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Challenger v. Bendpak

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Wesley B

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jbs

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I have the Challenger E10 and am happy with it. I have no experience with Bendpak, so can't offer helpful comparisons.

I found out after purchase that the E10 is the only Challenger lift not made in the USA (China unfortunately). They don't advertise this loudly (they understandably emphasize their made-in-the-USA lifts), but they are honest if you ask.
 
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Wesley B

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jbs said:
I have the Challenger E10 and am happy with it. I have no experience with Bendpak, so can't offer helpful comparisons.

I found out after purchase that the E10 is the only Challenger lift not made in the USA (China unfortunately). They don't advertise this loudly (they understandably emphasize their made-in-the-USA lifts), but they are honest if you ask.
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Thanks for your response! I wonder if the VS10 is USA made?
 
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GeorgiaHybrid

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I just bought a CL10V3 from Challenger that should be installed when I get back home next week. That lift is made in Kentucky and I'm almost certain the VS10 is also. Just give them a call and ask as they have always been open and above board in my dealings with them. They do have some made overseas but the bulk of their lifts are made here and they don't have a problem telling you which ones are domestic or foreign.
 
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pattenp

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I have a Challenger CL9 and I know it's made in the US. One difference between the Challenger and Bendpak is Bendpak has a one piece column whereas Challenger is a two piece column. I guess the two piece column gives Challenger the ability to sell the lift in different height configurations using the same base column parts.
 
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darkk

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After careful research I bought the Band Pak HD9-XW. It appeared to be a better deal shipped for the money and has suited my needs very well. I would buy another Bend Pak if I needed it.
 
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Bruce Amacker

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I also have the E10 and am very happy with it. I had Mohawks for years in my commercial shop but the E10 is in my hobby shop. I really like the screw pad adapters over others.

The E10 has a power unit with 2 labels- on one side it says "Made in USA" and on the other side it says "Made in Mexico". I pointed this out to one of their sales guys at a trade show. :)

Yes, the bulk of the lift is made in China like all inexpensive lifts, but the quality is excellent. I paid $2800+140 for truck adapters+tax=$3200ish picked up at a distributor, which happens to be about 2 miles away from my shop.

I don't think I'd put a 9-10KLB diesel pickup on it, but I'm happy.
 
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Wesley B

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Bruce Amacker said:
I also have the E10 and am very happy with it. I had Mohawks for years in my commercial shop but the E10 is in my hobby shop. I really like the screw pad adapters over others.

The E10 has a power unit with 2 labels- on one side it says "Made in USA" and on the other side it says "Made in Mexico". I pointed this out to one of their sales guys at a trade show. :)

Yes, the bulk of the lift is made in China like all inexpensive lifts, but the quality is excellent. I paid $2800+140 for truck adapters+tax=$3200ish picked up at a distributor, which happens to be about 2 miles away from my shop.

I don't think I'd put a 9-10KLB diesel pickup on it, but I'm happy.
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Most diesel pickups are #8500 and down, which is what I will be lifting a lot of. So I hope a #10000 lift will suffice.
 
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Wesley B

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pattenp said:
I have a Challenger CL9 and I know it's made in the US. One difference between the Challenger and Bendpak is Bendpak has a one piece column whereas Challenger is a two piece column. I guess the two piece column gives Challenger the ability to sell the lift in different height configurations using the same base column parts.
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Good observation, I didn't see that. Is there a challenger dealer in Va? That's where I live as well.
 
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Wesley B

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Usa made isn't my main concern, just a benefit. The bendpak has 1/2 inch cables and I can't find what size the challenger vs10 has. And the bendpak has a nice warranty and I can't find any warranty info on the challenger.
 
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e-tek

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Wesley B said:
Most diesel pickups are #8500 and down, which is what I will be lifting a lot of. So I hope a #10000 lift will suffice.
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I have a BP and am extremely happy with it. I did a poll here and most guys here have BP's. The VP (Jeff) is also a member here and gives incredible service to our members, over and above the good service from the retailer.

As far as weight, I have the HD9 XTW and they are tested to TWICE that designation, so 18,000lbs! I would feel safe having any 9000 lb truck on it.

BP has an ad that shows how much thicker the metal is vs a Rotary, as well as using thicker cables, and metal sheaves.
 
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pattenp

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Wesley B

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revlover

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I'm pretty sure the Challenger CL models are made in Kentucky but not sure about their E or V models. They do have an offshore lift brand as well called Quality Lifts. I would assume if priced in the Bendpak range, most often offshore. Nonetheless I'm sure still a fine lift.

The service part on lifts that often requires the most frequent service and replacement are the cables and I think more important than cable diameter is sheave diameter when it comes to wear and fraying.

Also, maybe others will chime in here; make sure you get the extra height adapters. It looks like the Challenger screw adapters may not give you enough extension. Often on trucks and vans you need at least 6" of extra pad height.
 
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jeb42

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I got the Challenger E10 about a month ago for 3000.00 installed, and it had the extra adaptors included with it. I also have used an E12 at work we had installed a year ago, as well as a Rotary in ground lift installed in the early 80's. So far I am pleased with the E series Challenger lifts for home and light use. If I were going to use a lift for 40 hours a week like I used to, I would spend more for a domestic brand lift, but the E series does the job for medium duty just fine.
 
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pattenp

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How do the hydraulic cylinders on the Challenger E10 work. Are they bolted at the top/static and pull up from the top to lift the vehicle. I have noticed a lot of the Chinese ones are made that way. To me the down side of that is the cylinder rams are left exposed when the lift is in the lowered position. My Challenger CL9 pushes up from the floor plate so when the lift is in the lowered position the cylinders are fully retracted and the ram is not left exposed to collect dirt.

Edit: I see online the E10 does push up from the floor plate the same as the CL models.
 
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bud5415

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Wesley B said:
Never heard back from challenger rep, so looks like Bendpak it is.
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It appears from my own experience Challenger has extremely poor marketing. Should not be like pulling teeth just to buy a Challenger lift in whatever state you live in. BendPak gets back with you right away with a willing dealer to sell you a lift.
 
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Wesley B

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e-tek said:
I have a BP and am extremely happy with it. I did a poll here and most guys here have BP's. The VP (Jeff) is also a member here and gives incredible service to our members, over and above the good service from the retailer.

QUOTE]

So far I agree!
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