Liftgate

What is a liftgate?

A liftgate is a piece of trucking equipment that allows cargo to be lowered to the ground from the back of a truck. Liftgates are used in situations where the cargo cannot be unloaded in any other way, like with a loading dock.

The trucker will charge a liftgate fee if they must provide a liftgate at a delivery destination.

When do you need a liftgate?

You'll typically need a liftgate when the delivery address has no loading dock, such as a retail store, a residential address or a small business with street-level access. Without one, the driver can't safely move palletized cargo from the truck bed to the ground.

How do you arrange a liftgate?

Request the liftgate before the truck is dispatched, since carriers often schedule equipment in advance. If you don't flag it and the driver arrives without one, the delivery may be delayed or rebooked. Liftgates have weight limits, so tell your carrier about heavy or oversized pallets.

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