Are gorilla carts any good?

Gorilla carts have become increasingly popular over the last few years as a versatile and heavy duty option for hauling and transporting various loads. With their rugged steel frames and oversized pneumatic tires, gorilla carts are built to tackle tough terrain while providing ease of use and maneuverability. But are they really as useful and well-designed as they seem? Here is an in-depth look at what exactly gorilla carts have to offer.

What are the key features of a gorilla cart?

There are a few core features that set gorilla carts apart from other wheeled transports like wheelbarrows or wagon carts:

• Steel frame construction – Gorilla cart frames are made from thick steel tubing to prevent flexing and bending under heavy loads.
• Pneumatic tires – Large, air-filled tires provide cushioning and allow gorilla carts to roll easily over rough terrain without getting stuck.
• Quick release dump feature – Gorilla carts allow you to quickly release the bed and dump loads through the use of a quick release mechanism.
• Convertible handle – The elongated pulling handle on gorilla carts can be converted into an angled handle for controlled dumping.
• High weight capacities – Gorilla carts commonly have load capacities of 600 lbs or more.
• Multi-purpose utility – The flat bed design allows gorilla carts to haul everything from dirt and mulch to building materials and plants.

These core design elements optimize gorilla carts for tackling tough jobs on off-road terrain. The sturdy construction and high weight capacity enable you to haul heavy materials like dirt, bricks, gravel, and thick vegetation. The oversized pneumatic tires provide the cushioning and grip needed to traverse uneven ground or soft soil without getting bogged down. Meanwhile, the quick release dump feature allows easy unloading of hauled contents.

What are the benefits of using a gorilla cart?

Here are some of the top advantages that gorilla carts offer over other non-motorized carts and wheelbarrows:

• Heavy duty construction – With steel frames and pneumatic tires, gorilla carts are built to be extremely durable for tackling the toughest hauling jobs.
• All terrain mobility – Large pneumatic tires provide cushioning and allow gorilla carts to smoothly traverse rough or uneven terrain that would stop other wheeled devices.
• Quick dumping – The quick release dump feature makes unloading fast and easy compared to tilting or tipping a traditional wheelbarrow.
• Excellent maneuverability – The elongated pulling handle provides enhanced leverage and steering for maneuvering gorilla carts compared to typical wheelbarrows.
• High weight capacity – With weight capacities up to 1200 lbs, gorilla carts allow you to haul extremely heavy loads without failure.
• Multipurpose utility – The simple but rugged flat bed design suits gorilla carts to carrying all types of loads, from dense materials like rocks or logs to loose materials like mulch or dirt.

In summary, gorilla carts combine extreme durability and high weight capacity with easy steering and all-terrain mobility. This makes them ideal for tackling challenging hauling jobs on properties or worksites with rough or uneven terrain, where a regular wheelbarrow would have difficulty traveling smoothly.

What are some potential drawbacks of gorilla carts?

Despite their advantages, gorilla carts do come with some potential limitations to keep in mind:

• Higher cost – Gorilla carts range from $100 to $300, making them a pricier choice than basic wheelbarrows.
• Heavy and bulky – When not loaded, gorilla carts can be heavy and awkward to maneuver due to their steel construction.
• Not self-standing – Gorilla carts require support to stay upright when parked, unlike wheelbarrows that stand on their own.
• Limited bed volume – While gorilla carts have high weight capacities, their beds cannot match wheelbarrows for sheer volume of loose material like mulch or dirt.
• Can strain users – The heavy loads gorilla carts allow can put strain on users’ backs, arms, and grips if loads are very heavy.
• Difficult to load/unload – The high sides and lack of tipping ability can make shoveling items into or out of a gorilla cart’s bed more difficult compared to a tipping wheelbarrow.

For users needing to routinely carry light loads or very large volumes of loose material, a basic wheelbarrow may provide an easier loading/unloading experience and better value for money. And gorilla carts do require more strength and effort to pull and turn when loaded to capacity. The pneumatic tires also necessitate occasional air pressure checks and can suffer punctures. However, for anyone needing to frequently traverse rough terrain while hauling heavy loads, a gorilla cart’s advantages outweigh their drawbacks.

How does gorilla cart design compare to a typical contractor grade wheelbarrow?

Feature	Gorilla Cart	Contractor Wheelbarrow
Frame/Bed Construction	Steel tubing frame and flat steel bed	Steel or plastic tray bed with two wheel steel frame
Wheels	Two 20″ pneumatic tires	One or two inflated rubber wheels
Weight Capacity	600-1200 lbs	300-600 lbs
Volume Capacity	6-15 cu ft	7-18 cu ft
Ground Clearance	12 inches	8 inches
Turning Radius	Greater due to front axle pivot	Smaller due to wheel placement
Maneuverability	Good leverage from elongated handle	Very good due to balanced loads
Loading/Unloading	Higher lift over sides, manual unloading	Low lift over front, easy tipping to unload
All Terrain Capability	Excellent with rugged pneumatic tires	Fair depending on wheel type
Typical Uses	Heavy materials, rough/uneven terrain	Medium-duty work, smooth surfaces

In summary, gorilla carts differentiate themselves through higher weight capacity, improved ground clearance, a more robust frame and cargo bed, and enhanced all-terrain capability. But traditional contractor wheelbarrows maintain some advantages in balanced maneuverability, larger volume capacity, easier loading/unloading, and lower cost.

What are the most popular gorilla cart models and brands?

There are a variety of reputable gorilla cart manufacturers producing different models to suit various needs and budgets. Some of the top options include:

Best Choice Products Dual-Wheel Steel Dump Cart

• 1,200 lb weight capacity
• 20 inch pneumatic tires
• 15 cubic foot capacity
• Hydraulic dump bed
• Convertible extended handle

This extra-large Best Choice Products model provides maximum durability and cargo capacity in a gorilla cart format. It can haul huge loads over any terrain.

Mac Sports Collapsible Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon Cart

• 150 lb weight capacity
• 10 inch pneumatic tires
• Collapsible design
• Includes adjustable handle and drink holders

Mac Sports offers a lighter duty and more compact gorilla cart suited for smaller jobs and easier storage thanks to its collapsible design.

Gorilla Carts GOR4PS Poly Garden Dump Cart

• 600 lb weight capacity
• 10 inch pneumatic tires
• Patented quick-release dump feature
• Steel frame with poly bed
• Includes convertible handle

This popular Gorilla Carts model provides a nice balance of durability, ease of use, and maneuverability for medium-duty hauling tasks.

Polar Trailer 8376 7 Cubic Foot Steel Utility Cart

• 400 lb weight capacity
• Low 7 cubic foot steel bed
• 20 inch pneumatic tires
• Minimalist steel tubing frame
• Great for tight spaces and smaller jobs

Polar Trailer offers a basic, lighter duty gorilla cart for moving supplies and small loads in tight workspaces while still providing rugged performance.

There are also other variations like heavier-duty 1,500+ lb capacity models from brands like Strongway suited for extremely heavy loads. And smaller plastic-bed utility wagons from companies like Radio Flyer for light, casual use. But the above examples showcase the core range of popular consumer and contractor-grade gorilla carts.

How much do gorilla carts typically cost?

Pricing for gorilla carts ranges widely based on factors like:

• Bed construction – Steel vs. poly/plastic
• Weight capacity – Larger for heavy duty models
• Wheels – Pneumatic vs solid
• Brand name – Premium brands charge more
• Special features – Hydraulic lift, convertible handle, etc.

Some ballpark gorilla cart pricing tiers include:

• Light utility wagon style: $100 to $200
• Mid-range models: $200 to $300
• Heavy duty contractor models: $300 to $500
• Extreme capacity designs – $500+

So expect to pay around $200 to $400 for a typical steel-frame, pneumatic-tire gorilla cart suited to moderate to heavy loads. Going with a lighter plastic utility wagon or high-end hydraulic dump model could range from less than $150 to over $500.

Cost Saving Tips

Some ways to potentially get more value from a gorilla cart purchase include:

• Shop end of season sales in fall/winter when prices dip on stock
• Consider cheaper but still rugged poly bed options to save over steel
• Choose basic models without hydraulic lift options to save money
• Search for refurbished/used gorilla carts to get discounts
• Join retailer club memberships for exclusive discounts

The key is balancing your budget with the design features and durability you need for your intended hauling purposes. Heavier steel beds and higher weight capacities do come with a real benefit for frequent heavy jobs. But there are ways to potentially save on cost without sacrificing core performance.

What are the most common uses for gorilla carts vs. wheelbarrows?

Due to their powerful durability and off-road handling, gorilla carts excel at:

• Hauling extremely heavy materials like bricks, logs, thick vegetation, gravel, etc.
• Traversing very uneven or muddy terrain
• Quickly dumping loose loads of dirt, mulch, gravel, etc.
• Moving supplies and tools around a worksite or property
• Yard and garden work requiring frequent loading/unloading

Wheelbarrows remain preferable for:

• Larger total capacities of loose material
• Quick maneuvering and access in tight spaces
• Very easy loading/unloading without manual lifting
• Smooth surface usage with balanced loads
• Budget-friendly price point

So choose a gorilla cart for rugged durability to traverse almost any landscape while hauling extremely heavy loads. Opt for a traditional wheelbarrow when working mainly on smooth surfaces and prioritizing easy dumping and steering over total weight capacity.

Conclusion

With their sturdy steel frames and oversized tires, gorilla carts live up to their name in being able to power through incredibly demanding hauling scenarios. Their all-terrain mobility and high weight capacities make easy work of moving even heavy bricks or thick vegetation over uneven terrain. And models with quick release dump beds make unloading cargo a breeze.

While limitations like higher cost and confined bed space exist, gorilla carts are purpose-built to conquer challenging hauling jobs regular wheelbarrows simply cannot. For anyone needing to frequently move extremely heavy loads over rough or unstable ground, gorilla carts provide an incredibly stout, durable, and easy steering solution.