The closer the lift gets to the door, the closer it has to be to the side wall. That and being able to put the things that have special electrical needs in that area close to the panel are good reasons to push it back.
You also have to remember, that box is the outside dimensions of an extra wide, extra long drive on lift.
It's not like what you are putting on the lift has to be completely straight before driving on.
I agree that angling the drive on end toward door may be necessary but thankfully it comes with a set of caster wheels just in case.
I'm thinking now about putting a set of stairs on the back wall going up over the water heater to above the bathroom and if that fits...building a mezzanine out over where my desk is to about the front of where the lift is. The stairs up are the hard thing to find room for.
And yes...they are NEVER big enough...but this will have to do.
