In plain English
Without a dock, a driver cannot unload a pallet from a trailer that sits four feet off the ground. A liftgate lowers the pallet to the ground, where it can be moved with a pallet jack. It carries only so much weight, commonly up to around 2,500 to 3,000 lb per lift.
A liftgate is an accessorial charge. You request it at booking, and the driver brings a truck equipped with one.
Why it matters when you ship
A liftgate is needed at most homes, shops without docks and many job sites. If you need one and do not request it, the carrier may refuse to unload, or charge more later.
What it looks like in our data
From our own quote tests. Liftgate prices depend on the carrier and the lane.
Example
A homeowner gets three pallets of tile. There is no dock, so the carrier sends a liftgate truck and lowers each pallet to the driveway.
Related terms
Learn more
Liftgate: common questions
How much does a liftgate cost?
In our quote tests it added about $75 for one pallet and about $108 for three pallets, roughly 10% to 19% of the base price.
Do I need a liftgate for a residential delivery?
Usually yes. Homes rarely have a dock, so a liftgate truck is needed to lower freight to the ground.
Cite this page
Cite as: Transportli, “Liftgate: Meaning and Cost in LTL Delivery”, https://transportli.com/glossary/liftgate/, updated November 11, 2026.
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