Box Truck Liftgates: Types, Costs, Specs & Buyer’s Guide (2025)

You don’t just “add a liftgate.”
You spec the wrong one, and suddenly your $60,000 box truck is sidelined, drivers are pissed, and every stop takes twice as long.

I’ve seen fleets burn out operators and eat through budgets just because they treated a liftgate like an afterthought.

Here’s the 2025 guide to box truck liftgates: types, costs, specs, mistakes to avoid, and how to keep them running.

What Is a Box Truck Liftgate?

Plain English: a liftgate is a hydraulic or electric platform on the back of a box truck. It raises and lowers cargo so operators don’t break their backs.

Why it matters:

• Keeps deliveries on schedule.

• Prevents worker comp claims.

• Makes or breaks efficiency on dock-free routes.

👉 For the full picture of box truck specs, check out my Box Truck Buyer’s Guide.

Types of Box Truck Liftgates

Not all liftgates are built the same. Choose wrong, and you’re eating downtime.

Tuck-Under Liftgates

• Pros: Stows under the truck, doesn’t block rear doors.

• Cons: More moving parts = more wear.

• Best for: Mixed freight fleets, rental trucks.

Railgate Liftgates

• Pros: Large platform, great for pallet jacks and bulky loads.

• Cons: Blocks rear doors when folded up.

• Best for: Warehouse-to-customer freight, LTL carriers.

Cantilever Liftgates

• Pros: Tilts to match uneven docks and curbs. Smooth ride for fragile freight.

• Cons: Expensive, heavy, needs skilled install.

• Best for: Last-mile fleets, beverage distributors, high-value loads.

Column Liftgates

• Pros: Heavy-duty — can lift 3,000+ lbs.

• Cons: Big, bulky, pricier install.

• Best for: Industrial deliveries, machinery, contractors moving heavy equipment.

Box Truck Liftgate Costs

Here’s what it really costs (not the fluffy brochure numbers):

• Installation (new): $3,000–$13,000 depending on type & brand.

• Maintenance: $300–$600/year for hydraulic fluid, seals, and electrical checks.

• Repairs: A failed hydraulic cylinder runs $800–$1,200.

• Rentals: Expect $25–$75/day more for a liftgate-equipped truck.

Bottom line: skip the cheap stuff. A $5K liftgate spec’d right saves $50K in downtime.

Box Truck Liftgate Specs & Capacity

Most fleets underspec here — don’t.

• Capacity range: 1,250–3,000 lbs.

• Platform size: Standard is 80” x 60”, but railgates run bigger.

• Power: Hydraulic is standard, electric is lighter duty.

Quick Chart:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Undersizing capacity → Operators overload, seals blow, downtime follows.

2. Wrong type for the job → A tuck-under won’t cut it for pallets all day.

3. Ignoring serviceability → Some brands have no local parts support.

4. Skipping dock compatibility → Cantilever saves you when docks are uneven.

Maintenance Tips for Fleets

• Cycle test daily → catch electrical or hydraulic failures early.

• Grease pivot points every 90 days.

• Flush hydraulic fluid annually.

• Train operators → 80% of failures are misuse, not equipment defects.

FAQs About Box Truck Liftgates

How much is a liftgate for a box truck?
$8,500–$20,000 installed, depending on type.

How much weight can a box truck liftgate handle?
Anywhere from 2,000 to 6,000 lbs depending on the style.

Can you add a liftgate to any box truck?
Yes — but chassis length, frame clearance, and rear door design matter.

What are the dimensions of a box truck liftgate?
Standard platforms are 80” x 60”; railgates can run larger.

Railgate vs. tuck-under: which is better?
Railgates = pallets + heavy freight. Tuck-unders = mixed loads and rental fleets.

Key Takeaways

• Spec the right liftgate or pay for it in downtime and operator burnout.

• Match type to fleet use case — not just price.

• Maintenance is cheap. Breakdowns are not.

• The right liftgate turns a box truck into a money-maker.

For the full box truck breakdown (bodies, payloads, rentals, and upfits), check out my Box Truck Buyer’s Guide.

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Leyhan
Founder, The Upfit Insider