garage lifts (storage)

We are a creative bunch here and I have an idea that I want to try so I figured it has already been done by someone on this site.

I want to get my ice shack off the floor and possible other things in the future if this works.

The idea would be something like this video but just haven’t read enough good reviews to purchase it also part of me wants to make it a little stronger. I am not against a manual lift but I have 12ft ceilings so that has to be considered.

What have you guys done to get some of the larger items off the ground?

John,

Take a look at this thread in the icefishing forum.

http://www.idofishing.com/forum/showflat.php/Number/1270603/fpart/1/new-garage-storage-system

Thanks – I guess I should have used a less restrictive search.

The only downside i see is I have to switch out the cable for I can lower it to the floor as well as (my best guess) is a ladder to reach the ceiling to lower and raise it. Maybe i can extend the pole to reach a 12 foot ceiling.

So enough rambling. Thanks for the thread

I have been working on this very thing for my new garage (11′ ceiling) and I think I finally have it figured out. I wanted something that would hoist my Otter Lodge close to the ceiling and have it drop all the way to the floor, and that was fast and easy to use. I have tried a number of different solutions like the deer hoists, but they were kind of a pain and I could not get the house close enough to the ceiling.

I now have a 12v winch mounted on a wall (as of 3 days ago), and 4 eye bolts on the ceiling over the ice house with a decent pully hanging from each one. I originally tried to do this all with cheaper rope, but it just doesn’t work that great. I now have vinyl coated steel cable that I am using and it works so much better as there is no stretch. The winch line hooks up to 4 individual lines that run to each corner of a 2×4 frame that is under the house that also has eye bolts. A caribeaner will make a quick connection on each corner of the 2×4 frame. I did the first test lift last night and it worked great. I need a few more parts before I can do a full lift, hopefully tonight or tomorrow it will be complete.

I know a winch is not meant to be used as a hoist so my system will have a backup cable in case something in the winch lets go (only secured once the house is up at the ceiling).

When you are finished can you post some pictures? I am thinking I might have to make my own as well. Even researching the one mentioned here it seems that many of the parts are throw away or you have to re-engineer it…

I have 11′ ceilings in my garage as well. I bought the lift system and love it. I didn’t put longer cables on. I just lower it down and slide it into my truck. That way I don’t have to try and lift it into the truck myself. Then the same thing when I get home.

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I have 11′ ceilings in my garage as well. I bought the lift system and love it. I didn’t put longer cables on. I just lower it down and slide it into my truck. That way I don’t have to try and lift it into the truck myself. Then the same thing when I get home.

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I think where I placed mine I could do the same, but either way mine will still be on the ground to dry out in between uses so I still need an easy way to hook it up without having to lift it. I prefer not to put it away all damp after use.

I will post some pics when I am done.

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Thanks – I guess I should have used a less restrictive search.

The only downside i see is I have to switch out the cable for I can lower it to the floor as well as (my best guess) is a ladder to reach the ceiling to lower and raise it. Maybe i can extend the pole to reach a 12 foot ceiling.

So enough rambling. Thanks for the thread

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I have 12′ ceilings in my garage and use the Hi-Loft storage solution for my ice house summer storage. I swapped out the shorter cable for some about 4′ longer per side. It’s super easy to do, I now use 2×25′ length cables for each side, this brings the platform down to about a foot or so off the floor. I wouldn’t go any longer as when the cable winds up, it doesn’t line up with the rollers so it puts a little added stress on the plastic rollers.

Here is the system I came up with. It went up to the ceiling without issue last night. I need to try lowering and raising it a few more times just to test the winch, but I don’t see any issues at this point.

BTW, keep in mind before you start hanging a bunch of stuff from the ceiling that basic roof trusses are only engineered to handle so much weight.

I like the idea. I understand that the trusses are only engineered to handle a specific amount of weight. Is there a way to find out how munch that would be for the way your house was built? My guess is I would not have enough to be concerned with but the gear could add up fast.

One could also figure out a way to spread the weight out over a couple trusses i suppose as well…

Thanks for the pictures now to start thinking before it gets cold.

The only way would be to talk to an engineer.

I talked with an engineer for the truss maker for my house about specifically adding a single hoist location for lifting 300 lb objects, but was told it’s a no go. He said I might be able to do it if I distribute the load over like a 60 sq ft area (if I remember correctly) using beams above the trusses. I figure the house is more around 100 lbs or so, and will not be putting an auger or heavy objects in there when stored. Also, the rear of the sled is close to a wall which I figured would help on the stresses, vs having it all right in the middle of the garage.

My system is currently hanging from two different trusses, and there are two trusses between the two it’s hanging from so it is somewhat distributed.

If the black lines are trusses I was thinking I would run some thick angle iron across 3 or 4 of them and my “system” would be tied into that. This would help some with the weight I assume… I am not a very good structural eng so if someone knows please speak up. it might be over kill but want to make sure I don’t screw things up

The picture is not my garage just a stock picture i found but needed an example.