Today, I wanna talk about something I did recently – adding a liftgate to my pickup truck. It was a bit of a project, but totally worth it in the end. So, let me start from the beginning.
First off, I had to figure out what kind of liftgate I needed. I mean, there are tons of them out there. My truck’s a regular pickup, not one of those massive flatbeds, so I knew I needed something that would fit right. I spent a good chunk of time just looking at different models and reading what other people had to say about them.
Figuring Out What I Needed
- Research, research, research: I started by looking online. There’s so much info out there, it’s kinda overwhelming. But I just kept digging, looking at different brands and what they offered.
- Talking to folks: I also hit up a few truck forums and asked around. You know, real people who’ve actually used these things. Got some good tips that way.
- Checking the specs: This part was important. I needed to know the weight capacity and the size of the platform to make sure it would work for what I usually haul around. I realized that my truck is mainly for carrying goods, so I must consider the load-bearing capacity of the liftgate.
After all that, I decided on a hydraulic liftgate. Seemed like the best option for my needs – not too bulky, but strong enough to handle heavy stuff. The brand I went with was Tommy Gate, seemed pretty reliable from what I gathered.
Getting It Done
- Finding a pro: I ain’t no mechanic, so I knew I needed help installing this thing. I asked around and found a local shop that had experience with liftgates.
- Making the appointment: Called them up, got a quote, and scheduled the install. They were booked out for a couple of weeks, which was a bummer, but I guess that’s how it goes.
- Waiting game: Those two weeks felt long, I was antsy to get it done and see it working. Finally, the day came, I took my pickup truck to the shop.
- Installation day: Dropped off my truck at the shop and let them do their thing. They said it would take most of the day, so I just had to be patient. When I went to pick it up, I was so excited that the installation was done perfectly.
Seeing It in Action
When I finally got my truck back, I was like a kid with a new toy. I spent the first hour just testing it out, going up and down, making sure everything was smooth. And it was! It’s so much easier to load heavy stuff now. No more back-breaking lifting. Seriously, this thing is a game-changer. Now, loading and unloading are no longer a problem at all.
So yeah, that’s my story about getting a liftgate for my pickup. It was a process, for sure, but I’m so glad I did it. If you’re thinking about it, I’d say do your research and find what works for you. It’s definitely a worthwhile investment, made my life so much easier.
