Lift Gate for Truck: How I’d Spec It Today

Sponsored by MAXON Lift Corp

I’m already reviewing the quote when someone asks, “Is this lift gate enough?”

If you’re buying a lift gate for a truck—whether it’s a truck with liftgate for service work or a liftgate truck handling tires—that question decides if the unit runs clean for years or becomes a quiet liability.

Short answer: most truck lift gate failures come from chasing advertised numbers instead of real use.

This article shows what to buy, how to spec it, and why the Maxon MLA liftgate exists for tire service fleets.

Uneven loads, ramps, road salt, and daily cycles change everything—especially on a liftgate that works every day.

Why Buying the Wrong Lift Gate for a Truck Gets Expensive

Takeaway: Miss the lift gate weight capacity, and the cost shows up as downtime.

A service fleet specs a 1,600-lb light duty lift gate to save upfront cash. Six months later, oversized tires flex the platform, seals wear early, and techs start dragging loads. That’s when the lift gate weight limit stops being theoretical.

Typical fallout:

• $4k–$7k in repairs

• Missed jobs and overtime

• A re-spec nobody planned for

This happens when buyers confuse brochure ratings with how much can a lift gate hold safely in the field.

What Happens After the PO Is Signed (Tire Service Reality)

This mistake doesn’t show up in the office.

It shows up:

• On a rainy service call

• With one tech unloading oversized tires

• When a service body lift gate hesitates on uneven pavement

That hesitation is hydraulic strain.
Strain becomes seal wear.
Seal wear becomes downtime.

The miss wasn’t brand—it was spec’ing a delivery-style truck liftgate for tire service.

What to Buy Instead: Why the Maxon MLA Fits Tire Service Fleets

This is exactly where a tire service lift gate needs to be different.

If you’re still deciding between gate styles, this breakdown of rail gate vs liftgate, including rail, tuck-under, and cantilever behavior, shows where stability and route fit actually matter.

The Maxon MLA liftgate isn’t a generic gate adapted for service bodies. It’s designed for tire service on service bodies and dry vans, with geometry that lets large tires clear cleanly and predictably on a lift gate for tire service truck application.

Why fleets choose it:

• 1,600 or 2,000 lb capacities built for real duty cycles

• Dual hydraulic lifting cylinders for stability under uneven loads

• All-steel components with hot-dip galvanized finish (standard)

• Fully enclosed hydraulic system to protect from debris and salt

• Steel or aluminum platforms to manage payload

• Grease-able bearings for faster maintenance

Backed by nationwide service and support from Maxon Lift Corp—which matters long after install day.

👉 View full specs and configurations

Lift Gate Spec Options (Maxon MLA Configurations)

With the Maxon MLA, the buying decision usually comes down to capacity and platform behavior, not features lists.

These are the two configurations fleets most often choose from when spec’ing a lift gate for a truck in service or utility applications.

MLA Configuration Overview

Practical Differences That Matter in the Field

MLA66-16 (1,600 lb, butt-end)
Typically used on lighter service bodies where loads remain well below the rated capacity. The butt-end platform keeps the gate compact and simple, but leaves less margin as loads gradually increase over time or usage becomes more frequent.

MLA86-20 (2,000 lb, 6” fixed ramp)
Provides additional capacity margin and a smoother transition for rolling or uneven loads. The fixed-ramp configuration helps reduce concentrated edge loading when handling heavier items such as tire assemblies or equipment carts.

How Fleets Typically Choose Between Them

• Service fleets with mixed loads
  Often lean toward the 2,000-lb MLA86-20 to maintain margin as payloads change over the truck’s service life.

• Tire service operations
  Benefit from the higher capacity and fixed ramp, which help improve load-handling stability and reduce stress during repeated daily cycles in tire-service environments.

• Light-duty or delivery-focused applications
  May find the MLA66-16 sufficient when loads are consistent, predictable, and well controlled.

In many fleets, long-term lift gate issues are less about platform size and more about choosing a capacity that leaves too little margin for how the truck actually gets used.

Headed to Work Truck Week? See the MLA in Person

If you’re attending Work Truck Week, don’t decide from a PDF.

• Walk the platform geometry

• See how large tires clear

• Talk through lift gate for utility body and lift gate for service truck scenarios

👉 Stop by Maxon’s booth #4611 and see the MLA in person.

It’s the fastest way to confirm fit before a PO is signed.

FAQ

How much can a lift gate hold on a work truck?
Plan for 75–80% of the rated capacity to account for ramps, uneven loads, and reasonable safety margins in daily operation.

Is the Maxon liftgate hydraulic?
Yes. The MLA is a hydraulic truck lift gate that uses dual cylinders to provide controlled, stable lifting.

What makes the Maxon MLA liftgate different for tire service?
Its standard galvanization, dual-cylinder stability, and accessible design are well suited for demanding tire-service environments.

Do I need a different lift gate for a utility body?
Utility bodies typically benefit from the MLA’s corrosion resistance and capacity options that go beyond basic parcel-delivery requirements.

What happens if I under-spec the lift gate weight limit?
Expect premature wear, crew workarounds, increased downtime, and eventual re-spec costs that often exceed the initial savings.

Wrap-Up

If you’re buying a lift gate that handles tires every day, the wrong spec costs more than the right one ever will.

—
Leyhan
Founder, The Upfit Insider