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JUNE 10, 2025

Liftgate Buyer’s Guide — Compare Costs, Weight Limits, and Top Brands

If you’re in the market for a new liftgate—whether for one truck or a full fleet—you probably have questions. This guide will help you understand the types of gates available, compare weight capacities and pricing, and get to know the top brands. Our goal? Help you make the right call on your next purchase and avoid any headaches.

Whether you're upgrading old equipment or buying new, getting the specs right the first time can save thousands in the long run. But let us answer the most important question first...

What is a Lift Gate?

A truck lift gate is a piece of mechanical or hydraulic equipment installed at the rear of a box truck, flatbed, or cargo van. It provides a durable, automated platform that raises and lowers heavy freight between the vehicle's cargo bed and the ground. Liftgates allow drivers to safely load and unload heavy cargo without the need for a physical loading dock or a forklift.

Here's what we prepared for you to learn how to buy one:

• Why Choosing the Right Liftgate Matters
• Compare Liftgate Types by Truck Application
• What Affects the Cost?
• Weight Capacity Breakdown
• Top Liftgate Manufacturers to Know
• How to Choose a Distributor
• Why Choose LiftGateMe
• Get a Quote or Keep Learning
• Conclusion

Why Choosing the Right Liftgate Matters

Not all liftgates are created equal. The wrong choice can lead to damaged freight, missed deadlines, and very expensive breakdowns. The correct gate to match your needs makes every delivery smoother, every load safer, and every mile more efficient.

And for fleet managers, a well-chosen liftgate can mean fewer service calls, better safety scores, and happier drivers.

Compare Lift Gate Types by Truck Application

Choosing the right liftgate depends heavily on your vehicle type, cargo weight, and how you typically load and unload. Here are the five most common styles:

1. Tuck-under Lift Gates

As the name suggests, tuckunder liftgates fold up and store neatly underneath the rear of the truck chassis when not in use.

• Best for: Box trucks that frequently use standard loading docks.
• The advantage: Because it stores out of the way, you have completely unobstructed access to the rear doors for dock loading.
• The Trade-off: The platform size is generally smaller than that of other models because it must fold to fit beneath the truck bed.

2. Rail Lifts

Similar in design to column lifts, rail lifts use heavy-duty vertical tracks. However, the platform folds up flat against the rear of the truck rather than acting as a solid barrier.

• Best for: Box trucks used for bottled gas distribution, bulky pallets, and heavy commercial transport.
• The advantage: Provides a deep, level platform and exceptional lifting capacity, often featuring a low-profile design.

3. Cantilever Lift Gates

Cantilever liftgates are mounted to the truck's chassis using an articulated ram system. When stowed, the platform often acts as the actual rear door of the vehicle.

• Best for: Vans used for carts, wheeled cargo, and European-style transport where maintaining a perfectly level platform is critical.
• The advantage: They can handle great loads and work well on uneven ground.

4. Column Lifts

Column lifts operate using tracks welded to the rear frame of the truck box. The platform rides up and down vertically along these tracks.

• Best for: Trailers used for heavy-duty freight and large, bulky items.
• The advantage: They offer a completely level ride and feature some of the highest weight capacities on the market.
• The Trade-off: The tracks and platform cover the rear doors, meaning the gate must be lowered anytime you need access to the cargo area.

5. Pickup Lifts

Designed specifically for standard and heavy-duty pickup trucks, these liftgates completely replace the vehicle's factory tailgate.

• Best for: Independent contractors, small businesses, and lighter delivery routes.
• The advantage: They allow you to transform a standard pickup truck into a highly capable delivery vehicle without having to invest in a commercial box truck.
• The Trade-off: Because they are mounted on smaller vehicles, they offer lower weight capacities than commercial-grade lifts and add noticeable weight to the rear of the pickup.

6. Sideloader Lift Gates

Instead of mounting to the rear, sideloader liftgates are installed at a side door of the truck box or trailer.

• Best for: Urban deliveries, tight streets, and routes where backing up to a loading dock or into traffic isn't possible.
• The advantage: They allow drivers to unload heavy cargo directly onto the sidewalk or curb, keeping the vehicle parallel parked and out of the flow of traffic.
• The Trade-off: Your vehicle must be equipped with a side door, and the liftgate mechanism takes up space along the side of the chassis.

As you can see, each gate has its own use case. Here’s a side-by-side to help you decide:

Still unsure? We can help match the right type to your chassis, load, and route profile.

What Affects the Cost?

The price of a lift gate includes many factors. You’ll want to consider:

• Brand and model
• Platform size/material
• Load capacity
• Installation labor (hydraulic, welding, electrical)
• Add-ons like cart stops, dual controls, or LED lighting

When thinking about the total price of adding a liftgate to your vehicle, make sure to remember the price of wiring kits, freight charges, and local installation.

Once you pick your lift gate, remember to also factor in the cost of installation.

Weight Capacity Breakdown

Need to move 1,000 pounds or 6,600? Make sure the lift gate you choose gives you room to grow. Aim for 20–25% above your average load for safety and longevity.

If you're unsure what your real-world load weights are, we recommend a few simple measurements or using recent delivery logs to estimate your typical freight weight.

Top Liftgate Manufacturers to Know

Here’s who makes the best gates out there:

• Maxon – With a full lineup and reliable support, Maxon is one of America’s most popular lift gates.
• Waltco (Hiab) – Known for customization and range. Also supports Ultron and Zepro.
• Palfinger – Strong performers in urban and refrigerated freight. Owns Interlift and Eagle.
• Anthony – Specializes in tuck-under and rail designs. Good choice for mid-size fleets.
• Thieman – Versatile and parts-friendly. Known for trailer gates.
• Eagle – Great options for specialty applications and lighter-duty uses. Sadly Eagle is no longer producing new pickup gates - we're still bumbed about this.

How to Choose a Distributor

A good gate with bad support is still a bad experience. Look for:

• OEM liftgate parts and full warranty support
• In stock inventory
• Staff who actually know liftgates
• Staff who has actually installed liftgates
• Manufacturing and shipping options that meet your timeline

LiftGateMe is a master distributor and America's liftgate partner. We don’t just sell gates—we support you every step of the way.

Why Choose LiftGateMe

We’ve worked with businesses across the country to get gates installed quickly and properly. Here’s what makes us different:

• Full brand coverage: Maxon, Waltco, Palfinger, Anthony, Thieman & more
• Nationwide shipping and responsive communication
• Experts who help you pick—not just push a product
• Help connecting with installers and repair facilities
• Decades of combined experience supporting fleet repair and independent buyers

Get a Quote or Keep Learning

Whether you’re ready to purchase a liftgate today or just comparing options, we’ll help you make the right call. Request a custom quote or hop over to our Liftgate 101 article for a deeper dive into how they work.

We also encourage new customers to sign up for our newsletter, where we share maintenance tips, discount offers, and parts alerts.

Conclusion

There’s a liftgate out there that’s the perfect match for your truck—and your workflow. At LiftGateMe, we’re here to help you find it, purchase it, and keep it running for the long haul. Reach out today and let’s get you lifting smarter.