How to Brace and Truss Chain Link Fence

Read More: How to Install Chain Link Fence

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Theory:

Chain link terminal posts, i.e. end, corner, and gate posts, will be under stress from the stretch of chain link fence fabric. This stress is substantial as chain link is commonly stretched with a winch-like come-along puller. To help prevent these posts from tilting out of plumb, braces alone or braces and trusses may be installed. The brace helps spread the stress out over both the terminal post and the next line post in line. The truss, installed from the bottom of the terminal post to the mid section of the first line post, pulls the mid brace towards the terminal post; in doing so, it counteracts the pull from the stretch on chain linkfence fabric.

Practice and Installation:

The illustration shows typical brace and truss on a 6' high + 1' (3 strands) of barbwire chain link fence. After posts are set, install brace bands with rail end cups on the bottom of the terminal post (corner, end, or gate post) and first line post at mid height (see note below). Next install parallel with top rail or top tension wire a horizontal brace. This mid brace is typically 1-5/8" O.D. (outside diameter) galvanized pipe. Install another brace band at the bottom of the terminal post with the truss rod tightener pointing up towards the rail end cup on the first line post. Truss rod tighteners are installed so that the beveled portion are facing away from the chain link fabric (inside fenced area); this allows you to tighten the nut on the truss rod from the inside of the fence. Next, take the truss rod (sold in 11' and 15' lengths) and slide the threaded end into the hole of the truss rod tightener. Hand tighten the nut approx. 1" up the rod. Simply lift up rod to the first line post where you have the brace band and rail end cup installed. Make a mark where the truss rod needs bent to slide into the rail end cup and into the pipe mid-brace. Loosen the nut from the truss rod and lay truss rod on ground for bending. The truss rod needs bent next. Lay it on the ground and take a short piece of pipe, usually a few of these are lying around from cut off pieces of the toprail. Slide this piece of pipe on to the end of the truss rod, opposite threaded end, to the mark you have made for bending. Step on truss rod while bending the truss rod. Bend to a 45 degree angle. The bent portion which will slide into the horizontal brace only needs to be 12-18" long, cut off excess with bolt cutters or cut off saw. The last thing to do is to slide the truss rod, bent portion, into the horizontal mid brace and reinstall it into the truss rod tightener. Use a 9/16" ratchet or wrench to tighten the nut on the truss rod.

Additional Notes:

The rail end cup used on the first line post must be a 'combo' rail end cup. This type has a hole in it to allow the truss rod to slide through it and into the horizontal brace.

Sample Material List (2-1/2" terminal, 2" line posts assumed):

Written by Chad Hoover. Information may be reprinted as long as it is unaltered and source is credited.