Gate Width?

[ustmd]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I am going to go with 2 x 8'.

 

[sixdogs]

After decades of doing this let me say it's better to be too wide and not need it than too short and not have it. We built a house about ten years ago and put in two 14' gates. In the past I have seen smaller gates cause problems from a turning radius standpoint or partial blockage issue. My gate now safely clears big trailers as well as awkward things--- but not by much. It's not the basic width of the equipment but the stuff that gets dragged with it or turns that causes the problem.
We put concrete around 3" pipe up to ground level so they won't move but I have used 4 x 4 wooden posts in the past with a brace beam like at the end of a high-tensile fence line and it worked fine.

 

[bigbull338]

1st off is the road a public or private road.if your bent on putting gates up,id put in 2 10ft gates.an even at that the gates an posts may get ripped out of the ground an tore up.

 

[flyerdan]

If you have room to the sides you could always do a roll gate. I've built plenty of them, some going on 30 feet. If you don't want wheels on the gate or a track across the road you could go with a cantilever gate, biggest one of them I made was a 53 or 56 footer for around a 28 foot opening.

 

[travis potter]

Go to the bank or drug drive thru and measure the width and see if you would could drive a car or PU thrue at 5 or 10 or 15 mph this might change you mind on a 8 ft gate 10 is min 12 is much better. At 10 you have less than 12 in oneather side if you have a 8 ft trailer if it is a 40 ft streight road.

 

[kenmac]

I installed 2 16' gates & attached them to 6x6 post. Haven't had any problems with them

 

[dmccarty]

I put in two gates each on a 6x6. I can't remember if the gates were 10' or 12'. I like the twin gates but it makes cost more money if you ever put in an electric gate operator.

For years I have used the Mark I Humanoid Gate Operator(MIHUGO)(c).

I drive up to the gate, look over at the wifey, reach my hand out to her like I was holding a box with a button, and squeeze while saying, "Buzzzzzz Buzzzzzz Buzzzzzzz"

The gate gets opened.

Tis not optimum though. The MIHUGO unit is slowing down and getting a bit testy in operation. Sometimes it makes comments when I press the open the gate button and say "Buzzzzzz Buzzzzzz Buzzzzzzz"

If you do get a MIHUGO, opt for the more expensive silent operation version. :laughing::laughing::laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[Hollow]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I am going to go with 2 x 8'.

When putting up gates they always seem narrower after being erected than you think they will be when planning. If you hang them correctly you should never have a problem with them sagging. If you are worried about children climbing over them at the ends and making them sag, you can string a cable from the top hinge across diagonally to the bottom corner to support any load from kids using them as a jungle gym.

 

[jonnyc1999]

If you do get a MIHUGO, opt for the more expensive silent operation version. :laughing::laughing::laughing:

Later,
Dan

Dan, Does the MIHUGO unit come with a one time fee, or are there recurring costs with it? :laughing::thumbsup:

 

[grnspot110]

Whatever size you decide to use, go (at least) two feet wider!!!! Doubles are handy, as you can open just one until you need the wider opening! ~~ grnspot