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Why Are There Holes in My Galvanized Ride Over Gate?

Sep 30, 2025

If you look closely at a Wrangler Ride Over Gate, you'll see a curious detail - holes drilled into each bar. Whilst this unpretentious feature doesnā€™t actually assist the function of the gate, it does provide another feature. Every bar has a hole to allow for the drainage of molten zinc when it is submersed in the vat for hot-dip galvanizing.

Galvanizing is the process of coating steel in zinc to prevent rusting. The zinc creates a barrier that seals the Wrangler Ride Over Gate (ROG) from oxygen and moisture to make it long lasting. Every item needs to be pre-drilled for several reasons.Ā  It enables the ROG to fully submerse and not float by allowing the air and pre-treatment liquids to escape. The holes allow the zinc inside the pipe to coat the steel on the inside as well as the outside.Ā  And of course, for the rest of the zinc to flow out again.

The temperature in the galvanizing bath is around 830ā€“860Ā°F (443Ā°Cā€“460Ā°C).Ā  It needs to be hot for the reaction between the zinc and steel to occur. Without the drainage holes the pipe could explode when the gas inside heats up at those temperatures.

Fresh back from galvanizing, your ROG is beautifully shiny. Over time a dull patina emerges.Ā This is actually a good thing. It is a natural part of the process as the zinc reacts with oxygen, moisture, and carbon dioxide in the environment. This zinc carbonate patina acts as an additional protective barrier to slow corrosion of the zinc and underlying steel extending its lifespan by decades.

There are also environmental benefits to galvanizing your ROG:

  • Galvanized steel is highly corrosion resistant and should last for 50+ years without needing replacing.
  • Both the steel and zinc are fully recyclable without loss of quality. At the end of its lifespan, both the steel and galvanization can be melted down and reused again.
  • Zinc is naturally abundant and non-toxic. The zinc carbonate patina that forms on galvanized products poses no risk to soil, water, or eco systems.
  • Unlike paint, zinc requires no maintenance and will not flake into micro particles.

Now when you look at those little holes in your ROG you can rest assured that, although they are small, they are another feature that makes Wrangler Ride Over Gate such a great choice.