WHAT IS A LIFTGATE?

Cargo in a truck can be heavy so having a way to offload in an easier manner is always a bonus. In this article, we’ll cover what a liftgate is and how to use it.

Liftgates: Attached to the back of a truck or delivery fan is a flat but sturdy piece of metal. This is a liftgate that can move from the surface of a trailer to flat on the ground with the push of a button. A liftgate is necessary if you don’t have access to a forklift or loading dock. Consumers can request the use of a liftgate service but they may have to pay an additional fee.

What is a liftgate?

A liftgate is a steel area that is attached to the back of a trailer, semi-truck, or van. The liftgate is flat so you can move your products from the trailer to the ground, and vice versa.

You can think of a liftgate as a small elevator. There is a mechanism that moves it up and down.

Even though this distance, from the ground to the base of the trailer, is short, having a liftgate makes the whole process simpler and more convenient.

All a driver needs to do is move the products from the trailer to the liftgate, press a button, and then the liftgate will move to lay flat on the ground.

Advantages of getting a liftgate

There are many benefits of a liftgate. If your vehicle doesn’t already have one installed, here are some advantages to consider.

Less staff needed

As the price of everything is increasing, companies are always looking at ways to save money, and hopefully pass those savings on to consumers.

With a liftgate, fewer people are needed to move the goods around. When you don’t have to pay for more staff, your profits will increase.

No loading dock

There are many ways to help move goods on and off a trailer, and one of them is a loading dock. With a liftgate, you have a built-in loading dock at all times, so you don’t have to worry about access to one.

No forklift

Similar to a loading dock, a forklift is another convenient way to remove products from a truck. A forklift has two arms that move up and down and hook into pallets that are piled with goods.

A liftgate can transport products, so a forklift is not needed. This can save a lot of money as you won’t need to purchase a forklift or pay for a forklift operator.

Fewer accidents and injuries

Even though truck drivers are physically fit, all the moving around can be quite strenuous. When you add in bending and picking up, this can lead to more back injuries and strains.

A liftgate lessens these motions, which leads to healthier drivers.

More freight protection

When people have to move large boxes around, they can naturally start to cut corners. This can involve dropping the boxes instead of putting them down gently or sliding them on the ground.

A liftgate helps with the whole movement issue, which will lessen the chance of goods being broken or damaged.

Disadvantages of getting a liftgate

If you already have a system with a loading dock and a forklift, it can seem unnecessary to install a liftgate. Likewise, if you only ship with one or two companies and have a system that is set up to run smoothly.

A liftgate is also very heavy, as it needs to withstand the extra weight and be secured.

A truck can only legally hold a certain amount of weight, and this factors into the truck, the products, and any accessories such as a liftgate. Even if you still have room in your truck for more products, you may be prohibited from carrying them all because you have extra weight with your liftgate.

How much does a liftgate cost?

A liftgate can cost between $2,000 and $9,000. This added price can make your truck more versatile but is also the reason why using a liftgate will cost a consumer an extra fee.

The price of a liftgate is determined by how much it can hold. Liftgates with a higher maximum weight will be made with more durable materials, which then cost more.

Even though you have to spend more money, it’s better to purchase a liftgate with a higher load capacity. This will allow your liftgate to be more versatile, so you can recoup the initial cost faster.

Do I need a liftgate?

What you transport and where you deliver will determine if you need a liftgate. If you only transport goods from one major warehouse to another, then you don’t really need a liftgate.

However, if you constantly find yourself in areas where you need to offload your products but don’t have a good method to do so, then a liftgate is essential.

As online shopping continues to be popular, delivering products to people’s homes and business is a regular occurrence. These deliveries won’t have the benefit of a forklift to unload.

A liftgate will help with larger deliveries to residences. It can be the difference between accepting a delivery job and not.

What is a liftgate delivery service?

A liftgate delivery service is when you specifically ask for a truck that has a liftgate installed. This often includes an extra price.

The extra fee includes the convenience factor, as well as the fact the liftgate costs extra to install and the added weight can take away from what the truck can carry.

If you are a person or business who wants something to be delivered but don’t have any resources to get that shipment off a truck, you need to specify this in the instructions. Then, the company will be sure to use a truck with a liftgate to make unloading easier and safer.

Conclusion

A liftgate is like a miniature elevator for your truck. You can move your cargo to the liftgate, press a button, and have it level with the ground for easier unloading.