Leveler pad requirement

[RJEV]

We're getting ready for a long trip and one of the parks where we will be staying requires a pad be placed under the levelers. Never seen this requirement before. We are trying to cut down on the weight we carry and am reluctant to carry heavy wooden blocks. Any suggestions on something light weight that will withstand the pressure/weight of the levelers? Thought maybe Camping World would offer something but couldn't find anything.

Thanks,
RJ

[CLIFFTALL]

I have had that required a few times. We're going to Williams Az. To the Grand Canyon Railway R V and they require them. Also been to a few others. I carry wood.

[Senior Chief]

Some folk use those heavy plastic cutting boards from Walmart. Even have a handle.

[Hipshot]

I have pads like the ones used under heavy equipment. They are not light but will outlast me. I understand the requirement of the campground. We camped at Lijitas on the Texas bouder last year and almost all of the sites had deep impressions in the asphalt from RV jacks. Some went completely through the asphalt.

[Wayne M]

I purchased a set of four (maybe two to a set) about 18" square plastic jack pads specifically made as jack pads. I don't remember the price, but they are real easy to set up under the jack using the awning tool to slide them. They even have embossed on the flat side, which side goes down on asphalt and which for gravel.

Otherwise, 12" square piece of 3/4" treated plywood will work well.

Edited: I found them. I purchased them at Camping World. They come 2 pack to a set and are called, Ramble Jack Pads I have used them on both dirt and asphalt and they worked well. Very light to carry.

[FlyingDiver]

We originally had pads like Wayne describes. Our coach is heavy enough that they deformed on soft ground. Now we have some seriously heavy duty ones from Summit: Jack Pads

The Summit ones are highly recommended if you have a really big & heavy (41'-45') DP.

joe

[Wanabee FTer]

Originally Posted by Senior Chief

Some folk use those heavy plastic cutting boards from Walmart. Even have a handle.

Found mine at Biglots and they were cheap, 3 or 4 bucks each. They measure about 12" x 8" and store easily/light weight. I got the ones with the handles built in so I can use my awning extension tool to dig them out of the mud if needed.

[JimM68]

Originally Posted by Wayne M

Otherwise, 12" square piece of 3/4" treated plywood will work well..

mine r 16" square, 3 layers of 3/4". They were fine with the gasser.

The Knight bends em into a taco shape and puts depressions in blacktop anyway.

[ahicks]

Originally Posted by JimM68

mine r 16" square, 3 layers of 3/4". They were fine with the gasser.

The Knight bends em into a taco shape and puts depressions in blacktop anyway.

Maybe you could add another layer of 3/4?

I use 2x12's glued to 3/4" ply, but that might come under the "heavy wooden blocks" heading. If I were wanting to keep it light and meet the parks rules, I would go with just the plywood - of whatever thickness required. They would have rope handles too!

[Crabby Mike]

I had concerns when parking in my own asphalt driveway, and simply cut up some scrap heavy plywood for pads under the tires -- maybe 18" square or so for the singles, bigger for the duals. I won't pretend they completely eliminated the problem of making impressions in soft pavement, but at least they spread out the weight a little.

[Luckiest Dreamer]

Requirement or not, some campgrounds simply do not have compacted surfaces or heavy enough drives to support your jacks. By placing larger pads under them you will spread the footprint and get less pressure per sq. inch and maybe stop the jacks from sinking in. I cut three 18" squares of 3/4" green treated plywood per leg and glued and screwed them together. drilling a grab hole or attaching a drawer pull to each will help to retrieve them. You can also use these to drive on if the tires need some support or to help you in leveling the coach.

[Fred and Bonnie]

Lots of campgrounds in warmer climates require jack pads. Ramble Jack Pads, set of 2 - Intersource Enterprises D10-172 - Tongue Jacks - Camping World do the job and don't add a lot of weight.

fred

[Mr_D]

I use 2X12's cut and two stacked at 90°, glued and screwed together. I paint them and drill holes in the corners so I can use the awning rod to retrieve them. I carry 8 of them and sometimes use them all. They're big enough to use under the tire's to support the whole tread as the tire manufacturers require.