Best Four Post Car Lift for Garage Storage and Vehicle Maintenance
News 11/08/2024
Well, if you’re lookin’ to lift up a car, truck, or any ol’ vehicle, you might’ve heard folks talkin’ ‘bout these 4-post car lifts. Now, don’t get all confused like, ’cause I’m gonna tell you all ’bout ’em in the simplest way possible, so ya don’t have to be scratchin’ your head, wondering what’s what. A four-post car lift is just what it sounds like—it’s a big ol’ lift that’s supported by four sturdy posts, and you drive your car right up onto it. Simple as that!
Now, I know some folks might be askin’, “Why not just use a two-post lift?” Well, that’s a good question. A two-post lift’s all right if you just need to get under the car for some quick work, but if you’ve got a bigger vehicle or need a place to store your car for a while, then a four-post lift’s what you’re lookin’ for. It holds up the car by the wheels, which means you don’t gotta worry ’bout the frame, and it leaves plenty of space underneath the vehicle for whatever you might need to do. Plus, these things are real sturdy, so you don’t gotta worry ’bout the thing wobblin’ or wobblin’ off like a two-legged chicken!
When it comes to buyin’ one, there’s a few things you gotta think about. First off, the weight capacity. You don’t want one of these lifts to give out on you when you’ve got a heavy truck or somethin’ on it. Some of them can hold as much as 33,000 lbs, which is a lot of weight, but if you don’t need all that, you can find smaller ones that hold less, like around 8,000 lbs or so. Just make sure you know how much your vehicle weighs, and pick one that can handle it without any problems.
Another thing you gotta consider is how much space you’ve got. These four-post lifts take up a bit more room than them two-post ones. If you’re workin’ out of a little garage, you might not have the space for a big ol’ lift. But if you’ve got the room, then you’re golden! Just make sure your ceiling’s tall enough, too. These lifts need a little extra height, especially if you want to store more than one car.
Now, some folks get worried about installin’ these lifts. But let me tell you, it ain’t all that complicated. Most of ‘em come with instructions, and once you’ve got ’em up and runnin’, they pretty much do all the work for ya. Of course, it’s always a good idea to get a professional to set it up, especially if you ain’t sure ’bout the concrete or how to bolt it all together. But once it’s in place, you’re gonna love it! It’s like havin’ your very own car elevator right in your garage.
Speaking of installation, ya gotta think about what kind of concrete you’ve got down in your garage. Most lifts need some pretty solid concrete to sit on. Some of these lifts require a minimum thickness of about 4.25 inches, but some of the bigger ones might need 6.5 inches. If you don’t have thick enough concrete, then you might need to pour some more to make sure it’s safe. And you gotta let that concrete cure for a while, usually about 28 days, so don’t rush it!
If you’re just lookin’ for a place to store your cars for a while, a four-post lift’s a great option. They don’t just hold up your car, they also provide a nice, flat platform to store the vehicle on. This makes it a great choice if you need to keep a few extra cars in the garage. You can park ‘em up there and still have plenty of room down below to do work on other stuff.
Let’s talk about some of the brands you might find out there. BendPak’s a good name that comes up often. They’ve got the HD7P, which is a more compact model, but still holds up to 7,000 lbs. Then you’ve got Tuxedo’s FP9K, which is another good option, known for being strong and durable. And if you’re willin’ to spend a bit more, Wildfire Lifts has a new style with a wraparound locking mechanism, so you don’t gotta worry about any wobble or failure in the structure.
Before you go ahead and buy one, make sure you check the reviews from folks who’ve already used it. There’s plenty of ‘em out there, and they’ll give you the real deal on whether the lift is worth your time and money. Folks will tell you how it’s held up over the years, if it’s easy to install, and if it works like it’s supposed to.
So, all in all, a four-post car lift’s a great addition to any garage, especially if you’ve got more than one vehicle to store or work on. They’re sturdy, they make life easier, and they can save you a ton of space. Just make sure you’ve got the right weight capacity, enough room, and good concrete, and you’ll be good to go!
Tags:[four post car lift, car lift, garage storage, vehicle storage, weight capacity, garage lift, concrete requirements, BendPak, Tuxedo FP9K, Wildfire Lifts, lift reviews, vehicle maintenance]