Wire fence over 4' tall 3 rail vinyl install?

DieselMachine · Jan 6, 2018

Attempting to install some Red Brand, 47" tall wire fence on the inside of a recently installed 3 rail vinyl fence. I attempted to unroll one of the small sections by hand (those 330' rolls are very heavy) where the natural curve of the unrolled fence wanted to push into the vinyl fence. I'm second guessing if this is the right way to do it, or if it would be better to have the fence want to roll up on its own away from the vinyl fence? I have not stretched the fence as I'm only attaching with some small screws to the vinyl and don't want the plastic to rip out (i don't think slightly larger screws would help from eventually ripping out if pulled too tight either). The end result is a pretty wavy/bubbly looking fence. Thoughts on how to improve the looks of this install?

Thanks all.
DM

DieselMachine · Jan 6, 2018

Some photos of current section, looking pretty rough:

Sonny580 · Jan 6, 2018

Don't know why it turned on it's side, BUT, this is the only way to unroll and tension woven wire!---I am currently putting up the red brand stiff myself, only on steel post, and found nothing else to work.
This thing is slick and easy! thanks; sonny

PS.-- click on pic and it turns up the right way!!!

DieselMachine · Jan 6, 2018

Wow, that looks super handy! You just use the tractor as the tensioner then? I just don't know how tight I can get this stuff while its mounted on vinyl.... Maybe I have to be content with a wavy wire fence...

EddieWalker · Jan 6, 2018

I'm planning on doing something similar on my vinyl fence, and then all the way around the perimeter of my property. I've been sick all week and while killing time, discovered youtube all over again. Just search fence unrollers or how to install goat fence or how to unroll fencing, or some other combination. There are some very high tech, super expensive ways to do that will blow you away, and then there are the large variety of options for sale that cost too much, and my favorite, the DIY versions!!!!

AWSubie · Jan 6, 2018

I don't think you will ever be happy with attaching to the vinyl fence. A better and more maintenance free method is to pound a t-post behind each vinyl post and put in either a welded or "Wedge-Loc Corner/In-Line Brace" corner post (google wedge-loc to understand this method; available at tractor supply company) then stretch the fence using a fence stretcher or come-along. Thread a piece of rebar or metal rod through the fence end that you pull on to achieve even tension while stretching.

Gary Fowler · Jan 6, 2018

AWSubie said:
I don't think you will ever be happy with attaching to the vinyl fence. A better and more maintenance free method is to pound a t-post behind each vinyl post and put in either a welded or "Wedge-Loc Corner/In-Line Brace" corner post (google wedge-loc to understand this method; available at tractor supply company) then stretch the fence using a fence stretcher or come-along. Thread a piece of rebar or metal rod through the fence end that you pull on to achieve even tension while stretching.

I was also going to suggest putting in a good corner anchor and tee post behind each vinyl post. At minimum, you need a good corner anchor that you can tension the wire to as the first step.
Once the corner ends are tensioned, you could likely attach it to the vinyl post if you don't want to drive T-post. I don't think I would attach it to the rails though. I have seen too many of those fences with the rails dislocated. Once tensioned at the ends, you are really only holding up the wire in a vertical position so there isn't any stress on the attachment points.

As for tensioning, I used 2 pieces of 2x4 bolted tightly to each side of the fence. The put a short strap, cable, chain or strong rope around the 2x4 in a > near the top and bottom and pull from the center of the >. This doesn't distort the fence like putting a bar thru it.

zzvyb6 · Jan 6, 2018

I just bolt a piece of steel water pipe onto the side of my bucket and drive along the fence row until I'm near the end of the roll. I curl the bucket forward to load the pipe post and curl it back to feed it out. Highly recommend a fence stretcher for these jobs. And, think about how your scheme will help or inhibit changing out posts and rails in the future because someday you will be facing that issue.

bcp · Jan 6, 2018

For field fence tightening, I have several of these at various places around the property. I squeeze the end in a vise until the rods are parallel, if they are not already. Mine are about 30 inches long. Never saw a 54 inch one.

54 in. Sprinkler Valve Key-17-54�2 - The Home Depot

Just stick it on a wire, twist left and right, and that wire is now tighter. You are putting in a new crimp, usually slightly larger then the original. The length allows you to go down to the bottom wire without getting down. Don't twist so much you put in a U shape, just a shallow V. It doesn't take long to take out a lot of sag, like from a limb falling on the fence or a bear climbing over.

Bruce