Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

New Liftgate Helps Drivers Manage Extra-Large Items

Anthony Liftgates created the MRT-XL liftgate to help a long-time customer whose drivers were struggling to safely offload extra-large items such as hot tubs.

Deborah Lockridge
Deborah LockridgeEditor and Associate Publisher
Read Deborah's Posts
March 20, 2020
New Liftgate Helps Drivers Manage Extra-Large Items

Anthony Liftgates worked with a longtime customer to develop a tailgate that could handle extra-large items.

Photo: Anthony Liftgates

1 min to read


Last-mile delivery these days isn’t just about packages. Increasingly larger and larger items are being delivered. Anthony Liftgates created the MRT-XL liftgate to help a long-time customer whose drivers were struggling to safely offload extra-large items such as hot tubs.

In theory, liftgate platforms can be made very large, but you lose full access to the rear door.

Ad Loading...

The liftgate can remain stowed during regular dock-unloading activity.

Photo: Anthony Liftgates

Anthony’s solution is the MRT-XL, which features a tri-fold platform that opens up to an 86- by 96-inch load area. The patent-pending liftgate features a hydraulic platform open-close function, with a spring-assisted third section, and it can handle up to 5,500 pounds. It can be stowed at bed height or in fully raised position during transit.

“This exceptionally large platform provides a giant working area for the operator on small loads, and increases the liftgate’s ability to handle oversized cargo,” according to the company.

It fits straight trucks, full-size trailers and pup trailers and features a straight up-and-down ride style for stability. Available tie-down pockets help stabilize awkward cargo. It has minimal moving parts, no grease fittings for low maintenance, and all hydraulic cylinders are stowed retracted for longevity and reliability.

A tiedown pocket helps keep awkward cargo stable.

Photo: Anthony Liftgates

More Equipment

A GP Transco tractor-trailer crosses a bridge over a river, with trailer side skirts visible beneath the white trailer.
Fuel Smarts•by Deborah Lockridge•October 27, 2026

How GP Transco Builds Fuel Savings a Fraction at a Time

Aerodynamic specs, solar panels, and driver incentives help GP Transco turn small efficiency gains into savings it can reinvest in its people.

Read More →
YouTube thumbnail showing man being interviewed and backup camera and in-cab screen showing backup video
Safety & Compliance•by Deborah Lockridge•October 23, 2026

More Trailer Data Through the Same Seven-Way [Video]

Can trucking’s standard seven-way connector handle more cameras and trailer data? Grote’s Adam Slade shows HDT how the company is using new technology with its 4See trailer system, not only to add a new backup camera but also to expand other capabilities — without adding another connection.

Read More →
Rear view camera on back of a semi trailer
Equipment•by Deborah Lockridge•October 23, 2026

Grote: More Cameras, Same Seven-Way Connector

The next-generation 4See rear-view backup camera from Grote uses the standard seven-way connector and supports additional cameras and other trailer data.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
wide angle photo of trade show booth with big "Mack" sign above, red Mack truck in the foreground
Equipment•by Deborah Lockridge•October 20, 2026

Trucks at ATA's 2026 MC&E in Charlotte, North Carolina [Photos]

From rigs decked out in patriotic America's 250 paint schemes to autonomous trucks and more, check out these photos from ATA's 2026 Management Conference & Exhibition.

Read More →
2027 HDT Top 20 Products logo beside “Nominations Open” text and images of 2026 award winners: a Cummins engine, Lytx dash cam, and Michelin truck tire.
Equipment•by Staff•October 16, 2026

Help HDT Find Trucking’s Top Products

Have you come across a new product that could make a difference for trucking fleets? Nominate it for HDT’s 2027 Top 20 Products Awards by November 9.

Read More →
Yellow Volvo VNS heavy-haul sleeper truck with rugged tires and prominent grille, parked at night on a snow-covered lot beside a black truck, with a Volvo construction machine on a trailer behind it.
Equipment•by Wayne Parham•October 14, 2026

Volvo Unveils New VNX Heavy-Haul and Vocational Truck

Volvo Trucks has launched the VNX, a new vocational truck also available as a tractor in day cab and two sleeper configurations, with one heavy-haul model. The Volvo VNX is powered by Volvo's D13 platform, which delivers up to 540 horsepower and 1,950 pound-feet of torque and is EPA 2027-compliant.  

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Youtube thumbnail showing two people with a truck and the word "fuel" behind them, the HDT Talks Trucking logo, and the words "Small Gains. Big Savings."
Fuel Smarts•by Deborah Lockridge•October 12, 2026

How GP Transco Cuts Trucking Fuel Costs, a Tenth of a Gallon at a Time

What’s another tenth of a mile per gallon worth? GP Transco shares how equipment upgrades and driver coaching turn small gains into meaningful fuel savings.

Read More →
Photo of electric OrangeEV terminal tractor with a Lazer Logistics trailer
Equipment•by Staff•October 6, 2026

Electric Yard Tractors Move Beyond Pilots

Operating-cost savings have overtaken sustainability goals as the leading reason surveyed fleets are adopting battery-electric terminal tractors, according to new NACFE research.

Read More →
Two truck tires with a muted highway background
Maintenance•by News/Media Release•October 2, 2026

Continental Introduces New Regional Truck Tires

Continental says its new Generation 5 steer and drive tires for regional operations offer longer tread life, with estimated mileage gains of 22% and 19%, respectively.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Interior of freight cargo trailer or body with translucent roof letting in daylight
Equipment•by News/Media Release•October 1, 2026

Tekmodo Introduces CargoBright Brand for Translucent Trailer Roofs

CargoBright is designed to diffuse daylight across the cargo area while performing as a working vehicle roof.

Read More →