Comparison of residential automobile turntables. 

May 3, 2009.  Matthew Clark - page two  

Flush-mount or Surface-mount?

Another decision you will have to make is whether you want flush mount or surface mount. This refers to whether the automobile turntable requires you to dig a hole and set it into the ground (flush-mount), or whether it will mount on the surface of an existing driveway (surface mount). Flush mount is nice to drive over (no bump) but surface mount also has distinct advantages -- such as no requirement for drainage (see next section).  If you are building a new installation, in an inside location or where putting in drainage is no problem, then you may wish to use flush or semi-flush unit.  The semi-flush can be nice because the bump is very slight but it is still enough to tell you when your car is centered on the unit.  On the other hand if you are mounting the unit on an existing driveway, the difference in the installation cost between a flush mount and a surface mount unit will be huge - thousands if not tenthousands of dollars. Also, if you are using it for car shows then the flush mount units will not be practicable, as they require a pit.Nevertheless most of the large, industrial type turntables are flush design.  

Drainage and access

As stated above, a surface mount turntable does not usually have any drainage concerns.  As long as you don't situate it in a puddle, you should not have any problem with water accumulating around or under it.  On the other hand, if you put in a turntable that requires digging or a pit underneath it, your installation cost is substantially higher.  This is because surface water will find its way into the pit, bringing dirt and refuse with it.  Therefore you need to put in a storm drain into the pit.  If your driveway is already finished, this may entail a substantial cost, and even in new installations may run several thousand dollars. 

Also, many pit type units have motors or gears underneath the turntable that require an access hatch.  As turntable sections can be very heavy, servicing a pit-type unit can be a daunting task. Be very careful of this factor, and inquire before you buy!

One important note: if you live in an area where you get much snow and you plan to locate the unit outside, you will have to pay the extra and get a flush mount, pit type driveway turntable, so it doesn't get hit by a snowplow!

Next - Comparing the brands on the market. or Jump to conclusions

CarTurner of Canada **EDITOR"S CHOICE **