Gravel Driveway

[WC Haire]

I need to put some type of edge on my gravel driveway. It's about 1200 feet then about a 50 x 75 area that I wanna do, so looking to stay cheap. Was thinking of burying railroad ties on each side to make the tops about ground level. Then fill in with crush and run. Anybody got any other ideas?

 

[dodge man]

Just my opinion, but it seems like anything you put down will frost heave and be all over the place. I'm not sure where you are located at or if frost would be a problem in your area. 1200 feet would be a lot of railroad ties also.

 

[wcampbell47]

I did this very thing to a parking area. The ties are holding my crushed limestone in place. Thing is the ties are heavy and I placed them with the FEL. I then pushed T posts in about half way and secured two per tie to keep the ties from floating off.

2400 linear feet is going to take a truck load of ties, but then you are going to need a lot of gravel as well.

 

[MMagis]

No sure I completely understand why? If you make the tops of the ties level to the ground, they won’t be serving any purpose. And I sure wouldn’t be interested in being the one burying them.

 

[JD 4520]

I also don't understand the benefit of rail road ties and would not recommend the use. Think of years down the road and condition and maintenance of the ties. In my opinion, they will float around and you won't be as happy as your vision is today.

Next, I would not use fill or pit but only to get the base leveled, then crushed gravel on top. Don't mix pit and gravel or you will just being adding more gravel later. I also have a 1200 foot drive so have experience maintaining it.

 

[WC Haire]

The burying the ties ground level was to make it easier to cut grass. The inside where the gravel is I would cut down. I have a backhoe for my 3 point hitch to bury the ties and a small bulldozer to cut down between them. If not railroad ties, what could I use. Frost and snow is not a problem, I live in SC.

 

[Ranger Rick]

If you are trying to do this cheap what is your budget? I have seen on Craig's list used railroad ties for $12-$15 which adds up in a hurry with 2400 feet of driveway edge. If you are trying not to mow gravel then I would just spray round up along the edge of the driveway to keep the grass out of the gravel.
Rick

 

[RFB]

I did this very thing for my driveway...several hundred feet and 16 feet wide.

Excavated doen the depth of the RR ties (laying flat and longitudinally).

Geotextile road fabric 16 feet wide for entire length.

RR ties in the excavation along each edge with top of ties even with pre-existing grade.

50% 3-4 inch base shale, followed by 50% road mix gravel (3/4 minus)

Works excellent, drains well, no hydraulic mud pumping, and the ties make a good guide for maintaining proper snowplow height.

 

[RFB]

Also, we get -10 to -40 temps and frost heave has zero effect upon this, in an area where the same conditions lifts an eight inch thick sixty foot long concrete apron.

 

[RFB]

Forgot to mention that I also drilled holes in each tie, and drove 3 foot of 1/2 inch rebar through each tie (2 lengths per tie) flush with the tie to anchor them.

 

[forgeblast]

Make sure people can back up, AAA was at my house once a month for 3 months when I put in railroad ties. It appears my wife has a lead foot, and would back the mustang up on the railroad ties pretty often. I finally ripped them out. I would think about doing a curb, but then filling it to the top with gravel.

 

[Bigkrank]

I put ties down to grade level on edges of my drive 37 years ago just cause I liked the look. Freezes hard around here and other than a couple that rotted and needed replaced, still looks good. Never saw one "lift" but the concrete pad in front of the garage does a bit.

 

[WC Haire]

Bigkrank, since yours has done well that long, what type gravel did you use? The railroad ties are coming from a friend at the railroad so they are free. I just have to purchase all the gravel. I was thinking all crush and run.