How do I install the Conversion System Mounting Plates on a vinyl / PVC fence?Updated a year ago

Vinyl is a bit more involved than outfitting other common fence types like wood or chain link. Vinyl is mostly designed to be decorative and therefore not engineered to be structural for the purposes of impact resistance. This is why most farm fencing, dog parks, etc use metal or wood fencing.

The bigger issue is mounting the extensions to your fence will put a lot of stress on your posts. These are usually hollow and not designed to hold that kind of weight. You will need to access the inside of your posts to determine if they are hollow, or if they already have a "backing" material. Do this by removing the cap of your vinyl fence post and examining what may be inside. In some cases, there may be a wood or metal post inside - we call this backing. But more commonly the posts are hollow. If you have a backing, then you will simply secure through the vinyl sleeve and into the backing.

If your posts are hollow, then you will need to install your own backing during installation. This is generally a 12-18" piece of 2x4 that will give the post more rigidity and also "spread" the load so that the extensions don't simply crack or rip out of the vinyl when any weight is applied. Lag bolts are generally used for securing the mounting brackets in this application. Although heavy standard wood screws/washers can also be utilized.

In some areas, such as corners or on gates, you may not be able to secure directly to a post. For these areas, we recommend using through-bolts and fender washers to attach the mounting plates to the fence panel instead: