The Evolution of Pipe-Driven Vinyl Fence Installation

From Early Pipe-and-Collar Systems to the Slip Mount Advantage

In the early 2000s, pipe-and-collar fence installation systems began gaining popularity as a way to create stronger, more stable vinyl fences—especially in challenging soil conditions. Around 2003, installers commonly used standard galvanized 1-7/8" chain-link pipe driven directly into the ground and spaced at 6 feet on center. This approach delivered a noticeably more solid finished fence compared to traditional concrete-set posts.

However, that added strength came at a cost. Closer post spacing required more vinyl posts, more pipe, additional collars, screws, and caps—along with increased labor. On average, installing at 6-foot centers meant roughly four extra posts for every 100 feet of fence, significantly increasing material and installation costs.

The Shift to 8-Foot Centers and Heavier Pipe

To reduce costs while maintaining strength, installers began spacing posts at 8 feet on center. To compensate for the wider spans, heavier-wall 1-7/8" industrial-grade Schedule 40 pipe was required. The increased wall thickness provided the added rigidity needed to support vinyl fence panels and resist wind loads, especially in privacy fence applications.

While effective, this solution still left room for improvement—particularly in ease of installation, long-term durability, and overall performance.

A Breakthrough in 2007: The Slip Mount System®

In late 2007, SMS Industries introduced a new and improved pipe-to-post adapter design. This next-generation adapter was thicker, stronger, and manufactured from a higher-quality, high-impact plastic engineered to resist cracking in cold climates. The design also allowed for quick fastening and easy post leveling, improving installation efficiency.

In February 2008, this innovation officially launched as the Slip Mount System®—the industry’s first one-piece and being adjustable adapter designed for 2-3/8" galvanized pipe.

Why 2-3/8" Pipe Changed the Game

The move to a 1/2" larger diameter pipe delivered several key performance advantages:

• Increased rigidity: The 2-3/8" pipe provides a noticeably more solid feel at the top of the vinyl post, with significantly less side-to-side movement—even at 8-foot post spacing.

• Faster driving in many soil conditions: Installers found that subsoils and small rocks traveled more easily into the larger pipe cavity, reducing clogging and allowing the pipe to drive faster than 1-7/8" pipe in many ground types.

• Greater ground grip: When driven to a depth of 4 feet, the 2-3/8" pipe offers approximately 24 additional square inches of ground contact, increasing holding strength around the pipe.

• Added internal anchoring: More soil entering the larger internal cavity adds weight inside the pipe, further enhancing ground anchoring and resistance to movement.

• Improved resistance to extraction: Testing showed the 2-3/8" pipe was significantly more difficult to pull from the ground due to increased surface area and internal soil weight.

• Minimal rail penetration loss: Despite the larger diameter, only about 1/4" of vinyl bottom rail insertion is lost—negligible when installed correctly.

• Comparable material cost: When installed at 8-foot centers, the cost difference between 1-7/8" Schedule 40 pipe and 2-3/8" pipe (with .079–.090 wall thickness) is minimal. Pipe pricing is largely weight-based, and the increased diameter—not wall thickness—is where the added strength is achieved.

• Wide availability: Both 1-7/8" and 2-3/8" pipe sizes are standard throughout the chain-link fence industry and readily available from fencing suppliers.

Installation Recommendations

When using 1-7/8" pipe with Slip Mounts and reducer inserts, Schedule 40 industrial-grade pipe is strongly recommended for privacy fence applications. Lighter wall thickness pipe is better suited for decorative or ornamental vinyl fencing with lower wind loads or when using 6-foot post spacing.

Building Smarter, Stronger Vinyl Fences

The evolution from early pipe-and-collar systems to the Slip Mount System represents a major step forward in vinyl fence installation. By combining no-dig installation, improved materials, and optimized pipe design, Slip Mount delivers faster installs, superior strength, and long-term performance—without the mess and cost of concrete.

Slip Mount System®: No Dig. Rock Solid.