Abstract: A header assembly useful with a columnar lift gate is provided. In one embodiment, the header assembly includes an elongated header element having a top wall with distal ends, the top wall having an upwardly protruding edge portion extending between the distal ends. The header element is configured for horizontal coupling to an upper edge of a vehicle opening. The header assembly further comprises a pair of columnar sleeves, each columnar sleeve configured for transverse connection proximate a distal end of the header element. The columnar sleeves are configured for coupling along side edges of the vehicle opening in parallel to one another and perpendicular to the header element. Each columnar sleeve is configured for receiving an upper portion of a lifting column of a columnar lift gate mounted at said vehicle opening, each lifting column mounted to a side edge of the vehicle opening under a respective columnar sleeve.