Two Car Lifts (Tandem)

[Bamafan]

First-time poster, but I have learned a lot about lifts from studying this forum.

I am moving to Greenville, SC and will be building a garage onto an existing home. I want space to store four cars, but it looks like a 2-car garage is the way to go in the space we have (about 30' wide by 23' deep). Hence, I am very seriously considering a two-car, tandem lift. The garage will have a bonus room above it, but I am spec-ing a 12' ceiling. I want the lift to go quite high so my wife is not intimidated by the structure

Here are a few options:

BendPak HD-9SWX. Very reasonably priced; optional aluminum inserts make it look pretty good. http://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/four-post-lifts/hd-9swx.aspx

Gemini Super Twin. Looks great; costs 40% more than the BendPak. http://radliftsbygemini.com/portfolio-view/super-twin-two-car-lift/

BendPak PL-6KDT. Has the ability to raise and lower cars independently. BUT the lifts are solid platforms, so there is really no way to service a car. It's really just a very cool elevator. http://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/parking-lifts/pl-6kdt-pl-6kdtx

Does anyone here have experience with any of these lifts?

Are there options out there that I am not considering?

The garage is still in the design phase, so we can pretty much modify the interior to suit the lift.

Thanks in advance for any advice you have.

 

[mglotus]

My experience with single car lifts is that it is a pain in the *** moving the lower car in or out constantly to work on the upper car. I can only imaging having to move two cars our EVERY time I wanted one off the upper cars

 

[Bamafan]

I'll take that as one vote for the PL-6KDT since it lets you move the cars independently!

Anyone on here have experience with two-car lifts?

 

[ivel38]

I hope the cars on top don't leak any fluids.

 

[Bamafan]

They have drip pans between the rails. They have optional aluminum plates that drop in to provide an uninterrupted load floor to give a smooth look and to allow for storage of odd-shaped items like riding lawnmowers.

 

[LXCam]

That last one. That wouldnt be my choice. Even if my only use was strictly to get a ride up n out of the way there's no chance in hell I would have 100% faith in it. I own a extra long extra wide 12klb BP and am perfectly happy. A double version may not be the best option for servicing a car on, but if I were in your shoes that'd be my choice. The lack of safeties on that cable version scares the **** out of me.

Good luck on your choice.

 

[Bamafan]

You guys have given me a lot to think about. I was going for a double-wide lift to cut down on clutter and open up the space. Two singles are actually cheaper. And I suppose they would be easier to move when I sell the house.

If I did two singles, I'd get two separate garage doors so I wouldn't have posts coming down in the middle of a double-wide door.