Hanging wheels with tires from the rafters

[JHZR2]

My current setup. Just tried the poles because they we're up there from long ago. Ok for two bound tires, not ok for wheels with tires, given overhead handling on a ladder.

The tires up there are 195/15, and the wheel I put up there is a 195/14 type, so not huge, but still heavy and unwieldy enough that I don't think it's safe... And I'm 6ft 5in and have no problem doing overhead press with 150+ lb. but working multiple tires overhead with the poles and all.

I was thinking of rigging up pulleys and ropes with cleats to get tired up and then held so I can maneuver. But that's probably overthinking it too.

The horizontal parts that I want to use are 2x4 and 2x6 rough cut old type lumber. It is 85ish years old. The smaller ones I wouldn't want to cut or put holes in.

I fear that bolts or pegs may not be that secure. There may be a car parked underneath at some times of the year. We aren't prone to earthquakes, but I don't need tires falling down.

Figure in the future there could be 17" steelies with 235/65-17 tires on them for a mass idea.

I do hang alloys from my Saab, so damage is a consideration too.

Ideas/suggestions? I'll be in DE some day this week so can buy stuff from HD tax free.

Thanks!!

 

[earlyre]

Tire Storage Rack

their other tire storage products.

 

[donnyj08]

you could easily build a rack similar to that one out of 2x4's

 

[spasm3]

For alloy wheels, i might cut off the elbows and sleeve the pipes with pvc so no metal to metal contact.

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: donnyj08
you could easily build a rack similar to that one out of 2x4's


indeed, if you follow the link, they give you some rough dimensions, and then the PDF of the install instructions, so you can see how it all goes together.

 

[The_Jeff]

I have a plywood floored "attic" where tires (and some oil stash) lay flat. You can fit a lot on 32 square feet.

 

[JHZR2]

I installed industrial shelving all the way up to the ceiling, in the garage along the back wall. The garage is 1920s design so there is not a huge amount of extra space - it is short and narrow by today's standards.

A rack like that I do not believe would work given that it looks like it has to be leaned against a wall at the bottom. I don't really want to put it on the side wall because it will impede passing along the sides of the car.

I was thinking about putting them on plywood sheets on top of the rafters however it gets difficult having to stack more than one tire up there one working off the ladder. That's why I was thinking that if I can hang them off of the rafters themselves either with really heavy bolts or some kind of pipe that won't bend in torque under the weight that may be the best approach. That said given the nature of the lumber, which I'm not sure how structural it actually is, but I imagine drilling holes for three-quarter inch pipe into that lumber is not the smartest thing given that it spans the entire width of a two car garage.

Thanks!!

 

[Tempest]

Along the same lines as the Tire Rack pic, I would put new stringers between the existing joists spaced as needed to hold the tires.

So the tires would be oriented the same as you have now, just higher up and they would "drop in" and rest on the new stringers.

 

[JHZR2]

Good idea! So how did you install them? Im not exactly a framing expert... Did you just cut to width and put them in flush with the rafters? Or did you notch them or somehow toe nail them over top of the rafters?

Any chance of the tires/wheels shaking out?

 

[Tempest]

As long as you have access to the back of the joist (and it appears that you do), just cut a stringer to the same distance that exists between the joists, and put screws/nails through the joist and into the stringer. I would go with at least (3) #10 deck screws, 3" long for plenty of strength and bite. Stainless might not be a bad idea in a humid area (prevent ugly staining).

Not sure of the distance between your joists...maybe need 2x6 for strength on the stringers.

The new stringers would be offset from space to space so you have consistent access for fastening. I wouldn't use toe type attachments for this.

Joist hangers are another idea but would be expensive and look ugly.

 

[GreeCguy]

From experience I have learned that storing tires in the attic is a bad thing for the tires. The heat "cooks" the rubber and makes them very hard - lost two sets that way. I'm sure for a few months it will be no problem but a few years and you'll end up throwing them away.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Tempest
As long as you have access to the back of the joist (and it appears that you do), just cut a stringer to the same distance that exists between the joists, and put screws/nails through the joist and into the stringer. I would go with at least (3) #10 deck screws, 3" long for plenty of strength and bite. Stainless might not be a bad idea in a humid area (prevent ugly staining).

Not sure of the distance between your joists...maybe need 2x6 for strength on the stringers.

The new stringers would be offset from space to space so you have consistent access for fastening. I wouldn't use toe type attachments for this.

Joist hangers are another idea but would be expensive and look ugly.


Thanks!

My one chalenge is that I have romex wiring on the faces of the rafters (like in the picture).

Granted they would be higher and not as "nessled" in, but if I laid 2x4s flat on the rafters, and dumped the the tires in that notch, it would get me around the movement of wires issue. The wood wouldnt be as strong (I think the rafters might be 20" on center), but I could fit another 2x4 or 2x3 underneath to form a "T", and not interfere with the wires, I think...

As I have the pipes, wrapping them in foam and putting them through the tires should be an adequate fall prevention I think....

Thoughts?

Thanks again.

 

[Tempest]

Your plan sounds good. Maybe put up one set and see how stable they are.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

This guy used to store his tires up in a hot attic just like that, until this happened to a tire with just a couple thousand miles on it-it had been stored one hot summer season.

A hot attic is the last place you want to store tires.

 

[JHZR2]

Wow, nasty. The area isnt exactly an attic. Its a completely uninsulated, detached stone garage, and the rafters are 8ish feet up with the peak of the roof a good 6-8 feet higher. There is natural airflow through the garage, FWIW, but point well taken. Heat still rises no matter what...

 

[sxg6]

If you have the room in your garage, I have a couple of these that I store my winter wheels/tires on. You could probably build some yourself out of wood if you wanted to save some money. The base isn't terribly solid, and they wobble a little if you bump them, but as long as they aren't disturbed they work great.

www.amazon.de/gp/product/B002MPP8JE/

 

[Smokescreen]

Roof vents help alleviate heat in the rafters