Phillips says several factors can affect the cycle of the liftgate; however, one critical factor to consider is the wire gauge being used to power the system.
While it’s common to see fleets using a 4 gauge cable to reduce cost because 2 gauge cable has more copper, making it more expensive, using 2 ga. cable rather than 4 ga. cable is always a better choice because it protects the tractor wiring from overheating and ensures the liftgate system can handle a maximum amount of amperage draw needed to power the liftgate, Phillips says.
Because tractors can hook-up with multiple trailers, liftgate wiring might not always be the same gauge throughout the entire charging system. If the gauge of the cable run on the tractor is smaller than the trailer, there is the potential to overheat the tractor wiring.
To protect the tractor, a fleet should always be prepared for any type of liftgate system that will require the maximum amount of power draw, according to Phillips.
For more tips from Phillips Industries regarding proper liftgate cable size, please CLICK HERE.
