40x60 shop

[lightning02]

looking to build a new shop this year. just got the land so the planning stage is next. im really wanting 40x80 but dont think i can swing the cost and i cant go any smaller then 40x60 for what i want to do. the shop will be used as my main shop for automotive stuff and to park/service one of my tri-axle dump trucks. i was planning to have 2 or 3 roll up doors (10x10) on the long side of the building and the in the front have a 14x14 door to pull the truck in. now the problem becomes is i want to have at least 2 lifts in the show plus floor space to work on the cars that are not on the lift. i want to beable to have 4 cars and my dump truck in the shop at one time and be able to work on everything without having to take anything out of the building. i also need room for a tool area for tool boxes/drill press/grinders/benches/parts storage and whatnot and also be able to open the hood on the dump truck.

this is my first shop im building and not sure how to go about knowing if all this will workout or whats the best way to setup the shop or door placements and whatnot. any help or drawing or pictures of similar setups would be wonderful.

also if you have a shop that you park or work on dump trucks or semi trucks please post pictures of them inside and what size the tall the building is.

thanks for the help

 

[drivesitfar]

02- sorry I don't have a big shop or a dump truck, but i know a few members that might be able to help you so i'll watch and learn and see if I can maybe send a few your direction.

first of all might I suggest you go in your USER CP and put in your location cause different states and even cities in same states have different rules and regs and STUFF so it could help you. also while you are in there click on Avatar and download a favorite pic even if it's your dumptruck cause you can change it later.

just wanted to congratulate you on finding the place to hang your hat so to speak (build your new shop) and wanted to wish you the best.

also since i lived with and worked with and around builders and developers I know there will be more than a few tough days and stuff to deal with so breath, count to 100 or 1000 and all will be better soon.

cheers

 

[lightning02]

thanks. any help is something not sure if this in the right section tho. wasnt sure if posting here or in the general garage section.

also im not a new member. i post here often lol i actully been a member here longer then you by a few months. i mostly post in the tool sections tho. thats where most of my 2600 post count has gone to but with that said im located in FL.

i know it will a pita. as figuring this all out has already been lol

 

[drivesitfar]

02: yep I knew you were not a new member, but trying to help give you a better chance to get better information if other members see your questions and they live close to you.

i have more posts than you just in the big vise thread and I usually head to tools first, but i'm trying to get organized and maybe one day we might move and I CAN BUILD a dream shop or buy one.

i'd say you are in the right section and if you want more replies maybe post on other member's threads that have garages like you'd like to build. AND put a link to this thread in your sig line so they can just click on it and come over here to help you. nothing is certain, but that's what I'd do.

good luck!!

 

[dirtybrownracing]

Dont skimp on concrete, I'd go with 6" at least on the bay where you want to park the tri-axle dump. I've pulled my Freightliner Columbia on my 4" slab a few times and I always hold my breath lol.

Hope you get some good answers as i'll be checking back. I built my first shop 9 years ago before I ventured out into the trucking business. 9' sidewalls and a 10' tall door on the gable end just won't fit those rigs in lol.

Good luck with your planning and new shop, keep us updated

 

[lightning02]

Dont skimp on concrete, I'd go with 6" at least on the bay where you want to park the tri-axle dump. I've pulled my Freightliner Columbia on my 4" slab a few times and I always hold my breath lol.

Hope you get some good answers as i'll be checking back. I built my first shop 9 years ago before I ventured out into the trucking business. 9' sidewalls and a 10' tall door on the gable end just won't fit those rigs in lol.

Good luck with your planning and new shop, keep us updated

was planning to the whole thing in 6in depending on cost and a 14x14 roll up for the truck.

my biggest problem is figuring out if all i want will work within that matter of space and layout

 

[ConCretin]

I usually try to make the point that slab thickness is less important than building a proper base because a slab on grade isn't structural i.e it can't span very far over soft ground. While a 6" slab is stronger than a 5" slab, which is stronger than a 4" slab, none are strong enough to make up for an inadequate base. With that said, an extra inch or two of concrete isn't a lot of additional cost and you never know when a little extra strength might make the difference. Just don't skimp on your base.

 

[lightning02]

I usually try to make the point that slab thickness is less important than building a proper base because a slab on grade isn't structural i.e it can't span very far over soft ground. While a 6" slab is stronger than a 5" slab, which is stronger than a 4" slab, none are strong enough to make up for an inadequate base. With that said, an extra inch or two of concrete isn't a lot of additional cost and you never know when a little extra strength might make the difference. Just don't skimp on your base.

good point. i need to bring in dirt and whatnot to rain that area its going anyways and it will be done correctly. i dont want any problems later on.

 

[HotRodBoater]

What is the length of your dump truck with the hood open?

I bought a place with an existing 40x60 shop. With the 30x40 carport on the front the slab and roof measure 40x90. It has 2) 14x14 doors on the front and 1) 14x14 door on the back. If I were building from scratch I would definitely do things differently than the previous owner did. For starters, I would prefer to have the doors on the long wall along with the carport and i would face the wall with the doors to the South for summer breeze.

 

[lightning02]

hmmm id have to look how long it is with the hood open.

 

[lightning02]

can this be moved to garage discussion section please?

 

[jblnut]

If you're going to have a 14' door I'd imagine you'll have 16' sidewalls ??

Going to 18' sidewalls won't add a tremendous amount of cost and could be money well spent. If you wanted to lift the box on the dump truck up a little you'd have more flexibility to do so with a higher ceiling height. I want a 16' high door to get our newer taller machinery in. I'd imagine that realistically you'll never need anything higher than a 14' door as legal transport height (at least here without a permit) is 13'6".

I totally agree with LLWillysfan on everything he posted about the concrete floor. I don't think there is a more qualified person on here that could give you more concrete advice about concrete

"They" always say that you can never build it big enough and that certainly is the case. If you set a budget get ready to blow it out of the water by 50% or more. I went into my 54x72x18 shop project thinking it'd cost $100k and the bids are approaching $150k to get it all done the way we want. Yikes. You are more than likely going to be able to save a lot of money being in a warmer climate but something always comes up that cost "only" another few hundred dollars.

I've been in a number of farm shops over the years from 32x48x12 all the way up to a 200x480x26 monster and the best of them have the access doors on the long side like you are planning. This will also allow you to add on in the future if you want. Build the 40x60 first and plan for the 40x20 addition down the road. That addition sounds like an amazing place to dedicate to the dump truck in the future. Make it all fit for now and move it out later when you can afford to add on.