Lift/Ceiling height

[brassspike]

I am building a 30x40 stick built. The idea is to add a 2 post lift later. Along with deciding where the post will go and putting thicker footings there, I am in a jam as to ceiling height for the lift. I will be putting an F-150 on the lift as the tallest vehicle. I see that the Bend pak 10acx requires just over 12 feet. The 9fx will fit in 11 feet or less with a 72" lift height. For what I am building, 12 feet is the absolute highest I can go on the ceiling and I am concerned that might put the building a little out of porportion. I origionally planned for a 11 foot ceiling until I started looking at lifts.
Does the 10acx fit a 12'.0 ceiling and will the 9fx lift just as high?
Any other comments would be appreciated. It's kind of hard to change things once the building is up...and its going up soon!!
Thanks!

 

[krooser]

You won't need thicker "footings" under your lift if you have 4" concrete at 3500 lb psi rating.... plenty strong enough.

 

[ScaldedDog]

Are scissor trusses a possibility?

Mark

 

[ovilla]

Call BendPak and give them your exact "finished" dimensions. A buddy of mine bought a two post with the extended height option as he wanted to be able to lift his dump trucks as high as possible. Long story short, even though he "thought" he had measured everything carefully, the 2 post configuration was a few inches too tall and he already had ceiling trusses in place, which he didn't want to have to replace. He was really bumbed out but I told him to call BendPak and after about 5 minutes on the phone, they were already setting him up with a new slightly smaller extension for his two post as well as shorter cables. He then removed his old parts and did an even swap with them. In the end, it was just his labor to swap out the parts and he also just paid for shipping. Worked out perfectly in the end as he is now able to take advantage of every possible inch of height within his finished shop.

In your case, call and talk to BendPak ahead of time and let them know what you have so they can send you everything out as part of your initial shipment. They are more than willing to work with customers so I'd even just call them now to discuss your options. I bet they can make you a slightly shorter 10acx, if needed.

 

[Nutty 5.0]

12' will work but my Bend Pak 2 post was 12' 3" or so. I had to box out at the truss area to accomodate it. I also have a clear floor model fwiw.

 

[brassspike]

Thanks for the replies. No, I cannot change the trusses now. I can change the ceiling height. The builder says he can fudge up a few inches if need be to 12.3 or so. I am concerned about how the building will look with the additional 12" height. Do you think it will look out of proportion? I know (in most things ) 12 inches is no big deal, but does anyone have any experience with how the look of the building will be affected?
Thanks!

 

[kvom]

12" in a 30' wide building will be imperceptable, but even so you could trim the front or extend the eaves.

 

[rburke65]

I was just at Home Depot getting my thoughts togrther own my own up coming build.....the difference between a 12' 2x6 and a 14' 2x6 was 50 cents. I know this is going to cause you to spend more on the siding but for 50 cents a stud I have decided on a 14' ceiling for the exact reason as the situation you are in now. You can get away with a 10' ceilng and get a lift in.....12' is really nice...but the 14', of course is even better. I know this my not help you, but.........

 

[Nutty 5.0]

I think it will look fine and go as high as you can squeek by.

 

[brassspike]

I was just at Home Depot getting my thoughts togrther own my own up coming build.....the difference between a 12' 2x6 and a 14' 2x6 was 50 cents. I know this is going to cause you to spend more on the siding but for 50 cents a stud I have decided on a 14' ceiling for the exact reason as the situation you are in now. You can get away with a 10' ceilng and get a lift in.....12' is really nice...but the 14', of course is even better. I know this my not help you, but.........

I know what you mean about taller is better. I guess I'm just too ****. I was just a little scared that it might look like a Giraffe with a party hat on. I guess the 12" won't even be noticeable.
Thanks everyone! Great bunch of people on here!

 

[Matti]

I don't see it being a concern on a building that large. I have an 11" ceiling with a 4 post lift and another foot would have been very nice. I would definitely do 12' or whatever the lift you chose needs. As for the floor thickness, i would check your local codes because the thickness requirement can increase with a garage of that size. Around here 4" is okay until one wall hits 30 feet IIRC. You shouldn't need extra thickness where the lift goes.

 

[rwhite692]

This is my 24x36, built w/scissor trusses, it is 10 feet at the walls and 13'6" at the interior peak. This gives me a space in the center for my lift with an 8 foot wide area which is all 12 foot high, or higher.

 

[blkhonda1991]

Thanks for the replies. No, I cannot change the trusses now. I can change the ceiling height. The builder says he can fudge up a few inches if need be to 12.3 or so. I am concerned about how the building will look with the additional 12" height. Do you think it will look out of proportion? I know (in most things ) 12 inches is no big deal, but does anyone have any experience with how the look of the building will be affected?
Thanks!

Whats the reason you cant change the trusses now?

 

[brassspike]

Whats the reason you cant change the trusses now?

They are already on order (likely built) so I cannot change that now.

 

[Matti]

You could always mix trusses i.e. buy some scissor trusses for just a portion of the garage. A few extra trusses shouldn't be too expensive. The only trick is transitioning from one trussed area to the other. Ask me how I know.

 

[brownbagg]

I could put my bendpak in a eight foot ceiling but you need the 12'6 so you can stand under the car.