Before I get started on this adventure, what am I missing?

[ArthurJGuy]

I'm finally about to start my second (ok, third) garage build on my "4" car garage. I'm hesitant to call it a true 4 car, because one bay is a tandem, BUT none the less, I can technically fit 4 cars in the thing.

I'm trying to come up with any realistic scenario and make sure that it's accounted for before I start buying things and starting the renovations. I do a substantial amount of work in my garage, mostly automotive based, so I've tried to accommodate that here. I also do want to be able to store 4 cars AND my open trailer, which is no easy feat, as well as having plenty of storage options for what I'm calling the not mine pile (bikes, scooters, helmets, camping chairs, etc, etc).

This is what I have come up with so far, but I am looking for any constructive criticism you may have on to how I could possibly improve on things. Before I get to the pictures, I wanted to cover a few key notes.

• The cabinet array is all Sabre, this will give me storage for tools, many of the not mine's, a working area, etc. I don't have very much wiggle room for the configuration of the base cabinets due to plumbing that sticks out of the back wall. The array is elevated 6" off the floor for comfort when working.
  
  
• The back wall of the cabinet array are Wall Control metal pegboards, most of the more common hand tools will probably live here for easy access. The TV will be connected to a computer which will give me the internet for music and looking up parts, specs, whatever.
  
  
• Garage door openers will be Liftmaster 8500's, to clear the center area of the roof. I had them pre-wired like this because I had planned to install a lift, which I ALSO had pre-wired, before I aborted that idea.
  
  
• Each bay will have 4 LED light fixtures with two bulbs a piece. I've had great success with the Feit 4' setup from Costco, so that will probably be what I go with here also. I want ample light when I'm working.
  
  
• Bikes will be wall mounted out of the way, as will the creeper and the one piece fiberglass nose of the Buick.
  
  
• Floors will be Epoxy, a snap together flooring system isn't an option here, and I'm getting the floors for free, so I couldn't say no. I had planned on Epoxy either way, but not having to do it myself is even sweeter.
  
  
• The trailer will be suspended from two 3,000lb capacity gantry cranes with winches. I will have some sort of mechanical lock at the top so that I'm not relying on the winch itself. As a bonus, I can set the trailer down and use one of the gantrys for lifting other items around the garage (engines, car bodies, cars on and off the trailer, etc).
  
  
• I have since given up on the lift idea, there was just no way to do it practically and have it be out of the way. I considered a portable lift like a MaxJax and decided against it, BUT I'm not willing to settle for going back to a jack and jackstands, so I will probably look into some sort of scissor style lift like a QuickJack.

I'll edit this post if I come up with anymore, but that's what I have for now. I'm curious if there is any way that you guys can make a better use of the space.

 

[siegsuwa]

Looks great. I love that you took the time to 3D model it. When I planned out my garage I settled for a ruler and graph paper.

I had a 100% solid epoxy installed on my floor and I love it every time I'm out there. Highly recommend it. I'm glad I had it done by a professional since he could evaluate the quality/mix of my existing concrete (he noted it was soft when he was grinding it) and adjusted the primer accordingly.

The suspended trailer storage is a neat idea, but I would be concerned about it kind of preventing any long-term usage of the tandem area. What I like about the tandem garage stalls is that I think they make a great place to have the semi-permanent stuff (bench grinder, drill press, belt sander). Get's it out of the way and provides you a nice nook for fabricating stuff and storing materials without inhibiting car parking space.

Space for bench vise on that bench-top?

 

[gnpenning]

Have you considered a 4 post lift? It can be used for storage and using dollies be moved as needed (not with car on it).

Feit led lights have been know to cause frequency issues with liftmaster openers.

 

[astroracer]

Is this an existing shop or a new build?
If new you need to add about 6 feet to the depth of the two left hand stalls. There is no room to work around the vehicles with the cabinets in place.
If existing you need to put the cabinets on another wall to give you some working room in front of the vehicles...
Nice job on the CAD work, looks good.
Mark

 

[ArthurJGuy]

Have you considered a 4 post lift? It can be used for storage and using dollies be moved as needed (not with car on it).

Feit led lights have been know to cause frequency issues with liftmaster openers.

I don't have anywhere I can put a 4 post lift that it doesn't interfere, I don't even have a way to do it with a 2 post. Trust me I tried every thing I can think of to make a lift work.

Is this an existing shop or a new build?
If new you need to add about 6 feet to the depth of the two left hand stalls. There is no room to work around the vehicles with the cabinets in place.
If existing you need to put the cabinets on another wall to give you some working room in front of the vehicles...
Nice job on the CAD work, looks good.
Mark

It's existing, thanks.

 

[matt_i]

I would think about designing a manually pushed underhung bridge crane for your trailer. Cool factor, useful factor for other stuff plus the gantries are always going to be in the way.

You wouldn't need a bridge rail much longer than the trailer is wide.

I would space the runway rails so it can be picked up with 3 chainfall hoists for stability.

Probably design it for 1000-1500 lb working load, obviously dependent on the trailer weight.

 

[ArthurJGuy]

I would think about designing a manually pushed underhung bridge crane for your trailer. Cool factor, useful factor for other stuff plus the gantries are always going to be in the way.

You wouldn't need a bridge rail much longer than the trailer is wide.

I would space the runway rails so it can be picked up with 3 chainfall hoists for stability.

Probably design it for 1000-1500 lb working load, obviously dependent on the trailer weight.

Do you have any links to visualize what you're referring to?

 

[2level]

Intrigued, and subscribed for the suspended car trailer idea. What are the dimensions of your garage?

 

[vavet]

What about an in-ground lift.

I love the idea of having a gantry crane for unloading a truck/trailer, pulling out an engine, etc, but....I hate the idea that you're going into this with a trailer suspended in the air. That seems like an afterthought and getting the trailer out to use is a pain.

You back out the truck, lower the trailer with 2 cranes, back the truck in, connect the trailer. Don't you want the trailer a little easier to get to? Mine sets beside my garage on an asphalt pad. Out of sight but easy to get to.

 

[2level]

For me: Suspended car trailer = winter storage, out of the weather = less rust. Also frees up outside driveway/pad for other parking.

 

[ArthurJGuy]

Intrigued, and subscribed for the suspended car trailer idea. What are the dimensions of your garage?

I don't know off hand, I had to open Sketchup to check them, so give me 20 minutes, haha.

What about an in-ground lift.

I love the idea of having a gantry crane for unloading a truck/trailer, pulling out an engine, etc, but....I hate the idea that you're going into this with a trailer suspended in the air. That seems like an afterthought and getting the trailer out to use is a pain.

You back out the truck, lower the trailer with 2 cranes, back the truck in, connect the trailer. Don't you want the trailer a little easier to get to? Mine sets beside my garage on an asphalt pad. Out of sight but easy to get to.

See above, no structural changes so the in ground lift is out.

The ONLY option to have the trailer on my property is in the garage somehow, and it's length means it eats up two spaces. The only other thing I can do is pay $200 - $300/month to store it outside somewhere. I'd have a better ROI on the gantry setup in just a few months.

 

[bczygan]

You need to build it next door to me.....!!!

Bill