Review on Carlson Maxi Extra Tall Pet Gate: Expands from 51-58 Inches Wide for Ultimate Safety and Convenience by Lisa Wilson

I did not have this information when I decided to make this purchase and after receiving the product initially arranged a return as the gate could not be extended beyond the 2 original connected panels and an additional extension. I figured I could order as many extensions as I wanted to make the gate longer. (Then I ordered a Carlson Extra Tall FLEXI Pet Gate, which can be expanded as desired by purchasing additional extensions.) BUT back to that MAXI Pet Gate. Before I sent the item back I found out that if you or someone you know can use a drill and some screws you can actually expand this MAXI gate too. The reason it wasn't expandable is because the additional expansions only have mounting holes on one end of the expansion board. This means that you cannot screw additional extensions to the other end (Fig. 1). However, if you drill your own holes in the other end of the extension and attach the extension to another extension or even another set of MAXI gates (original single door and single leaf parts) you really can go on as long as you like. So if you look at the photos below, in the first photo you can see that there are no longer any holes on the left side of the gate to screw in additional extensions. But the second photo shows where I drilled my own holes and used my own screws to add another extension. Basically, you can do this with any number of extensions. I recommend alternating the panels on inside/outside/inside/outside to keep your gate straight - if you look at the second photo just above where my finger is pointing at my own screws you can see how the extension panel actually sits . on the back and screwed BEHIND the panel I'm pointing to (photo #3). The next panel needs to be screwed in from the outside - the same side where my screws are / the side closest to where I will be standing when taking the photo (sorry if this is confusing! I'm trying mine Best to provide the helpful information I wish would have been there when I ordered). And finally, the difference between the Carlson MAXI Extra Tall Pet Gate and the Carlson FLEXI Extra Tall Pet Gate is that the MAXI is not designed to be infinitely expanded, but can be made by hand, while the FLEXI Gate bis can be extended to infinity. Also, MAXI doors are not that easy to disassemble as each part is bolted in a straight line, while FLEXI doors are easily disassembled and can be molded into different positions, not just across the room. Pfuuu! Hope that helps! :-)