Hey guys, So I work in the film industry and I am a teamster Local 399. I bought a 28' trailer with a rail gate on it but I want to change out that gate and put an industry standard canteliver style gate on it. The problem I've run into is I only have about 18" of clearance to the rear axle. All of the standard gates from the big manufacturers require 36+ inches.
I have a friend who has a Waltco 1090 series gate on his 28' trailer and while it isn't a leveling gate it's better than a rail gate for two reasons. One it allows curbside loading because it doesn't have the chains like a rail gate and two it allows for standard swing doors on the back of the box.
My question is: Do any of you know of a gate out there that will work with very low clearance. Or do any of you know someone who designs custom lift gates so I can get one made to fit this application specifically?
Liftgate for 28' trailer. Standard gates won't fit!
Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by EZ Grip Company, Aug 12, 2020.
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I'm assuming your 28' rail liftgate trailer looks something similar to this.......
If you plan on using the liftgate for frequent use...IMO you should follow the same lead that LTL carriers use and look into a tuck under liftgate with a rollup door. There's a reason why practically all LTL carriers use them. They're easier, faster and more efficient than using a rail lightgate. One...it makes it easier bumping docks compared to a rail liftgate. You're not wasting time moving the rail up and down, chaining, etc. Two...a roll up door is easier and faster than constantly jumping in and out to open the swing doors. Imagine having 15 stops and having to open the swing doors at every single one. Again...it's all about speed and efficiency. Three...you don't see too many swing door trailers with liftgates on them like this pic for example........
Maybe it makes sense if you don't use the liftgate that much or go to places that don't allow liftgates in the docks...that's where swing doors might make sense because they give you a flush tight seal to the dock doors...whereas rollup doors tend to have a large gap where the liftgate is because they tend to have steps on the side so you can climb up into the trailer. So they don't give a tight seal on the docks like swing doors do.
This video shows a FedEx Freight city driver using a 28' foot tuck under liftgate trailer with rollup doors making a residential delivery......
To be honest with you...it might be better to sell your trailer and buy another one that's more tailored to your needs. Having the rail liftgate removed and installing another liftgate doesn't sound all that cheap. You can probably google your nearest liftgate dealership/installer or truck reapair shop and get an estimate of how much it's gonna cost you.
Good luck.98989 Thanks this. -
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One of the problems with pup trailers is that the tandem wheels are fixed. They're setup for doubles. You can't slide them like you can with a 48' or 53' trailer. If purchasing a bigger trailer or a rollup door is out of the question...it's probably best to go with that Waltco 1090 series since you've already seen how it works on your friends trailer. Or "MAYBE" put a side liftgate on with wider doors???
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