Are You Ready for the Move Toward Taller Vans?

Managing a shop isn’t just about understanding what’s happening now. It’s also about recognizing what’s on the horizon, because when there’s a significant shift in the auto industry, it typically trickles down and affects maintenance and repair standards. One such shift is the move toward taller-profile European-style cargo vans. Manufacturers are coming out with new models of these higher-capacity vans, and they’re becoming more and more popular among consumers.

 Of course the trick for you is making adjustments so your techs can work on these new vehicles quickly and comfortably.

 The problem

Standard auto lifts can raise these new vans, but not as high as the lower-profile vehicles. The overhead bar and overall height of a standard lift limits the height the van can be raised. So it’s possible to work on these new vehicles with older auto lifts, but it’s not ideal. Techs will be hunched over and cramped, which isn’t great and eliminates many of the benefits of having a lift.

 The solution

New extended-height lifts make room for these taller vans. For example, the SPO12-SW EH3 features three feet of added height, providing plenty of room to hoist even the tallest cargo vans on the market. With a 12,000-pound capacity, it can also safely manage bigger vehicles, and its symmetric design keeps the vehicle’s center of gravity directly between the two posts for maximum stability.

 For reference, the 2015 Ford Transit van is about 9 feet tall. The SPO12-SW EH3 is more than 16 feet tall, giving your techs the ability to work at full rise instead of at 4 feet on a standard lift. That’s the difference between back pain and comfortable working conditions.

 The vehicle industry is always changing in ways big and small. Keep up with those changes and you’ll keep up with your customers’ needs.

Want to know more about light-duty lifts? See our free Resource Guide for more information.