Can you use a 2 post hoist as a car stacker?
 

Gentlemen,
Like many of us, I have four cars and a three car garage. To solve this storage problem, I'm looking to buy a 4 post hoist but the available space (length mainly) is making it hard to find a small enough 4 poster that will fit.
I'm thinking about a 4 poster because I want to work on my cars, as well as being car "stacker" for my 250SL Pagoda.
I have alway believed (possibly wrongly) that you cannot store a car long term on a 2 post hoist, because suspending the car with its wheels dangling down unsupported will eventually damage the suspension.
Is that correct or is it an urban myth?

Got 3 that way in my shop. No damage yet.

no problem, and the 2 post gives a lot more access for working on the car

+1

Access makes working almost like a desk job. No ramps to drive car up. Just position and lift.

I was paranoid about a two post lift but once I became familiar with the safety features on the arms it was a big ah-ha moment.

Get 2,000 pounds heavier than you think you will need.

I keep a car on my 2 poster and the boat underneath in the winter, no problems and no square tires.

I do this, but use a couple of ramps on the lift, so the car can be driven on and off, and the car isn't stored with the wheels drooped (which I'm not saying would be an issue, but if it's a concern....). Unfortunately I'm away from home and not have a photo, but if you're interested let me know and I'll "post" (hah) some.

I can't picture this... photos would be helpful. Inquiring minds want to know ;-)

I have a 10,000# Radial lift. It latches out about every foot of lift so the weight of the car is not resting on the hydraulic cylinders but on mechanical latches. I have left my car on the lift for over a year while doing repair work on it. No problem. There is no way it would damage the suspension. Damage what?

What about drip pans? On a 4 post, the car below is protected from the inevitable drips by the sliding pans.

Ok, I found this one shot on my phone. Note that the black ramps sticking out behind the 356 aren't attached, just wedged under the rear tire for storage.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1425759986.jpg

Lmft4u...

Licensed marriage and family therapist??

Not exactly, Let Me Fix That 4 U :D:):D

Isn't that kinda the same thing...? ;)

JJ, where did you buy those drive on ramps? I did a lot if searching about 6 months ago and could not find anyone who sold them.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

rpc356,
That is awesome setup you have (and my two favorite cars). That 2-post lift with the ramps would be ideal for my needs. Can you share more information on the manufacturers?

Frank, happy to provide the manufacturer and more photos at the end of the week when I'm back in town.

You're just as speedy as I am when I pretend I'm a mechanic!

If you are going to drive on, why not a 4 post? I don't get it.

OK, that clinched it for me - the best of both worlds. When I ever get a lift that's what I'm gonna do...


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1425782935.jpg

That's one high garage ceiling.

How's the house ?

I just straighten up rpc356 photo. He will post detail next week

Space is one consideration. In my case, I wanted full access to the underside provided by the two post, and the ability to do all the mechanical work. With the ramps I also get the ability to double park. It's a bit of a compromise, but I've been happy with it.

The garage was part of an addition we had done a while back when I got my first 356. It was designed to get a lift in -- 10 ft walls and a pitched ceiling to get the height, and slightly longer and wider than the typical garage.

We like it :-)

details of two-post ramps....
 

I got the ramps from Dambach Ramps (#Dambach Ramps of New Castle, PA specializing in Ramps, ATV Ramps, Trailer Ramps, Heavy Duty Ramps, Wheelchair Ramps, Bobcat Ramps) about 10 years ago. They're 10' long and 3" high. I don't see them on their website, but at the time they were a stock item. The length is fine, but I was probably conservative with the height. You might talk to the folks at Dambach.

The ramps are attached to the lift with one bolt at each pad. It takes about 10 minutes to unmount or mount the ramps to the lift.

The approach ramps are 4' utility ramps my dad gave me. I drilled holes through the approach ramps and the tail of the Dambach ramp, and just drop a couple of bolts into each one to pin them in place for loading and unloading. Four feet works fine for the 356, but I haven't driven the (lower) 911 up there, so YMMV.

The wooden blocks are there to keep the ramps/lift arms from bouncing around while driving up.

The drip pan sits on top of a couple of metal supports that slip into homemade brackets.

I haven't tried to get the 911 on the ramps, since it only goes on the lift for working on it, with the ramps off. The ramps were set up for the 356 width, so I'm not sure how well this would work out for the 911, since the ramp arrangement is fixed.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1426255403.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1426254929.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1426255613.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1426255770.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1426255980.jpg

Good thing you don't have that old black car taking up space :D
That's actually the first time I've seen the 73.5
Looking good!

Works like a charm

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0...o/garage_4.jpg

Of course, if you live in an earthquake zone, all bets are off...

Thanks Nathan. Yeah, happy I dumped that "old black car" on some unsuspecting soul ;-). And, hey, when is that ravenna green 914 gonna make an appearance?

Not any time soon, have my hands more full than usual.