Wilsons Sandbox

Group; Does anyone know of a source of an inexpensive car storage hoist? The type that you can raise up and store another car underneath. I thought I had seen light weight units suitable for our cars advertised in one of our car mags but now I can't find them. Hope someone can help. Thanks, Barc

Hi All, If you don't mind a slight hassle getting a car up and down, (ie this is intended for long term storage), the system I use works at a total cost of around $210. Max wt is 20,000 lbs and is very stable. It consists of : two pallet rack ends 7-8 feet high x 48" wide rated at 20,000 lbs. $50 3 crossbeams (12 feet long) that interlock with the ends. (rated at 20,000 lbs) $50 Four 6 ft come-a-longs (Sears-2000 lb rating). $80 Two 2" x 12" x 10 ft angle beam planks (3/8 stock) $20 Two 2" x 4" x 5 ft beam planks (3/8 stock) $10 You will need a strong garage with trusses that will support the car. I place the 5 ft beams parallel to where the axles will be on the car, place 10 ft beam planks on top, drive car onto planks, attach 4 come-a-longs to garage trusses positioned at corners of car with other end around 5 ft beam ends, ratchet car evenly up to desired height, (usually to ceiling) place pallet ends at each end of car, add crossbeams just below 5 ft beams, lower car so weight is fully on crossbeams, leaving come-a-longs in place as backup. It takes about an hour to raise or lower the car. Warning: once a car is up there, the tendency is to leave it be. The currently elevated car (52 TD from Texas with 30M miles) has been up there since '81. Engine runs good. 2-3 cars park underneath. This method may not be convenient, but it is cost-effective! Cheers, Lee Jacobsen, Dearborn, MI.

Thanks to everyone for the hoist supplier information and the other great suggestions for car storage. Badger, do you think the guy with the 100 point Healey that is bugging me to store his car in my garage will be up for your suggestion for his car??? Barc