Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Chain - 200 lbs
(204 reviews)
Price: $199.90
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Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Chain - 200 lbs
Part Number: RA-27C
In Stock
$199.90
Retail:$382.96
You Save: $183.06
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RackEm Lift Supports - RA-27C
- Trailer
- Tailgate Assist
- RackEm
- Steel
This chain-driven tailgate lift assist makes it easy to raise and lower the tailgate on your open utility trailer. Compact unit mounts on just one side of your trailer, leaving more rail space available for racks, accessories, and trailer loading.
Features:
- Lift assist allows you to easily lift and lower the tailgate on your utility trailer
- Internal springs compensate for weight of tailgate to make it seem lighter
- Compact unit mounts on 1 side of trailer, saving space for other side-rail-mounted accessories
- Double-barrel design with 2 built-in springs allows for extra lifting and lowering power, if needed
- Second spring automatically engages if load on first spring is too great
- Internal steel sprocket chain and chrome-plated external chain are durable
- No chance of broken or frayed cables
- Sturdy solid steel construction
- Adjustable mounting plate lets you position chain depending on height of tailgate
- Ensures proper operation on trailers with differently sized tailgates
- Fast, easy installation with included hardware
- Drilling required
Specs:
- Application: open utility trailers with square-tube, round-tube, or angle-iron side walls
- Trailer side rail height: 10" to 15" from trailer bed
- Trailer tailgate height: at least 44" from trailer bed
- Weight capacity: 200 lbs
- Length: 54"
- 52-1/2" From center of bolt hole to center of bolt hole
- Endcap dimensions: 4-3/4" long x 2-3/16" tall
- Mounting bracket length: 12"
- 8-1/2" From mounting hole to mounting hole
- 10" From leftmost adjustment hole to rightmost adjustment hole
- 2-1/2" From adjustment hole to adjustment hole
- Spring lengths:
- Upper spring: 10-1/2"
- Lower spring: 18-1/2"
- 1-Year warranty
- Chain has a lifetime warranty
With the Rack'Em tailgate lift assist, you can raise and lower your utility trailer's tailgate with a single finger. The double-barrel assist will make a 134-lb gate feel like it weighs only 5 lbs, making it easy for practically anybody to lift or lower.
Installation
The double-barrel unit mounts on one of the side rails of your trailer using 2 of the included bolts. The adjustable mounting bracket then mounts onto the side of your tailgate with the other 2 bolts. Once both pieces are mounted, just choose the adjustment hole you would like to use based the size of your tailgate and clip the chain onto it. The top 3 holes are designed for taller, heavier tailgates, while the bottom 3 holes are for shorter, lighter tailgates. This adjustable design makes the Rack'Em Double Barrel lift assist perfect for any application.
How It Works
The chain that attaches to your tailgate connects to an internal sprocket chain that is in turn hooked to a spring inside the unit. This chain-and-spring combination is what takes on the weight of your tailgate. The first spring connects to a second spring inside the other barrel of the assist using an additional sprocket chain. If extra lifting power is needed, this second spring will automatically engage to help with the load.
Because this chain-and-spring setup only activates when under load, the system will never be too rigid to manage. As a result, you will always have smooth, consistent, and jerk-free motion regardless of your application.
RA-27C Rack Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Chain
Customer Satisfaction Score:
98% were satisfied with this product
2% of customers were not satisfied
- Wrong item was ordered
- Product did not meet expectations
- Arrived Damaged
Customer Reviews
Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Chain - 200 lbs - RA-27C
Average Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (204 Customer Reviews)
This chain-driven tailgate lift assist makes it easy to raise and lower the tailgate on your open utility trailer. Compact unit mounts on just one side of your trailer, leaving more rail space available for racks, accessories, and trailer loading.by: Art C12/09/2013
Received the product. Thanks for the speedy shipping.
I have installed the product and am very pleased with it's operation. It was very easy to install . Since it was placed on my trailer's side gate, I only had to make one small change. I drilled two mounting holes into the gate bracket and mounted it with the adjustment holes on the outside in order to keep the lift chain straight on it's sprockets. (shown in picture). I had to purchase nothing extra for the double barrel lifter and it works great. Friends are already commenting on it and getting the order info from me. More will come when the snow and ice clears.
Art C.
12/9/2014
Product works great as advertised.. Still happy that I purchased it!
by: Randy W.08/09/2017
I am very pleased with this product. I have installed this on my split tailgate and it works flawlessly. I have another trailer with the gorilla tailgate assists on both sides. I would pick the RA-27C double barrel over the gorilla springs, hands down. I have included some pics to help anyone else with a split tailgate. This is what I came up with and it works great!
Randy W.
8/9/2018
I have had this product for a year now and it still is working very well. I am very pleased and would still recommend this to anyone.
by: Al03/17/2023
This is just what I needed, it makes lifting the tail gate so easy with no effort.
Al
3/19/2024
Grate
by: Michael12/03/2023
I had a 2’ extension added to the gate to prevent mower deck spindles from catching and it made the gate too heavy for some to pick up. After adding the double barrel assist, the gate can be lifted with one hand!!
by: Jonathan Sims10/20/2017
This is a very good product. I choose this product because of ease of installation and cost. I had read other reviews and liked what I saw. I thought about the gorilla lift but didn’t want to go thru the hassle of installation. The Double Barrel system works flawless. Installation only took about 45 mins at the most. This really helped me out a lot because, my trailer gate is very heavy and a pain to pick up. I run a small Lawncare company so I’m always letting the gate up and down. So this was a must in my eyes. I decided to do what I saw another person did and that was u a eye bolt instead of the plate and it worked great. I’m very happy with my purchase and know it is going to last along time.
Jonathan S.
10/23/2018
Great no problems
by: Dorothy07/24/2022
First time I lowered it half way down it went slamming on the ground. A ring attaching the spring to the chain gave way it was not welded. I took a pair of channel locks and squeezed it closed and was going to have it welded being someone forgot to weld it but I thought it's under warranty and wasn't going to put the money out to fix it. The ring is a smaller diameter than the others one installed. Waiting on Rack' Em to send me parts under warranty. Someone should me crediting me some money back being I was put out and have to fix it.
Katrina B.
8/5/2022
I see that our customer service department is assisting you with your options.
by: Rod 03/26/2019
The Rack-em lift is excellent.
Really like this tailgate lift assist. Prefer the roller chain system over cables
Easy install on round tube trailer rails. Much simpler than the two side lift setup.
Took a little try & see to adjust for tension.
Price, ordering & shipping was good.
Will recommend this item to friends
by: Dawson M.02/18/2015
I got my Rack'em double barrel gate assist a few days ago and installed it. My trailer has 16 inch side rails which I was told is too high for it to work properly so I ended up welding a piece of angle iron to the outside of my trailer rails at 13 inches high to solve that problem. This actually worked out better anyway as it puts the doublebarrel down out of harms way and left my top rail unobstructed for my hedge trimmer mount.
I had a garage door spring mounted in this location and it worked well for 20 years but the double barrel works much better. It can be adjusted so that the gate requires zero effort to lift and it also does not slam the gate closed if I don't hold onto it past the halfway point or let the gate slam to the ground if I let go of it below the halfway point...it just works perfect!
It makes no annoying noises like the competing trailer gate assist units on the market do and is quite a bit shorter overall...Surprisingly, it's actually among the cheaper options in this category too.
Build quality seems good...The only concern I have is with the size of roller chain they used, I'm sure they've tested it extensively and determined that what they used is strong enough but I would feel more comfortable with a little larger size roller chain. Just a suggestion to the manufacturer if they happen to see this.
Can't say how it will hold up long term but initial impressions are great.
by: Glenn M06/30/2014
I purchased the Double Barrel for our landscape trailer. The tailgate has a two foot extension welded onto it making it 6" long. One guy could lift it but it was an accident waiting to happen. I made a phone call to Customer Service and Katie helped me out. She put me in touch with the manufacturing facility. After they confirmed that it would "help" with the weight I decided to purchase one with the thought that I might need two. The installation is simple but I did have to add two half inch spacers to align the chain on the sprocket but every trailer is different. Although the tailgate is not one finger light, it is more than acceptable and can now easily be lifted by one man. Great product and great customer service.
by: Robert06/29/2020
I just finished installing the system on my trailer. And I love it. I would like to give a shout out to carol in customer service. I did have a minor problem with shipping. I called customer service and talked to Carol and she had it fixed in a few minutes.
Due to the design of my trailer and the 6 foot gate. The trailer is of my design and I built it. The gate weighs more than the average gate so I opted to install two lift supports. At 54 with two bad shoulders the gat was extremely heavy to lift at just over 250 lbs. I highly recommend etrailer.
by: Paul f07/14/2018
Vanessa,
You were very professional– knowledgeable, easy to understand, and polite. The product was at a good price with free shipping, and I received it in 4 days. All a plus.
The etrailer video showed a simple installation with one finger lifting, and also the gate staying in a holding position between all the way up and all the way down.
My installation was simple, but I have an angle-iron constructed gate and it was easier to use an eye-bolt in place of the provided bracket to better line-up the chain. To take up the chain slack and preload the springs I moved the chain clip to a different link, but the lifting takes more than a finger and it will fall.
The Rack’em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist does help to lift the gate but doesn’t do it with the ease of one finger as shown in the video. If you have any suggestions they are welcome. Thanks.
by: Steve W11/03/2016
The double barrel tailgate lift is a life saver. It has made lifting my tailgate much easier and also helps when lowering it because it slows it down. My gate was a beast to lift but not anymore. It is definitely a great item that is well worth the price.
by: Steve08/08/2018
Perfect addition to my trailer. I don't care how many times I have to put the ramp up and down now. Nice paint finish, well built and easily installed. Prompt shipping and follow-up e-mails. Will continue to buy from E-Trailer.
by: dave mulvie10/29/2015
Great product and great response from support. Glen thanks.
Trailer has 3" dove tail ,mounted rail 15" above tailgate hinge point
eye at 46" took up 3 links, lift with two fingers.
by: Bill 06/07/2024
Well pleased.
by: Scott H.08/07/2017
Simple installation. The gate handle was in the way to mount the attachment plate as specified in the instructions, but I just flipped it and mounted it another way. It actually made the attachment points more in line with the sprocket. Works as advertised and looks good too!
by: Peter D06/09/2016
Fairly easy install. eTrailer videos were very helpful. Decided to use 3/8" Eye Bolt for gate instead of the gate bracket. Worked much better on angle iron built trailer.
by: Don 09/07/2023
a great product. would not think of havving a similar stype trailer without hlaving one installed.
by: RAY M07/30/2014
I INSTALLED THIS UNIT ON A 34IN- H-72IN-W- GATE I HADE TO ADD 25 LB AT TOP CENTER OF GATE WORKS REAL GOOD WILL SEND PICTURES TRAILER IS 6 X10 HASE 24IN DUOVE TAIL AT END OF BED
by: Central KS07/07/2017
Came 07 July 17 as promised. In great shape. It was installed with in 1 hrs of delivery. Went on easy and what a thrill 2 finger lift. Love it. No more struggling to lift and no more dropping gate.
by: Jack Hull05/01/2020
This was ordered for my dad. he & stepmom they were having a hard time lifting the rear gate. after installing it they said it was the best thing. Dad is 87 and he loves it.
Thanks again
by: Mike03/04/2024
After one year of continuous use, this is still performing like the day I installed it. Great product.
by: Danny. V05/02/2014
Product preformed as listed, easy to install and adjust. Huge difference in tailgate weight and balance
by: Andrew M03/25/2018
Pictures of the Rackem trailer gate assist (RA-27). I was told to take pictures and send them to this e-mail after install
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view full answer... - Max Lifting Capacity of the Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate AssistThe Double Barrel tailgate assist # RA-27C will help with approximately 130 pounds. Anything beyond that is the amount of weight you would be lifting, give or take a few pounds. The problem with mounting it higher than the 10 to 15 inch rail height is that you would have to have the connection to the tailgate so low that it would not help at all. You might be able to weld on a support to the trailer frame sides that is 10 to 15 inches up from the deck and use it that way.
view full answer... - Tailgate/Ramp Assist System Recommendation for a Utility TrailerActually we do carry a tailgate assist system for utility trailers. Check out the Rack'em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist # RA-27C. This system would reduce a 134 lb tailgate down to feeling like it weighs 5 lbs. I attached an install video for you to check out as well.
view full answer... - Can # RA-27C Rack'em Double Barrel Tailgate Assist Be Installed on Either Side of TrailerAccording to Rack'em, their # RA-27C Double Barrel Tailgate Assist can be installed on either the drivers or passenger side of the trailer. It's usually mounted on the driver's side, because the passenger side is usually up against the curb, and the trailer is loaded and unloaded from that side. You can see an installation video by clicking the provided link.
view full answer... - Ramp Assist Recommendation for a 60 lb RampFeel free to send me an email of your setup. But if you can mount the Rack'em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist # RA-27C 10 to 15 inches higher than the floor the ramp is attached to this should work well for you since it has a 200 lb capacity. I attached an install video for you to check out as well.
view full answer... - Alternate Mounting For Rackem Double Barrel tailgate Assist On Trailer With 3 Foot SidesI spoke with my contact at Rackem and they told me that there is an alternate method for installation of the Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist, part # RA-27C. They told me that when you have trailer sides that are taller than 15 inches you can either weld an angle to the outside of the trailer at the correct height or they said some folks mount 2 by 6 boards on the side of the trailer to mount the lift assist to. You will want to make sure that any installation of the tailgate assist...
view full answer... - Is There any Maintenance Required for Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift AssistLubing the chain periodically of the Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Chain # RA-27C would really be the only maintenance required.
view full answer... - Lube for Use on Rack'em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift AssistOn the chain of the Rack'em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Chain # RA-27C a dry lube like a chain wax would work really well.
view full answer... - How Can Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist # RA27C be Mounted on 24 inch Tall Trailer Side RailsWe have spoken with our contacts at Rack'Em before about this same issue you have and they told us that as long as you can attach the Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist # RA27C at a height of between 10-15 inches relative to the floor of the trailer you would be fine. You would most likely need to attach the unit to the either the inside or the outside of the trailer sides since overall yours are 24 inches tall. Rack'Em told me that when you have trailer sides that are taller than 15...
view full answer... - Does Rackem Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist, # RA-27C Use a Chain or CableI went out to the warehouse and pulled a Rackem Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist, # RA-27C, to examine it. It does use a chain, like shown in the video linked below, and not a cable. I have also included a link to the installation details below.
view full answer... - Can a Rackem Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist Mount on a Fender Instead of Trailer RailsThe Rack'em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist # RA-27C you referenced has to be installed on a side rail. It will work on trailer side rails that are 10 to 15 inches tall, and the tailgate has to be at least 44 inches tall in the upright position. When installing on your trailer, ensure the tailgate assist is a close as possible to the end of the rails (as close to the ramp as possible) without interfering with the latches or pins that secure the ramp in the upright position. It will...
view full answer... - Will Latch Interfere With Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift AssistI saw the review you were referencing with regard to the Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist # RA-27C and what they said wasn't that it would not work but that the chain is hindered by the latch. It is possible you may have similar interference but without knowing the exact set up and dimensions of where your trailer latch is it would be tough to confirm any modifications you may have to make. The Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist # RA-27C will require your side rails...
view full answer... - How Close to Trailer Ramp Does Rack'em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist # RA-27C Need to BeWhen installing the Rack'em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist # RA-27C on a trailer you want the unit to be as close to the end of the rail as possible meaning that you want to be as close to the ramp as possible on the side rails as it can be without interfering with the latches or pins that secure the ramp in the upright position. For more info check out the install video I attached as well.
view full answer... - Will Rackem Tailgate Assist Fit Trailer with 12 inch Side Rails and Tailgate 42 inches from RailYour side rail being 12 inches high is compatible with the Rackem assist part # RA-27C. Is it 12 inches high at the end of the trailer where it meets the tailgate/ramp? If so it would be fine in that regard. The tailgate needs to be 44 inches from the floor of the trailer. Yours being 42 inches from the top of the railing would mean it would be compatible. That would mean yours is 54 inches from trailer bed.
view full answer... - Comparison Between Rack'Em Double Barrel and Gorilla-Lift Tailgate Lift Assist SystemsBetween 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...
view full answer... - Is RackEm Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist # RA-27C Adjustable for Heavy RampsThe Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist # RA-27C that you referenced has a bracket that installs on the ramp of the trailer with several holes you can pick from. The higher the hole you pick the more lift assist you get. For example, if you check out the picture I attached you'll see it setup with the most lift capacity it can produce.
view full answer...
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view full answer... - Will The Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist Work On A Horse TrailerIt really depends on the style of your trailer. If you have an open trailer with side rails that could attach the Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist # RA-27C to then yes, you could use it. If you have an enclosed horse trailer then you would need to install an appropriately sized ramp door spring, like part # ERS160D96, to help lift and lower the ramp door.
view full answer... - Does the Rack'em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist # RA-27C Have to Be Installed on a Side RailI spoke to my contact at Rackem and the Rack'em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist # RA-27C that you referenced has to be installed on a side rail between 10-15 inches in height, preferably 12 inches tall.
view full answer... - What Size Tailgate Can Be Used with the Rackem Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate AssistIn order to determine if the Rack'em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist, # RA-27C, will work with your trailer, you will need to measure the height and length of the side rails. This unit will work on trailer side rails that are 10 to 15 inches tall. It will require a rail that is at least 53 inches long since the center to center mounting hole length is 52-1/2 inches and the unit is 54 inches long overall.
view full answer... - Length of Upper # RA-DB3 and Lower # RA-DB4 Spring Replacements for Rack Em Tailgate Assist # RA-27CAfter speaking with my contact at Rack Em, I was informed the length of the Upper Spring Replacement # RA-DB3 for the Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist # RA-27C is 10-1/2 inches from the end of each eyelet. The length of the Lower Spring Replacement # RA-DB4 is 18-1/2 inches from the end of each eyelet. We also offer the Gorilla Left Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist # GL1.
view full answer... - Can Rack'Em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist Be Mounted Vertically On TrailerI spoke with my contact at Rack'em about the Rack'em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist, part # RA-27C, and they told me that this system is not designed to be mounted vertically and it could impede the performance if mounted in a manner other than what it is designed for. They said it is to be mounted horizontally 10 to 15 inches from the floor of the trailer in order to work the way it was designed.
view full answer... - How Does the Rack'em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist Perform In WinterI spoke with my contact at Rack'em about the Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist # RA-27C. She said that they have found that the winter does not effect the Double Barrel's perfomrnace, and they have not had customer complaints about any issues with performance in winter weather. All but the end of the component where the chain comes out to connect to the tailgate are protected in the housing.
view full answer... - Does Replacement Upper Spring Part # RA-DB3 Have Weight CapacityThe spring part # RA-DB3 is a replacement for the Rack'em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift part # RA-27C which is a tailgate lift that has a 200 lb capacity. So the springs aren't really rated for general use like you are asking about.
view full answer...
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Bob F.
6/28/2014
Very quick delivery, with 1 modification, I had it installed and it works GREAT. Recommend it highly..