Rotary or BendPak???

[Will McRay]

Hello everyone. I am new to the group but have been lurking and reading. I am in the process of finalizing my garage plans for a 30x57 detached garage. I found ideas from this site on how to tackle certain things and have took the builder back to the drawing board, but I think I have locked things down now. I have planned the design to have a bay with a two post lift. The question about lift I have is, I narrowed them down to Rotary and BendPak. Both are good and have great reports on this site. BendPak is now made overseas which is a negative and Rotary is made right here. The designs are reliable and Rotary cost a bit more. Cost to me is not a factor, its the design for safety. When I look at BendPak is see things I like in the design such as the single piece columns and how robust the structure is. Rotary is lighter and not as robust with a two piece columns, but has a tremendous reputation as well. I have read all the manuals and spoke with the companies and they will sell their products so you have to take that with a grain of salt. I plan on lifting a 2500HD Crew Cab Long Bed GMC. I feel a 10k lift is tipping the upper limits of the lift capacity and have decided that a 12k is what I will go with. I know I have read on this forum that a lot of folks use a 10k with no problems, but still feel the safety margin is not there for me to be comfortable especially for a home hobbyist. I am looking for good hoenst opinions and recommendations for all of you all experience. Thank you all for reading and I look forward to hearing great things to help.

Will

 

[BoostAddiction]

Few of us are in the industry or have both of them.

I have a Rotary that has been trouble free since install in 2005. I chose it because it was made here, was reasonably inexpensive (compared to Mohawk, for example), and was used extensively in the Porsche shops I frequently subsidize.

It's been a great choice for me, and I'd likely do it again, but I'm guessing that the Bend Pak is comparable and I know there are GJers who have them and like them.

You probably can't go wrong with either of them. Just pick the one you like best and be happy.

 

[zkdiesel]

The two piece colum on rotary is just the upper section and all it does is support the cross bar, the two piece isn't a design flaw and allows adjustability of height
10k is fine for that truck, but the triple arm cOnfiguration would be worth buying on rotary

 

[pattenp]

The lift is no stronger than the floor that it's anchored to. Make sure you have the proper thickness and PSI rated concrete for the lift you plan to purchase. BTW - did you look at Challenger Lifts?

 

[soapii]

I plan on lifting a 2500HD Crew Cab Long Bed GMC. I feel a 10k lift is tipping the upper limits of the lift capacity and have decided that a 12k is what I will go with.

If you are doing it for your own reasons that is fine. But a 10K lift has its own safety factor built into it, it's not like they fall apart at the 10K point. With that being said I'm not recommending that you exceed the lifting capacity but you are far below the rated capacity with the truck you mention. Curb weight for a 2500HD CC LB is only 6700# on GMC's website.

--Joe

 

[Diesel Dan]

Another USA made lift is Worth, I have a 9K floor plate model.

 

[432bullet]

X2 My 1999 f 350 crew cab dully, just weighs 6800 lbs full of fuel.

 

[Will McRay]

Thanks guys. I think I had GVWR mixed up with Curb Weight. I need to get my vehicle weighed just so I know what it weighs. I have a ARE Truck Cap that adds weight. That said, if a 10K lift provides a good margin of safety, I can certainly save money on a lift. The wife will be happy. Now its a matter of which one. Right now I think either one will suit my needs with no issue. Being built right here in America may make the difference in decision.

 

[Bob C]

I guess I am a little biased. I install Rotary for a living. I just did a small Rotary lift today close to Pittsburgh, Pa. To me, Rotary is the top class of auto lifts. Money well spent. IMO.

 

[jlckmj]

You don't say where you live. If you are in the midwest, check out the link below. You may be able to save a considerable amount of money.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=220295

Jim

 

[Will McRay]

I live in Fredericksburg, VA. There is a Rotary dealer in Maryland and they will deliver and install for $650.00.

 

[brownbagg]

if you can afford a rotary then by all means by a rotary. its like a harley and a honda, they both going get down the road just fine, but you always going want the harley

 

[jlckmj]

if you can afford a rotary then by all means by a rotary. its like a harley and a honda, they both going get down the road just fine, but you always going want the harley

Brownbagg,
pretty poor analogy there, I have had Harley's and now ride a Honda and would never go back.

Jim

 

[gnxtc2]

BendPak XPR-10 (symmetrical) here

Lifting my friend's '02 F350 Powerstroke crew cab w/ 8' bed with cap.

And my truck - 1997 F250 Powerstroke SuperCab w/ 8' bed.

2 out of the 4 arms on my BendPak are 3 stage arms.

For the GMC truck, get a symmetrical lift.

Billy T.
[email protected]

 

[c39er]

I have both Rotary-not the cheaper Revolution line and Bendpak lifts of the same rating. Both work well but my Rotary lift is a better quality lift. The ram never leaks a drop, the bolts, parts and instructions are all top notch.
The Bendpak is really a good lift too. My second pick.

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

bought a used rotory spa9000 used for my chevy dually, now my dodge ram diesel. never leaks or misses a beat. like the flip up pads on the lifts and I do have the asymmetrical unit.

 

[pattenp]

Contact these folks to see what they can get you. This is who I purchased my Challenger lift through. I was originally looking at a Rotary but they had the Challenger in stock and gave me a better price on it.

Myers Tire Supply
Richmond Sales Office
12784 Oak Lake Court Ste B
Midlothian VA, 23112

Phone: 804-714-0720
Toll free: 800-552-4411

I live in Fredericksburg, VA. There is a Rotary dealer in Maryland and they will deliver and install for $650.00.

 

[BoostAddiction]

I live in Fredericksburg, VA. There is a Rotary dealer in Maryland and they will deliver and install for $650.00.

If you are talking about B&R, they did my lift. I was happy with the install, and after they arrived realized that I couldn't have done it myself- the lift columns were unloaded from the truck by sliding them, then lifting them up with two mesomorphs.

They sent a two-man crew and had it up pretty quickly. It didn't look like this was the first one they'd seen- they were fast and efficient.

 

[Garage Dog]

Hello everyone...I am in the process of finalizing my garage plans for a 30x57 detached garage...I have planned the design to have a bay with a two post lift. The question about lift I have is, I narrowed them down to Rotary and BendPak. Both are good and have great reports on this site. BendPak is now made overseas which is a negative and Rotary is made right here...Cost to me is not a factor, its the design for safety...I am looking for good honest opinions and recommendations for all of you all experience. Thank you all for reading and I look forward to hearing great things to help.

Will

Hi Will,

Sounds like you are researching everything and taking time to get everything right with your build - congrats, planing and researching is part of the fun.

To your question,

A friend of mine has had 3 Rotary lifts in his commercial shop for 12 years and last year added another Rotary to make it 4 Rotary lifts, 3 of the lifts are 2 post. Buying a fourth Rotary after using the other three for 11 years tells you something.

I happen to have a BendPak lift (not a 2 post) but think it is well made and have not had any issues..

I think that both Rotary and BendPak are quality lifts and either will serve you well, however, cost was an issue for me.

If cost is truly not a factor for you, I would suggest you do some research on Mohawk Lifts. If money was not a factor, that is what I would own.

If you search Mohawk here on GJ, you will find thread by a member that compares the 3 lifts in his garage. It is worth reading.

Your looking for opinions, that is mine.

GD

 

[chadman]

I have a Rotary myself. I didn't like the idea of standing under an overseas built lift with 7K over my head.

 

[chadman]

Brownbagg,
pretty poor analogy there, I have had Harley's and now ride a Honda and would never go back.

Jim

I can ussure you that millions of people would beg to differ with you. You see Honda/Suzuki/Yamaha copying H-D but you don't see H-D trying to copy them. There is a good reason for that.

 

[jomobco]

I can ussure you that millions of people would beg to differ with you. You see Honda/Suzuki/Yamaha copying H-D but you don't see H-D trying to copy them. There is a good reason for that.

One might say there's unmet demand for an ultra reliable product in that category

 

[rburke65]

I would vote for the Rotary....as always, just my opinion.

 

[macdabs]

I have had a Rotary for over 10 years and just purchase the last BendPak lift last year that will ever be in my garage.

Mac

 

[chadman]

One might say there's unmet demand for an ultra reliable product in that category

Tell that to the guy I work with that has 117,000 miles on his 2003 Electraglide.

 

[jimkaniki]

I can ussure you that millions of people would beg to differ with you. You see Honda/Suzuki/Yamaha copying H-D but you don't see H-D trying to copy them. There is a good reason for that.

The reason, I'll bet, is money. To each his own, but Japanese bikes are the coolest machines on the road these days, IMHO.

 

[zkdiesel]

BendPak XPR-10 (symmetrical) here

Lifting my friend's '02 F350 Powerstroke crew cab w/ 8' bed with cap.

And my truck - 1997 F250 Powerstroke SuperCab w/ 8' bed.

2 out of the 4 arms on my BendPak are 3 stage arms.

For the GMC truck, get a symmetrical lift.

Billy T.
[email protected]

Doesn't say much when you have stands on both ends for additional support on an empty Pickup truck.....

 

[c39er]

oooooh that hurt^^^^^

 

[pattenp]

It's says a lot about being safe. It has nothing to do with the lift. Depending on what's being done, having the stands under each end is a smart thing to do.

Doesn't say much when you have stands on both ends for additional support on an empty Pickup truck.....

 

[jomobco]

Tell that to the guy I work with that has 117,000 miles on his 2003 Electraglide.

And a AAA premier card to get him home

 

[zkdiesel]

It's says a lot about being safe. It has nothing to do with the lift. Depending on what's being done, having the stands under each end is a smart thing to do.

yes, but by judging whats being done its not needed. watched stupid people wreck stuff doing that more then they probably have saved stuff. I do use support stand when needed, but im either removing a major weight component, or my lift is maxed out to the limits.

 

[pattenp]

gnxtc2 felt the stands were needed, so that's all that matters.

yes, but by judging whats being done its not needed. watched stupid people wreck stuff doing that more then they probably have saved stuff. I do use support stand when needed, but im either removing a major weight component, or my lift is maxed out to the limits.

 

[Ign]

gnxtc2 felt the stands were needed, so that's all that matters.

Exactly. It's no different than setting the parking brake even when empty. The vehicle shouldn't pop out of gear (or Park), but the extra security of a parking brake is never a bad thing.

I assume the OP has seen Bendpak's photo comparison of their lifts and Rotary's. The "Study in Lift Design?"

 

[79mudbugg]

I have a Rotary myself. I didn't like the idea of standing under an overseas built lift with 7K over my head.

Ever think that the parts came overseas and they just put it together here??
do to popular belief alot of things are done this way!! sad but true

 

[79mudbugg]

It's says a lot about being safe. It has nothing to do with the lift. Depending on what's being done, having the stands under each end is a smart thing to do.

i agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a f350 on top of you would make the day just be bad!

 

[koster88]

I have 2 of the BendPak Lifts X10a? Very happy with them.

 

[chadman]

Ever think that the parts came overseas and they just put it together here??
do to popular belief alot of things are done this way!! sad but true

According to the law it is illegal do do that and label it as "made in the USA". It then needs to read as "assembled in the USA".

 

[chadman]

And a AAA premier card to get him home

wrong

 

[gnxtc2]

Doesn't say much when you have stands on both ends for additional support on an empty Pickup truck.....

The reason the stands under the truck is that I was taking out the transmission/transfer case. The stands take out the "bounce". It has nothing to do with the lift's ability. The truck is sitting on the lift's locks.

When I do oil changes or other light work, I don't use the stands.

Billy T.
[email protected]

 

[911mike]

Brownbagg,
pretty poor analogy there, I have had Harley's and now ride a Honda and would never go back.

Jim

I have to agree with you 100% after owning both. When I first read the comment I about pissed my pants laughing.