Mailbox Installation Instructions

Read USPS Mailbox Install Guidelines

View Slide Me Out™Installation Directions

How to Install a NEW Mailbox and Post with the Slide Me Out™ Mailbox Bracket

The mailbox should be placed 6″ to 8″ back from the curb.  If you do not have a raised curb, you should contact your local postmaster for guidance.

The mailbox should be positioned 41″ to 45″ from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox.

The mailbox post should be stable but bend or fall away if hit by a car or plow. 

The Federal Highway Administration recommends a 4″ x 4″ wooden support or a 2″-diameter standard steel or aluminum pipe.  Avoid unyielding and potentially dangerous supports, like heavy metal pipes, concrete posts, and farm equipment (e.g., milk cans filled with concrete).

There are several options available to secure the mailbox post into the ground.  You can use “no dig” ground anchors or you can install a post. If you are installing a post, here are the general guidelines: Important: Prior to starting any digging:
  • Contact your local post office for proper post hole placement rules and measurements specific to your town.
  • Laws require calling Dig Safe at 811 before any digging to ensure you will not come into contact with underground wires or gas lines.
  • Be sure to wear proper eye protection and gloves.
  • Secure the digging area.
  1. Use a post hole digger to dig a hole for your post. The hole should be no deeper than 24 inches.
  2. Secure the post with 6 to 8 inches of crushed rock to support post and allow for water drainage.
  3. Test the depth of the hole by placing the post into the hole and checking that the height is between 41 and 45 inches from the road surface.
  4. Ensure post is straight and cross support is level.
  5. Finish securing the post by either:
    1. Fill hole with gravel and pack down to eliminate air pockets.
    2. Use a 50lb bag of concrete to secure the post. Use support beams to hold the post in place while the concrete is wet. Use a level to make sure the post is straight.
Note: Many people don’t recommend using concrete to secure the post in the hole. Concrete will make it difficult to change mailbox location or replace a broken post.
  1. Extend Slide Me Out™ mounting bracket from home position and place the bottom bracket with the 3 predrilled holes on the post or existing platform. Note: If using a granite post, you may need to drill holes on the “SMOMB” to match the holes on the metal bracket.
  2. Screw the  1 5⁄8 inch screws (included) into the post by inserting into the 3 predrilled holes.
  3. Slide bracket back to home position
  4. Place mailbox over Slide Me Out™ mounting bracket and secure with the 4 included 11⁄4 inch screws.
  5. Oversized mailboxes have pre drilled holes in the bottom of mailbox. Place mailbox on top of bracket and insert four 1 1/4” screws to attach. Some mailboxes may require homeowner to pre-drill holes to line up with the nailers on the bracket. Important not to use longer screws that may stop the Bracket from sliding.
Your mailbox is now attached with the Slide Me Out™ mailbox bracket. Important: Mailbox should extend at least two inches over the front of the Slide Me Out™mailbox bracket or the door will not open. To increase tension: turn the white headed screws approximately 1⁄8 of an inch to the right on the aluminum rail. To decrease tension: turn the white headed screws approximately 1⁄8 of an inch to the left on the aluminum rail. Important: Do not release too much tension or Slide Me Out™ mailbox bracket may come apart. Important:  Do not use the Slide Me Out™ mailbox bracket if your mailbox blocks road traffic.

The USPS requires that each mailbox be clearly labeled with its corresponding house or apartment number.  

Add your numbers to both sides of the mailbox, at least 1 inch tall.

How to Install the Slide Me Out™ Mailbox Bracket on an Existing Mailbox

  1. Remove the existing mailbox from the mountings post by removing side screws of mailbox
  2. Remove screws connecting mounting bracket to post
  1. Extend Slide Me Out™ mounting bracket from home position and place the bottom bracket with the 3 predrilled holes on the post or existing platform. Note: If using a granite post, you may need to drill holes on the “SMOMB” to match the holes on the metal bracket.
  2. Screw the 5⁄8 inch screws (included) into the post by inserting into the 3 predrilled holes.
  3. Slide bracket back to home position
  4. Place mailbox over Slide Me Out™ mounting bracket and secure with the 4 included 11⁄4 inch screws.
  5. Oversized mailboxes have pre drilled holes in the bottom of mailbox. Place mailbox on top of bracket and insert four 1 1/4” screws to attach. Some mailboxes may require homeowner to pre-drill holes to line up with the nailers on the bracket. Important not to use longer screws that may stop the Bracket from sliding.
Your mailbox is now attached with the Slide Me Out™ mailbox bracket. Important: Mailbox should extend at least two inches over the front of the Slide Me Out™mailbox bracket or the door will not open. To increase tension: turn the white headed screws approximately 1⁄8 of an inch to the right on the aluminum rail. To decrease tension: turn the white headed screws approximately 1⁄8 of an inch to the left on the aluminum rail. Important: Do not release too much tension or Slide Me Out™ mailbox bracket may come apart. Important:  Do not use the Slide Me Out™ mailbox bracket if your mailbox blocks road traffic.

Troubleshooting

  1. Ensure side rails are securely fastened by turning white headed screws clockwise.
  2. Ensure stopping screws on the underside of platforms touch each other as unit slides out. Turn one screw counterclockwise one half turn and check to see if problem is solved.
  1. Mailbox needs to be moved forward on bracket to allow door to open..

Directions for Use

Winter Time Use
  1. Extend mailbox out to snow bank after a snowstorm to help your mail carrier deliver your mail.
  2. Push the mailbox to the home position anytime a snowplow may be clearing the road. This will allow the snow to be pushed back to original snow bank.
Non Winter Use
  1. Keep Slide Me Out™mailbox bracket in the home position.
  2. Drive up to the mailbox and just slide it to you.
  3. Push the mailbox back to the home position after retrieving your mail.
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