How High Should a Carport Be for SUVs, Vans and Roof Boxes?

A carport should feel invisible: you pull in, you pull out, nothing to think about. To get there, ignore the roof peak and size for clear height at the drive-through opening (the lowest beam your vehicle passes under).

The 30-second method

1. Measure your vehicle at its tallest point in the exact setup you will park: roof rails, crossbars, roof box, everything.

2. Add a safety buffer: 10 to 20 cm for SUVs; 15 to 25 cm for vans or sloped/uneven driveways.

3. Compare your number to the carport’s drive-through height (often called entry height or clearance height).

Know the three heights in specs

Overall height is the ridge peak. Interior post-to-post height is the open space inside the frame. Drive-through height (entry height) is the lowest point at the entrance under the eave beam. For fit, only the last one matters.

Quick clearance planner (examples + buffer)

Use these references to sanity-check your target, then measure your own vehicle. Roof boxes vary; premium models can be around 33.5 to 41 cm in external height.

Use case	Example vehicle height	Add-on height cue	Clear height target
Compact/midsize SUV	1.69 m (Toyota RAV4)	Roof box up to about 0.41 m	About 2.25 to 2.40 m
Premium family SUV	1.78 m (Volvo XC90)	Roof box up to about 0.41 m	About 2.35 to 2.50 m
Large SUV	1.75 m (BMW X5)	Roof box up to about 0.41 m	About 2.30 to 2.50 m
Mid-size van	1.99 m (VW Transporter)	Racks or light cargo	About 2.20 to 2.45 m
Taller vans/campers	Varies widely	High roof + gear	Often 2.70 m+, measure

What steals clearance in real driveways

· Driveway slope: the vehicle’s highest point can rise as the front wheels climb.

· Winter buildup: snow, ice, or thick gravel eats margin fast.

· Anything hanging below the beam: ceiling hooks, lights, gutters.

SUNJOY EU picks (dimensions are easy to compare)

1) EIGER Steel Carport (367 cm x 610 cm) – interior post-to-post height: 242 cm; drive-through height is commonly listed around 230 cm. A streamlined choice for most SUVs (and some low-profile roof-box setups after measuring).

2) DIRAN Cedar Wood Carport (336 cm x 603 cm) – interior post-to-post height: 290 cm; entry height is often listed around 260 cm. A comfortable pick for roof boxes, taller SUVs and many vans.

See both in the SUNJOY EU Carport Collection.

FAQ (the two questions that prevent wrong purchases)

1. Is 2.10 m enough for an SUV?

Sometimes, but it can get tight with crossbars or a roof box. If you want true everyday ease, 2.30 m is a safer baseline for many SUV setups.

2. Do roof boxes really change the needed height that much?

Yes. A roof box can add up to around 40 cm in height by itself, before mounting height and your safety buffer.

Bottom line

Pick the carport that clears your measured height with margin, not the one with the prettiest roofline. As a practical rule, aim for about 2.30 m of drive-through height for many SUVs, and closer to 2.60 m if vans or roof boxes are part of your routine.