Despite how practical they are, liftgates are one of the most neglected components of a truck. If you run a fleet business that requires the loading and unloading of cargo, chances are your liftgate is in operation on a daily basis. This will result in wear and tear over time.
When the liftgate of your truck is not working, workers will need to exert much more energy to load and unload cargo from the vehicle. This can result in reduced productivity, and that’s why it’s so important to be familiar with the common truck liftgate issues and the proper maintenance best practices.
Identify These Common Truck Liftgate Issues
Below are some common issues you may face with your truck liftgate:
- Doors or platforms won’t move
The first thing you need to check is whether the motor is still running. If so, the problem could lie with the truck batteries. If the lock and lowering valve are still being powered, then the issue is most likely to be a faulty wire. If the valves are not powered at all, check if the switch is in working order.
- Squeaking Noises
The doors and platforms of your liftgates have been designed to move with minimal noise. You should definitely not be hearing any abnormal squeaking noises. Thankfully, there’s an easy fix for this problem. All you need to do is apply lubricants, and if this still doesn’t solve the problem, you are probably dealing with a more serious issue.
- A variety of other issues
Other common problems you may encounter is if the motor stops working completely, the liftgate is slow to respond and operate, the platform starts to sag even under a small load, or if there’s a wobbly movement when you operate the liftgate. If a problem lies with one or more specific components of your liftgate, you may need to get replacement parts.
Truck Liftgate Maintenance Best Practices
To prolong the lifespan of your truck liftgate, follow these best practices below:
- Ensure that workers are properly trained
Any worker who will be operating the liftgate should receive proper training. This includes making sure that all safety warning decals are in place. Workers should not be using the liftgate for any purpose other than what it’s designed for.
- Conduct regular maintenance and inspection
On a daily basis, operators should take note on how the liftgate is operating and inform management of any problems. This will ensure that any issues can be spotted and resolved early, before any accidents have the chance to happen. Failure to do so can lead to more costly repairs down the road, and productivity may also be compromised.
- Maintain proper storage when not in use
How do you store your liftgate when it’s not in use? Always make sure that it’s stored in a proper position, as this will help to ensure that premature damage that could reduce the lifespan of your liftgate does not occur.