Lift Gate
Also known as: Liftgate, Tailgate Lift, Hydraulic Lift
Definition
A lift gate is a hydraulic platform attached to the back of a delivery truck that raises and lowers heavy freight between ground level and the truck bed. It’s essential when delivering to locations without loading docks.
When You Need a Lift Gate
Required for:
- Residential deliveries (no dock)
- Small businesses without docks
- Locations with only stairs/curbs
- Heavy items that can’t be hand-carried
- Palletized freight to street level
Not needed for:
- Deliveries to loading docks
- Items light enough to hand-carry
- Locations with forklifts available
- FTL deliveries to dock facilities
Lift Gate Costs
| Carrier | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| LTL carriers | $50-100 per delivery |
| Parcel carriers | N/A (not offered) |
| White glove | Often included |
Fees are per stop, not per pallet.
Lift Gate Weight Limits
| Equipment Type | Typical Capacity |
|---|---|
| Standard lift gate | 2,500-3,000 lbs |
| Heavy-duty lift gate | 4,000-5,000 lbs |
| Super heavy-duty | 6,000+ lbs |
Important: Not all trucks have lift gates. Request in advance.
Requesting Lift Gate Service
When booking:
- Indicate “Lift Gate Required” on BOL
- Note in special instructions
- Confirm with carrier/broker
- Verify truck will have lift gate
Failure to request:
- Delivery refused if driver can’t unload
- Redelivery fees ($50-150+)
- Delays
- Added lift gate fee anyway
Lift Gate vs. Inside Delivery
| Service | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Lift gate | Ground level at truck, customer moves from there |
| Inside delivery | Carrier brings inside threshold |
| White glove | Carrier brings to room of choice, may unpack |
Lift gate gets freight off the truck. You handle the rest.
Common Lift Gate Scenarios
Residential furniture delivery:
- Lift gate required
- Customer must help move or hire help
- Often combined with appointment delivery
Restaurant equipment:
- Most restaurants lack docks
- Lift gate standard
- Consider inside delivery for heavy items
Trade show freight:
- Convention centers vary
- Some have docks, some don’t
- Verify with venue in advance
Lift Gate Tips
- Always confirm - Don’t assume truck will have one
- Know your location - Is there a dock available?
- Weight check - Under lift gate capacity?
- Have help ready - Once on ground, it’s your freight
- Budget the cost - Add to shipping calculations
- Consider alternatives - FTL with dock may be cheaper
When Lift Gate Isn’t Enough
For very heavy freight without dock access:
- Flatbed with crane
- Specialized rigging services
- Heavy equipment movers
- Forklift rental
These cost more but handle situations beyond lift gate capability.
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