Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Chain - 200 lbs
(199 reviews)
Price: $210.90
In Stock
Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Chain - 200 lbs
Item # RA-27C
Retail:$284.50
Our Price: $210.90
You Save: $73.60
In Stock
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RackEm Tailgate - RA-27C
- Tailgate Assist
- Trailer Tailgate
- RackEm
- Gray
- Manual
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
- Product did not meet expectations
- Wrong item was ordered
- 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 (199 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
by: Don 09/07/2023
a great product. would not think of havving a similar stype trailer without hlaving one installed.
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: Mike03/04/2024
After one year of continuous use, this is still performing like the day I installed it. Great product.
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: Craig 03/22/2024
Works great on 5’ heavy duty gate
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: Mark 06/24/2023
I chose this lift assist because it only required drilling two holes in the steel side rail of the trailer. This was a year ago and it has worked very well. Perfect for my needs.
by: Rob 05/11/2023
I'm using this for a commercial lawn company. I do believe the springs have lost some of there strength but overall this is a great system. I will say though were opening and closing this gate up to 25 times a day. I was using the gorilla lift before and was constantly having to replace cables and the rollers that the cables were supposed to run on. That cannot happen on this system because of the chain and sprocket.
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: 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.
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See what our Experts say about this RackEm Tailgate
- 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... - Installing RackEm Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate on Pipe Top Rail TrailerYou can indeed install the Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate # RA-27C on your trailer with a 3 inch pipe top rail. When installing the unit you will just need to obtain a couple of muffler clamps that fit the 3 inch pipe top and use them instead of the included U-bolts. I have attached an image from the installation instructions that further details this process.
view full answer...
- Tailgate Lift Assist For Trailer with Rails 22.5" From Bed to Top of RailI have a solution for you, but the Rack'em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate lift assist requires that the trailer side rail height be between 10" and 15", so this is not a good fit for your trailer. Instead, you can use the Gorilla-Lift Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist # GL1 which is compatible with top rails between 12" and 24" from the top rail to the trailer bed. The Gorilla Lift will lift tailgates that weigh as much as 300-lbs, so it's going to be noticeably stronger than...
view full answer... - Replacement Upper Spring For The Rack'Em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist Sure, we'd be happy to assist you and see if we have something for! We have plenty of options of replacement springs/coils like the: -Replacement Upper Spring for Rack'Em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist # RA-DB3 that you were looking at. This replacement spring measures 10-1/2" overall length, and is 1-1/2" wide, and is actually a direct replacement for the Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Chain # RA-27C. Feel free to send over those pictures with...
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... - How to Make Raising and Lowering a Heavy Trailer Ramp EasierYou wouldn't use a spring like # RS16933LH because it produces 2,000 foot pounds of torque and you would not be able to open the ramp. What I recommend is either the Rack'em Double Barrel tailgate assist, # RA-27C. The Double Barrel will reduce a 134 pound ramp to less than 5 pounds and works in both directions and for ramps up to 200 pounds. I linked a video showing how the Double Barrel installs.
view full answer... - Installing A Tailgate Lift Assist With Chain To Folding TailgateThe Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Chain - 200 lbs # RA-27C is a great option for your 2 section tail gate. Without knowing exactly how the two sections are attached to each other, I can only give you some general thoughts. The chain is adjustable in length and repairable using # DB-CRK and the height issue may require modifications for this to work properly. You can attach the bracket to the top section and then add a second bracket and a bar to secure...
view full answer... - Measurements for Installing the Rack'em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate AssistThe length of the spring or internal mechanism does not really matter. What matters is the measurement from the floor of the trailer up to the top of the mounting bracket for tailgate assist # RA-27C. The top of the bracket that attaches to the tailgate needs to be 44 inches from the trailer floor. The main unit needs to be mounted so that the end with the chain that attaches to the tailgate is right at the end of the side rail.
view full answer... - Comparing The Gorilla-Lift And Rack'Em Tailgate Lift-AssistsThe only real benefit of the Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Chain # RA-27C would be that you can easily adjust the tension on the gate bracket instead of having to make multiple holes in the gate framing with the Gorilla-Lift # GL1 to change the tension. Since I've actually used the Gorilla-Lift and was happy with it I'm a bit biased towards them. The gate bracket for the Rack'Em does look a lot nicer than the eye-bolt setup for the Gorilla-Lift, but I feel...
view full answer... - Trailer Ramp Lift Assist that Will Fit a 5 to 5-1/2 Foot RailThe springs inside the Gorilla-Lift Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist # GL1 are nearly as long as the outer tubes so you would not be able to trim them down to fit a shorter rail and still maintain the same functionality and capacity. What I recommend is the Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist # RA-27C. It is a similar item with a 200 pound capacity but it is 54 inches long overall (4-1/2 feet) so it would fit without modification. I have linked a video review...
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... - 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... - Weight Limit for Rack'em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift AssistBy lift cap I believe you are referring to the weight capacity, and the maximum weight your tailgate can be for the Rack'em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist # RA-27C is 200 lbs. In regards to the extended spring length, there isn't a recorded length of the spring when all the way extended, because the parameters of the gate are such that it will only work with top rails that are between 10 and 15 inches above the trailer deck. Also, the mounting bracket has to be installed...
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... - What is the Length of the Bolts of the Rack'em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist # RA-27CI went and measured the mounting bolts that come with the Rack'em Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist # RA-27C and found that they are 2 inches long. You will need to provide longer bolts to install this on your trailer frame that is 2-1/2 inches square.
view full answer... - Can the Rack'Em Tailgate Lift Assist # RA-27C be Unhooked Easily for Custom Folding RampThe Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist # RA-27C actually uses a chain and clip system to connect to your ramp so you may not need to come up with your own quick-disconnect system. When your trailer ramp is in the vertical position that is when there is the least amount of tension on the lift assist so you should be able to unhook it. Attached is a sample installation video for you to check out.
view full answer... - Weighing Tailgate to Find Which Tailgate Lift Assist Can be UsedThe easiest method to weighing your trailer's tailgate would be to use a hanging scale with the appropriate capacity as they are both inexpensive and easy to find. That would allow you to know whether or not you need the 200 lb capacity Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist # RA-27C, which you would only need one of, or the 300 lb capacity Gorilla-Lift Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist # GL1, which would require use on both sides of the tailgate. I've added links...
view full answer... - Replacement Trailer Ramp SpringsWe have several hinge pins like # HP412G that I have linked for you, but it sounds like you need actual springs. We have some heavy duty ramp springs like # RS16933RH and # RS16933LH if you happen to have a heavy duty equipment trailer like what they haul tractors and other large equipment on. For an open utility trailer you may be able to use a tailgate assist like # RA-27C. Or for an enclosed trailer we have springs that are similar to garage door systems. I have linked those 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... - Lift Assist Recommendations for Trailer Ramp GateFor a spring I recommend using the Redline ramp springs Right Hand # RS16933RH or Left Hand # RS16933LH depending on what your application calls for. These are designed for trailer ramps and are rated for 2,000 lbs so you know they will work properly. Since you mentioned a gate you might be interested in the Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Chain # RA-27C instead as it's meant for smaller ramps on utility trailers. I've attached some review videos for you...
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... - Recommended Trailer Ramp/Gate Lift Assist For Utility Trailer with Custom Solid Gate/RampFor a trailer gate that weighs more than 300 lbs, I recommend using two of the Rack'Em Double Barrel Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Chain - 200 lbs # RA-27C. If it is right at 300 lbs, I recommend the Gorilla-Lift Utility Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist w/ Cable - 300 lbs # GL1 as a more economical alternative for your custom made gate/ramp.
view full answer... - Material and Coating Information for the Rackem Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist # RA-27CI spoke with my contact at Rackem about the information you requested for the Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist, # RA-27C. The chain that attaches to the tailgate bracket is chrome plated steel. The internal chain and spring are not plated because they are stored in the tailgate assist housing and will not be exposed to the elements very much and the main housing is painted steel, not baked enamel. The only lubrication that Rackem recommends is occasionally applying an oil style lubricant...
view full answer... - RackEm Double Barrel Trailer Tailgate Assist, Part # RA-27C on Dovetail TrailerThe short answer is maybe. In order for the tailgate assist to work correctly, the side rails of the trailer should be 10-15 inches high, and the tailgate at least 44 inches tall when in the upright position. If the dimensions of your trailer fall within these parameters, the RackEm Double Barrel will work just fine.
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..