Trailer Storage

[fstbusa]

I have a small aluminum trailer that I like using to haul brush, leaves, and my dirtbikes. I also prefer to store it inside because I like to keep tools and gear in the toolbox.

I found a guy online that did this same setup and he inspired me to make one of my own. Now I have floor space to store my bikes, lawn mower and who knows what else.
Just thought I would share.

 

[Steevo]

The video never showed the lift mechanism, or how it is mounted, or anything useful.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Yeah I want to see how it is done up in the attic!

 

[fstbusa]

The video never showed the lift mechanism, or how it is mounted, or anything useful.

Here is one rough, pre final pic.

The hoist is on the far end of the pic. Cables run thru 4 pulleys 12 ft away and then each are directed to its respective location where it drops thru the ceiling.

Here are a bunch of pics along the way. I will update with some final pics when it's fully complete
http://photobucket.com/albums/v476/fstbusa/Trailer Lift

 

[ket-tek]

Looks good, seen someting similar once or twice. I think there was a thread a year or two showing the progress on one of them. Pretty cool thing to do with an aluminum trailer since they are so light.

My only concern is not related and that is why you don't have insulation above the ceiling, haha..???

 

[fstbusa]

My only concern is not related and that is why you don't have insulation above the ceiling, haha..???

Cheap build!!! Thats a pretty easy thing to do later on. Either blow in or rolls of batt.

 

[38Chevy454]

Just watch out for that (*bam*, on your head) trailer jack hangin down......

 

[fstbusa]

Just watch out for that (*bam*, on your head) trailer jack hangin down......

The jack swivels up outta the way but it's higher than the door rail so unless you are 7 ft tall you won't hit your head. I plan on adding some static safety lines in case the hoist fails.

 

[kbs2244]

Makes it easy to find nails in the tires.

 

[wnstwolf]

I am not trying to be a naysayer but those trusses are held together with pressed pieces of sheet goods with some numbs on them. Great for the designed loads of the walls wanting to pull apart of the transfered load of the roof. Not sure how happy they are to see a trailer trying to pull them straight down. I see your on at least 2 or three of them but this stuff always scares me to see... just say'n.. be careful..

 

[onething]

How much does the trailer with tools weigh?

I guess with 4 cables, if one fails it will only slap you not crush you! Is there a way you could rig some rigid supports once it is lifted? OK, I'm a safety guy, but there is a reason why you should never be under a lifted load.

You did post this so people could pick it apart didn't you?

Actually, I like the idea and might be tempted to try it with some safety mods.

 

[camarotoolman]

I would beef up the trusses, glue and nail some plywood scrapes over the joints.

 

[Steevo]

So, the winch pulls on an "aggregator plate" that has the four individual cables attached to it?

What kind of attachment do those pulleys have to the boards they are fastened to?

Forgetting the weight capacity of the trusses for a minute, I am more interested in the shear-load stresses on the pulleys and the wood they are fastened to.
For instance, the pulley that is upright above the ceiling hole in the left side of your pic:
what holds the 4x4 to the 2x4 & 2x6 under it? What holds the pulley to both the 4x4 and the 2x's. What is holding the 2x's to the joists under them?

I'd have wanted a 12" long piece of 3x3" angle where that 4x4 block is, to support and distribute the load across the two boards under it.

Overall, it looks like a clever design and a very workable solution. I am just not fond of relying on things screwed to or nailed to wood in a shear load situation

 

[shannonw]

I remember seeing something like this

http://panofish.net/garage-trailer-lift/

 

[Sureshot]

Unless you load that toolbox goofy that trailer weighs alot less than the drywall on the ceiling.

 

[fstbusa]

I am not trying to be a naysayer but those trusses are held together with pressed pieces of sheet goods with some numbs on them. Great for the designed loads of the walls wanting to pull apart of the transfered load of the roof. Not sure how happy they are to see a trailer trying to pull them straight down. I see your on at least 2 or three of them but this stuff always scares me to see... just say'n.. be careful..

There is two 10 ft 2x12s spanning across 5 trusses on each end and then each down pulley has a 2x6 under it across 5 others. The weight is also distributed below the main structural "beam" of the garage which is essentially two 2x6s on edge.

The trailer weighs from the factory 325lb. I extended the tongue and added the tool box. I figure I added about 150lb to it. So conservatively it weighs 550lb spanning across 5 trusses. Thats less than me walking on a single truss.

 

[fstbusa]

How much does the trailer with tools weigh?

I guess with 4 cables, if one fails it will only slap you not crush you! Is there a way you could rig some rigid supports once it is lifted? OK, I'm a safety guy, but there is a reason why you should never be under a lifted load.

You did post this so people could pick it apart didn't you?

Actually, I like the idea and might be tempted to try it with some safety mods.

Yeah, its not not quite complete. There will be 4 static cables that will support the trailer when in the air. The hoist will be used just to raise and lower it. A total of 8 cables will be attached to it when stored for safety.

 

[fstbusa]

So, the winch pulls on an "aggregator plate" that has the four individual cables attached to it?

What kind of attachment do those pulleys have to the boards they are fastened to?

Forgetting the weight capacity of the trusses for a minute, I am more interested in the shear-load stresses on the pulleys and the wood they are fastened to.
For instance, the pulley that is upright above the ceiling hole in the left side of your pic:
what holds the 4x4 to the 2x4 & 2x6 under it? What holds the pulley to both the 4x4 and the 2x's. What is holding the 2x's to the joists under them?

I'd have wanted a 12" long piece of 3x3" angle where that 4x4 block is, to support and distribute the load across the two boards under it.

Overall, it looks like a clever design and a very workable solution. I am just not fond of relying on things screwed to or nailed to wood in a shear load situation

All the wood is held together with multiple 1/4" lag screws. Each 4x4 is held with 3 or 4 lag screws. All pulleys are attached to the wood with 3 lag screws. Pulleys are rated for 450 lb each. Cable is 1/8" rated for 340lb each.

 

[fstbusa]

I remember seeing something like this

http://panofish.net/garage-trailer-lift/

Yep, That's where I got this idea. I thought I would build something similar.

 

[fstbusa]

A couple other pics to help show how things were put together.