Tightening up slop in tube gate hinge???

[Scott65]

I have a 16' as well, no sag. You guys talking about sagging and adding a diagonal support, are you meaning within the gate frame, or from the hinge post to the gate? I can see some functionality to the latter. But within the frame I don't understand. We must be talking about different types of gates. The tube gates I have are welded rigid. I set the post, welded the braces, then installed the pins perfectly level. When I hung the gate, zero sag. It didn't flex the pole or anything. I could open the gate to any position and it would hang perfectly still. And it's still that way, never had to adjust. And I don't have a latch, just a chain and padlock. So it's never supported, always hanging full weight

 

[TomSeller]

Seems simple to me, not to beat a dead gate, but I think the "flex" is coming from:

1. The natural slop in the L bolt and hinge, pulling on the top and pushing on the bottom.
2. The wood post is going to bend under that weight when the gate is closed since it is not in line with the fence pulling back.

Hence the lower L bolt needed to be extended out. The gate hits the ground when open because the post straightens up when the fence is holding it back, but the bolts are then out of plumb. Sketch exaggerated for effect.

 

[Scott65]

I get that part, and agree. My earlier post asking about them being plumb was for that exact scenario. What I was referring to were the people suggesting a diagonal support saying it would fix the problem and implying that all such gates should have one

 

[TomSeller]

I get that part, and agree. My earlier post asking about them being plumb was for that exact scenario. What I was referring to were the people suggesting a diagonal support saying it would fix the problem and implying that all such gates should have one

Sorry, I was not trying to answer your question, just commenting in general. I believe different people were talking about both a diagonal inside the gate frame and one to a tall post. Neither of which would work in my opinion. A diagonal cable from the top of the post to the ground opposite the open position would help but it would be a mowing hazard.