Barn Doors vs. Tailgate

[seanish4042]

Whatsup..


Currently have a 94 2WD Suburban w/ barn doors. Have absoultely loved the car, seeing as that we have 7 kids...but need something new. Has anyone had barn doors...and switched to tailgate? Was is a good switch...bad switch?

What are the advantages/disadvatages of each?

Also...what are your thoughts on running boards? Had them and loved them? Had them and hated them?...Thanks a lot for your time.

[-The Stig-]

Damn Seven kids...


Well, if you have to get stuff out of the back constantly. Barn doors are the way to go.

Tailgate is nice, cause there isn't anything blocking your rear vision. Used to have a '86 Chevy Blazer (fullsize) and it was basically a Suburban minus two doors. Loved it, the big open window was nice to see out of in such a large vehicle. Plus you can hit a button and it slides down so it's like having a poor mans A/C.

But I'd prefer barn doors, looks better and has better functionality for daily driver purposes. Maybe not for loading/unloading big equptment or hauling stuff.

[frootl00p3]

I think the Tailgate option looks Really nice and in the Rain it is a handy feature, however if you ever tow a boat or trailer it is a hang-up. I used to sell GM cars and my company car was a Yukon XL with the tailgate, however my personal car was a suburban with barn doors. We have a boat that we took out in my company car which we were considering purchasing. When we backed down the ramp and opened the back to get our stuff to put into the boat and it could only lift part way up because it hit the boat, our decision was made. The barn doors were never a problem. Another issue with the tailgate is if you ever back into a driveway, which I always do because I have two children and it is easier for them to get in if the doors aren't trying to close on them and it is easier for me to pull out in the morning, The tailgate needs to be a certain distant from any obstruction, which for me was the garage door, to open so we could unload it. I live in Washington State and I got accustomed to backing up to the door as close as possible so we didn't get wet when unloading groceries or other things. I could never get used to staying more forward to allow for the larger door and I always had to pull back forward. My last issue with the door is its height. My husband is 6'4" and he had to duck, sometimes he forgot. SO even though the tailgate is pretty and the wiper is handy the barn doors are more practical in many ways. Good luck
Jodi

[gregory914]

I have 97 Burb w/barn doors and I had a 93 K Blazer (full size) with the tailgate. My opinion is that gatting stuff in and out is much easier with the doors but, if you haul something long the tailgate is better and it's real nice to just sit on and listen to music or watch sporting events and if it rains....you don't get wet because of the rear window that doubles as an awning.
I ordered my 97 with the doors at my wifes request because of a baby stroller, but the baby is eight now and I wish had gotten the tailgate.