GORILLA-LIFT 2-Sided Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist Review

Hey guys, this review is going to be for the Genuine GORILLA-LIFT 2-Sided Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist, and I want to get straight to the point: I own this, I use it, and it has genuinely changed how I deal with my utility trailer tailgate. If you’ve ever wrestled a heavy steel tailgate up and down a dozen times in a single workday, you already know why something like this is worth talking about.

After using it I get the value. This thing is designed to take the full weight off your tailgate so it floats up and down with almost no effort. That’s the whole idea, and for the most part it delivers exactly that. Here’s everything you need to know before you buy.

What the GORILLA-LIFT Actually Does

The core promise is simple: make a heavy utility trailer tailgate feel virtually weightless. The system uses enclosed lifting mechanisms on both sides of the tailgate, connected by stainless steel, hard nylon-coated cables running over self-lubricating nylon rollers. When it’s properly set up and adjusted, your tailgate stays in whatever position you leave it and moves up or down with the slightest push or pull. That’s not marketing language, that’s literally how it works once it’s dialed in.

What’s really great about this design is that both lifting mechanisms sit inside low-profile housings. The mechanism isn’t exposed to debris, tools sliding around, or accidental contact. That matters when you’re loading and unloading equipment repeatedly, because you don’t want to be nursing a damaged spring or cable after a couple months of real use.

Who This Is Actually For

This Lift Assist is built for landscapers, contractors, and anyone running an open utility trailer day in and day out. If your trailer tailgate is heavy enough that lowering it feels like a controlled fall and raising it takes real effort, this is the fix. It’s designed for open utility trailers with side rails approximately 12 to 24 inches high and tailgates approximately 4 to 6 feet tall, and it attaches to square tubing, round tubing, or angle iron side rails, so it covers a wide range of common trailer builds.

It’s also worth noting the maximum tailgate or ramp weight capacity is 300 pounds. Most standard utility trailer tailgates fall well under that, but if you’re running something unusually heavy on a commercial rig, check your tailgate weight first. This isn’t a unit you want to push past its rated limit.

If you only pull out your trailer a couple of times a year for weekend hauls, the GORILLA-LIFT is probably more than you need. But if this is a daily or weekly work tool, the math changes fast.

Installation: Faster Than You’d Expect

Installation is rated at under an hour, and the hardware is designed to attach quickly to common trailer side rail types without any specialized tools or fabrication. The system is adjustable for different tailgate weights and sizes, which is important because not every utility trailer tailgate weighs the same. You dial in the tension until the tailgate floats the way it’s supposed to, and that’s genuinely where the payoff is. Get the adjustment right and the tailgate holds any position on its own.

The whole assembly is 6 feet long, 2 inches wide, and 2 inches tall, and the unit itself weighs 34 pounds. So you’re not dealing with something tiny, but for what it replaces and what it protects, the size makes sense. The rust-resistant hardware and powder-coated alloy steel construction are also doing real work here, since this lives outdoors on a trailer, exposed to weather and grime.

The Build Quality Doesn’t Feel Like a Compromise

Genuine GORILLA-LIFT is the original in this category, and the materials show it. Stainless steel cables, self-lubricating nylon rollers, rust-resistant hardware, powder-coated alloy steel housing. These aren’t the choices you make when you’re building something disposable. It comes with a 12-month limited parts warranty, which is a reasonable baseline for a mechanical assembly like this, though it’s worth knowing the warranty covers parts only, not labor.

The enclosed housing is something I appreciate specifically because open mechanisms collect debris and get knocked around. Keeping the lifting mechanism inside a low-profile case means it’s protected from the kind of daily abuse a working trailer takes.

Pricing and Where to Buy

The Genuine GORILLA-LIFT 2-Sided Trailer Tailgate Lift Assist is available through various retailers. Check the current price at the links above. This is a considered purchase, not an impulse buy. For someone using a trailer occasionally, that price point gives you pause. For someone who loads and unloads a trailer daily, the calculus is different. A tailgate that warps, hinges that fail prematurely, or a back injury from lifting a stubborn gate all add up in cost when you actually total things.

Real Trade-Offs to Know Before You Buy

A few things are worth being upfront about. First, the 34-pound weight of the unit itself means installation isn’t a one-person job if you want to hold it in place and align it correctly at the same time. Having a second person on hand for the initial mount makes it easier. Second, the adjustability is a feature, but it also means you have to take the time to set it up correctly. If you rush the tension adjustment, the tailgate won’t float the way it’s supposed to, and you’ll think the product isn’t working when really it just needs another pass. Third, this is built for open utility trailers specifically. It’s not designed for enclosed trailers or pickup truck tailgates, so check your setup before ordering.

The Bottom Line on the GORILLA-LIFT

I own this Lift Assist and I’d recommend it if you’re dealing with a heavy utility trailer tailgate on any kind of regular basis. The build quality is solid, the concept works, and the adjustability means it fits more trailer setups than a fixed-tension system would. It’s not cheap, and it’s not a five-minute install, but it does what it says it does. If you’re loading equipment, lawn care tools, or construction materials onto an open utility trailer regularly, this is the kind of upgrade that makes your workday noticeably smoother. Worth a look.

The scorecard

Build Quality, ★★★★★ 4.5/5

Ease of Installation, ★★★★☆ 3.5/5

Compatibility Range, ★★★★☆ 4.0/5

Value for Daily Users, ★★★★★ 4.5/5

Safety Features, ★★★★★ 4.5/5

👉 If you run an open utility trailer regularly and your tailgate feels like dead weight, the GORILLA-LIFT is a practical, well-built fix that earns its price.

Frequently asked questions

What size utility trailers does the GORILLA-LIFT fit?

It is designed for open utility trailers with side rails approximately 12 to 24 inches high and tailgates approximately 4 to 6 feet tall. It attaches to square tubing, round tubing, and angle iron side rails, which covers most common open utility trailer builds.

Is there a weight limit for the tailgate or ramp?

Yes. The maximum tailgate or ramp weight the system is rated for is 300 pounds. Check your tailgate’s actual weight before purchasing, especially if you’re running a heavy commercial-grade ramp setup.

How long does installation take?

The manufacturer rates installation at under an hour. Having a second person on hand makes alignment easier, especially when positioning the 6-foot, 34-pound assembly on the trailer rails for the first time.

Where is the best place to buy the GORILLA-LIFT?

Check the current price at multiple retailers using the links above. Availability and pricing can vary, so comparing options before purchase is a good idea.

Does the GORILLA-LIFT come with a warranty?

Yes, it includes a 12-month limited parts warranty. The warranty covers parts only and does not include labor, so keep that in mind if you’re having a shop handle any warranty-related work.