Aligning a car to pull on lift

[my58]

Am I just really getting old or do others have problems aligning the car equally on the ramps before pulling onto their 4 post lift.

Do any of you use a mirror mounted or cameras to see the tires as they approach the ramps.

I thought about putting those tall orange bike flags on each side of the ramp as a marker, then I thought about a mirror on the wall angled down, and finally seeing how inexpensive security cameras are maybe mounting a monitor up high and a camera at each ramp at wheel level.

Does anyone have this issue with pulling evenly on their lift? Any suggestions other than new glasses?

Thanks

 

[admranger]

Find a permanent marker (or make one) at the back of the garage to sight along as you drive up. If you fix your eyes on it you should be able to just drive up time and time again. Your car will go where your eyes focus.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Yup, you're just getting old. It's like backing up a trailer or anything else, it just takes a little practice.

 

[Matt M PA]

I went nuts when first using my lift, but it's almost second nature now. I know with certain cars where the left wheels should be...and if I'm not sure I stop just before the rear wheels start onto the ramps...open the door and look.

I've seen where people place those big back of door mirrors on the wall in front of their 4 post lifts to help guide them on.

 

[countryroad82]

I have used a tennis ball on the top of my 2 post lift at work to help guide me straight, I line it up with the mirror and go. I stiil keep it there for other guys that pull in straight.

 

[rwhite692]

One thing I do before pulling cars on the lift, just for peace of mind, is to fold in the side mirrors (on my newer cars, anyway)....Just in case.

I did snag a cable while backing off the lift one time, the mirror folded back but scuffed the paint on the mirror a bit.

 

[darkk]

hahahaha....I'm one of those lucky people that just opens the garage door and drives on the ramp. I don't even make the effort and I get it perfect 99% time.

 

[Dadstoy]

I usually back mine on the lift. Just watch the mirrors.

 

[Falcon67]

Everybody's different. A mark on the wall or a tennis ball hung from a cord strung between the back posts can help you line it up. Make a mark on the driver's side platform so you can crack open a door and line it up with a mark on the car or the door sill plates. I use a seam on the trailer and a piece of blue tape on the rocker panel cover of the race car. You see this at the drag strip/races - I can drop my trailer ramps, drive around the pits and right up on the trailer. Others want/need people to keep them straight when loading.

Applies to boat ramps too - when we owned a bass boat and went fishing a lot, it was great sport to watch some folks load in and out.

 

[HAP]

Just get you one of those laser parking devises and pic a spot on your car and you will never be off again.

 

[my58]

Thanks for the input.

I am not worried about getting used to pulling my cars in, its when I have other peoples cars. I tried pulling my kids car in this weekend and I had to stop and get out and look then readjust and get out again. I figured there had to be a better way.

 

[mad57]

J.C.Whitney sells a mirror for just that, like $38 bucks, i was lucky and just found one at an auction, i KNOW my cars and nail it every time but like you stated others cars, or if you want the say (left) wheel close to the edge to do brakes you can get it. or look in junk yard for older trucks with pulling mirrors than you could put on both sides. ill post pics when i can.

 

[gsport]

mirrors..... works everytime. got'm free on craigslist

 

[ghnl]

I have three different size vehicles I often want to put on my lift (small - MG or Alfa Romeo, medium - Chrysler Sebring, large - F250 pick up). I put a strip of blue masking tape along the left ramp. I can lean out the driver's window and see the blue stripe. The small car's left tire fits just inside the blue stripe, the medium car's left tire fits right over the blue stripe. The truck's left tire fits nearly to the outside edge of the ramp.

 

[my58]

Here is what I am playing with. (see pics below) It is an old swing arm with a very old miniture monitor system. It allows me to move it easily for seeing when needed, move it out of the way when not needed. the camera displays the tire and ramp.

Now I have my next issue, Anyone come up with a good lighting method? My eyesight ***** and the more light the better. I have the halogen on stands and the burns on my body to prove it. I have seen lighting systems that mount to the side rail, the problem is they cost more than the lift. I have to figure with all the lifts on here someone has devised a lighting system for their lift. I saw the lights mounted to a hand truck, But I am looking for something a bit more permanent. Ideas????

Thanks

http://i39.tinypic.com/e63m8z.jpg[/IMG

[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/egs392.jpg

 

[9C1]

For lighting we used this product at the NCRS Regional in AZ last week. Works like a champ. it comes three different lengths. The vender there had them for less than this, but I don't know what length he had. I don't have that vender information here at work. PM me and I'll dig it up.

http://www.lumenytesecurity.com/sit...age.tpl&pop=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=11

Terry

 

[fordcragar]

Set up a laser pointer to hit the center of the hood, pointed down from the ceiling. It could be suspended between the lift uprights.

 

[abstamaria]

mirrors..... works everytime. got'm free on craigslist

Good idea!

 

[darkk]

Here is a link for a solution to your problem for $12.12


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JHM2AU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Chamberlain LiftMaster 975LM Laser Parking Assist
by Chamberlain
3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (62 customer reviews) | Like (5)
List Price: $39.95
Price: $12.12 ($12.12 / Unit)
You Save: $27.83 (70%)


And for two cars...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JK1A4K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Dual Car Laser Parking-Accurate Garage Parking Lasers
by Maxsa
3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews) | Like (2)
List Price: $39.95
Price: $27.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $11.96 (30%)

 

[atthebeach]

Like the OP, I find driving onto ramps a bit challenging. After seeing this thread, I picked up a $6 mirror (50" x 13") at Home Depot and made a wooden frame to stiffen it up and make it easier to temporarily mount to the front of my workbench. I don't use ramps very often, so when not in use the mirror will be stored up high on the wall out of the way where it won't get accidently broken or block access to under bench storage. The mirror is easy to remove from the mounts by just lifting and pulling free. I wasn't able to get a good picture of my car on the ramps, but what you see from the driver's seat is similar to what gsport posted above.

 

[kmkalf]

At work I roll down the window and put my head out to watch the front wheel, as long as it's centered I'm good

 

[Stuart in MN]

Like the OP, I find driving onto ramps a bit challenging. After seeing this thread, I picked up a $6 mirror (50" x 13") at Home Depot and made a wooden frame to stiffen it up and make it easier to temporarily mount to the front of my workbench.

Another thought would be to mount the mirror on the wall above the workbench, but angle it down so you can see the ramp and the front of the car when you approach the lift. That way you could leave it in one place instead of having to move it each time you use the lift.

 

[onthefence777]

The wall mirrors sounds like a great idea for me when it comes to strange cars. In HS auto class they had the typical round mirror, way too much distortion for that use. For expense free solution with lift mounted perpendicular to the wall, pull up, stop when you start climbing. Get out, look at the alignment in relation to the lift and correct as necessary. Center laser would make this most likely fail safe, line up center laser with rear view mirror and you're set.

YMMV, common sense, not legally liable thin-air thought.

 

[RVDan]

I bet you all can park perfect in a parking stall at the grocery store every time.

Paint some white lines on the floor.

 

[brownbagg]

why not just learn how to drive

 

[KaiserJeep]

Blue painter's tape. Cheap, replaceable, and non-permanent.

Our 2 post lift is installed at an angle in the barn/shop. Without the blue tape to line-up/center the approach and landing, it takes a moment or two to get a vehicle just right.

 

[Jarhead0408]

why not just learn how to drive

I knew a commenter like you would come along eventually...

Thanks for contributing.......nothing.