Leveling block/pads

[CCFROMFL]

Being new to a 5th wheel, on average, how many leveling block/pads should one carry.

[webslave]

I currently carry two sets of 8...am going to get a third. I use them for leveling, under the stabilizers to keep from extending them more than 50% (any thing over 50% extension and their effectiveness diminishes), I've even used them as "levelers" for long runs on the sewer hose to keep a slope and as additional steps to get into the 5er if the ground drops away near the steps. Lots and lots of uses; they are light, tuff and just plain handy.

[soundman7]

I prefer 2x8s my self. Always handy to have.

[Roam America]

I carry the orange one (Lynx I believe). But when using under the tires, I ALWAYS use the flat caps. i don't like the stress they put on the tire without the caps. when I am staying somewhere for more than a week, I use wood blocks (1/2" and 3/4" treated plywood) under the tires.

For the front jack and stabilzers I made up block using 4x6 treat lumber cut to 12" lengths and 2 glues/screwed together to make up a block. To help reduce wobble, you want to keep the from jacks and rear stabilizers as short as possible.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by soundman7

I prefer 2x8s my self. Always handy to have.

Me too. I use one native-sawed Poplar board 2"x8", 6' long, beveled at 45* on both ends. With this one board the 5er is within 1" of level nearly always. If you only need 1" you have 2", if you need 3" you have 2". I also carry 6, 1and 5/8"x 11 and 1/2" pine boards 12" long for under the stabilizers when the ground is soft. They are also used atop that Poplar board if needed to obtain a reasonably level condition. I use 4, 4"x6" treated blocks 16" long for under the front jacksand stabilizers if that distance is very much. The boards last about 5 years, then I visit a local lumber yard and ask for short ends from their scrap bin. Never have bought anything for leveling or support in the last 20 years other than the Poplar, which is from a local sawmill.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by CCFROMFL

Being new to a 5th wheel, on average, how many leveling block/pads should one carry.

Enough to build a ramp for the trailer tires to level the trailer side to side when parked on a bad sloping site. I carried one set of 10 Lynx levelers for years, but sometimes I needed a couple extra. So now I carry two sets of 10, or 20 total.
Lynx Levelers

Look around on that website and you find the caps that K-Star mentioned.

I also carry a few pieces of 2x6 and 2x8 pine boards to put under the front landing gear and rear stabilizers of the 5er as required.

Of course if you always park in a KOA or Good Sam RV park, then you won't need so much leveling materiel. But if you park in the boonies, or some primitive campgrounds, you might need a lot.

[majorloser]

I carry four 10-piece sets of the Lynx block and the caps. I use them under the rear stabilizers and if needed under the sewer hose slinky. They are a heck of a lot light than lumber and come in convienent nylon zippered bag.

For the most part two 10-piece bags is enough to level a two axle trailer.

I have a bunch of 10" squares of 1/2" black Starboard left over from another project. I use a couple of those under the front stabilizers. It's way too expensive to buy Starboard for that purpose, but I had scrap laying around that I cut up into squares.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by majorloser

I have a bunch of 10" squares of 1/2" black Starboard left over from another project. I use a couple of those under the front stabilizers.

"Starboard" usually means high density polyethylene (HDPE), which is a plastic similar to Lexan or Plexiglas, but higher density and harder. Thiner sheets of HDPE are often used for such things as windshields and windows in a boat. Other products that include HDPE include "plastic lumber" such as composite decking. If you had leftover pieces that were 1/2" thick and 10"x10", was that some sort of composite decking or plastic lumber?

[caissiel]

I Have been using 2 x 6 x12 blocks for 20 years. Cut from scraps. Never paid anything so far. 2 x 8 will split easy. I store them in a 32lt Roughneck container and just bring them all to the low side. When leveling I place 3 sideways so tire is fully supported. Cord them under the wheels until trailer is levelled. Wife always drives the truck forward and backwards.
I can use then for all occasion and specialy for jacking the truck and trailer by the frame.
I see to many bend front landing plates over those plastic Lego blocks and partly supporting the tires. No wonder so much tire belt problems.
That's my experience and will stick to it forever.

[twalker409]

Thank you for the super info! Just bought big country with all bells and whistles, but no training on best height for leveling jacks, no wonder we are so high off ground! Haha, will adjust and aim for the wood pieces. Things you think are everyday can be revelations to us newbies to 5th wheels

[johno97007]

We carried 3 bags of the Lynx levelers when we pulled our TT and rarely ever needed more than 6 or 8 blocks to level. Mostly we put them under the stabilizers to keep my "crank" time down and provide a broader base. They also level picnic tables, support the entry step and drain hose, etc.

I used a 6 x 6 under the tongue jack.

IMHO, can't have too many.

[majorloser]

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

"Starboard" usually means high density polyethylene (HDPE), which is a plastic similar to Lexan or Plexiglas, but higher density and harder. Thiner sheets of HDPE are often used for such things as windshields and windows in a boat. Other products that include HDPE include "plastic lumber" such as composite decking. If you had leftover pieces that were 1/2" thick and 10"x10", was that some sort of composite decking or plastic lumber?

Starboard is used in marine applications.

King StarBoard® | King Plastic Corporation

I buy it by the sheet.