Garage woes...

[jurfie]

Garage sizes are a joke. MY two car garage will hold my wife's TJ my motorcycle, work benches and tool chest. If I pull my JT in I can't close the door. I laid out the garage using her TJ and my 69 Mustang. chest freezers on the back wall kill the usable space for the JT.

That‘s because a typical 20’ x 20’ two-car garage is designed to fit (barely) two cars. You’d want at least 24’ x 24’ to fit anything else. Unfortunately most builders do the minimum, or municipal zoning bylaws limit the size.

For example, I’m building a new house right now. The bylaw states maximum 25% site coverage if I want a basement; more than that, and I’m not permitted to have one. So for me, it was a choice between a bigger garage or a mancave/theatre room I’m the basement. The for resale, I went with the latter, but compromised with a 22’ x 22’ garage for a little breathing room.

My next build will be outside of the city and their shitty small lots and bylaw limitations.

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[tommyp]

I don't know if it has been suggested but you can get high lift tracks and a jackshaft opener. that will get the door up closer to the ceiling and the door opener out of your way.

 

[B-RAD]

I agree with a new garage door opener. I just built my cave/garage 24x28 with one 18’ door and my opener is mounted on the wall next to the door and that helps open up room above where your motor is.

 

[DBravo]

I have to back my Gladiator in to clear the door - I don't clear the opener. I use a J-barr to attach. Then I have a chain from the ceiling that holds the J-barr directly over the spot that it needs to be to attach. Then mount hoist to the ceiling about 6 feet back to the rear of garage or attach to the top of the wall at rear of garage.

Therefore, when you activate the hoist it doesn't pull the top straight up. It pulls the top at more of a 45 degree angle up and back. Therefore, if you raise the top 2 feet it will also pull it back toward the rear of garage 2 feet and clear the garage door mechanisms.

Works perfect for me. Backing in is key since the top doesn't go straight up it has to hoist itself only foot or 2 above the bed as it goes backwards.

I made up a crude photo example of what I'm doing (attached)

Very cool

 

[ChicagoJeeper]

I put my lifter on a rail system like mentioned above:

I then back in and can lift it off, then slide it all the way against the back of the garage.

 

[Missionsparta]

I put my lifter on a rail system like mentioned above:

I then back in and can lift it off, then slide it all the way against the back of the garage.

Very cool. How'd you calculate if the rails and rollers would support the weight?

 

[ChicagoJeeper]

The top is like 60 lbs, plus the winch and lumber I figured 100lbs max, and each rail was rated at 100, so I've got 4x capacity easy. I probably could have done just 2 rails, but for like $30 each why risk it.

 

[jurfie]

I put my lifter on a rail system like mentioned above.

I like the DIY gantry crane idea! Very cool.

 

[firemedic2714]

It should work if you back in. My front bumper is about an inch from my garage door when I'm parked and I can lower and raise my top with the it open.

 

[imaz1218]

Like many other, I am limited by garage height. I mounted two pieces of unistrut on the ceiling. Using two trolleys on each side, I can lift the top off, then slide it back and raise it higher.

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