When I originally researched garage ceiling pulleys for this article (several years ago), I couldn't help but notice that too many of them were flimsy and therefore dangerous. I've ditched the idea of a hand-drawn ceiling pulley, as you'll learn in this article, I don't trust even the good ones anymore.
The best garage ceiling pulley is an automated platform from Garage Gator. It allows you to store 220 lb. on a 6 ft. x 3 ft. platform on the ceiling. The automated platform makes it easy to access ceiling storage while removing the garage stuff from the floor.
Get the Garage Gator Platform on Amazon.
Why I Gave Up on Hand-Drawn Pulleys
When I recommended hand-drawn pulleys several years ago, I had to sift through scores of flimsy models to find two good brands.
Most of the hand-drawn pulleys I found had obvious weak spots.
As someone who is very hesitant to put anything on the ceiling for fear it will fall on someone underneath, I was shocked at the low quality of the pulleys for sale.
I liked and recommended the Floaterhoist and the StoreYourBoard pulleys, but you cannot buy these anymore.
The Floaterhoist is no longer for sale, and the StoreYourBoard was recalled, which goes to show that even my favorites were not reliable.
I regret ever mentioning hand-drawn pulleys on this blog.
I think that the pulley manufacturers were competing on price.
Rather than differentiate themselves with high-quality ceiling storage solutions, they cut corners to match competitors' price cuts.
It was the garage pulley epic race to the bottom.
So what are the other options for garage ceiling storage?
While the Garage Gator line of automatic ceiling storage solutions is much more expensive than hand-drawn pulleys, you're paying for the quality of engineering and materials that you don't see in manual pulleys.
Reclaim Garage Space with Proslat Garage Gator Platform Storage Lift
Ever felt overwhelmed by the clutter of seasonal decorations, sports equipment, or camping gear?
Well, wave goodbye to disorder and say hello to your new, organized life with the Garage Gator's automated ceiling storage solution.
This is the platform that lets you store large and heavy items out of the way, but easily access them when you need them.
Store Up to 220 LB. of Stuff on the Garage Ceiling
The Garage Gator platform installs on the ceiling joists and accepts no more than 220 lb. of inventory.
The max load plus the 100 lb. weight of the platform is well below the maximum weight you can hang from the garage ceiling.
To understand the weight capacity of a garage ceiling, look at my article How Much Weight Can I Hang From My Garage Ceiling?
The Gator platform has a control button that allows you to lower and raise the platform.
This means you never have to climb to the ceiling to get your stuff.
The platform is 6 ft. x 3 ft., and the push-button controller wire is 15 ft. long.
Garage Gator Storage Ideas
The platform's 18 sf. area means you can store boxes, tools, and even bicycles on the ceiling. Garage Gator remarks that you can store “garden equipment, boxes, storage containers, holiday decorations, outdoor furniture, golf bags/backpacks, coolers, fishing supplies, sports supplies, winter clothes,” and I'm sure they're right.
The automated platform might be more expensive than the hand-drawn pulleys, but here's the thing.
If you store property on the garage ceiling, you're taking the risk that the pulley and stuff will fall on someone or your car.
Speaking for myself, I'd rather spend what it takes to know I installed a safe storage system than buy a pulley that is part of a class of failed products.
