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Bounce & Bolt

Swing Sets Comparison

Gorilla Playsets vs Backyard Discovery: Printed Capacity or Named Standard and Stakes in the Box?

The two biggest cedar swing set brands publish different things. Gorilla prints the structure and the load; Backyard Discovery prints the standard and ships the anchors. Chateau vs Skyfort II and Mountaineer vs Mount McKinley.

By Mike M.Updated How we rate
Wooden play structure with a slide in a leafy garden
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Side by side

The picks on each side

Side by side

SpecGorilla Playsets Chateau Swing SetBackyard Discovery Skyfort II Swing Set
CapacityTotal weight capacity up to 800 lb on 4 in x 4 in framing and a 4 in x 6 in swing beamDesigned with multiple play areas for up to 15 kids; no weight rating printed
Framing4x4 wood framing; 4x6 three-position swing beam; natural cedarNot published
Deck5 ft elevated play deckNot published
Fall & pinch designRecessed hardware and rubber-coated swing chainsNot published
AnchoringGorilla sells ground stakes in pairs that attach to the swing beam legs; recommends new stakes as annual maintenanceGround stakes are included with all Backyard Discovery swing sets, with anchoring instructions
CertificationNot publishedEngineered to meet or exceed ASTM standards (code F1148-22); residential use only
MaterialNot published100% cedar wood; pre-cut, pre-drilled, pre-stained
Size19 ft W x 11 ft H x 14 ft D; 725 lb shipping weight263 in W x 201 in D x 148 in H; 709.9 lb
AssemblyApproximately 6-8 hoursGuided 3D instructions in the BILT app; sealant may be required
WarrantyLimited 10-year warranty on lumber; 1 year on accessories5-year warranty
Figures as published by each maker (or the named retailer); each value links to its source. "Not published" means the figure isn't in our cited sources.

Capacity: pounds vs kid counts

Gorilla's 4x4 sets say "total weight capacity of up to 800 lbs" next to "recommended for children ages 3-11," and print the lumber that carries it: 4 in x 4 in framing, a 4 in x 6 in swing beam. Backyard Discovery says "designed with multiple play areas for up to 15 kids" on the Skyfort II and prints dimensions and shipping weight, but no pounds and no post size. On our capacity metric that is an 8 against a 5. For a parent with a 100 lb 11-year-old, Gorilla has answered the question in writing. The comparison across every brand is on swing set weight limit.

Anchors and standards

Backyard Discovery: "Ground stakes are included with all Backyard Discovery swing sets, and instructions for anchoring each set are included," with a published method (twist the stake beside the ground board, drill, bolt through). Every product page says the set is "engineered to meet or exceed ASTM standards (code F1148-22)." Gorilla sells ground stakes in pairs, recommends replacing them annually, and its product pages do not name a standard. CPSC's handbook wants you to follow the maker's anchoring instructions; both makers give you a method, one puts the hardware in the box. Kits for the Gorilla are on best swing set anchors.

Build, warranty, price tier

Gorilla prints assembly time (6-8 hours for Chateau and Mountaineer, up to 16-20 for the Wilderness Gym) and offers installation; Backyard Discovery uses the BILT app for 3D instructions and notes a sealant may be required. Warranty: Gorilla 10 years on lumber, 1 year on accessories; Backyard Discovery 5 years on the set. We do not print prices; on feature count per box, Backyard Discovery's Skyfort II (10 ft slide, monkey bars, rock wall, lower deck) ships more than the Chateau does, which is how a parent ends up choosing between "more set" and "more printed structure."

Choose Gorilla if / choose Backyard Discovery if

  • Choose Gorilla for a printed 800 lb rating, 4x4/4x6 lumber, recessed bolts, a 10-year lumber warranty and a hardware-kit path to expand later. Order the stakes.
  • Choose Backyard Discovery for F1148-22 named, stakes in the box, a flat-step ladder and rope or belt swings for younger kids, and more features per set.
  • Both are 100% cedar with coated or rope chains; site them per the safety zone.

Gorilla against KidKraft is on Gorilla vs KidKraft; KidKraft against Backyard Discovery on KidKraft vs Backyard Discovery.

In detail

Every contender, in full

Stock photo: wooden play structure with a slide in a leafy gardenStock photo

Pick Gorilla for a printed 800 lb structure

Gorilla Playsets Chateau Swing Set

7.6 / 10

Scored on the swing sets & playsets rubric

4x4 posts, 4x6 beam, 800 lb total, recessed bolts, 10-year lumber; stakes separate.

Published specs (tap for source)

Capacity:Total weight capacity up to 800 lb on 4 in x 4 in framing and a 4 in x 6 in swing beamFraming:4x4 wood framing; 4x6 three-position swing beam; natural cedarDeck:5 ft elevated play deckFall & pinch design:Recessed hardware and rubber-coated swing chainsSize:19 ft W x 11 ft H x 14 ft D; 725 lb shipping weightAssembly:Approximately 6-8 hoursAnchoring:Gorilla sells ground stakes in pairs that attach to the swing beam legs; recommends new stakes as annual maintenanceWarranty:Limited 10-year warranty on lumber; 1 year on accessories
Fall & pinch design (30%)
9
Anchoring provision (20%)
6
Rated capacity & structure (20%)
8
Certification & standards (15%)
5
Install reality (15%)
9

What it gets right

  • 800 lb total capacity published, which almost no wooden set states
  • 4x4 posts and a 4x6 beam
  • Coated chains and recessed bolts

What it doesn't

  • Ground stakes are sold separately
  • 725 lb of cedar to move and 6-8 hours to build
  • No per-swing rating, only the total

Skip it if…

…you need the anchors in the box; budget for Gorilla's ground stakes.

Check price on Amazon

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Stock photo: wooden play structure with a slide in a leafy gardenStock photo

Pick Backyard Discovery for F1148-22 and stakes included

Backyard Discovery Skyfort II Swing Set

7.8 / 10

Scored on the swing sets & playsets rubric

The standard named on the page, ground stakes in the box, more features per dollar; no pounds printed, 5-year warranty.

Published specs (tap for source)

Certification:Engineered to meet or exceed ASTM standards (code F1148-22); residential use onlyAnchoring:Ground stakes are included with all Backyard Discovery swing sets, with anchoring instructionsCapacity:Designed with multiple play areas for up to 15 kids; no weight rating printedMaterial:100% cedar wood; pre-cut, pre-drilled, pre-stainedFeatures:10-foot wave slide, monkey bars, 12-hold rock wall, flat-step ladder, 2 belt swings and 1 trapeze, lower deck with sandboxSize:263 in W x 201 in D x 148 in H; 709.9 lbAssembly:Guided 3D instructions in the BILT app; sealant may be requiredWarranty:5-year warranty
Fall & pinch design (30%)
8
Anchoring provision (20%)
9
Rated capacity & structure (20%)
5
Certification & standards (15%)
9
Install reality (15%)
8

What it gets right

  • ASTM F1148-22 named on the listing
  • Ground stakes and anchoring instructions in the box
  • 10-ft slide with a flat-step ladder for younger kids

What it doesn't

  • No weight rating published; 'up to 15 kids' is a play-area count
  • A 22 x 17 ft footprint before the 6 ft zone
  • 5-year warranty is half Gorilla's lumber term

Skip it if…

…you want a stated capacity in pounds; Gorilla and Swing-N-Slide publish theirs.

Check price on Amazon

#ad · Price set by Amazon · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Backyard Discovery Skyfort II Swing Set

Stock photo: wooden play structure with a slide in a leafy gardenStock photo

Gorilla mid-size: Mountaineer

Gorilla Playsets Mountaineer Swing Set

7.6 / 10

Scored on the swing sets & playsets rubric

Same 800 lb frame with a tube slide, ages 3-11.

Published specs (tap for source)

Capacity:Recommended for ages 3-11 with a total weight capacity of 800 lb; 4 in x 4 in framing and 4 in x 6 in swing beamFall & pinch design:Soft rubber-coated swing chains; recessed boltsFeatures:Alpine wave slide, quick-connect tube slide, rock wall with rope, safe-entry ladder, deluxe rope ladder, grab handlesSize:20 ft W x 11 ft H x 14 ft 6 in D; 879 lb shipping weightAssembly:Approximately 6-8 hoursWarranty:Limited 10-year on lumber; 1 year on accessories
Fall & pinch design (30%)
9
Anchoring provision (20%)
6
Rated capacity & structure (20%)
8
Certification & standards (15%)
5
Install reality (15%)
9

What it gets right

  • Published 800 lb capacity and age range
  • Coated chains, recessed bolts, grab handles
  • 10-year lumber warranty

What it doesn't

  • Ground stakes sold separately
  • Needs roughly 20 x 15 ft plus a 6 ft perimeter
  • No ASTM designation named on the page

Skip it if…

…the yard is under about 32 x 27 ft once the 6 ft use zone is added.

Check price on Amazon

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Stock photo: wooden play structure with a slide in a leafy gardenStock photo

Backyard Discovery mid-size: Mount McKinley

Backyard Discovery Mount McKinley Swing Set

7.5 / 10

Scored on the swing sets & playsets rubric

Double-wide rock wall, 8 ft slide, 15.5 x 12.5 ft, stakes and F1148-22.

Published specs (tap for source)

Certification:Meets or exceeds ASTM F1148-22Anchoring:Ground stakes includedCapacity:Play areas for up to 10 kidsFeatures:8-foot wave slide, extra-wide 9-hold rock wall with rope assist, over-6-foot rope ladder, flat-step ladder, 2 belt swings and trapezeSize:186 in W x 150 in D x 119 in H; 307.98 lbWarranty:5-year warranty
Fall & pinch design (30%)
7
Anchoring provision (20%)
9
Rated capacity & structure (20%)
5
Certification & standards (15%)
9
Install reality (15%)
8

What it gets right

  • Fits a 15.5 x 12.5 ft footprint
  • Stakes and F1148-22
  • 308 lb is a manageable build

What it doesn't

  • No weight rating
  • Rope ladder is a fall point for under-5s
  • 5-year warranty

Skip it if…

…your kids are toddlers; the climbing side is built for 5+.

Check price on Amazon

#ad · Price set by Amazon · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Backyard Discovery Mount McKinley Swing Set

How we picked

Scored on paper, and we say so

Most review sites say they tested everything. We didn't test these, and we say so. Every pick is scored from the maker's published specs, manual and warranty terms on a safety rubric we publish (net and edge design, anchoring, rated capacity, standards, install reality), and the sources are listed at the bottom of the page.

Scores are editorial judgments from that published information, not field or lab results. Nobody pays for placement, and an unpublished spec is never guessed upward. See every rubric and weight.

Swing sets & playsets rubric

Fall & pinch design
30%
Anchoring provision
20%
Rated capacity & structure
20%
Certification & standards
15%
Install reality
15%

FAQ

Questions parents ask

Is Gorilla Playsets better than Backyard Discovery?
Gorilla publishes the structure and load (800 lb on 4x4/4x6) and a 10-year lumber warranty; Backyard Discovery names ASTM F1148-22 and includes ground stakes. On our rubric they are within two tenths; the anchors in the box tip it to Backyard Discovery.
Does Backyard Discovery include anchors?
Yes, ground stakes and anchoring instructions with every swing set, per Backyard Discovery.
Does Gorilla Playsets include anchors?
Not in the box; Gorilla sells ground stakes in pairs and recommends new ones annually.
How much weight can a Gorilla playset hold?
800 lb total on its 4x4 sets (Chateau, Mountaineer, Navigator, Frontier), recommended ages 3-11. The 3x3 sets (Outing, Nantucket II) print no figure.

Related

Keep reading

Update log

What changed

  • First published.

Receipts

Sources

  1. 1.CPSC Publication 324, Outdoor Home Playground Safety Handbook (PDF; fetched Sep 22, 2026)
  2. 2.Backyard Discovery: How to Secure a Swing Set to the Ground (checked Sep 22, 2026)
  3. 3.Gorilla Playsets: Chateau and Mountaineer specifications (checked Sep 22, 2026)
  4. 4.Gorilla Playsets: Ground Stakes (Pair) (checked Sep 22, 2026)
  5. 5.Backyard Discovery: Skyfort II and Mount McKinley product pages (checked Sep 22, 2026)

We don't lab-test trampolines, swing sets or their parts, and we don't pretend to. Capacities, materials, anchoring provisions and warranty terms come from the maker's own listings and manuals (or a named retailer's listing where the maker doesn't publish them). Safety guidance is linked to CPSC, the AAP, ASTM or the study it came from. Prices are set by Amazon and change often, so we don't print them. Where a figure isn't published, we say so. Read the full method.