Forum Discussion

campn4walleye's avatar
campn4walleye
Explorer
Jan 01, 2016

Garage ceiling clearance

Happy New Year fellow TCers!

As usual I'm coming to you for your expertise. We are considering a home that has the Taj Mahal of sheds. The problem is it only has 12' doors. Our TC is 12' 3" tall on the truck. We have the options of putting it on a dolly and rolling it in (UGH!) or changing the AC unit to a lower profile model. We wouldn't mind doing that as our current unit is overly large and high powered. The current unit is 14". The Coleman Mach 8 is 8" which should make things better.

Here's the real problem: say we get it in, can we raise it off the truck in a shed with a 13' ceiling. We've never measured how high the camper is when at it highest point needed when removing the truck. Have you? We think it raises about 6". We cannot test it as it's in storage for the winter. Can it be done? How many of you roll it in on a dolly? What are the challenges and how do you handle a lip at the edge? Our TC weighs at least 4000 lbs without water.

Any info would be great.
Truck Campers

25 Replies

  • JohnAM's avatar
    JohnAM
    Explorer II
    Jan 04, 2016
    I use a Rieco dolly to do this. It is an extra step but if you are comfortable with trailers (I have boats) it's pretty easy and would require no other mod. I wish I could leave my camper on the truck in the winter however and am considering a header and roll up door mod to make it work.
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Jan 04, 2016
    By my calculations, if the camper will clear a 12' door, and you have 13' ceilings, you have at least 12" to raise the camper once inside.

    If your truck's suspension uncompresses 12" as you unload the camper, you've got bigger problems.
  • Reddog1's avatar
    Reddog1
    Explorer II
    Jan 03, 2016
    If the truck has airbags, there is a good chance they could be aired down going into the shop, and get a couple inches clearance.
  • AnEv942's avatar
    AnEv942
    Nomad
    Jan 03, 2016
    The door Im not seeing as an issue but a problem that can be solved by a multitude of options. Height of opening is the restriction without seeing, changing door or type easy, changing the header not much more difficult-depending.

    But if you changed out the AC & if its enough to get under door it also would increase upward travel space, non issue. Might be combination of things to make it work.

    The real issue I see is if I could get into a 44'x64' shop and I could also have my camper inside- It would be real hard to ever get me out...

    Seriously though for that kind of shop space and getting the camper stored inside, Dolley/trailer would certainly solve although unless I wanted to move around it would be my last option, from here seems one way or another it could work.

    Good luck
  • hedgehopper's avatar
    hedgehopper
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2016
    CptnBG wrote:
    campn4walleye wrote:
    We are considering this property BECAUSE of the TC. I want to make DH's life easier but it is more and more complicated.

    It was my bright idea to sell our house so that he would be closer to more lakes and camping. Our house sold in a week!!!:E


    Methinks DH is a lucky guy! You tell him we all said to give you a BIG kiss. :)
    I'll second that!
  • ticki2's avatar
    ticki2
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2016
    Reddog1 wrote:

    Mice intrusion, I think borderlines on being silly. I think over time they get into homes. I bet they can get into the existing building.

    Wayne


    :B I once worked on a house that was destroyed by fire . In the corner of the house in one bay , 16 inches by 5-1/2 inches , dead mice were stacked 4 feet high . The owner said they never had mouse problems . I am pretty convinced that every building has mice , whether you see them or not .
  • Reddog1's avatar
    Reddog1
    Explorer II
    Jan 02, 2016
    campn4walleye wrote:
    ryoung wrote:
    From what I have read about your shed it has a 12 ft garage type door and 13 ft of ceiling clearance.

    If that is so, get rid of the garage door, enlarge the opening to the 13 ft ceiling and install a sliding door.

    Anything is possible. I once had a new pole barn built by Sikeston buildings that was 24 x 36 with eight foot walls. Over the years and different RVs that I had, that original pole barn grew to 24 x 65 with 14 foot walls in three different modifications.

    ryoung

    I no longer own the truck and TC in my signature.



    We were told this is not suggested and the shed is heated and we would lose too much heat. The cost would not be worth it. A sliding would also allow mice intrusion.
    I absolutely disagree with what you were told. I suggest you talk to a knowledgeable contractor. I can't speak to the cost being excessive, that is a mater of perspective. But loose heat, only if improperly done. Mice intrusion, I think borderlines on being silly. I think over time they get into homes. I bet they can get into the existing building.

    Wayne
  • campn4walleye's avatar
    campn4walleye
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2016
    ryoung wrote:
    From what I have read about your shed it has a 12 ft garage type door and 13 ft of ceiling clearance.

    If that is so, get rid of the garage door, enlarge the opening to the 13 ft ceiling and install a sliding door.

    Anything is possible. I once had a new pole barn built by Sikeston buildings that was 24 x 36 with eight foot walls. Over the years and different RVs that I had, that original pole barn grew to 24 x 65 with 14 foot walls in three different modifications.

    ryoung

    I no longer own the truck and TC in my signature.



    We were told this is not suggested and the shed is heated and we would lose too much heat. The cost would not be worth it. A sliding would also allow mice intrusion.
  • ryoung's avatar
    ryoung
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2016
    From what I have read about your shed it has a 12 ft garage type door and 13 ft of ceiling clearance.

    If that is so, get rid of the garage door, enlarge the opening to the 13 ft ceiling and install a sliding door.

    Anything is possible. I once had a new pole barn built by Sikeston buildings that was 24 x 36 with eight foot walls. Over the years and different RVs that I had, that original pole barn grew to 24 x 65 with 14 foot walls in three different modifications.

    ryoung

    I no longer own the truck and TC in my signature.

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