5 Things to Consider When Buying a Lift Gate
Is it time to invest in a lift gate for your business? Don’t know where to start when making your choice?
Selecting a lift for your truck or vehicle can take some effort. Not just any option will do. You’ll want to take a few factors into consideration to make sure you choose a lift that can serve you well and grow along with your business.
Below are the five most important things to consider when buying a lift gate.
1. Size of Your Cargo Load
First of all, you need to decide on the size of load you will be carrying on your truck. You may need a light, medium, or heavy-duty lift depending on your weight needs.
Lange Lift, for example, can create lifts that are custom built to customer specifications and range from as little as 1,000 lbs. to as much as 5,000 lbs.
For medium-duty usage, tuck away lifts and rail gate lifts are both common and come with different advantages and disadvantages. Heavy-duty trucks, on the other hand, may work particularly well with a rail gate, a slider gate, or a cantilever gate.
2. Lift Gate Height
You also need to consider the height of your lift. The main thing to think about when it comes to height is whether you want a laden or unladen lift.
- A laden gate takes into consideration the low height of your truck bed when it has a full load. If your truck is filled to maximum capacity, the total height of the truck will sink down a bit. A laden gate will be made with full loads in mind.
- An unladen gate instead takes into consideration the height measurement for a truck bed without any cargo. Unladen works well even when the whole vehicle is sitting far off the ground.
3. Vehicle Compatibility
Vehicle compatibility matters when it comes to choosing a lift gate. You need to consider the floor measurements and different widths. A thin lift won’t work well with a wider vehicle and a wide lift won’t work with a thinner vehicle.
Make sure to consider what vehicle your lift will be for before purchasing. You’ll have different needs and specifications depending on whether your vehicle is a pickup truck, utility truck, cargo van, sprinter van, flatbed, or trailer.
4. Platform Materials
You also need to choose your platform style and material. In particular, one of the most important decisions to make is whether you want an aluminum or steel lift.
- Aluminum makes a good choice because it lasts longer. It can also lift more weight, so it is excellent for heavy-duty functions. However, it will cost more initially.
- Steel, on the other hand, will corrode easier and have a shorter lifespan. However, it will be cheaper initially, so it may make a good choice if you’re in the first year of launching your business.
5. Energy Supply
Finally, you need to think about the powering method of your lift. You can choose between using your truck’s battery to power your lift or use a separate battery supply.
Choosing the energy source is important and both choices will come with different advantages. Consider how often you will use your truck and your lift. If you use it only a few times a week, you will probably be better off operating the gate with your truck battery. Heavier usage that includes many trips a day may work best with a dedicated lift battery.
Final Thoughts on Buying a Lift Gate
Buying a lift for your vehicle can be an important investment for your business. By taking the time to consider your needs and choosing wisely, you’ll end up with a gate that serves your business well for a long time.
Ready to purchase a lift gate for your business? Contact us today to learn more about our custom-made lifts and to find out more about how we can help you.
