A double fence gate is typically 8 to 10 feet wide overall, made of two leaves that swing open from the middle, wide enough for a trailer, truck, or a Bobcat. Once an opening goes past about 5 feet, we build it as a double rather than one heavy single gate. Empire Fence builds custom double gates across Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma.
The right double-gate width depends on what you need to drive or pull through it.
| Double Gate Opening | Fits | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 8 feet | A car or small trailer | Side-yard vehicle access |
| 10 feet | A Bobcat or larger trailer | Equipment, an RV, future building |
| 12 feet or more (custom) | Wide equipment | Acreage and commercial access |
We have built double drive gates across northeast Oklahoma since 1955, and most qualifying new installations earn our Gold Seal Certificate of Excellence after a 31-point inspection.
How Wide Is a Double Gate?
Most residential double gates open 8 to 10 feet overall, split into two leaves that meet in the middle. A cane bolt or drop rod holds one leaf steady in the ground while the other swings, so you can open half for a walk-through or both for a full drive-through. For equipment access, 10 feet is the size we recommend most.
Why two leaves instead of one? A single gate wider than about 5 feet carries too much weight on one hinge post, and over time that weight pulls the post and the gate begins to sag and drag. Splitting the opening into two leaves cuts the weight on each hinge in half, which is why a double gate stays square and swings clean for years. We frame drive gates in steel for the same reason.
Sizing and Planning Ahead
Match the width to the widest thing you will move through it. A car fits an 8-foot gate, but a Bobcat, a wide trailer, or an RV is happier with 10 feet or more. If you are not sure, we would rather build a little wider than leave you an inch short on delivery day.
One of the best moves at the planning stage is to put a double gate where future work will need it, even if you do not need it yet. A pool, a shop, or new landscaping almost always means equipment in the backyard, and a 10-foot gate beats tearing out a fence section later. Pair it with a standard walk gate nearby for everyday foot traffic.
Hardware and Matching Your Fence
A wide gate lives or dies by its hardware. We hang each leaf on heavy hinges, set strong gate posts in concrete, add a drop rod so the gate holds its line when closed, and set the bottom gap so the leaves swing clear of the ground. Our blog on gate gaps shows how we dial that in.
A double gate should also look like part of the fence, not an add-on. We build it from the same materials as the run it sits in, whether cedar, chain link, or ornamental steel, so it blends in and ages at the same rate. See our gate options to start.
Related Questions
Double-gate questions from Tulsa homeowners.
How wide is a standard double gate?
Most residential double gates are 8 to 10 feet wide overall. Eight feet suits a car or small trailer; 10 feet handles a Bobcat or larger equipment. See the standard gate widths too.
Can a double gate fit a Bobcat?
Yes. A 10-foot double gate gives a Bobcat or a wide trailer room to pass. Size up if your equipment runs wider than that.
Do double gates sag over time?
Not when they are built right. Two leaves share the weight, a steel frame holds its shape, and heavy hinges on posts set in concrete keep the gate swinging true.
See Your Gate Before You Buy
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