Jack Pads or Not?

[voltdoc]

For class A parks with concrete pads that require protection under the jacks we've just been using cheap 1/4" thick cutting boards. We got ours at IKEA for $3 for a set of two about 10" x 14".

We also carry plywood panels to "plank" (vapor barrier) the tires for long stays and these can double as jack pads in other situations. 4 panels @ 18"x12" for the fronts and tag tires and 2 panels @ 18" x 24" for the duals. We use thin flexible plastic cutting boards between the plywood and the tires to further retard any vapor transmission.

[TerryO]

Originally Posted by hogdriver

I like that idea! What do you cut them with?

I just use a utility knife and straight edge. Make multiple passes with a new sharp blade.

I also use this stall material under my tires in the shop.

[UFO Pilot]

Originally Posted by TerryO

I just use a utility knife and straight edge. Make multiple passes with a new sharp blade.

[DSL417]

Don't have them, haven't needed them..even when the jacks "dug in" about an inch in N ID last week in wet ground. I've parked on grass in a campground about five times in a year and a half...I certainly wouldn't go to great expense. JMHO

[RCG604]

Originally Posted by Berlin Kid

I purchased rubber patio pavers ($3.00 ea.). They are 3/4" thick, 16" x 16".

plus 1

Use the same thing.


Richard

[MRUSA14]

I think some kind of jack pads are important to carry. I made my own out of pressure treated 2 X 12's, sandwiched cross-grain. They are heavy but not expensive. Because they are 3" high, they come in handy when the slope is greater than the jacks can handle. I can use them singly or in combination under the low jack, giving effectively you more jack extension.

The pads are important when parking on asphalt in hot weather. A jack can punch right through hot pavement. The last thing I want to do is damage someone's pavement, not to mention potential damage to the jacks or the coach. The jack pads spread the weight over a greater area, making this type of damge much less likely.

The other time you need it is on unpaved ground or grass. I have been in places where even the jack pad sunk into the wet ground, but it stabilized and I was able to level and later able to dig the pad out of the ground. A jack alone would have just punched a hole and done no good at all. Again, potentially causing damage to the coach. I don't see where rubber pads would do any good in this type of case as they would probably just bend around the jack. What is needed is a rigid platform that will not bend and will therefore distribute the weight over the full area of the pad. The larger the pad, the better the weight will be distributed.

[mfrazier]

Interesting thread. I'm with Dave and Beth - never used them. I do have a set since I read Cruzer's article on must-have stuff back when we purchased the coach. My question - how do you use them with our leveling system. I always just hit auto level and have only had to manually adjust a little from there a couple of times. Never did a completely manual level. Have you taken reference measurements from the tires to know where the coach jacks hit the ground so you know where to put them?

[Finally]

I made custom pads of treated lumber, metal brackets, Trex decking and rope for handles. At places we go, its a requirement to use jack pads so not to cause damage to the property. I also use them at home as my driveway was getting beat up.

[Curtisgeiger]

Pads arrived this morning. I was thinking they would be a little flexible -- but they are hard as steel. Cool.




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[Bama96]

Originally Posted by Curtisgeiger

Pads arrived this morning. I was thinking they would be a little flexible -- but they are hard as steel. Cool.
Attachment 67953Attachment 67954



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Really nice Curt. How much were they for the set of 4? $300?

[Curtisgeiger]

$96 each pad



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[firedoc]

We use commercial 3/4 in cutting boards from a kitchen supply store under jacks and stall mats (cut to size) under tires. Don't use the tire mats unless we are going to be stationary for a time.

[Jersimon]

Originally Posted by Curtisgeiger

Pads arrived this morning. I was thinking they would be a little flexible -- but they are hard as steel.

They will flex a bit when used on soft ground, but they flatten back out. Great pads.

[HD4Mark]

Scrap lumber from a buddy who is a carpenter for us. I get a new set every year. By the end of a season they are cracked, bent and about shot. Into a campfire they go.

Other than keep from digging when leveling and protecting the CGs site I also think they are good to protect from lightning ground hits traveling backwards into your coach. Metal would not work of course.

I do like the horse stall pad idea