5 Myths About Truck Lifts Debunked

Assuming you already know everything there is to know about a topic can be a big mistake, and that’s especially true when it comes to big decisions like choosing a truck lift for your shop. To help set you up for success, we’ve compiled a list of five misconceptions about truck lifts, plus the facts to set the record straight.

Myth 1: Any lift will pick up any vehicle

Reality: “Any old lift will do” just isn’t true. Different truck lifts are designed for specific situations, and it’s not just a matter of the “ideal” lift for the job. It’s a matter of safety. Vehicle lifts have strict weight limits, so be sure to check the specifications of a lift to make sure it can handle the jobs you typically see in your shop.  

Myth 2: Getting a lift that fits in your shop is the most important thing

Reality: Of course dimensions and design matter when it comes to choosing a lift – you need one that will fit in your space, but that’s not where the story ends. Usage is even more important. If you’re not choosing the right type of lift for the job, your perfectly fitting lift won’t be very useful. Don’t get hung up on dimension specs. Dig deeper to see whether the lift can do what you need it to do.

Myth 3: Inground lifts are bad for the environment

Reality: You might have heard dire warnings about the environmental risks of inground lifts, namely that hydraulic fluids can leak into the soil, causing environmental damage and requiring expensive cleanup. The fact is that lifts today are built with special casing to eliminate the risk of fluids seeping into the ground, so this is generally no longer a concern. For example, our MOD35 inground lift has a 6-foot-deep steel enclosure with protective coating, plus a leak-detection system and easy-to-empty containment unit. Safeguards like this mean you don’t have to worry about the environmental impact of an inground lift.

Myth 4: Once I own a truck lift, I can set-it-and-forget-it

Reality: While today’s lifts are designed to operate smoothly time after time, they do require regular maintenance and inspection in order to operate safely and effectively. It’s a matter of protecting your investment. Techs should look over the lift every time they use it, and you should have it inspected annually. You’ll also need to perform regular maintenance on your lift and ensure you promptly replace any worn or damaged pieces with OEM parts.

Myth 5: I don’t need a truck lift for large machinery

Reality: It might be a little easier to get under a bus than a sedan, but using a lift is a much better idea. Creepers are not ideal: They’re cumbersome and can increase the risk of injury, strain or even burns from putting techs too close to hot parts. Your mechanics should be on their feet when working under any vehicle, including large machinery.

There’s a lot to keep up with when it comes to truck lifts. When you get past assumptions and have a genuine understanding of their benefits and how they work, you’ll be better equipped to equip your shop.

For more mythbusting, see “‘Facts’ About Choosing an Inground Lift that are Actually Wrong.”