Do I have enough room for a hoist?

[evanF]

Hey all i am building a 22x24x10 detached garage. I really want a 4 post hoist. i was wondering if there are anybody out there on here that has a similar set up and also what kind of clearances i should have for comfortable use. i do not want to put it in the center of my garage as i need room for sxs sleds and yard equipment. the hoist will be used for basic mechanic and servicing and storage of a car below. Also I am contemplating vaulting the ceiling for extra clearance. Any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks.

 

[astroracer]

You can get a hoist in there but you are not going to have a lot of room around it. You WILL need a ceiling higher then 10 feet.
With only 24' of length you will not be able to open an overhead style garage door because the vehicle on the hoist will be in the way of the door.
Mark

 

[Bib Overalls]

Vaulting will help. What is your plan for the garage doors? You can get overhead door tracks and lifts that will work with vaulted ceilings.

 

[Daedalus]

A 4-post? I wouldn't. Sounds like a real PITA.

 

[bobcatdan]

I would not consider a drive on with anything less then 16' ceilings. I learned my lesson with a 2 post in a 12' tall building. Any truck or van I can only lift 1/2 way at most.

 

[devoncoolman]

10' celings are too short. You can phisicly put the lift in but using it will be pointless. Putting the car up 3-4 ft wont help much especially with the posts and ramps in the way. A low profile two post would be more usefull. Atleast you could use a roller seat to do wheel work and easily do under car stuff ducking on a seat or using a creaper. I would honestly get a two post lift. We used to store cars under ours at work. Just drop it on the locks.

 

[Olyar15]

I have one in my 2-car garage, which is 24x26x10. If your cars are not tall, then you can use it for storage. Not ideal, but it is workable.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=201680

For your garage, I would look at the narrower 4-posts, such as the HD-9ST or Dannmar Commander 7000.

 

[ovilla]

Definitely vault the ceilings if you can. Also, even if you don't, don't worry about it. I Have 10' ceilings too and still manage to work on my 02' Honda Ody minivan. I can only get it 4' up in the air but that is plenty, especially since I'm really only under it for oil changes or to change an O2 sensor, every now and then. I could easily sit on a little sliding seat but I actually just crawl underneath and work on it. I spend more time on the side of the van, rotating tires or doing brake jobs, The rest of the time I'm working on top of the engine, with the lift on the floor. Anyway, if you really need to be able to walk under your car then just get BendPak's caster kit and wheel the lift outside, as needed. By the way, make sure to get an RJ-45 and a jacking tray for your BendPak. That's the set up I have and it makes it really easy to get the whole car up off the ramps.

 

[E.rodz]

I disagree with the other post saying it it won't work my ceiling is 9'6 and it works just fine. not ideal but when my car is lifted up to the ceiling it is about 4 feet off the ground you can just use a short stool and sit up it is still better than laying on your back. if it is a option vault the ceiling.

 

[CNGsaves]

Why are you building 22'x24' size?? Based on other GJ builds, you would LOVE a 30'x40' with 12' walls !!

 

[evanF]

Thanks for all the advice I only can go that big just for the reason of space in my back yard im calling the building company to see if I can vault it and gain a extra few feet. I have a 24x24x11 attached garage just want something to store my toys and my 68 Camaro and would like the option of storing a car under it down the road.

 

[evanF]

The garage door is 18x8'9 with a jack shaft lift and will get the door installers to hug the roof best as possible

 

[Aahz]

Evan;
The minimum height I recommend for anyone purchasing a 4-post is 12', if you are using it for storage. You can get by with 10' for a floor plate 2-post, but you won't be raising the vehicles very high. There is a good "ceiling height calculator" at http://www.revolutionlift.com/ceilingCalc.aspx

The calculator is specific to Revolution's 4-Post in regards to the locking positions, but the general principal applies to any 4-post.

Good luck on your build!

 

[Falcon67]

With only 24' of length you will not be able to open an overhead style garage door because the vehicle on the hoist will be in the way of the door.
Mark

Depends on the lift. There are some lifts with posts in the 88" range. The top panel brace on my 16x7 door is 87 1/2" from the floor, so jacking with the bracket could get it to clear the posts. The door up takes up barely 6' of floor space leaving room for a car on something like a Bendpak HD9. Overall length is listed at 14.5'. So there may well be room depending on the OP's choice of lift.

 

[ovilla]

EvanF - if you really need or want to be able to comfortably walk under the lift just buy a caster kit. You can wheel the lift outside, Get-R-Dun, and then roll it back in.

 

[mikeceli]

I know a guy whose 2 post lift is under a 9' 3" ceiling. Its way better than crawling on the ground, but a few more feet would be great. He does ALL his undewr car work sitting on a HF roller seat.

For trucks, you cant get under them. Go higher, if you can.