tomc_mets

Ok, it'll almost definitely be one-deep since I suspect I don't have enough square footage to play with to satisfy local zoning regs wrt to a maximum 50% lot coverage. Thanks. I'd have never thought about the garage door until it was too late!!
T

awew911

Great point!

I had to installed a direct drive with custom high-lift rail. Took me some time to find a guy that would custom build it. The cookie cutter garage door sales guys freaked out.

jaundice

Just use a roll up door. That eliminates need for rails. That's what I did.

mooty

^pic of door in and out, rolled up and down pls

tomc_mets

Do you mean something like this?
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roche

What about this brand? Anyone have one?

http://www.backyardbuddy.com/

I've seen them advertise in the monthly PCA mag. Made in USA.

switchcars

I'm not a fan of backyard buddy. They appear to be so much flimsier compared to the better quality lifts.

To the OP:
I did a TON of research before buying my storage lift. After reading and hearing about so many horror stories with smaller companies (american made, local, blah blah all that crap is great until they go out of business after taking your order), and also seeing so much crap on the market, the ONLY option for me was a certified lift, which narrowed my options down to either Bendpak or Challenger. I went with Bendpak, all my customers buy Bendpak, and I'd buy 10 more.

golfnutintib

byb has avid supporters and vocal detractors

it evidently lacks a key safety certification most other lifts have

bendpak and direct lift are by bigger companies but made in china

it is evidently a very competitive industry and competitors loudly badmouth each other, so a careful buyer needs to read info from numerous sources to get a fix on where there is some truth in the matter

for me it was about stability of the maker for potential warranty issues, a local presence for fast response, and a proven local installer... for me where i am based this led me to direct lift... others, given their locations and needs, ymmv

logan2z

Bendpak has been recommended in many of the storage lift threads I've read. FWIW, there are other lifts besides those from Challenger and Bendpak that are certified. You can find a list of certified lifts at the ALI web site here:

http://www.autolift.org/ali-director...d-lift-search/

I'm leaning towards the American Custom Lifts Voyager which is the same lift as the Quality Lift QP409. American made power unit and assembled in the USA but uses imported steel. It's also ALI certified. I could buy directly from Quality Lifts but the pre-sales service and what I've read of the company's post sales service is leading me to purchase from ACL. They also have a local Bay Area installer who did a site visit and he seemed to really know his stuff.

neuroguru

I am getting a 2 post Rotary SPOA-10SW Shockwave and a couple Rotary 4 Post Shockwaves, the open and closed SM14SW. Made in USA. Not the MIC Revolution consumer models.

I've done some research and talked with owners. No personal experience yet, but it appears to be the best choice.

Plastique999

Bendpak HD-9
Garage door rails moved to the top.
Side mount motor
10' 6" ceiling height

997rs4.0

Cant see the lift, but cars are looking good.....

logan2z

Those look interesting. I looked at the Rotary Shockwave site but didn't see anything that states the lifts are Made in USA. Where did you see that?

osu s2k

i have challenger, made in usa...i have also had a bendpak, satisfied with both.

logan2z

The ACL lift I'm considering is made by Challenger. I suppose I could go directly to Challenger for the lift but I've been impressed with ACL's pre-sales customer service and so I'm thinking of giving them my business.