
Liftgate trucks are a staple in many industries, but have you ever stopped to think about the safety implications of using them? A liftgate is a mechanical device that attaches to the back of a truck and lowers to the ground to facilitate the loading and unloading of cargo.
Liftgates can be rented, and this option is particularly useful for businesses that only need a liftgate for short-term use. In fact, many companies offer liftgate rentals for as little as a few days to a few weeks.
The safety of liftgate truck rentals is a top priority, and it's essential to follow proper safety protocols to avoid accidents. This includes ensuring the liftgate is properly secured to the truck and that the cargo is evenly distributed.
Liftgate trucks are designed to handle heavy loads, but it's crucial to check the weight capacity of the liftgate and the truck before loading.
For more insights, see: What Is a Power Liftgate on a Car
Product Options and Rentals

The Original Tommy Lift is a single-cylinder, parallel-arm design, based on a cable and pulley system. This classic pickup lift has a liftgate capacity of 500 and 1,000 lbs.
You can choose from various liftgate options, including the G2 Series, which is the most versatile and popular liftgate design, utilizing dual hydraulic cylinders and parallel-arm technology. Each G2 Series liftgate is specifically designed to fit your vehicle, with lifting capacity ratings from 1,100 to 1,300 lbs.
For those who need a more heavy-duty liftgate, the TKL tuckunder models feature a single-cylinder, power up and down, highly-efficient design. These lifts accommodate bed heights from 33” to 47” and have a lifting capacity of 2,500 lbs.
If you're looking to rent a liftgate truck, you'll find that they come in various sizes, ranging from 16′ to 26′. Most liftgate trucks are used for transporting boxes and furniture, while commercial trucks are used for transporting products, supplies, or equipment.
Perfection Graphics specializes in branding fleet vehicles with decals and partial- or full-vehicle wraps, making your liftgate truck a moving advertisement for your business.
Explore further: Power Lift Gate Truck
Product Options

The Original Tommy Lift is a single-cylinder, parallel-arm design, based on a cable and pulley system. It's a classic pickup lift with liftgate capacities of 500 and 1,000 lbs.
The G2 Series is the most versatile and popular liftgate design, utilizing dual hydraulic cylinders and parallel-arm technology. Each is specifically designed to fit your vehicle, with lifting capacity ratings from 1,100 to 1,300 lbs.
TKL tuckunder models feature a single-cylinder, power up and down, highly-efficient design and accommodates bed heights from 33” to 47”. They also have a lifting capacity of 2,500 lbs.
The medium-duty railgate is ideal for high-cycle applications in any environment. It has capacities of 2,500 and 3,000 lbs.
The V2 Series provides the maximum platform loading area while occupying the smallest possible space, when stored in the rear of a van. It's especially designed for Sprinter and Transit cargo vans, with a lift capacity of 1,100 lbs.
The modern hydraulic lift is specifically designed to operate seamlessly with commercial vans. It has a lateral fold and 1,300 lbs. liftgate capacity, making it an excellent van lift for office and medical equipment deliveries.
Consider reading: Hands Free Power Liftgate
Chicago Truck Rentals

Chicago is a great city with a lot to offer, but moving there can be a challenge. In particular, you'll need a reliable truck rental to get all your belongings from one place to another.
If you're looking for a truck rental in Chicago, you have a few options to consider. Our 16-foot truck is perfect for medium-sized moves, offering 800 cubic feet of space – about four-to-five rooms’ worth.
For really big moves, the 24-foot truck is the way to go. It has enough space to move up to nine or more rooms’ worth of items and offers 1,300 cubic feet of space.
Both our 16-foot and 24-foot trucks come standard with power liftgates, which make loading and unloading heavy items a breeze. They also come equipped with e-track rails, automatic transmission, and large fuel tanks for long trips.
Here's a quick comparison of our two truck options:
Whether you're moving to Chicago for work or school, our truck rentals have got you covered.
Understanding Liftgate Trucks

Liftgate trucks are designed for easy loading and unloading of heavy items, making them ideal for transporting large appliances, pianos, and other heavy furniture.
Most rental trucks don't come equipped with a lift gate, but you can rent one as an accessory if needed.
Liftgate trucks come in various sizes, ranging from 16 to 26 feet, with commercial vehicles generally being larger than non-commercial ones.
The smallest liftgate trucks are at least 16 feet long, making them suitable for transporting boxes and furniture.
Overview
Liftgate trucks are a crucial component for moving heavy items, and understanding their features can make a big difference in your moving experience.
A liftgate is a must-have for moving large and oversized items, such as furniture and appliances. You can expect a power liftgate to come standard with certain truck sizes.
The 16-foot truck is perfect for medium-sized moves, offering 800 cubic feet of space – about four-to-five rooms’ worth. These trucks also come equipped with e-track rails, automatic transmission, and a 30-gallon fuel tank.

The 24-foot truck is the vehicle you need for really big moves, with enough space to move up to nine or more rooms’ worth of items and offering 1,300 cubic feet of space. This truck comes with e-track rails, power liftgates, automatic transmission, and an 80-gallon fuel tank.
If you need a liftgate for commercial or industrial applications, there are various options available. You can choose from steel or aluminum liftgates, folding liftgates, or rail gates, depending on your cargo-handling needs and vehicle.
Perfection Truck Parts & Equipment offers a full line of liftgates from industry-leading manufacturers. Their team of factory-trained sales professionals can help you find the right liftgate for your needs.
Here are some key features to consider when choosing a liftgate truck:
- Power liftgate: comes standard with certain truck sizes, such as 16-foot and 24-foot trucks
- Truck size: 16-foot trucks offer 800 cubic feet of space, while 24-foot trucks offer 1,300 cubic feet of space
- Equipment: e-track rails, automatic transmission, and fuel tanks of varying sizes
Understanding Lift Gate
A lift gate is a must-have for certain jobs, especially when dealing with large or heavy objects. Most rental trucks don't come equipped with a lift gate, so you'll often need to rent a ramp or a ramp accessory instead.
You might enjoy: 2 Post Truck Lift

Loading ramps are great for transporting smaller items like boxes and furniture, especially when you have dollies available. They allow for quick transport and easy loading.
However, when it comes to larger objects that require multiple people to lift, a lift gate is the easier option. Items such as large appliances, pianos, and heavy furniture are much easier to load using a lift gate.
Perfection Truck Parts & Equipment offers a wide range of lift gates for commercial and industrial applications. They have different types of lift gates, including steel and aluminum, folding, tuck under, and rail gate options.
Lift gates are designed to make loading and unloading safer and more efficient. They're especially useful for people with back problems, as they eliminate the need to lift heavy objects.
Types of Liftgate Trucks
If you're in the market for a liftgate truck, you'll want to know about the different types available. The smallest liftgate trucks are generally around 16 feet long.

One of the most popular sizes is the 16-foot truck, which offers 800 cubic feet of space and is perfect for medium-sized moves. These trucks also come equipped with e-track rails, automatic transmission, and a 30-gallon fuel tank.
For bigger moves, you'll want to consider a 24-foot truck, which has enough space to move up to nine rooms' worth of items and offers 1,300 cubic feet of space. This truck also comes with e-track rails, power liftgates, automatic transmission, and an 80-gallon fuel tank.
Liftgate trucks can range in size from 16 to 26 feet, with various sizes in between. Commercial vehicles are generally larger than non-commercial vehicles.
Here are some common sizes of liftgate trucks:
Liftgate trucks are often used for transporting boxes and furniture, and are a popular choice for moving a house. Commercial trucks, on the other hand, are generally used to transport products, supplies, or equipment for various jobs and uses.
Rental Requirements and Safety

When renting a liftgate truck, it's essential to consider the safety and practicality of the equipment.
Loading ramps can be a convenient and easy load option, especially when combined with a furniture dolly, appliance dolly, or utility dolly. They make the loading and unloading of a truck much quicker.
However, it's crucial to ensure the ramp is sturdy and secure to prevent accidents.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Portable Loading Ramps for Semi Trucks
Lift Gate Rental Requirements
Some lift gate trucks require a Commercial Driver's License, but others don't, like those offered by Penske and Enterprise.
To rent a lift gate truck from Penske, you'll need two forms of ID and be at least 18 years old.
Budget has a minimum age requirement of 24, with some exceptions for 18-23 year olds in certain states.
Enterprise requires a minimum age of 21, proof of insurance, and a form of identification.
Check the specific requirements for each company, as they can vary. Most truck companies will work with you to find a suitable option.
Safety: Ramp vs

Loading ramps are a convenient option when combined with a furniture dolly, Appliance Dolly, or utility dolly, making the loading and unloading of a truck much quicker.
A ramp is a good choice for transporting boxes and smaller items, especially when dollies are available for use, allowing for quick transport and easy loading.
Items like large appliances and heavy furniture are easier to load using a lift gate, which is a better option than a ramp for these types of objects.
Loading ramps can be a good option for jobs that require quick transport and easy loading, but a lift gate is a better choice for larger objects that require multiple people to lift.
Operability and Comparison
Liftgate trucks are designed to provide a safe and efficient way to load and unload heavy packages from delivery vehicles. They can lift packages up to 1,000 pounds.
One key feature of liftgate trucks is their ability to be controlled remotely, allowing operators to adjust the height and angle of the liftgate from a safe distance. This feature can be especially useful in tight spaces or when working with heavy loads.

Liftgate trucks are often compared to forklifts, but they have some key differences. For example, liftgate trucks are typically designed for use on flat surfaces, whereas forklifts can handle uneven terrain.
The liftgate on a liftgate truck can be adjusted to fit packages of various sizes, making it a versatile tool for a range of applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would you need a liftgate?
You need a liftgate when loading or unloading goods at a location without a loading dock, such as a residential area or a business without a dock. This ensures safe and efficient delivery of your goods.
What is the difference between a liftgate and a tail lift?
In the UK, a tail lift is used, while in North America, the same device is referred to as a liftgate. Both terms refer to a mechanical device that facilitates loading and unloading goods from a vehicle.
Sources
- https://www.pensketruckrental.com/commercial-truck-rental/commercial-trucks/liftgate/
- https://www.perfectionequipment.com/upfits/liftgates
- https://elitetruckrental.com/citystate/affordable-truck-rental-with-liftgate-in-chicago/
- https://roadtrucks.com/lift-gate-rental-truck-cost/
- https://www.uhaul.com/Blog/2023/06/13/moving-trucks-ramp-vs-liftgate/
Featured Images: pexels.com