Last Updated on April 12, 2023
When selecting the right garage for a two-post lift, it is important to consider practical aspects such as overhead clearance and safety.
For starters, experts recommend that you have at least 12 feet between floor and ceiling as well motorheads suggest a bay size minimum of 12 ft tall x 12ft wide x 24 ft deep for optimal performance.
You should also ensure that you have enough space between the ceiling and your vehicle while considering the type or weight capacity of your lift, along with how deep your concrete slab needs to be. All these factors will guarantee smooth operations in any workspace.
Don’t be left in the dark. Read on to learn the accurate measurements in detail for a two-post lift garage and make sure your next project goes smoothly.
What Size Garage For 2 Post Lift: Primary Factors
Making the selection of a two-post lift for your garage can be tricky. Whether you have vehicles that vary in size, need to accommodate columns and arms to reach different heights, or require internal cylinder travel distances. There is much more than just length involved when deciding on an optimal dimension.
Here’s a list of the primary factors:
Ceiling Height
As mentioned earlier, experts generally recommend at least 12 feet between the floor and ceiling to optimize performance. Thus, if your garage has a lower-than-usual ceiling height, then you may not be able to accommodate a larger two-post lift.
Aside from this, if your ceiling is too high, you may need to add an additional support structure to safely install your two post-car lift systems.
Overall Width/Depth
A bay should be 12 ft tall, 12 ft wide, and 24 ft deep to work best with a two-post lift. This figure can vary depending on the size and weight capacity of the car lift being used as well as other factors like wheelbase length or ground clearance.
Make sure you account for the lift’s overall dimensions when calculating the total bay size needed.
Lifting Capacity
Depending on what type of vehicles or projects you plan on using your two-post car lift, its lifting capacity and overall dimensions will be impacted.
Most 2-post lifts come with ratings up to 6,000 to 30,000 lbs which should be more than enough power for most projects/vehicles homeowners will encounter. However, more heavy-duty lifts can be purchased if needed.
Usage
Another factor that needs to be considered when choosing your 2 post car lift is how it will be used. Will it be used primarily for service work or mostly for storage?
If it’s being used mainly for service work, then an extra column and larger platform might be needed to accommodate heavier vehicles such as SUVs and trucks. On the other hand, if it’s going to be used mostly for vehicle storage, then a smaller platform may suffice.
Clearance Requirements
While there are no set clearance requirements around two post lifts like there are with four post lifts. You should still consider the clearance needed above it as well as any issues that can arise due to adjacent.
Walls being too close or far away from its base (The manufacturer will usually recommend minimum dimensions). You also want to factor in any overhead door tracks, shelves, lighting fixtures, etc.
Safety Considerations Before Choosing a Garage Size For 2 Post Lifts
Investing in a two-post lift is an important decision, not just financially but also with regard to safety. Before choosing the size of your garage equipment, be sure you’ve taken all relevant precautions into account.
The following points need to be kept in mind:
Stability
Consider how sturdy and stable the foundation beneath the two-post car lift will be before making a purchase decision. Keep in mind that uneven floors and weak foundations can cause instability and put your vehicles at risk while they’re being lifted off the ground.
Proper Anchoring
Installing a two-post car lift requires proper anchoring to prevent dangerous accidents or structural failures caused by high winds or earthquakes. For your two-post direct lift to remain safe and secure, hire a professional to anchor it to meet local building codes.
Hoist Travel
Your automotive car lift must have enough room for hoist travel without compromising safety features like arm restraints. Otherwise, you could run into issues when attempting certain tasks where height restrictions are involved (like transmission removal).
Cables & Chains
Ensure all cables and chains included with your lift package fit securely within their housings. If two-post lifts aren’t securely fastened throughout their entire range of motion, loose cabling can be a safety hazard. Check if anything special needs to be done, like moving shelves away from cable pathways.
Accessibility
Pick a garage space that’s accessible enough for two-post lifts so technicians can easily enter and exit with minimal disruption. This includes ensuring unobstructed paths between components such as doorways, service counters, toolboxes, etc.
Visibility
When it comes to garage size, visibility is key. Having good visibility means technicians are more likely to be aware of potential risks during their workspace duties. Install brighter lighting fixtures throughout your workspace, so shadows don’t obscure things.
When It Comes to Garages, Where Should You Put a 2-Post Lift?
To properly install a 2-post lift in a garage, one must consider the size of the space and the car lift itself. The best spot for the auto lift is approximately 10-13 feet away from the garage doors. This ensures that when you drive the car up onto the lift, there will be enough room to fit without sticking out through the back door.
Also, positioning the vehicle lift this far away from the garage doors helps ensure adequate headroom above it so that you can easily access your vehicle while it’s on the lift. Aside from that, check your local laws and regulations regarding proper safety equipment when operating a 2-post car lift.
How Thick Should a Garage Floor Be For a 2-Post Lift?
A garage floor should be at least 4 inches thick to properly support a two-post lift. This thickness is necessary to provide the structural integrity required for the car lift, as well as the weight of the vehicle and any tools or other equipment that may be stored in the garage.
Conversely, if you are concerned about heavier loads being placed on the lift in the future, it is recommended that you use a thicker concrete slab. For example, if you plan on lifting large vehicles with your two-post lift or will frequently use it for storage purposes, then 6 inches or more of concrete would be advisable.
Similarly, suppose your home garage has been built directly onto sandy soil or another unstable surface material. In that case, you may want to consider using even more concrete than what is standard simply for added stability purposes.
Two-Post Lift Floor Requirements
With the potential of heavy-hoisted vehicles into the air, it is paramount to have a solid foundation that can withstand immense pressure. Concrete guarantees maximum strength and stability. Besides, other materials with superior weight-bearing capacity and proper friction may also do the trick for added safety.
A concrete mix designed for heavier loads, such as those used in commercial settings, will need to contain higher amounts of Portland cement and aggregate.
When pouring a concrete slab for a two-post car lift, it’s crucial to use a quality mix designed specifically for that purpose. This helps ensure that the slab provides maximum strength and durability when supporting heavy vehicles and lifts.
Note: For maximum stability, it’s essential to select an appropriate reinforcing element, such as steel rebar or wire mesh. That can be integrated into freshly poured concrete.
Can a Car Be Left On a 2-Post Lift?
No, a car should never be left on a two-post lift. Two-post lifts are designed to provide access to the underside of vehicles for maintenance and repair purposes. It’s dangerous to leave a car on a two-post car lift for an extended period of time since such lifts aren’t designed to handle the weight of an entire vehicle.
Plus, two-post lifts typically do not have any type of support or protection against falling objects that could potentially damage the car while it is being lifted. Aside from that, leaving the car on a two-post lift may cause damage to its suspension system, which could make it unsafe to drive.
For these reasons, it is highly recommended to avoid leaving any vehicle on a 2-post car lift for any extended period of time.
Uncomplicated Garage Size Selection for Your 2-Post Lift
Finding the ideal size for your two-post lift shouldn’t have to be a difficult task. To ensure your garage is perfectly suited for your car lift and is keeping safety as a priority, consider factors such as ceiling height, weight capacity, and concrete slab depth.
After pinpointing these measurements, it’s essential to verify them one last time before concluding any decisions. And of course, don’t forget that you need a safe environment, but it can still look great too. With all this in mind, picking the right size for your 2-post lift doesn’t have to be such a hassle after all.