Comparison Between Rack'Em Double Barrel and Gorilla-Lift Tailgate Lift Assist Systems

Published 12/04/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Chain - 200 lbs

(210)

$226.26

Gorilla-Lift Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Cable - 300 lbs

(352)

$204.44

Question:

I have a large goose neck utility trailer with a large and very heavy gate that is 7foot wide X 5foot tall with lots of thick angle iron and square iron. The gate already has two coil springs attached similar to your RR16933 springs but is still heavy to drop and lift so I am considering adding an assist system, but I am not sure if I want this one or gorilla. My side rails are 36, so I know I will have to fabricate additional pieces so that I can mount either system at the recommended height. That fact alone makes me want to lean towards this system instead of the gorilla as the gorilla would require double the fabrication. I am not concerned about warping the gate with a single side system as it is very sturdy and does not bend or warp when being lifted or lowered from one side only. 1.I notice many more customer reviews for this system, and just a few for gorilla. Are you selling many more of this system vs. the gorilla? 2. In your opinion is this system overall superior in quality, ease of install, working condition, quality of parts, etc compared to the gorilla, or are they about the same, or is the gorilla higher quality. 3. Is there an advantage to the chain in this system vs the cable in the gorilla or vice versa? 4. any other thoughts comparing the two systems, especially considering my trailer?

asked by: Alan

Expert Reply:

Between the Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist # RA-27C and the Gorilla-Lift Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist # GL1, we do in fact sell more of the Double Barrel # RA-27C.

As far as quality of the product, the Double Barrel # RA-27C and the Gorilla-Lift # GL1 are both good quality. As you mentioned, when it comes to installation the Double Barrel # RA-27C will require about half of the Gorilla-Lift # GL1 since there is only 1 lift rather than 2. The Gorilla-Lift # GL1 does have a 300 pound weight capacity compared to 200 pounds for the Double Barrel # RA-27C.

Both the cable and chain systems will perform well, however we feel that chains last longer than cable.

The concern I have for your trailer is the weight of the tailgate. If the tailgate is too heavy for the system you choose, the system will essentially be ineffective. I recommend weighing your tailgate before choosing a lift assist. As long as the tailgate weighs under 200 pounds, the Rack'Em Double Barrel # RA-27C will work great for you. If the tailgate weighs between 200-300 pounds, you will want to go with the Gorilla-Lift # GL1.

I have attached installation videos of both of these lift systems for you to check out the installation process.