Outriggers are recommended on gate installation where soil conditions are unstable such as clay, sand, and loose soil. Bi-parting gates should have outriggers or a grade beam to keep their alignment. Many installation need this type of support when the gate exceeds 250 lbs.

Soil conditions requiring this type of installation are prevalent more often than people realize. Outriggers are important on driveways that are cut into a hillsides where the hinge side of the gate is by the downward side of the hill. You may be able to avoid the use of outriggers by increasing the depth of the post hole from 36" to 48"-60"