Moveable Small Garage

[eureka jim]

This is probably crazy but I think I'd like to build a small garage, maybe 10' x 20', or 12' x 20' that can be towed in an emergency. I live in Hawaii just a couple of miles from where the lava flowed in 2018 and having a couple of moveable garages would be a good thing for when the lava flows again. I'm looking for ideas, especially regarding axle setup. I'm thinking of wood framing, wood floor, wood walls and metal roof. An alternative would be a structure that could be lifted onto a flat bed truck. I've looked for examples to inspire me but have come up empty. Any good ideas? Thanks, Jim

 

[p00p]

could a 20' shipping container be used? https://www.mrbox.co.uk/shipping-containers/20ft-storage-containers-for-sale-and-hire/

 

[driftpin]

Like this? Ten by twenty ft. 3/4" plywood, housewrap vapor barrier, Hardi-Board siding, standing seam metal roof. Roll-up OH door. Ventilated eaves. Galvanized steel frame. PT 2x8" footer boards.

 

[ambenz]

Versatube has come "robust" garage styles where you could mount balloon tire to and roll around where ever...maybe even hook a tongue to the back and tow it.



Then, there is all the party style type tents you could put up and tear down.

 

[eureka jim]

Thanks for the replies. I have a few of the Costco garage tents now but here the top fabric lasts about a year, maybe 2-3 years for the side panels. They are cheap and easy to put up but don't really give the protection and medium level of security I'm looking for. The shipping containers are too narrow for my needs and with what they cost here I think I could build something better suited to my vehicles. I also have a 20' x 20' metal building now but the all metal construction isn't ideal here in the land of constant humidity and blazing sun. I can get it moved but in trying to arrange that, it became clear that something smaller would be better.
Driftpin, your garage is the closest to what I'm thinking about. Because of difficult access to my home I'm leaning towards something towable or at least moveable to where I could get it picked by a sling. Are you using 4 x 6 skids under the floor? That would make the building moveable for slinging but might make it towable if I can figure out what axles would be needed---maybe house trailer?

 

[Higgins]

Thanks for the replies. I have a few of the Costco garage tents now but here the top fabric lasts about a year, maybe 2-3 years for the side panels. They are cheap and easy to put up but don't really give the protection and medium level of security I'm looking for. The shipping containers are too narrow for my needs and with what they cost here I think I could build something better suited to my vehicles. I also have a 20' x 20' metal building now but the all metal construction isn't ideal here in the land of constant humidity and blazing sun. I can get it moved but in trying to arrange that, it became clear that something smaller would be better.
Driftpin, your garage is the closest to what I'm thinking about. Because of difficult access to my home I'm leaning towards something towable or at least moveable to where I could get it picked by a sling. Are you using 4 x 6 skids under the floor? That would make the building moveable for slinging but might make it towable if I can figure out what axles would be needed---maybe house trailer?

We purchased a 14 x 24 prebuilt shed by the local Masterbuilt folks!

crossville storage sheds - Google Search

www.google.com

Came on a trailer and slid it off. Easy, Peasy. $5,000 and done.

After a yr. Dan the crane man moved it for us! 20 min and done. took longer the set up than to move the shed!

AL

 

[driftpin]

Mine is designed to be attached to a slab, which it is. The crane placed it just-above the slab where I wanted it, and then it was dropped about 4" onto the slab, after I laid-down a thick double row of silicone caulk, and HILTI concrete anchor pins about 3 ft. O.C. were installed after it was sited.

I stopped-by where I bought it, and the sales rep said the company cannot get the Hardi-Board reliably-enough to offer it at the present time, and for the ones he can get from the manufacturer, it's 4 months to delivery if you put your deposit down now. I expect this to last 30 years from now, it might need a re-roof after 20+ years, but that should be pretty-simple. If it lasts 30 years from now, I'll be in triple digits, and it will have served its purpose.

 

[wssix99]

Shipping Container Garages: https://metalbuildinghomes.org/shipping-container-garage/

I also expect that you lots of infrastructure on the island to move these things aground.

 

[eureka jim]

I appreciate the ideas! For me I think I'm leaning towards a wood framed, including floor, structure. If I build it on skids I can drag it out to where it could be picked up with a sling or big forklift. If I can find axles that work I could just pull it with one of my old trucks which is my preference.

How would you guys frame the floor structure to be strong enough to be picked up or have axles attached?

 

[bas157]

How about using on old mobile home frame and axles for the base?

 

[eureka jim]

There are trailers available but not mobile homes here. I just started to look for mobile home axles, no luck yet. It's also possible I can find some military surplus that might work. I'll be checking to see if I can source just the axles from the trailer guys.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Great info. Will be watching this space.

 

[bbxlr8]

I see you looking going in two directions and can't imagine that unique threat (we have hurricanes tornados, floods, etc. but lava...!?

I have an Amish built 12x38 that I custom designed for my old house w/std garage door in the end and a double barn door side in the deep section for tractor, bikes etc. Like above, I ended up moving it due to unforeseen issues and actually took it with me, first to a rental (temp storage) and then to my current house in PA. The guys that transport those for a living have MAJOR skills and was fairly cheap >$200 for 100 miles. I was not picky on timing and had them move it on the "dead-head" part of a delivery run. It is on PT 4x4 then framed 2x4 "joists" on 16" center. 3/4 PT ply ties the floor up pretty tight. Had it for 12 years and keep my jeep w/plow and now a fairly sized TLB besides my "lawn" tractor.

Not sure how much warning you would get. If I had that concern, I would lean towards a trailer either fully mobile like a large box (prob $$$) or something like suggested above like one of those tiny home deals

 

[eureka jim]

I could always go with a 'tiny house style garage' but that would be mean a trailer for each structure...too expensive for me. Better if I can simply bolt a set of axles and tongue on to my framed garage, move it, remove the axles and tongue and mount them on the next garage. I have a 1 acre lot about 25 miles from my home that I could use for temporary storage during an emergency. I'm just kind of brainstorming here to see what might work well. I like the idea of being able to move my stuff myself, not having to rely on outside businesses. During the 2018 eruption of Kilauea it was flat impossible to find much help. Keep the good ideas coming! Thanks, Jim

 

[niget2002]

How far are you talking about moving these things? In Texas you have to have permits to move anything wider than 9' on a public road.

What is your plan for all the stuff in the shop? Are you going to take everything out, load the shop, then put everything back in it? If so, then whatever frame you come up with will need to be able to support the weight of all the machines.

 

[eureka jim]

Hello niget2002, The area I live in is a rural mix of homes and farms and there are always slow moving rigs on our 2 lane road. During the last emergency I wasn't prepared to move anything but I got lucky. The lava flow that destroyed over 700 homes started about 2 miles from my place and flowed for about 9 miles in a direction away from my home before it hit the ocean. There is no way of telling where it might flow the next time but if I could have moved my stuff 8 miles up the road it would have put me safely above the lava flow. I'm not too concerned about traffic enforcement. During an emergency there's a lot of wiggle room on the rules. As long as I was driving carefully with flashing lights out in front and back I wouldn't expect any big problem.
My original idea is for making a moveable garage, not a garage and shop. With the garage empty I don't think it will be too heavy. Of course there's no reason a moveable structure couldn't be used for other things like storage or a shop but you're right in thinking that moving one would be more complicated than an empty garage.

 

[BestTree]

This is probably crazy but I think I'd like to build a small garage, maybe 10' x 20', or 12' x 20' that can be towed in an emergency. I live in Hawaii just a couple of miles from where the lava flowed in 2018 and having a couple of moveable garages would be a good thing for when the lava flows again. I'm looking for ideas, especially regarding axle setup. I'm thinking of wood framing, wood floor, wood walls and metal roof. An alternative would be a structure that could be lifted onto a flat bed truck. I've looked for examples to inspire me but have come up empty. Any good ideas? Thanks, Jim

Could your idea be applied to a 20' shipping container? I read yesterday there is a shortage of shipping containers but the article did not state the lengths which are short in supply.

 

[eureka jim]

Could your idea be applied to a 20' shipping container? I read yesterday there is a shortage of shipping containers but the article did not state the lengths which are short in supply.

The shipping containers are too narrow for my needs. One of my antique trucks is a flat bed dually that is 100" wide at the mirrors, too wide for a container. My opinion is that the container's best selling point is the ease of buying it but the metal construction isn't the best in an ocean environment. I already spend enough time chasing rust!

 

[dfiler2]

Are you concerned with the shed or the stuff in the shed? I would assume even a small building full of tools and yard equipment would be very difficult to move. Will this be a place to park your car or a workshop? I can't imagine having that threat but I'm sure like anything else you get used to it and figure out ways to deal with it.

 

[619DioFan]

You would be better off building a small garage on your other property. you can outfit it with some tools and equipment. consider it as a bug out place. trying to build a movable garage and then move it in the wake of an emergency would be insane IMO. Picture this - you trying to head down the road pulling a 10x20 building during an emergency while all your neighbors are stuck behind you trying to evac. not pretty.

 

[nadogail]

I don't envy your situation; Madam Pele will go where and when she wants. When you feel the need to move, so will your neighbors. All of you fighting for time, equipment, and space. And just where do you expect to move your garage to? Will the parking lot of your evacuation center accommodate your garage and the equipment it took to move it?

 

[eureka jim]

Thanks everyone! No doubt that in an emergency moving a small building will be problematic. Although I lean towards a wheeled structure so that I can move it myself, It's too complicated for me. Putting the garage on skids so that I can move it into position to be picked up by a forklift or sling is the best option for me. Elaine, I find the shipping containers to be too narrow for my needs but they might work for yours. Simplicity and cost are the biggest advantages, while for me the all metal construction is a negative. Most people here end up building a roof structure over their container to try and keep the rust from spreading. If you can use a container without modifications they can be great. If you want to start adding windows, doors, ventilation, etc., it gets expensive very quickly unless you can do your own welding and fabrication---something I can't!

 

[BestTree]

This is probably crazy but I think I'd like to build a small garage, maybe 10' x 20', or 12' x 20' that can be towed in an emergency. I live in Hawaii just a couple of miles from where the lava flowed in 2018 and having a couple of moveable garages would be a good thing for when the lava flows again. I'm looking for ideas, especially regarding axle setup. I'm thinking of wood framing, wood floor, wood walls and metal roof. An alternative would be a structure that could be lifted onto a flat bed truck. I've looked for examples to inspire me but have come up empty. Any good ideas? Thanks, Jim

Jim, all I can suggest is secifiy dual-axles and ten-ply tires. Two years ago I downsized for the 6th time in my life. The event was due to divorce by a wife who deserted 900 miles and soon became frail so much she could not return. Living in her house I had to vacate and move. I looked at several frame-built houses and shopped carefully letting my budget be my guide. I bought a 19' 1989 aluminum-framed Holiday Rambler travel trailer, found a full hookup on private property where I do lawn care as part of my rent. Several years back I shopped for a 7' x 12' enclosed trailer for a mobile workshop. Pros lost to the cons and I didn't buy.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

How about an enclosed car hauler? The go pretty big. Lots have a workbench and cabinets up front.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Something to keep in mind, that garage is going to be heavy. A fully equipped garage is really going to be heavy.

Like Dio mentioned, I'd suggest trying to build something on the other property. Make your primary concern, moving what's inside the garage.

Question for you, do you need a separate insurance rider of volcanic activity in Hawaii, much like other places need a separate rider for flood insurance ?

 

[eureka jim]

Thanks everyone. It's not practical for me to have my garages 25 miles away from my home. For emergency vehicle storage it's OK. Theft is kind of a local sport here and unattended things attract attention. I primarily want to replace my Costco garage tents with something that looks good in my yard so my neighbors don't complain and something more secure. I not thinking of the garage as a shop though it could be used that way for routine repair work. I think the best thing for me is a framed building that can be loaded onto a truck bed. Now I just have to decide how to build it!
As far as insurance goes, I do have lava protection but it's understandably very expensive. Makes flood insurance look like a bargain. Last year the rates went up by about a thousand dollars over the previous years cost which was already over $2000/year. If only my SS check would go up to cover it!

 

[PoorUB]

I have to wonder why anyone would live near an active volcano! Land prices must be a steal compared to most anywhere else on the islands!

 

[eureka jim]

It is certainly a gamble and, yes, the land is cheap compared to any of the other islands. I don't claim that I was fully aware of the probability of lava flowing in my back yard when I made my decision to move here but it seemed a reasonable one at the time. Ignorance made my decision easier than it should have been! The island is divided into different lava hazard zones so you can decide for yourself what amount of risk you're willing to take.

 

[mbunimog]

I have a portable garage with side door and roll up end door 14 ft by 24 ft. It is sturdy and was delivered on a trailer pulled by a pickup truck. All you need is a trailer and winch to pull it up

 

[eureka jim]

I have a portable garage with side door and roll up end door 14 ft by 24 ft. It is sturdy and was delivered on a trailer pulled by a pickup truck. All you need is a trailer and winch to pull it up

Wow! That looks great. Did you build it yourself or have it made for you? If you care to share some of the framing choices or have any more pictures I'd sure appreciate it...and I think others would too. Thanks for posting. Jim