Forward 2 Post Car Lifts
Forward is VBM's value tier — same in-column cylinders and cable-equalization as Rotary at 15–20% lower cost. Same install compatibility, same parts network.
Why buy a Forward 2 post car lift
Forward Lift is Rotary's sister commercial line, also under Vehicle Service Group. Shares the same U.S. manufacturing base and engineering standards, but sells into a distinct commercial channel — tire and quick-lube chains, national fleet service accounts, and shops that specify the Forward brand into their capital-equipment programs. Every Forward 2 post car lift on this site sits in our commercial tier on the three-tier framework — priced and engineered for that use case, warranted accordingly, and stocked because we've seen the brand hold up in the field.
What Forward is known for
The Forward DP-series is the direct-drive 2 post car lift workhorse used across national tire and quick-lube chains — chosen where uptime and parts availability matter more than the sticker price. Direct-drive designs eliminate the cable/sheave wear points that traditional 2 post car lift architectures have, which extends service intervals meaningfully. If you're deciding between Forward and one of the other three brands we stock (Rotary, Forward, Challenger, or BendPak), the deciding factor is usually the tier and the specific model your capacity requires — not the brand itself. All four are safe to be under; Forward has specific strengths worth knowing.
The Forward models we stock
We carry the DP series direct-drive lifts across the full capacity range where Forward makes commercial sense on this site:
- DP12 (12,000 lb)
- DP15 (15,000 lb)
- DP18 (18,000 lb)
- F10 / F12 direct-drive
Each model has its own product page with specs pulled from the manufacturer install manual — ceiling clearance, concrete PSI, electrical draw, ALI certification status, warranty terms. Not marketing numbers — install-manual numbers.
How to pick the right Forward 2 post car lift for your bay
Three questions decide which Forward 2 post car lift is right for your bay: (1) what's the heaviest vehicle you routinely lift; (2) how tall is your bay's clear ceiling point; (3) how often will the lift cycle in a day. Answering those three narrows the model choice within Forward's line to two or three, and from there it's a small decision. If any of the three answers surprises you — a heavier occasional vehicle than usual, a lower ceiling than you thought, a higher cycle count — that changes the model within the Forward 2 post car lift line.
Forward vs. the other three brands we stock
All four brands on this site pass the same vetting: real engineering, real warranties, real parts availability, ALI Gold certification on commercial units. Where Forward differs from Rotary, Forward, and Challenger comes down to the specific model within a given capacity — sometimes Forward has a better price at 10K, sometimes Rotary has better parts availability in your region, sometimes Challenger's Made-in-USA build sheet is the deciding factor for a commercial account. Call before you order if you want a specific 2 post car lift brand recommendation for your shop's location and mix.
Warranty and service coverage
Every new Forward 2 post car lift on this site ships with the factory warranty, and warranty claims are handled through us — you don't have to chase the manufacturer directly. Structural steel warranty terms and wear-item terms vary by model; the specifics are on each product page. If a warranty issue comes up after purchase, call the number below and we'll open the claim with Forward on your behalf.
Not sure the 2 post car lift will fit your bay?
Every 2 post car lift on this site has its ceiling clearance requirement, concrete thickness spec, concrete PSI spec, and electrical draw published on the product page — pulled from the manufacturer's install manual, not the marketing brochure. Before you order, cross-check those numbers against your actual bay. Ceiling clear point (measured to the lowest obstruction — HVAC ducts, joists, garage-door tracks — not just the underside of the roof deck). Slab thickness (an actual measurement, not a guess). Electrical panel capacity (available breaker spaces + amperage the panel can support).
If any of those checks come up short, text a photo of your bay to (833) 736-7290. We'll cross-reference the install manual for the specific 2 post car lift you're considering and confirm fit — free, usually the same day. That's the single biggest cause of returned 2 post car lift orders, and it's a five-minute conversation to prevent.
Financing on any 2 post car lift order
Every 2 post car lift on this site is eligible for 0% APR financing over 12 months with a 90-day deferred first payment, through our lending partner First Business. The application is short, the approval usually comes back the same day, and there's no cost added to the price of the 2 post car lift for financing — the rate really is zero for the first 12 months.
Commercial shops using financing to spread the cost of a 2 post car lift across a fiscal year should ask about our extended terms (24- or 36-month plans) — those carry a bank-quoted interest rate but keep the monthly payment flat and predictable. Call for a quote before ordering.
Freight and delivery on a 2 post car lift order
Every 2 post car lift on this site ships freight from the manufacturer's regional warehouse in 3–5 business days after order. Freight to the 48 contiguous states is free — the shipping cost is already built into the price you see. Alaska, Hawaii, and international buyers should call for a freight quote before ordering; those runs cost real money and the number will be brand and destination specific.
The pallet arrives on an LTL truck with a liftgate for curbside delivery. Inspect the crate before signing the freight receipt — if you see damage, note it on the paperwork before the driver leaves. Concealed damage discovered after the driver leaves is much harder to file against the freight carrier than damage noted at delivery.
