Our Trucks With a Lift Let You Move Goods Easily

Are you about to move house, or transport heavy goods or bulky items? If so, hiring a truck with a lift can make your life a lot easier. Hydraulic tail lifts, installed at the back of a truck, are designed to facilitate the handling of heavy goods from ground level to the level of the vehicle bed/cargo space, or vice versa.

So, how can you get your hands on a truck with a lift? Easy: hire one! Here are your options.

How to Hire a Truck With a Lift in 3 Steps

Step 1: Be Clear About What You’re Hiring

In Australia, trucks with a lift are typically Pantech trucks and can be driven with a standard car licence. They offer approx. 20 cubic meters of storage space, enough for the contents of a 3-bedroom apartment or townhouse. Other features for a comfortable ride are automatic transmission, air-conditioning and space for 3 adults in the truck’s cab.

The most common question we get is what the pros and cons have a truck with a lift are compared to a standard 1-tonne van or hitop van. We’ve written about these differences in our “Moving Van Hire Options” blog post here, but in a nutshell, a Pantech truck gives you three to four times the cargo space of a standard van.

Another advantage is the hydraulic lift at the back of the truck, making loading and unloading heavy items like furniture, appliances or boxes much easier compared to a van. With vans, we often observe that someone has to climb inside to load or unload an item, which can lead to poor lifting techniques for heavy items (which in the worst case can lead to injuries).

With a truck, you can comfortably move your items towards the platform, lower it with the hydraulic lift, and retrieve the item from ground level. Our fleet of 3-tonne Pantech trucks all come with a free trolley as well, making it even easier to transport heavy items.

Last, a truck with a lift is also a great time saver. The lift speeds up the loading process, especially for heavy or awkwardly shaped items. It’s a great and versatile solution perfect for moving houses, delivering goods or transporting large or heavy equipment.

Delivered to your Door!  We Drop Off – You Move – We Pick Up

Step 2: Receive Your Truck

Most rental companies make you visit a rental site to pick up your truck with a lift. We operate a bit differently. When renting with us, we deliver the truck to your doorstep. We also pick up from you again. And, with our one-way rental deals, we can deliver the truck to you in one place and pick it up in another.

How do we do this? We use our trucks and their lifts! When we drop off a truck at your home or business, we have a small jeep inside its cargo space.

Once our driver has handed over the keys of the truck to you, they unload their own jeep and drive off. It’s as simple as that. We deliver – you move – we pick up! We deliver trucks to (almost) the entire East Coast of Australia: Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, etc.

Step 3: Use the Truck’s Lift Effectively

For most people, hiring a truck with a lift only happens a few times in their life, usually when moving interstate or for a DIY move. Here are some tips and advice for first-time renters of a truck with a hydraulic tail lift:

1. Familiarise Yourself with the Controls

Before using the tail lift, take a few minutes to understand the control panel. Most tail lifts have simple buttons or levers for raising, lowering, and stopping. Ask our team for a quick demonstration when we deliver the truck to you.

2. Ensure the Area is Clear

Before operating the tail lift, make sure the area around the truck is clear of obstacles, people, and vehicles. Also, ensure the ground is level and stable to avoid accidents.

3. Distribute Weight Evenly

Place heavy items in the centre of the tail lift platform to maintain balance. Avoid overloading the tail lift—check the weight limit (usually this is displayed on the lift or in the manual).

4. Secure Items Before Lifting

Use straps or ropes to secure items on the tail lift platform before raising or lowering it. This prevents them from shifting or falling during the lift.

5. Operate Slowly and Carefully

Use the controls gently to raise and lower the platform. Avoid sudden movements to prevent damage to the lift or your items. And, of course, always keep an eye on the lift while it’s in operation.

6. Practice Before Loading

If you’re unsure, practice operating the tail lift with a light load (e.g., an empty box) to get comfortable with the process.

7. Ask for Help if Needed

If you’re moving particularly heavy or awkward items, don’t hesitate to ask a friend or family member to assist you.

Final Words of Advice

A hydraulic tail lift is a great aid in moving heavy items, but it’s important to use it correctly to ensure safety and efficiency. If you’re ever unsure, our team is here to help—just ask for guidance when you pick up the truck. With a little practice, you’ll find the tail lift makes your move or delivery much easier and stress-free!