Your RV, tractor, or boat probably ranks among the most expensive things you own — and right now, it might be sitting in the sun, rain, and hail with nothing between it and the next Oklahoma storm. A purpose-built metal carport or storage building is one of the most practical investments you can make: it protects what you've already paid for and can even add value to your property.
This guide covers everything you need to know before you buy an RV carport kit, tractor shed, or farm equipment storage building — from sizing and foundations to what's included in a metal carport kit and whether you'll need a permit. At Indaco Metals, we've been manufacturing steel building kits in Oklahoma since 1995, and we've helped thousands of property owners figure out exactly what they need. Let's walk through it.
Getting the dimensions right is the single most important step when shopping for an RV carport kit, and most people underestimate what they need. The key is the "three-foot buffer" rule: your carport's leg height should be at least three feet taller than your vehicle's static height. That buffer accounts for roof-mounted A/C units, antennas, satellite dishes, and solar panels — all of which can add a foot or more to the height you see in the owner's manual.
Width is the other dimension people miscalculate. Many RVs have slide-out sections that expand the vehicle from its road-legal 8.5-foot width to as much as 18 feet when parked. Even if you don't plan to extend your slides under the carport, adding two to four feet on each side gives you room to walk around the vehicle, run a hose for washing, and keep airflow moving so moisture doesn't sit against the exterior.
Here's a quick-reference table based on standard RV classifications:
If your RV doesn't fit neatly into a standard kit size, that's not a problem. Indaco builds custom carport kits to match your exact dimensions — just contact our sales team with your vehicle measurements and we'll put together a quote.
One of the most common questions we hear is "what exactly am I getting?" The answer: everything you or your contractor needs to build, minus the foundation. Every Indaco metal carport kit includes:
An all-steel frame ready to bolt or weld together. 26-gauge pre-coated sheet metal panels in your choice of DuraLoc or R-Panel profiles. A complete trim package with every piece needed for a finished look — including all edges, so no sharp metal is left exposed. Matching galvanized screws so your fasteners don't stand out against your panels. And illustrated assembly instructions designed so that two people with basic tools can handle the build.
Where Indaco's steel carport kits really stand apart from the competition is the finish. While some manufacturers paint their panels, ours are fortified with a two-coat Valspar modified siliconized polyester coating that's baked onto the metal. The molecules chemically bond to the steel, forming a finish that resists UV damage and won't flake. It comes with a 40-year manufacturer's limited warranty. You can choose from 15 standard Valspar colors, plus galvalume and galvanized options.
Standard carport kit sizes are 12x20, 20x20, and 20x25, but custom dimensions are available for any application — RV storage, farm equipment covers, or anything else you need to protect.
If you're storing farm equipment, the planning process looks different than it does for vehicles. Modern tractors, combines, and implements are massive, and the building has to accommodate not just the equipment's footprint but the clearance needed to drive it in and out safely.
The most important feature in a farm equipment storage building is clear-span construction — meaning no interior support columns getting in the way. When you're backing a combine with a 16-foot header through an opening, the last thing you want is a post in the middle of your building. Indaco's rigid frame building kits are engineered specifically for this. They use solid steel beams and bolt-together rafters to create wide, unobstructed interiors starting at 30' x 40' x 10'.
Door sizing is the other critical factor. Large-scale equipment like combines and self-propelled sprayers often need door heights of 18 to 20 feet and widths of up to 36 feet. If you're planning for multiple bays, consider a mix of overhead roll-up doors for security and large sliding doors for your widest implements.
Here are the approximate dimensions of common farm equipment to plan around:
One practical tip: orient your tractor shed so the doors face away from the prevailing wind. This reduces dust, rain, and snow blowing into the building and keeps your equipment cleaner.
For more on how Indaco serves Oklahoma's agricultural community, take a look at our agricultural metal buildings guide.
A note on tax savings for farmers: Oklahoma's Agriculture Exemption Permit allows farmers and ranchers engaged in production agriculture to purchase farm machinery, building materials, and equipment sales-tax-free. The permit is issued by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, valid for three years, and requires documentation such as an IRS Schedule F. You can apply online through OkTAP. If you're building a tractor shed or farm equipment shed for your operation, this exemption could save you a meaningful amount on materials.
Indaco doesn't sell a "boat-only" product — and you don't need one. Our standard and custom metal carport kits work just as well for boats and personal watercraft as they do for cars and trucks. The sizing logic is the same, with one important addition: always account for the full on-trailer length, which includes the trailer tongue in front and the outboard motor hanging off the back. Adding two to three feet beyond the boat's listed hull length is a good rule of thumb.
Here's a sizing reference by watercraft type:
If you're planning to enclose your boat carport for additional protection, keep ventilation in mind. Stagnant, humid air trapped inside a metal structure can lead to mold and mildew on upholstery and electronics. Ridge vents or gable vents are a simple addition that keeps air circulating.
Indaco's standard 20x25 carport kit handles most bass boats and jet skis comfortably. For pontoons or larger vessels, request a custom quote and we'll size it to your rig.
Your metal carport kit or tractor shed is only as solid as what it sits on. The right foundation depends on your use case, your soil, and your budget — but in Oklahoma, drainage and anchoring are non-negotiable regardless of which option you choose. Our clay-heavy soils shift with moisture changes, and every Indaco structure is engineered for 90 mph wind loads, so the anchoring has to match.
Before you pour or prep anything, grade the site so water flows away from the building at roughly 1/8 inch per foot of slope. Standing water at the base will erode your foundation over time and can void manufacturer warranties.
Here's how the common options compare:
Not sure which foundation makes sense for your project? Indaco's team can walk you through the options and share our contractor referral list for foundation work and assembly. Just give us a call.
There are plenty of places to buy a metal carport kit online. Here's why so many Oklahoma property owners choose to buy from Indaco instead.
We manufacture everything in-house at our main facility in Shawnee, Oklahoma. That means shorter lead times, tighter quality control, and a team you can actually talk to when you have questions. Every kit we build is engineered for 90 mph wind loads — a standard feature, not an upgrade — because we live here too and we know what Oklahoma weather demands.
Our steel frames, whether truss or rigid, are built from top-quality steel and come ready to bolt or weld together. The 26-gauge sheet metal panels are finished with a baked-on Valspar coating backed by a 40-year warranty. You get 15 color options, matching trim, and every fastener you need — all labeled and packaged so nothing is missing when it's time to build.
For standard projects, our truss-frame carport kits come in proven sizes. For larger or more complex needs — like a 50-foot RV cover, a clear-span tractor shed, or a multi-bay farm equipment storage building — our rigid frame and custom building options can be designed to your exact specifications by our in-house engineering team.
Want to see what your project could look like before you commit? Try our 3D Builder tool to design your structure and send the build-out directly to our sales team for a quote.
Whether you need an RV carport kit, a tractor shed, a boat cover, or a full-scale farm equipment storage building, we'd love to help you figure out the right solution. Call or stop by either of our Oklahoma locations, Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm:
Shawnee: 3 American Way, Shawnee, OK 74804 — (405) 273-9200
Sand Springs: 17427 W 9th St, Sand Springs, OK 74063 — (918) 419-6053
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