2-Post vs 4-Post Lifts: Which Suits You Best?

Introduction

So, you’ve decided you’re ready to buy a car lift for your garage, but how do you know which one is right for you?

For most, the decision comes down to a 2 post car lift vs a 4 post car lift. Both offer their own benefits, so it’s important to find the right one for you and your motoring lifestyle.

If you’re looking for some guidance, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to find out our top 6 things to consider when buying a car lift for your garage and make your purchase with confidence.

1. Space

It’s no secret that a car lift isn’t a small addition to make to your automotive arsenal, so it’s important to consider which option will work best for the space you already have. If you’re in the process of building a new workspace, it’s also a good idea to find your ideal lift before you start breaking ground.

What’s more, don’t forget to consider things like lighting and your garage door’s opening mechanism. Whilst you might have the space when the door’s closed, if you can’t easily open your door when the lift is in place you’re going to run into problems every time you want to access your garage.

Whilst a car lift does take up floor space, it also unlocks vertical space which often goes to waste without one. For example, if your garage isn’t wide enough to park two cars side by side, stacking them vertically makes your space much more practical.

2. Functionality

The main function of a car lift for your garage is to, unsurprisingly, lift your cars above the ground. However, whilst they perform a similar function, there are considerable differences between a 2-post car lift and 4 post car lift.

With a 2-post car lift, the vehicles will be lifted by the chassis or sills, offering a lower profile than a 4 post which sees the wheels sit directly on the platform. Because of this, a 2-post lift will provide an additional 50cm of access underneath the car and often proves the best option for garages with less vertical space.

Furthermore, due to the car being suspended by the chassis or sills, a 2-post lift provides better access to all aspects of the car for maintenance. With a 4-post car lift, as the wheels are situated on the platform you will need an additional jacking beam to free up the wheels for repair or replacement.

3. Installation process

It can be tempting to tackle the car lift installation process by yourself, but this should only be handled by professionals or those with concrete know-how. Weighing in at anywhere from 900kg to 1,200kg, car lifts are not an easy tool to install.

Due to their structure, 2 post car lifts are required to be bolted directly into the ground of your garage, whereas the weight dispersion of a 4-post lift makes them useable with or without drop-in anchor bolts.

On top of the weight and structural concerns, each car lift demands a certain amount of electrical power in order to operate. For models using a 220V motor, you may have to consider having electrical upgrades implemented in your garage to provide the necessary power.

With potential masonry, electrical and structural works to consider, whether you opt for a 2 post or 4 post lift, it’s a good idea to leave this one to the professionals. However, if you’re going it alone, you can find some useful information and guides on our YouTube channel here. 

4. Ease of use

As we covered before, when it comes to ease of use there really is no competition between a 2 post and 4 post car lift.

As a simple drive-on drive-off process, using a 4-post lift couldn’t be more straightforward – you can liken it to simply entering a parking space. With a 2-post lift, the margin for error is much smaller.

Identifying the correct lifting points, positioning the arms appropriately and ensuring the car’s frame is fully engaged are all crucial steps in the loading process with a 2-post lift.

If you’re looking for the most seamless, straightforward operation for your new car lift, a 4-post lift is the way to go.

5. Safety

When acquiring a new piece of equipment which can weigh more than a tonne, even without a car loaded, safety should always be one of your primary concerns. A car lift of any form should include a safety lock, but this isn’t a catch-all for every eventuality.

The main safety concerns associated with a car lift for your garage are the ways in which your vehicle is secured when lifting. With a 4-post lift, all four wheels sit firmly on the platform, providing an extremely stable and secure base.

Compare this to a 2-post lift which requires a more careful hand to ensure the supports are appropriately positioned for efficient weight distribution, and there’s a clear winner here.

One more point to consider is the structure of the lift itself. As the name might suggest, a 2-post lift has half the amount of support legs as a 4 post lift, making it potentially more unstable – especially for long-term vehicle storage.

Whichever option you choose, selecting the right manufacturer can be just as important as the product itself. Opting for a car lift under an established name, such as the range of AMGO parking lifts, can pay dividends in the short and long term. 

The last, but not least, thing to consider is of course, cost. Not everyone has the luxury of an unlimited budget, so finding the right solution that works for your needs and bank account is an important part of the process.

With all of the previous points considered, you might expect that a 2-post car lift is less expensive than a 4 post, for which you’d be correct. However, whilst there is a difference in price, it isn’t night and day, so it’s always more important to find a lift that gives you what you need over the long term instead of a stopgap you’ll want to replace in the near future.

More important than the cost comparison between a 2 and 4 post car lift is the difference between brands and build quality. Make sure to evaluate all your options, whichever model you choose, as low-budget products often provide a worse user experience and may require replacing or repairing more regularly.

With so many options on the market, it’s important to consider all of the above points when making your decision, whilst ensuring you make the choice that is right for you. Every garage and every individual requires a different solution, so whilst you shouldn’t be pressured into purchasing the most expensive option, you also shouldn’t opt for the cheapest model and compromise on what you need.

If you’re looking to browse our selection of quality AMGO parking lifts, to discuss the options available to you, or to purchase and install a new car lift for your garage, get in touch with us today.

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For more information, to view our range of 2 and 4 post car lifts visit, or to get in touch for a no-obligation discussion about your requirements, visit www.equipment4garages.com to find out more.