Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > MOTORHOME FORUMS > Class A Motorhome Discussions
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-17-2017, 05:11 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
gsgriffin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 971
Mounting Jack Pads?

I'm kinda tired of always putting out jack pads and packing them up. I travel and move a lot. This isn't the situation of doing it once a week or once a month as then you settle in. That wouldn't be a big deal, but when I'm doing it 5 to 7 times a week....for a couple months at a time....

It's making me ponder. First, I know they saved some money, but why not have a wider pad attached to the jack all the time? Anyone tried or is driving with wide pads mounted so when they stop....no additional pad placement? I would love to be able to drive most anywhere, stop, lower the jacks. Done. Next morning, pull up, drive off.

I know the obvious of "what if these fall off while heading down the road or get caught on something?" I would imagine these could be mounted so they don't come off...like many things on the RV, stuff can come off. I already lost a tailpipe somewhere in New Mexico....I think. Stuff happens. My jacks raise with ample room to spare.

Thoughts, ideas or experience on mounting pads?
__________________
04 Monaco DST 40'-Cum330ISC/Onan7.5K Gen/Silverleaf VMSpc/Garmin760MLT/WeBoost 4GX-OTR/EEZ Tire Mon/ReadyBrake->Rdmstr->'21 Jeep Glad Dsl/17KWh LFP/RO House Water/2400W solar roof/Victron MPPTs-Cerbo/Magnum 3000 Hybrid Inv-Chrg/Starlink ROAM
gsgriffin is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 10-17-2017, 05:14 AM   #2
Director of Partnerships
 
pbucha's Avatar




Official iRV2 Sponsor
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ft.Worth, TX.
Posts: 836
New product. https://rvsnappad.com/
__________________
2015 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH - All Electric w/tag & RettroBands
2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport w/mods
pbucha is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2017, 05:16 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
inlineskater's Avatar
 
Forest River Owners Club
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Monticello MN.
Posts: 947
I put the Snap Pads on mine this summer and they are staying on and working well. They also give you protection from lightening and stray voltage traveling thru the ground. I know either is unlikely, but, an added bonus with rubber pads.
__________________
Marianne & Jerry. 2019 Forest River Berkshire 34QS
USS Decatur DDG-31 1971 to 1975
inlineskater is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2017, 05:24 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
vettenuts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,752
Only issue with Snap Pads is they are only made for a couple of configurations. They unfortunately don't fit my coach.
__________________
2015 Tiffin Phaeton 40QBH
2018 Chevrolet Colorado Toad
Roadmaster Tow Setup
vettenuts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2017, 05:40 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
gsgriffin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 971
Wide enough?

Snap Pads look like the exact concept I'm interested in, but they don't look like they help distribute the load all that much. Adds just an inch or two around the foot. Is this enough? My Class A is 32k on 3 jacks. I'm trying to not punch holes in gravel and asphalt. Wondering if others have used on similar rig in soft situations and found these to be sufficient?

Thanks! Didn't see those in my search.
__________________
04 Monaco DST 40'-Cum330ISC/Onan7.5K Gen/Silverleaf VMSpc/Garmin760MLT/WeBoost 4GX-OTR/EEZ Tire Mon/ReadyBrake->Rdmstr->'21 Jeep Glad Dsl/17KWh LFP/RO House Water/2400W solar roof/Victron MPPTs-Cerbo/Magnum 3000 Hybrid Inv-Chrg/Starlink ROAM
gsgriffin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2017, 06:23 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
soonerdave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Hamilton, Indiana
Posts: 578
Snap Pads work extremely well! I purchased my pads soon after they started production, one of my best additions. I think you’ll find the area on the bottom of the pads more than sufficient to prevent sinking your jacks. I always used pads under my jacks, many newer campgrounds require them, hated putting the pads down and dragging them out, especially when it was raining!!! No more, the pads are permanently attached, put them on and then forget about them!

Again, one of the best accessories I have purchased in years!
__________________
USMC VETERAN
2017 Thor Windsport 29M
Dave & Myra FMCA 101070S
soonerdave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2017, 03:28 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
pointrow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Cen Il.
Posts: 710
I have thought about doing the same but haven't yet. My thoughts were to get some 3/4" aluminum plate as large as will clear and bolt them to my existing jack pads.
This last week I was at REV group in Decatur IN. and they had some plastic/fiberglass pads for everyone parking in their lot. They were pretty slick as for weight to size. About 1/12" thick. They sell them for approximately $83 per pair. Don't know why a person couldn't bolt them on.

Good luck

Pointrow
__________________
2014 Fleetwood Providence 42p
pointrow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2017, 05:38 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Wbonsell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Poulsbo, WA
Posts: 749
My thoughts are a bit different regarding jack pads. My auto jacks have dual springs for return. It's my feeling, albeit no data to support it, that the less travel your jacks have the better. So, I almost always place 4x12's under each jack. The jacks then do not need to fully extend, which stresses the return springs imo, and also provides a stouter "set" with less coach movement.

Again, I have no data supporting any of this, but it makes sense to me and I especially feel less likely to snap a return spring as I know others have experienced.
__________________
Bill and Debb---2010 CT Coachworks Siena 35V
1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport---Roadmaster Falcon 5250 -
1 Cavalon (Scooby) 1 Papipoo (Bella- DOB 5/06/18)
Wbonsell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2017, 05:41 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
hohenwald48's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Titusville, FL
Posts: 5,158
I don't bother with pads. Unless I park in a swamp just the factory jack base works just fine. Never had an issue. Overnight is not much time for the bases to settle in the ground.
hohenwald48 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2017, 06:19 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 195
I also got tired of boards and the storage space, I went to my scrap steel supplier and had them shear me 4- 16 x 16 x 3/8 plates, took old conveyor belt and glued to the bottom side, bolted to my jack pads a little smaller would have worked better as they have to be turned correctly for clearance of front tires so I oriented and took some springs I had and hooked to keep in position, so far they are great, time will tell, larger round ones would be better if a plasma cutter is available.
hardint is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2017, 06:31 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
gsgriffin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 971
Quote:
Originally Posted by hohenwald48 View Post
I don't bother with pads. Unless I park in a swamp just the factory jack base works just fine. Never had an issue. Overnight is not much time for the bases to settle in the ground.
I can and have punched through everything but concrete... Sometimes instantly, other overnight.
__________________
04 Monaco DST 40'-Cum330ISC/Onan7.5K Gen/Silverleaf VMSpc/Garmin760MLT/WeBoost 4GX-OTR/EEZ Tire Mon/ReadyBrake->Rdmstr->'21 Jeep Glad Dsl/17KWh LFP/RO House Water/2400W solar roof/Victron MPPTs-Cerbo/Magnum 3000 Hybrid Inv-Chrg/Starlink ROAM
gsgriffin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2017, 05:59 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
veraken's Avatar


 
Monaco Owners Club
Vintage RV Owners Club
Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Lexington, SC
Posts: 2,804
Here is a post from Boyle908 on his solution along with some pics he sent me. Have done it myself, but it's on my list.

"I made my own out of 1 1/8 Plywood. I installed them permanently using 2 - 1/4" galvanized bolts. I did not use 4 bolts as I wanted them to break if snagged I have done this on 2 motorhomes over 10years and have had no issues,

I made my pads 12 x 12 and 14 x 14 depending on the chassis location etc. On my current I reduced on one pad corner on each rear to maintain wheel clearance This setup gives me a greater working range on the levelers, I don't have to get our to put pads etc. I carry about 4 extras just in case, however if that is not sufficient I will move to a different site or campground as necessary. I did drill a 5/8 hole in each corner so that I could hook them with the awning rod if necessary. Very happy with the way this works"
__________________
2016 Phaeton 36GH, Cummins ISL 380, Allison MH3000, 2014 Honda CR-V, Roadmaster sterling 8Klbs, bracket and ready Brake 2
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Front leveler pad.jpg
Views:	168
Size:	322.7 KB
ID:	180216   Click image for larger version

Name:	Rear leveler pad.jpg
Views:	163
Size:	299.9 KB
ID:	180217  

Click image for larger version

Name:	One of the Extras.jpg
Views:	138
Size:	562.3 KB
ID:	180218  
__________________
Vera & Ken
1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial, RR8S Chassis
Cummins 6C8.3 mechanical engine, 325HP, 3060 Allison
Towing 2014 Ford Explorer
veraken is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2017, 01:54 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
gsgriffin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 971
I made some to answer my question

In my research, I saw a good idea from a jack pad made for heavy equipment outriggers. I copied the idea with plywood.

Using 3/4 5-PLY pressure treated (don't use 3 ply, very weak) found at Home Depot in 2'x4' sheets. Needed two of them the make 3 pads. 16" square with 12" square attached to 8 1/4" jack pads on my RVA 32 jacks.

Heavy glue to sandwich with screws. Side blocks and then a "cap" blocks that allow these to be slid on. Then a locking piece after it is installed.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20171018_114446.jpg
Views:	131
Size:	333.5 KB
ID:	180253   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20171018_121308.jpg
Views:	141
Size:	483.1 KB
ID:	180254  

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20171018_120146.jpg
Views:	134
Size:	395.4 KB
ID:	180255   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20171018_122448.jpg
Views:	127
Size:	284.3 KB
ID:	180256  

__________________
04 Monaco DST 40'-Cum330ISC/Onan7.5K Gen/Silverleaf VMSpc/Garmin760MLT/WeBoost 4GX-OTR/EEZ Tire Mon/ReadyBrake->Rdmstr->'21 Jeep Glad Dsl/17KWh LFP/RO House Water/2400W solar roof/Victron MPPTs-Cerbo/Magnum 3000 Hybrid Inv-Chrg/Starlink ROAM
gsgriffin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2017, 04:00 PM   #14
"Formerly Diplomat Don"
 
Dutch Star Don's Avatar
 
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 23,914
I don't understand why so many find the need to put down jack pads.....you know, your jacks have pads on them already. I've owned two DP's, including a Monaco with a single front jack and maybe used pads about 5 times in 14 years of DP ownership.

Obviously, if it's soft grass, yes, but I se people putting pads down on asphalt and concrete slabs....why?
__________________
Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2019 Ford Raptor
Dutch Star Don is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Jack pads - whats your choice? Rob&Sue Tiffin Owner's Forum 44 06-14-2009 12:49 PM
What kind of jack pads do you use? rv rick MH-General Discussions & Problems 17 03-24-2008 07:11 PM
RV Jack Pads from DICA rebelsbeach Gear and Product Discussions 8 07-10-2007 09:56 AM
Jack Pads Rubbing on Tires - Any Help Out There? JavaJelly Spartan Motorhome Chassis Forum 3 03-28-2007 01:51 PM
Aux Jack Pads JamesOne MH-General Discussions & Problems 3 08-26-2005 01:56 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:32 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.