Dealing With Overhead Clearance Problems For Car Lifts
Overhead Clearance
Two post lifts are built in two configurations. Most popular is a closed top, commonly known as "clear floor". They have a structural piece known as a cross bar on top, that ties left to right columns together. Hoses and cables run through it. For each side.
The other configuration is known as an "open top". These have a plate or cover over the cables and hoses running left to right tying those sides together. That plate is attached to the floor. These open top lifts make up 20% of what is sold usually because of low ceilings or truck work.
Closed top, clear floor, types require 12 feet clearance under rafters or ceilings. Actually, they need a few inches more than the lift structure; because a human will need to reach in there to do install and service during the life of the lift. Some of these lifts are sold with extended tops. Usually two extra feet, for special installations where extra tall vehicles are serviced. All lifts rise 72 inches. You can purchase a lift that raises an extra 6 inches if you need such a specification.
Open top lifts are fine for all service work. The floor plates are not a problem, you get used to it in a few hours. They often cost less and you will never have damages to an extended roof vehicle or a ladder rack on a truck.
If you have rafters in the way
There are ways to circumvent overhead clearance troubles. Ceilings: Check to see if there is space above your ceiling to build a box that the top of the cars will fit into. Something like 8ft wide by 10ft long will likely work fine. You can finish the box with drywall making it blend well with a finished room. You may need a contractor for these modifications to structures. Don't take chances!
Open rafters are a bit easier, no less structurally critical. First, if you are doing a new build, specify scissors trusses, above the lift. Scissors trusses will give you plenty of room to allow full rise of your lift with no danger of hitting vehicles' roofs overhead.
Sometimes open rafters can be modified, scissors style, to allow a box like area to allow vehicles to protrude above the normal level of the bottom of your rafters. Be very smart when considering this modification. It works just dandy, but it must be done properly or your roof could cave in. Hire a professional to do this. There is NO maybe and No room for error.
The last way to deal with rafters that are too low is even more simple. IF your rafters run across your roof, in the same direction, left to right as your lift will lay left to right it's simple. Install the lift so that the top fits up into and between the rafters. Getting the columns upright can be a challenge but it is done, somewhere, every day.
When purchasing a lift, always consider the height, from the frame to the top of the vehicles you lift, add six feet for the lift stroke or rise. That is how you determine open top, closed top or extra extended top lifts.
