I want to build a moveable hot-tub...can you help?

[thefed]

Well, to make a long story short.... I am finishing my garage into a rec room. The house is build into a hill, so on the exposed side, you can pull into the garage, which is the same level as the basement.

Instead of using block to fill in the one of the garage doors, I want to leave it. I will hide the track in the ceiling and walls, and maybe have some big bifold doors so I can totally hide the garage door.

Right inside by the garage door, I want a hot-tub...on a motorized track or something, so I can open the garage door and move the hot tub outside. Outside I will have a nice little area to relax, not seen by the neighbors, and enjoy the sounds of the night while I soak my aching muscles from this w$rk I've been doing. I'll also have the option of having it inside to watch TV and relax. It would also lend itself well to having some fun while entertaining.

How should I go about making the hot tub fully portable AND the garage door fully water proof...which it is not right now. A bit of water will leak under the door during a heavy rain.

Thanks!

 

[Patrick]

How big is the hot tub? Water weighs 8 pounds per gallon, so a 300 gallon tub will weigh 2400 pounds (about the weight of a small car) in water, plus the weight of the tub itself. This is why tubs are usually put in one spot and left there. You will need a substantial chassis if you want to make it moveable.

You can get a new seal for the bottom of the door at bLowes or Home Despot.

 

[Mwsinron]

Hehe I want to see pictures when you get the rig set up

 

[thefed]

Sorry i didnt see you guys responded! I will certianly post pics when the time is right....but thats probably a year or so down the road.

So far my plan seem to be a welded, steel chassis (I know a good metal fabricator) on wheels, and 2 electric, quiet winches. I have to refin my plans though because what i am picturing will look too 'monster garage' for me!


btw i always thought water weighed 12 lbs/gallon? ill have to go google it now...

 

[Nords]

So far my plan seem to be a welded, steel chassis (I know a good metal fabricator) on wheels, and 2 electric, quiet winches. I have to refin my plans though because what i am picturing will look too 'monster garage' for me!

I've been holding back, but now that a technical solution has been identified I have to say that every time we've managed to make a hot tub move we've all regretted it...

 

[REWahoo]

... and 2 electric, quiet winches.

I like your thinking. No hot tub is complete without a couple of wenches.

 

[laurence]

I like your thinking. No hot tub is complete without a couple of wenches.

Martha is going to quietly beat you now!

 

[ladelfina]

I have to say that every time we've managed to make a hot tub move we've all regretted it...

Maybe you could think about ways to "open up" the garage more in nice weather (extra windows, doors?) rather than hauling the hot tub out? Hard to imagine w/o a picture of how far it's effectively buried in the hill, though.

I don't think a door seal alone is going to do much for rain infiltration. I would look into a raised sill, or better yet digging a drainage trench across the door opening, covered with a heavy-duty grate one could walk or (in the future) drive over.

 

[BUM]

thefed,

I got it! Buy another garage door opener and 2 pulleys. Lay the new track on the floor leading outside. Couple to the existing chain drive and PRESTO! You hit the remote and the "Love Boat" sets sail out the door!
Babe-alicious!

 

[laurence]

thefed,

I got it! Buy another garage door opener and 2 pulleys. Lay the new track on the floor leading outside. Couple to the existing chain drive and PRESTO! You hit the remote and the "Love Boat" sets sail out the door!
Babe-alicious!

That sounds pretty good, but do you think a 1.5 HP motor is going to be able to move a multi-thousand pound hot tub? Thems better be some low-friction sleds! Ball bearings, anyone?

 

[Mwsinron]

Do it FED you can make it happen! Another good idea would be to have those disco globes above it too.

 

[calmloki]

Two words: Red Green.