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Sliding gate ideas

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Mr.wolf

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Dec 16, 2015
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37
I have scoured the inter webs looking for a quick, relatively easy idea. I have a 6' privacy fence. I have no problem constructing something where the Wood is more of a facade. I was thinking a farm style gate somehow on rollers where the privacy fence wast added to it? Expense is an issue right now but I need it done, Just not interested in the $1200 and up kits I have seen. I have gravel so A support wheel is no problem but it won't have any concrete to roll on. Cant have anything above the opening at all.

The entire opening is 12' but I will probably have to do 2 sides unfortunalty (property line) so might end up being 8' and 4'

Any great ideas out there I am missing?

Thanks,

Z
 
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FANTM58

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Feb 21, 2015
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Brighton, Co
Are you able to lay down a track angle on the base. So that a wheel can ride on the spine.
Using a v type wheel.
 
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Mr.wolf

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Dec 16, 2015
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I tend to think it would get buggered up. I have gravel that isn't to refined in grade, and it will be driven over several times a day. Sometimes it will be driven over my a large truck (single axle dump) or skid steer. I am thinking of mounting 4 or 6 rollers like this


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P24GEWW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

And using a 12' farm gate like the one linked below, with the wood retrofitted to the outside of it for appearance and privacy. The rollers would be on top of the top bar and below the bottom bar. I would put a two wheel dolly on the end that "hangs" when its closed all the way. Any thoughts?


http://www.thetoolworkshop.com/tartergate126barredeconogate6er12.aspx
 
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Marctrees

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Mar 5, 2015
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TX/LA border - Toledo Bend
Is there a reason why the gate HAS to slide, or roll??

Can't it just be conventionally hinged?

WAY simpler, WAY less $, and does not depend on level and flat and parallel to pipe guides drive surface if you have wheels on the bottom.

Hinging allows you to have crowned, out of level, and whatever shaped drive surface, long as gate clears the highest elevation spot is all that matters.

Is it that you feel it would be too much cantilevered weight on the hinges once you add the weight of the facing wood?

Like sag/ droop concerns?

This interests me cuz I built a entry gate with a purchased "farm" gate like you show, a privacy wood covering 8' tall x I recall 14' W, (pretty damn heavy w the wood, specially when it rains for days and gets soaked), one piece, hinged on one end, and it has been solid, TOTALLY maintenance and trouble free for 3 yrs now.

I expect it to remain same for YEARSS.

Of course, you do have to accommodate the extra heavy cantilevered weight of it, but that is WAY simpler , faster, and cheaper than rolling/sliding BY FAR.

Very curious what you're gonna decide on, and glad to help further if you ask.

So, ya, WHY rollers/ wheels whatever of any kind?


Marc
 
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Mr.wolf

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Dec 16, 2015
Messages
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Good question and I should have given that detail. The swinging gate is an issue because of how/where I park and come in and out. I often have to move a vehicle, open the gate, then pull out, etc. with the way other stuff is is is a big inconvenience, moving a trailer sometimes etc, and the swinging gate can be in the way of stuff stored inside the fence on either side.

its kind of hard to explain without seein, even if I posted pics it may not show why it's an issue for me. I will certainly update when I make the change. It has been installed for a year (the swinging gate) and I've decided it's worth the trouble to change it, or at least try.

Thx,

Z
 
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Mr.wolf

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Dec 16, 2015
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Oh, almost forgot. What really was the last straw was snow, freezing. With a swinging gat I am having to clear the whole arc on either side (two 6' gates) . With th slider a 1' "strip" so the gate can travel the whole 12'. But I also think it wouldn't have as much issue with that anyway.
 
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mjwelte

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Nov 3, 2014
Messages
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Location
Pueblo, CO
We are going to do the same thing but for wind loads. The 12 foot swinging gate we have is a nightmare if it is windy and is actually rather dangerous for my wife. The biggest downside (other than cost) is that we will have to pour a concrete footer for the gate to ride on via a "v" track. After a lot of reading I determined it is the only way to keep the gate from getting off center. If it does get off center it will bend the gate or screw up the support poles. The other big headache is I have to have twice as much "v" track as the gate is wide.

In the long run the sliding gate will be safer and easier for my wife and kids. The cost will be quite a bit more but I won't have to worry about a gust of wind knocking my family about. It seams that most sliding gates are made to be 2" wide. Most of the hardware is set for that.

Mark
 
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kbs2244

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Nov 11, 2006
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I am out of town and can not give a link,
But think about rail road style gate.
Swings up out of any snow and dosn't worry about the ruts in the gravel.
 
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tallgrass1951

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May 14, 2014
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I built a 6' tall x 16' wide rolling gate for my fence. First I poured a footer for some channel iron to sit on and then used channel iron for the "track" for the wheels on the bottom of the gate. Even if you have gravel you can still pour the footer at ground level. The gate frame is made out of 2x2 angle iron and faced with cedar fence. I made some mistakes and would do a few things different, but it works fine. The channel iron did not disfigure when the tandem dump truck backed over it with 20 tons of asphalt millings for the drive way.
 
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kbs2244

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The cantilever gate shown is a slideing with a long "tail" to balance the gate part.
They work, but need a lot of space.
The RR style would have a pivot point at a lower corner and would need verticle clearance but little fence space.
 
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Mr.wolf

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It's not that I don't want to spend money on it. Most of my winter income is snow and gross was down hard this year due to, basically NO snow. I And it was very wet so not even any income on grading work or anything. the issues others brought up nail it, wind, family opening the gate etc, and the terrain makes a swing gate a total pita. f I'm going to spend more than a few hundred I would rather go all out and get an opener and everything. So for now I would rather spend a few hundred to get me by and re engineer in the fall when I have the time and money.I have something a bit different in mind but it's hard to describe. I'm going to try soon and will try to get pics up.

Thanks much gents!

Z
 
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