Looking for ideas

[VC-Racing]

Looking to build my Garage Mahal in the next 2yrs and looking for some input. Thinking about a 120x200 clear span steel building, most likely 24ft tall to the eave .It will have full living quarters on one end aprox 30x 60 with a 2nd level. . Main issue is I would like to have a upper parking deck to save floor space (will be adding about 15-20 cars to my collection in the coming yrs) . The parking deck would be at 100x30 or 100x40 aprox 10 or 12 ft high , either utilizing a 4post lift on each end or try to build a ramp to enter and exit.
I'm looking for input so when I sit down to start designing I can pass any info to my architect.


Thanks ,

Vic

 

[kelpaso1]

Seriously? That's almost 2/3's of an acre of building

 

[VC-Racing]

I know. It's got to have storage space for my cars, boat and big truck (semi) as well as my living space and work space . I may downside it some in depth , but not much. It's going on a 100 acre parcel.

 

[Strouty]

I can't imagine the cost of it being clear span, but it sounds like it will be a fun build. Do you really need it to be clear span? Are you planning on turning the semi around inside? I would think partitioning the layout would be a huge cost savings. As for the second floor area, you could probably build a winding ramp that would take up minimal space. I would find construction companies in your area that build parking garages.

 

[kelpaso1]

I know the GJ moto here is it won't be big enough but damn, you're going big or going home

 

[VC-Racing]

I can't imagine the cost of it being clear span, but it sounds like it will be a fun build. Do you really need it to be clear span? Are you planning on turning the semi around inside? I would think partitioning the layout would be a huge cost savings. As for the second floor area, you could probably build a winding ramp that would take up minimal space. I would find construction companies in your area that build parking garages.

I would prefer clear span, but am not opposed to partitioning . One thing about it , it'll be my last structure I build which s why I what it so big. I looked at the large stacking lifts , but didn't really care for them. The deck my cost a lil more , but it'll be more versatile in terms of vehicle storage.

 

[VC-Racing]

I know the GJ moto here is it won't be big enough but damn, you're going big or going home

It's only $$$$$$$. Show can't take it with me . May as well enjoy it.

 

[Strouty]

What is the plan for the space? Do you do work or is this for storage. If you are planning on doing work, you would want it partitioned somewhat anyways. I was thinking you may be able to find a monster bridge crane, that would be pretty awesome.

 

[VC-Racing]

Just storage mostly.
I'll have 3 or 4 lifts to do maintenance and repairs on my car collection . Will have drive thru for my work rig on one end with a pit to do maintenance on it. My goal is to have enough space for a big bote or 2 , 30 cars total and 12 bikes /Atv's.
I have a lathe and vertical mill along with a few other pieces of floor equipment I will be taking with me. I know there's enough space on the floor, but I don't want to have to move something every time I need access to a certain vehicle.

 

[Strouty]

If you are going this route, you may consider buying a nice set of column lifts, then you can pick your rig or the trailer if you want to do work without the need for a pit. A size post column lift can be used as a four or two post system and they are great for tractors too.

 

[Shiftless]

24,000 square feet in one building might just put you at the top of the heap.
That amounts to 60 times as much room as I have!

 

[VC-Racing]

If you are going this route, you may consider buying a nice set of column lifts, then you can pick your rig or the trailer if you want to do work without the need for a pit. A size post column lift can be used as a four or two post system and they are great for tractors too.

One of my previous employers had a 4 post lift for trucks. It wasn't that great, it was slow and I had to move both mirrors in to clear the post . I have a commercial shop to do my major stuff , I just need something easy to be able to general PM's , grease and make brake adjustments as needed. I've used a creeper for years , but a pit would be easier and it could serve as a possible tornado shelter .

 

[Strouty]

Column lifts are the portable ones, you move them to the truck, not like what you are describing. Having the pit double as a tornado shelter makes sense too.

 

[VC-Racing]

Column lifts are the portable ones, you move them to the truck, not like what you are describing. Having the pit double as a tornado shelter makes sense too.

I have not seen such a lift. I may check it out .

 

[rtz]

A demonstration on Jay Lenos channel:

 

[matt_i]

I think there are cheaper ways than building a parking structure. Imo its going to be less money to build another structure than to do this.

The loads transmitted to the building from a moving vehicle are not trivial.

 

[firebirdparts]

I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures. I know cheapness is not that big of a deal but I would think an entire building full of 4-post lifts, as much as I hate them, would be cost effective for this particular situation, and you could get a car down without moving a bunch of stuff.

If you really want a deck then I don't think there is anything to suggest except lay it out the way you want and go. The structural steel shop will be happy to build it for you. I would be mildly concerned about reaction forces driving on and off a 4 post lift while elevated, but again, not a hard problem for somebody with a little skill. Commercial car elevators are available but I probably wouldn't go that far.

P.S. If you want to see an example go to the basement of the Studebaker Museum.

 

[GMCGarage]

make sure you have a bathroom each end!

 

[Squankum]

A bathroom at each end, or a bicycle! (Hmm, I was just going to say, in the future, we'll ride Segway scooters to get to the can, but no, that's not lazy enough. I predict a toilet on a Segway scooter that comes to you!)



I can dig the scale of this project. Everybody here is agog at the length, width and height of your future monumental erection...

But what I wonder is... coastal SC on the Edisto River? How high are you about flood waters? Did you hear about the Black River about three years ago?



_

 

[VC-Racing]

I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures. I know cheapness is not that big of a deal but I would think an entire building full of 4-post lifts, as much as I hate them, would be cost effective for this particular situation, and you could get a car down without moving a bunch of stuff.

If you really want a deck then I don't think there is anything to suggest except lay it out the way you want and go. The structural steel shop will be happy to build it for you. I would be mildly concerned about reaction forces driving on and off a 4 post lift while elevated, but again, not a hard problem for somebody with a little skill. Commercial car elevators are available but I probably wouldn't go that far.

P.S. If you want to see an example go to the basement of the Studebaker Museum.

I will check the Studebaker museum out this afternoon.
I have debated the row of parking lifts also, like most it will come to cost and maintenance. The deck would be for the vehicles that won't get driven often and I just liked the idea of the overhead parking deck..
As I said earlier, all this is in the planning stages and subject to some modification .
I know there are some large garage mahals here and I was hoping someone may have seen something similar or had something similar.

make sure you have a bathroom each end!

LOL.... Where this is going, I could just walk outside . Closest neighbor is 2 miles in either direction....... but just to be safe, facilities probably will be in each corner and in the middle on the back wall..............

 

[Shiftless]

Double Wow!
24,000 square feet and 5 bathrooms!
Very impressive plans.
(Subscribed)

 

[VC-Racing]

A bathroom at each end, or a bicycle! (Hmm, I was just going to say, in the future, we'll ride Segway scooters to get to the can, but no, that's not lazy enough. I predict a toilet on a Segway scooter that comes to you!)



I can dig the scale of this project. Everybody here is agog at the length, width and height of your future monumental erection...

But what I wonder is... coastal SC on the Edisto River? How high are you about flood waters? Did you hear about the Black River about three years ago?



_

Yes, we get some flooding during major events . I'm roughly a hour from Charleston. When the property was surveyed 20 yrs ago , I have about 30 acres that roughly 20 ft above sea level with a gentle slope to the rivers edge (the main road is 28 ft above sea level). I usually go down when the water starts to rise to mark the high level ( i have an alert set from the USGS website when the water hits 9 ft elevation , flood stage is 10 ft , its been as high as 17.5 ft back in 1925 ) and its only come out the bank a few times but not to the level where I want to build, but as always , there's a chance it can happen when you live by the water....

 

[zoepop]

Is there a hill on the property you could build it into? You could access the parking deck from the back side. Put in multiple doors so you don't have to move 14 cars to access the 1 you want

 

[VC-Racing]

Is there a hill on the property you could build it into? You could access the parking deck from the back side. Put in multiple doors so you don't have to move 14 cars to access the 1 you want

Already crossed my mind. It might not be budget friendly to utilize this particular method. I won't rule it out, just make it an alternative option.

 

[rburke65]

Waiting to see the photos of those trusses!!

 

[jd_1138]

Maybe get an adult trike to ride around inside of it (and to carry parts in the basket). Sounds like it will be fun.

 

[wasfuzz]

What about a PreStress Concrete Building? Cant imagine it is that much more $ than clearspan would be. Then your whole building is a shelter!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

"It's not a garage, it's a Zeppelin hangar!" lol

(Yes, as a matter of fact, I AM jealous!)

 

[frankthezapper]

As well as tornado shelter that pit could double as wine cellar.....

 

[Candoo]

I am at a loss for words. I would put a small bungalow with a three car inside for fun.

 

[VC-Racing]

As well as tornado shelter that pit could double as wine cellar.....

Don't drink wine, but did drink shine back in the day........

 

[VC-Racing]

Maybe get an adult trike to ride around inside of it (and to carry parts in the basket). Sounds like it will be fun.

Golf cart ......

 

[VC-Racing]

What about a PreStress Concrete Building? Cant imagine it is that much more $ than clearspan would be. Then your whole building is a shelter!

Hadn't considered that material. I do like the idea behind it. Thanks.

 

[Squankum]

Is there a hill on the property you could build it into? You could access the parking deck from the back side. Put in multiple doors so you don't have to move 14 cars to access the 1 you want

Hmm... where he is, hills are in short supply, but... maybe he could do like the ancient Egyptians and build a big ramp out of sand, er, local soil. (OK, the Egyptians didn't build the pyramids that way, either, we don't think, as that ramp would have been a bigger job than the pyramids themselves.)

And while you've got the bulldozer, just build a minor dike on the river side of it all. Heck, just buy a bulldozer.

 

[cgall]

Heavy duty racks, big fork lift...

 

[Lelandwelds]

There is a reason Walmart, Home Depot, and TramMel Crow build with tilt wall for this size building. You need to find a professional.

I have only seen the parallelogram lifts and pits for heavy equipment.

Damn. Just . . . Damn.

 

[6768rogues]

Your architect will know how to separate the living space from the vehicle space in terms of fire protection. Other than that, go for it.
You asked for ideas. I have a lot of ideas but I haven't thought of them yet.

 

[sberry]

I understand wanting to build in something for every occasion but this is not a truck service shop, doing truck work daily. Is it worth a hoist or pit to do slack adjusters to save an hour a time or 2 a year? It would be cheaper to buy a new truck,,, or to pay for a little service than to build in the features to save an hour on a creeper.
Cost to go clear span starts to climb after about 80 ft but its done all the time and been a while since I priced any of this. Not being in a heavy snow area helps a lot.
I cant even spell architect right but have been in a lot of shops. Some experience helps a lot, a guy should add a second consultant besides the guy that draws the pitchurs,,, ha,,, but there are a lot of door relationships etc that make it all work easier, things like electric service placement, getting a lot of the utilities in the floor vs all the hangers and every screw being installed from a lift.
There is a tendency to try to plan everything, some is good, a lot doesn't always make it a lot better and proper placement and understanding coverage is better than a rule of thumb for having a air hydrant every 10 ft. etc. Some secondary electric panels are important in a facility like this. Just a start.
I would build a place to park the truck but wouldn't fool with a lot to service it, this can be done as needed and isn't a lot for one not on the road constantly or newer in good shape. Adding a 100K cost to adjust the brakes can be used elsewhere. While this isn't an economy build it still could or should

 

[Mr. D]

I'm looking for input so when I sit down to start designing I can pass any info to my architect.

Thanks ,

Vic

You're a Baller, just grab a cold beer and let your architect team figure it all out.

 

[Strouty]

You will need some big *** fans too!

https://www.bigassfans.com