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/03·Freight 101

Lift Gate Required

A lift gate is a platform at the rear of the truck that is used for loading and unloading freight at locations without docks or forklifts.

If your freight is picking up or delivering to a location that does not have a way of getting the freight on/off the truck, select this option. This will most often include residential addresses, construction sites, schools, and businesses that are not warehouses.

Be sure to check the needs of the pickup and drop-off locations (before booking) to see if they require lift gate services to avoid any additional charges or delays.

Tip

If you choose a Residential Area as your location, our system will automatically select a Lift gate for you, as people typically do not have a way to load or unload the freight from the truck at their residences. If you do have a way to do this, you can always uncheck this box.


How big can my freight be for a lift gate?

A lift gate platform is only so large, and there is a limit to what can be safely raised and lowered on it. When you add a lift gate, each piece (handling unit) needs to fit within these limits:

  • Standard freight: no side longer than 96 inches, and no more than 2,500 lb per piece.
  • Long, narrow, light items (for example pipe, lumber, ladders, or fence panels): these can be longer, up to 144 inches, as long as the second-longest side is 24 inches or less and the piece weighs 200 lb or less. Items like this are lifted off by hand rather than riding up the platform, so the extra length is not a problem.

If a piece is larger than this, it is too big for a lift gate. You have two options:

  • Use a pickup or delivery location that has a loading dock or a forklift. A lift gate is not needed in that case.
  • If neither is available, the freight may need to move on a flatbed or with special equipment. Get in touch and we will help you find the right option.
Tip

The booking form checks each piece as you enter its dimensions and weight, and tells you right away if something is too large for a lift gate. You do not need to memorise these numbers.