4 Post Lift??

[grabeb]

I'm building a garage and I've been researching 4 post lifts for a few months now. I was pretty sold on the Bendpak Hd-9XW, but after talking to a few people and hearing about theirs I'm all but sold on the Advantage DX-9000 XLT. At least I think that's the right model. My holdup on ordering is my builder is being a bit slow(understatement) and apparently having issues getting help, but they made me a decent offer on the lift IF I ordered it that day and they have 5 in the town I live, so no shipping, just a small handling fee. They tell me they don't care when I pick it up if I order and pay, but I'm really worried that the garage stretches out a few months and they will care. If I don't order ASAP, I have read that some lifts are months and months out and I know prices are creeping up on everything and I know full well that things will likely get worse before better and it might take a year or better.

I guess my question is how much have lifts gone up in value in recent year or two? Am I crazy for not ordering it now if they have it? If I at least had a concrete slab, I could tarp it and make framer work around it if need be. Obviously, it shouldn't take long to frame the garage, but we're already almost a month behind and the concrete isn't even in the ground. We had some discussion today, hopefully that changes things a bit. Thoughts?

If anyone has input on my current lift selection, I'm open to hear it. I have a Yukon XL, that will go on lift for service here and there. I'll be storing a 1960 Chevy Suburban on the lift otherwise. I am 6'2" tall and want it to go high enough I can walk under it when fully raised. Yes my ceiling will be tall enough. I like that Advantage includes a lot of accessories with theirs. They say they are ALI Certified. What sold me is, a local car club that has a warehouse to store everything from Ferrari's, Lambo's, Porsche's and various hot rods and race cars chose their lifts. A friends dad has one and has nothing bad to say. I just basically keep coming back to them.

 

[pbon]

Bendpak is wider between the runners/rails, which could be better if you do serious repair work. Prices are already up 25-50% compared to a few years ago.

 

[930dreamer]

Don't get in a situation where you have a new lift but no garage, if the builder has issues.

 

[grabeb]

Bendpak is wider between the runners/rails, which could be better if you do serious repair work. Prices are already up 25-50% compared to a few years ago.

So, are they expected to go down or would you not bet on it? I know wood products have crept back down, but will things like the lifts go back once steel prices go back lower?

 

[grabeb]

Don't get in a situation where you have a new lift but no garage, if the builder has issues.

That is my fear if he doesn't get his act together. I was planning on hiring out the concrete, framing the walls myself and then deciding what to do on the truss install and the roof. The siding, overhead door install and electrical is all being handled by me....well, I'll hire out what I don't do. I'm just not paying him to handle those aspects. So as long as concrete is down, I could deal with everything else. I'm just not crazy about having to call in favors to stand the 32' long 12' tall walls and the trusses, so I opted to pay him to take care of those things.

I figure if I can get him to get the concrete, the rest of his responsibilities should go quickly if he shows up. So the concrete is my main holdup. If that's down and I had to go get lift, he'd just have to figure out how to work around it laying there tarped up on the slab.

 

[930dreamer]

Don't hold your breath on this guy, but many reasons builders get behind. Don't pay for any work until it's finished.

 

[dagofast]

I have the slightly older Advantage SS-9000-XLT 4 post lift. It has been a very good lift with excellent support from Advantage. Based on the price increases I've seen since I bought mine in 2018 for $3400, I'm damn glad I bought it when I did. It sounds like you're committed to getting your garage built one way or another so if you've got the funds, I'd buy the lift now. Nothing is getting any cheaper these days.

 

[pbon]

I doubt prices will come down anytime soon, if ever. If they do, I think you will be waiting at least a year.

 

[M635_Guy]

Prices aren't coming down. If you're doing it, do it.

I'd invest in over-spec'ing the pad too. Make it 2-post-ready.

 

[FuzzyTiger]

Having owned a 4 post for a while now if I could do it again I'd definitely save some money and get a 2 post since they tend to be cheaper and you are always left thinking "I wish this was a 2 post".

 

[M635_Guy]

Having owned a 4 post for a while now if I could do it again I'd definitely save some money and get a 2 post since they tend to be cheaper and you are always left thinking "I wish this was a 2 post".

Definitely true for the wrenching scenario, but sounds like most of the time this will be for storage.

The answer, of course, is to have both...

 

[grabeb]

Prices aren't coming down. If you're doing it, do it.

I'd invest in over-spec'ing the pad too. Make it 2-post-ready.

I'm having the pad poured to 5" at 4000psi. They are adding #4 rebar(1/2), don't recall the spacing on that.

 

[finn]

I have a couple of Advantage four posts (9000 XLT and SS11000), as well as a 10k Bendpack asymmetric two post.

Build quality and general fit and finish is much better on the Advantage lifts. The Bendpack is about three years old.

After installing the four post Advantage lifts four months ago, I haven’t used the two post Bendpack. Part of that is because of the projects I am working on, but mostly I hate getting on my knees every time I spot a car on the two post. Probably wouldn’t have bothered me fifteen years Aho, but time catches up with you.

FYI, the Wildfire and a couple more who’s names escape me look to be nearly identical to the Advantage, except for paint color. I went with Advantage because I needed the ss11000 to lift my dually (it’s wider).

 

[grabeb]

I'm having the pad poured to 5" at 4000psi. They are adding #4 rebar(1/2), don't recall the spacing on that.

I just looked and contract is 2' OC for spacing of rebar. I was thinking that's what he spec'd out, but wanted to be certain.

I wont say i wouldn't buy a 2post ever for this garage, but it's highly unlikely.

 

[Nyati]

I love my 4 post Challenger. Holds an Escalade no problem.

 

[Higgins]

Good luck on your quest to find a 4 Post lift!

My only concern would be having the crate sitting on the cement pad for weeks and weeks and open to
the public view. These days you have to be mindful of what is happening in the construction industry these days!

Construction material is delivered to unsecured building sites. If the contractor doesn't start construction within the Next few days, the material is very settable to disappear.

AL

 

[grabeb]

Good luck on your quest to find a 4 Post lift!

My only concern would be having the crate sitting on the cement pad for weeks and weeks and open to
the public view. These days you have to be mindful of what is happening in the construction industry these days!

Construction material is delivered to unsecured building sites. If the contractor doesn't start construction within the Next few days, the material is very settable to disappear.

AL

Well, to answer that, it's off an alley so not everyone would see it. It also is behind a fence and gate and the thing if fully crated would weigh about 2-3000lbs. It'll be a chore to get it in there and thus out. But yes, building materials do tend to walk away and that is concerning. Hence the gate! In fact I'm looking into adding a sliding gate, I can move in front of garage for when I want to go out and work on things but keep visibility down while overhead door up, it'll also keep dogs from running out AND when I go out of town I can shut the gate for added protection!

 

[grabeb]

I love my 4 post Challenger. Holds an Escalade no problem.

I'll have to look into them as well. Love the Porsche, great color!! I've also been trying to figure out how to light things up under the lift, looks like you have a few LED work lights either mounted or magnetized to the post!

 

[Nyati]

They are magnetic LED - work really well. Costco- $30 for both