Choosing The Right Liftgate
Identifying the right box truck liftgate is critical for the productivity of your vehicle. There are numerous specs, features, and configurations to take into account, so it’s important to understand your options before selecting one that fits your needs. Here are some of the most important things to consider before buying a new box truck liftgate.
Truck Sizes and Dimensions
It’s important to consider the dimensions of your vehicle before outfitting a box or flatbed truck with lifting capabilities. Straight truck sizes typically come in standardized widths in the range of 80 inches wide to 102 inches wide. Flatbed truck sizes normally range from 48 to 53 feet in length, with a maximum box height of 102 inches. The liftgate dimensions should be spec’d to match the width and bed height of the truck. This ensures that the liftgate has enough range of travel to reach the ground without affecting clearance of the platform during stowing and unstowing.
Things like the following are also relevant here:
Are the liftgate platform dimensions adequate to give room to the cargo, the pallet jack, and the driver?
What type of material or finish for your platform or complete gate best suits your application, cargo and weight needs (i.e. steel, aluminum, galvanized)?
Will you need the liftgate to accommodate carts or other rolling cargo with cart stops, a tapered ramp or a wedge-style platform?
Is it possible that the liftgate could interfere with your trailering requirements or other configurations?
what is the Liftgate Weight Capacity?
Once you’ve identified liftgates that match the dimensions of your truck, it’s important to make sure they have a liftgate weight capacity that will allow them to do the job. One common mistake is that people don’t consider the weight of everything that will be on the liftgate at a given time because they forget about the weight of the driver, the pallet jack, or other equipment. Electric pallet jacks can weigh as much as 500 pounds.
Beyond making sure you account for the weight of everything that can go on your liftgate, it’s also important to consider the heaviest materials that you will possibly need to load. If there are occasional days where you need to load something especially heavy, those are the days you should think about. That will help you ensure that your liftgate won’t become overwhelmed by the additional weight.
WHAT is the average Liftgate Price?
First and foremost, it’s important to be sure the liftgate can do the job you need it to do. After that, though, it’s important to consider the cost of your liftgate and make sure you’re not overpaying for features or weight capacities you don’t need. If you’re unsure about what’s worth it to you and what isn’t, find a reliable liftgate installation company in Texas, like our shop or someone locally, and ask them to walk you through all of your options. They’ll be able to help you navigate all of the liftgate manufacturers to find the best solution for your needs.
Liftgate Installation Cost
Just like the cost of the liftgate itself, it’s important to consider the installation costs. The best liftgate installation companies in Texas will help reduce the financial burden by offering things like a complimentary preventative maintenance visit within six to eight weeks of the installation. Furthermore, they will be able to install the gate as instructed by the manufacturer, confirm that it’s running up to spec, and give you a demonstration of how to use it.
Get A Liftgate Installed for your Box Truck in Dallas, TX
Here at Texas Hydraulic & Equipment Company, we specialize in anything and everything related to liftgates. We work with all the liftgate manufacturers in North America, which allows us to find one that’s best for you. We’re conveniently located in the DFW Metroplex area, so contact us today about your liftgate installation. Click here to see all the services we provide.
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