Parking a car on a two post?

[rottie102]

I have a big garage with a two post lift in it, big enough to work on a car etc but not big enough to park two cars in it. Would you trust a two post lift to keep one car on it and park another underneath for a longer time? The one on top would be a pretty light track/drift Nissan 200SX so I'm guessing a bit over a tonne. Lift is rated to over 3.5t.

[McWigglebum4th]

Put it this way

I would far rather a car dropped on another car then dropped on my head


trust it not to drop a car on your head?

[richs2891]

Does the 2 post lift not have a lock out mechanism ?
Some do some dont, if it does then yes no issues.
Does it need to be continually powered ?
Try it with the lighter car and nothing underneath and see what happens

[rottie102]

McWigglebum4th said:

Put it this way

I would far rather a car dropped on another car then dropped on my head


trust it not to drop a car on your head?

Yeah, But I'm not working underneath for few weeks/months constantly and that's what worries me. For the stress wear of the lift parts and even for the car, whether having all its weight suspended not in usual points (wheels) for prolonged periods of time will not bend the chassis etc.

[Sensibleboy]

Can you not put some chunky timber under the arms? It's pretty strong stuff if thick enough and will give you some peace of mind. I wouldn't worry about the car shell.

[kambites]

The chassis will be fine, as will the lift. The suspension bushes might not like it a great deal (unless the car is rose-jointed).

[TooMany2cvs]

I've seen some shonky ramps. I've never seen a ramp without a safety interlock where you need to lift a handle to lower it, else it'll engage big teeth into big notches on the verticals. If you're worried about sustained strain on the mechanism, lower it until they engage.

[feef]

Seen a few garages park their various vehicles like this overnight, when they've had to clear the forecourt or road outside the unit.

[sebhaque]

I'd try and roll the lower car out every weekend and bring the lift down, if only to lubricate the lift mechanism and put some weight on the supported car's suspension. Otherwise I can't see it being too much a problem unless you plan on leaving your cars like that for a few years.

[rigga]

Lift will be fine, car suspension won't be in full droop with the wheels attached, take them off if you plan on leaving it in the air for long periods.

[rottie102]

sebhaque said:

I'd try and roll the lower car out every weekend and bring the lift down, if only to lubricate the lift mechanism and put some weight on the supported car's suspension. Otherwise I can't see it being too much a problem unless you plan on leaving your cars like that for a few years.

I think that's what I'm gonna do. That will also give me a motivation to take that car out more often



Thanks guys!