code or other laws. Local rules differ.
| Item | Area (sq ft) | Times the 200 sq ft line |
|---|---|---|
| Permit exemption line, 2021 model International Residential Code R105.2 (Grant County, Washington) | 200 | 1.0 times |
| 16x40 carport | 640 | 3.2 times |
Zoning, setbacks and HOA rules can apply whatever the permit line says, and this page states no figure for them. Your local building department answers all of it for your address.
Other RV carport sizes people search
Searchers type 11 other RV carport sizes beside 16x40, in 15 wordings with 810 monthly searches (keyword research, 2026-08-30).
The carport sizing and configuration guide covers every footprint. Table T5 gives the longest RV and side room for each size.
| Size | Wordings searched (volume) | Longest RV (ft), 3 to 5 ft buffer | Room each side (ft), 8.5 ft body | Treatment on this page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12x30 | 12x30, 12x30x12 (70) | 25 to 27 | 1.75 | American Steel Carports gives 12 ft as the minimum width for most RVs. |
| 14x30 | 14x30 (40) | 25 to 27 | 2.75 | 2 ft narrower. |
| 14x35 | 14x35 (40) | 30 to 32 | 2.75 | 2 ft narrower. |
| 30x35 | 30x35x12 (90) | 30 to 32 | 10.75 | 14 ft wider. |
| 12x40 | 12x40 (50) | 35 to 37 | 1.75 | 4 ft narrower. |
| 14x40 | 14x40 (50) | 35 to 37 | 2.75 | 2 ft narrower. |
| 16x40 | 16x40 rv carport (320) | 35 to 37 | 3.75 | This page. |
| 18x40 | 18x40 (40) | 35 to 37 | 4.75 | Listed in table T3. Coast to Coast Carports recommends 18 ft. |
| 20x40 | 20x40, 20x40x14, 20 x 40 (210) | 35 to 37 | 5.75 | Listed in table T3. See the 20x40 carport size guide. |
| 24x40 | 24x40, 24 x 40 (100) | 35 to 37 | 7.75 | Top of American Steel Carports' 18 to 24 ft range. |
| 30x40 | 30 x 40 (30) | 35 to 37 | 10.75 | 14 ft wider. See the 30x40 carport size guide. |
| 30x60 | 30x60 (90) | 55 to 57 | 10.75 | Coast to Coast Carports lists 35 to 55 ft lengths. |
| 18x30 | rv carport 18x30 (170) | 25 to 27 | 4.75 | 18 ft wide, 30 ft long. An 18x30 carport for a shorter RV. All-metal RV carports at 18x30. |
| 20x30 | rv carport 20x30, 20x30 rv carport (280) | 25 to 27 | 5.75 | 20 ft wide, 30 ft long. A 20x30 carport for a mid-length RV. 20x30 carport sizes and vehicle fit. |
| Metal RV sizes | three metal RV wordings (330) | varies | varies | Metal RV carports at several sizes. |
Common questions
Seven questions cover size, a 40-foot motorhome, height, cost, width, permit and standard size.
A 16x40 carport covers 640 square feet. A 36 foot RV leaves 4 feet of spare length, and an 8.5 foot body leaves 3.75 feet on each side. Four complete listings read on 2026-10-05 run $10.31 to $13.57 per square foot.
Not with the usual buffer. Eagle Carports advises adding at least 3 to 5 feet to an RV's length, which caps a 16x40 at 35 to 37 feet. Direct Metal Structures says its 40 foot length suits most RVs up to about 40 feet, so ask the seller.
Measure the RV with its roof gear, then add a buffer. Heights run 9 to 13.5 feet from Class B to fifth wheels (Storage.com). American Steel Carports adds 2 to 3 feet and Engineered Metal Buildings 6 to 12 inches. Ask for the opening.
Four complete 16x40 carports read on 2026-10-05 list from $6,600 to $8,685, or $10.31 to $13.57 per square foot. Gold Tier and Direct Metal Structures state delivery and installation, and the other two do not confirm installation. A frame-only kit lists at $3,494.
For an 8.5 foot body, yes: 3.75 feet remain on each side. A slide-out adds 2 to 3 feet, and at 3 feet on both sides the body is 14.5 feet, leaving 1.5 feet in total. American Steel Carports suggests 18 to 24 feet for a 40-foot Class A with both out.
Likely, because 640 square feet is 3.2 times the 200 square foot exemption in the 2021 model International Residential Code (R105.2). The exemption gives no authority for work that breaks other laws, and local rules differ. Ask your building department before ordering.
Sellers list no single standard. Eagle Carports pairs a 30 to 35 foot Class C or fifth wheel with 18 by 35 by 14 feet. It pairs a 35 to 45 foot Class A with 20 by 45 by 16. Coast to Coast Carports recommends 18 feet wide.
Ready to move forward
Get Matched With Installers Near You
Tell us a bit about your project and we will connect you with vetted installers and manufacturers who serve your area. There is no cost or obligation to request information.
See the affiliate disclosure page for how referrals work.
Where to read next
CarportBay's RV carport, size and permit pages go deeper on each point of this 16x40 RV carport page.
Sources
Each price, size and guide figure above is quoted from the source named, on the read date. Seller pages are cited by name and date. Codes and federal rules link to their publisher.
- Storage.com, Average RV Sizes: Dimensions by Type [2026] (updated 2026-06-09; read 2026-10-05)
- Extra Space Storage, RV Dimensions by Type (updated 2026-06-30; read 2026-10-05)
- Federal Highway Administration, Freight Management and Operations, Questions and Answers About Vehicle Size and Weight (read 2026-10-05)
- Grant County, Washington, Copy of the 2021 International Residential Code, section R105.2 (work exempt from permit) (read 2026-10-05)
- Gold Tier Structures, 16' x 40' x 12' RV Carport (read 2026-10-05)
- Direct Metal Structures, 16x40 Metal Carport (read 2026-10-05)
- ProBuilt Steel Buildings, 16x40 Vertical Roof Carport (read 2026-10-05)
- VersaTube Building Systems, Frame Only - Classic Carport - 16'W x 40.5'L x 12'H (read 2026-10-05)
- Google US results, Search "16x40 rv carport" (Popular products rows for Quality Carports and others) (read 2026-10-05)
- Google US results, Search "rv carport size for 40 foot rv" (18x40 and 12x40 listing rows) (read 2026-10-05)
- American Metal Buildings, 20x40 Steel Carport (read 2026-10-05)
- American Steel Carports, RV Carport Height Guide (read 2026-10-05)
- Engineered Metal Buildings, RV Carport Height Guide (read 2026-10-05)
- Eagle Carports, Carport size guide for RVs and trucks (read 2026-10-05)
- Coast to Coast Carports, Metal carports (read 2026-10-05)
- US Patriot Steel, RV carports (read 2026-10-05)
- Carport Solution, 16 x 40 RV carports (read 2026-10-05)
- Semrush Keyword Magic Tool, US monthly searches for the 16 RV carport wordings (read 2026-08-30)
Last verified: