How To Build A Portable Deck For RV In 3 Simple Steps. Credit: ODAnalysis
Contents
A portable deck could really enhance your comfort if you intend to park your RV in a single location for a long time. It’s essentially an elevated and level area with multiple applications from recreational activities hosting ground to sightseeing and alike. However, a project of this scale is definitely not a walk in the park, it requires materials, tool and know-how which you may not familiar with. Well, in the care you are in need of hints, you come to the right place. Down below is a detailed guide on how to build a portable deck for RV in 3 simple steps.
The deck construction could vary a lot depending on the place terrain, available material and weight support. Therefore, it’s best to treat the information here as references only, stay flexible and prepare to improvise if needed. There are many designs available on the Internet which you can follow, you may attempt to create one on your own as well. But no matter what you do, pay attention to what you are doing and be thorough. You have to invest a good amount of time and effort into the project so stay concentrate in order to achieve the desired result.
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See more previous article: How To Fix A Leaking Camper Roof For Beginner
The preparations
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Planning
From the deck dimension to the material requirement, you have to make a plan for them ahead of time. Proper planning shall save you a lot of frustration later on and considerably accelerate the overall progress. With precise specifications in hand, you could easily deduce the exact amount of material to use in the deck construction. Of course, you must take into account the kind of weight your deck has to endure along with certain safety issues. For example, the narrowest stair width is roughly 36 inches. You can extend the width a bit but do not go below this minimum number. Given the fact that you are building a portable deck for your RV, the expense would not get too high. The average cost for a square foot of deck should be between 10$ and 25$. Obviously, the price may vary in reality since it depends largely on the design and material you choose for your deck. Extra features like handrail and decorating could raise the total cost of your deck. However, it is, in the end, a DIY project so with logical planning, the final expense would be usually acceptable for most people.
Finally, check out the camping ground regulation, some places have very strict rules about RV modifications and accessories.
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Tool
There is no need for high-level equipment, most of the thing you need should be in your tool chest. In general, you have to get a saw, a drill, a screwdriver, a hammer and a tape measure. You also need protective gears as well since the deck construction would generate plenty of dust and splinter. Equip yourself with face mask, a pair of goggles and gloves before you start the project. Keep these items on until you finish the deck for good.
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Material
You want to keep the weight of the project as low as possible, go for stuff that is light and tough. Wood is the preferred choice here but you could always incorporate other materials such as synthetic or metal if necessary. For most of the time, wood would be the primary material but you should only use pressure treated lumber. The rule applies to all wood components from the step stringers to the surface boards. Untreated lumber tends to weaken as time goes by which pose a serious danger to the project structural integrity and your own well being.
In general, you have to conduct a comprehensive check on everything you intend to use for the deck. Defect products like flimsy nails and low-quality glues could make your entire project disintegrate in a blink of an eye.
How to build a portable deck for RV
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Step 1: Select a suitable location and set up the deck base
You don’t want the deck to wobble every time you use it so pick a flat surface or level the ground beforehand. After that, it’s time to deploy the base of the deck using concrete blocks. These block shall serve as a sturdy foundation to the deck above. They are most suitable for ground and low level (3-inch height) decks though you can use them in higher designs. With in-ground footers, you can employ the blocks for taller deck projects but you still have to take mobility into account.
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Step 2: Erect the post and arrange the joist
When the deck foundation is in place, start cutting some posts out of wood beam then attach them to each block using glue or screw. After that, construct a series of straight and liner joists to connect all the block posts together. The stability of the deck relies a lot on this step, hence, you better pay close attention to what you are doing. Every block must stay neatly in line and every post has to be at the same height. One mistake over here could cost you the entire project so stay concentrate.
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Step 3: Cover the deck and create a couple of steps
If the joists and posts seem good enough, proceed to cover everything with multiple wood planks. Lay the plank side by side till there is no longer any visible gap left and secure them in place. About the ideal length, 48 inches is good enough though you probably have to squeeze in shorter plank at the end. Because wood might expand and contrast base on the weather, small gaps could form as time goes by so don’t worry.
After that, the only thing left to do is to build some steps. Assemble the stringer and the board in a manner that suits you the most. Don’t secure them until you are certain about their position and shape. Use as many boards as you like to enhance the steps but a heavy stair would limit the deck portability. Besides, if you have kids, you may want to use these steps to build custom playsets for your child easily and quickly. They will have a good place to play too.
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Conclusion
And that is most of what you should know about how to build a portable deck for RV, fairly easy to understand, right? It could be slightly tricky at first but when you got the hang of the project, you could definitely build the deck on your own. With the help of the information above, you would have little trouble getting a nice little deck around your RV.
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