Date:         Mon, 7 Dec 1998 17:41:27 -0500
Reply-To:     Ed Stevens <ejstevens@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Ed Stevens <ejstevens@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Need Height Measurement
Comments: To: Vanagon List <vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

On 12/7/98 12:45 PM, Brian Doss eloquently inscribed

>I'm drawing up plans for a garage so I won't have to work in my limestone
>driveway any longer! I have a Weekender now, but I need to know just how much
>door height clearance I'll need for a Westy (I will have one eventually). Can
>someone measure the height over thier top for me?, (Synchros will be more,
>I'm
>sure).
>Thanks a lot!
>
i find my 84 Wolfsburg westie GL fits inside a standard opening single
garage door (7x8 foot).  BUT there are lots of buts here at my house.
The roof vent MUST be closed, I feel better if the side mirrors are in
and:

(1) the door has to be all the way up for the closed roof-vent of the
westie to get in, sometimes I wedge an aluminum can between the bottom of
the raised door and the top of the frame, just to get another inch or so.
 I feel better if I have a spotter

(2) garage door openers may not lift the door enough to clear the vent
(so you can release the opener and proceed with step #1 above as I do

(3) the garage door opener bracket or arm that attaches to the garage
door on my non westie door (I have a two door two car garage) is too low
when the door is in the up top position (it will scrape the roof), I
cannot use that bay for my westie.

I am in the process of redesigning my garage from two single doors with a
non-load bearing divider wall in-between them, to a large extra-wide
extra-tall door.  I will keep the list informed, but it will not happen
until the spring.

In your situation I would really go for a custom height beyond the 7 foot
standard, since you sound like you are starting from scratch that may be
possible for you.  It will cost 15-20% more but I think it is worth it.



-peace
Ed Stevens
Valley Forge PA