Does my vehicle have a kit available?
It depends on year / make / model — and how new the vehicle is. GCH engineers kits for specific make / model / generation combinations. Recent body-style changes are the most common gap — if your vehicle is the first model year of a new generation, the kit may not be available yet. Best path: call us with your year / make / model. We'll verify availability with GCH before quoting. No charge for the check.
How does the obstacle detection work?
The kit includes a pressure-safety system. If the gate hits resistance while opening or closing — a head, a tall object, a hand on the bumper — it stops and reverses direction. The threshold is calibrated so normal wind resistance or a soft brush doesn't trigger it, but anything firm enough to be a problem does. Audible alarm during operation also alerts people standing nearby.
What if I have an aftermarket key fob?
Most aftermarket fobs work fine — the kit reads the lock / unlock signal pattern, not the brand of fob. The standard activation is 3 quick presses of the unlock button to trigger the gate. We'll confirm compatibility when we check fitment, and program the kit to your fob during install.
Will this affect my factory warranty?
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 protects your factory warranty against being voided over aftermarket parts. A manufacturer would have to prove an aftermarket part caused a specific failure to deny a claim. We follow proper documentation when installing the kit and keep the wiring isolated from factory systems where possible. The kit itself carries a GCH manufacturer warranty — we'll share the current terms with your quote.
How long does the install take?
Most installs are a full business day. Drop off in the morning, drive away in the afternoon. Time goes to: trim removal, mounting the motor + struts, routing wiring to the fuse box and switch locations, programming activation modes to your fob, and reassembly. If you add the optional foot kick sensor, add a couple hours for the rear-bumper sensor placement and calibration.
Is the foot kick sensor worth it?
Depends on how often your hands are full. If you regularly carry groceries, kids, gear, or work tools to the rear of the vehicle, the kick sensor is the difference between fumbling for the fob and just waving your foot. If you're mostly opening the gate hands-free anyway (because you already had the fob out), it's less essential. Most customers who do daily carrying find it pays for itself in convenience inside a month.
How loud is the motor?
Quieter than most conversations. GCH rates the motor under 50 dB at 12 inches — for reference, a normal indoor conversation is around 60 dB. You'll hear it operate, but it's not the kind of sound that wakes a sleeping kid in the back seat or annoys the neighbors at 6 AM.