Tailgate Delivery

Tailgate (Liftgate) Truck Delivery: How It Works

For timber doors and other large, heavy items, we use a tailgate (also called liftgate) truck. This is a commercial delivery truck fitted with a hydraulic platform at the rear that lifts up and down—like a small outdoor elevator—so bulky items can be safely lowered from the truck to ground level.

What happens on delivery day

  1. Arrival & access check
    The driver will park as close as practical to your delivery address, in a position that’s safe and legal (clear of traffic and hazards).

  2. Unloading with the tailgate
    Your door(s) are moved to the rear of the truck (usually on a trolley) and placed onto the tailgate platform.
    The driver then lowers the platform to the ground using hydraulic controls.

  3. Placement at the delivery point
    Once on the ground, the driver will position the item in the safest practical spot at ground level near the truck—typically the front of the property, kerbside, driveway, or building entry (depending on access and safety).

This method protects your product and prevents damage caused by manual lifting.

Why drivers can’t take doors inside, upstairs, or to a specific room

Commercial delivery drivers are generally restricted to kerbside/ground-level delivery for safety, liability, and access reasons. Even when a door looks “manageable,” timber doors are large, heavy, awkward to grip, and easy to damage if carried through tight spaces.

1) Workplace health & safety rules

Drivers must follow strict safety procedures. Carrying long, heavy items:

  • up stairs

  • into lifts

  • through hallways

  • around corners and doorways
    introduces a much higher risk of injury (back/shoulder strain, slips/trips) and damage (scratches, dents, chipped edges).

2) Insurance and liability limitations

Once an item goes beyond the standard drop-off point, risks increase dramatically:

  • damage to the product (doors, frames, handles)

  • damage to property (walls, floors, stairwells, lifts)

  • injury to the driver or residents

Most commercial carriers’ insurance and delivery terms only cover delivery to a defined safe point, not navigating private interiors.

3) Access issues in apartments and multi-storey buildings

Apartments can be especially challenging because:

  • parking/loading zones may be limited or time-restricted

  • elevators may be too small, booked out, or require building approval

  • long carry distances can be required from the loading area to the unit

  • stairs and corridors can be narrow with tight turns (doors are long and can’t easily pivot)

4) Time and scheduling constraints

Delivery routes are tightly scheduled. Room-of-choice delivery can take significantly longer (and often requires a two-person team), which isn’t included in standard freight services.

What you should organise before delivery

To make delivery smooth, we recommend:

  • Have an extra person ready to help move doors inside straight away.

  • Ensure there’s clear access from the drop-off point to where you want them stored.

  • If you’re in an apartment, check building rules for loading dock access, lift bookings, and delivery times.

  • Consider arranging a local removalist/handyman if the carry distance is long or there are stairs.

In short

A tailgate truck allows the driver to safely unload heavy doors to ground level, but standard commercial delivery doesn’t include carrying items inside, upstairs, or into specific rooms due to safety, insurance, and access limitations.