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2 post Asymmetric v. Symmetric lift question

cardana24

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Joined
Aug 23, 2012
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14
Hey guys, I am in the market for a 9-10k lb lift. I understand what Asymmetric and Symmetric lifting are, but I would like some opinions. I mostly want opinions. I work mostly on cars, but I do have a 3/4 ton f250 that weighs about 6500 pounds. What I am wondering is should I try to find a lift that does symmetric (for lifting the truck) lifting and asymmetric lifting or will I be fine with using an asymmetric lift for the big stuff too? The reason I ask is because most lifts are either set up to do one or the other. There are some that do both....are these any good? I assume it's like anything else, tools that claim to do everything do neither thing particularly well. If everything is equal I would prefer to get an asymmetrical lift, but I want to make sure it will be fine for my truck too. The only reason I am considering a lift that lifts both ways is to accommodate my truck or any pick up truck that weighs under 10k lbs. Does anyone have experience with this? Also if it matters all lifts that I am considering are two post with the overhead beam (clear floor).
 
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APEowner

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Oct 2, 2009
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I work mostly on cars, but I do have a 3/4 ton f250 that weighs about 6500 pounds.

I don't know what year or configuration your F250 is but you might want to weigh it. Mine is 8k with half a tank of fuel and no driver.
 
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cardana24

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Aug 23, 2012
Messages
14
I don't know what year or configuration your F250 is but you might want to weigh it. Mine is 8k with half a tank of fuel and no driver.

I have a 94, you probably have a newer truck. I go to the scrap yard regularly so unless their scales are way off my truck should be pretty close to this weight. Its a 94 idi 7.3, auto, 4x4 single cab, SRW truck.
 

sz0k30

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Feb 12, 2014
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SE Michigan
I just work on my cars (no trucks) & have a 2 post Aresco 9000# symmetrical lift.

Usually I have to push the car into or out of final position because I can't get in or out with the car on the hoist, (not enough room to open the door wide enough). Its hard enough to push on flat ground without trying to go over a hump.

With my garage & hoist layout a symmetrical hoist lets me pull the car in frontwards or backwards depending on what I might want to do. Can't do that with an asymmetrical.
 
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cardana24

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Aug 23, 2012
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So if I have the room would the best bet be an extra wide symmetric? Are there any drawbacks to the extra wide set up other than obviously taking up a little more space?
 

goforride57

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Feb 20, 2011
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300
Location
Upstate NY
Put it this way, if you get an asymmetric lift and work on big crew cab trucks, you'll have a lot of fun squeezing yourself out the door because the column is tilted in towards the truck. Get extra wide symmetric lift. 10k with 2 stage arms if possible. Only draw back is space. I've got a Bendpak in my shop but it doesn't have the extra stage in the arms so I can't reach out far as I would like to when picking up crew cab trucks.
 
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