Jack pad recommendation for DS

[j.jorett]

I would recommend going with 2x12 pieces. I bought snap pads and installed them.. after a small hydraulic fluid leak the snap pad melted and fell off going down the highway… yes they were installed correctly and had been in place for a while.. lumber is easy and reliable.

[dnd]

I have once been told that I had to have something under the jacks. It did not end well for the city campground. My 5th wheel weights in at 17,500 Lbs. Has big foot jacks with what big foot called at the time of installation "sand feet" which is 15 inch diameter by 3/8" thick steel plate. So I do not use anything under them. I was contacted by a city park that I had to put wood under the pads to protect their new blacktop. So I had to reconnect to lift the front. I cut with my camp saw made for trees 4 pieces of a 2 X 4 which I was using to keep items from sliding it the front compartment into pieces 4" long. I placed them under the 15" steel jack pads and when lifting the trailer to level pushed them over a 1" into their new blacktop. So by forcing me to use wood under the jacks they ended up with four impressions in the new blacktop where using only the steel plate jack pads did nothing.

[Rob_M]

Originally Posted by dnd

I have once been told that I had to have something under the jacks. It did not end well for the city campground. My 5th wheel weights in at 17,500 Lbs. Has big foot jacks with what big foot called at the time of installation "sand feet" which is 15 inch diameter by 3/8" thick steel plate. So I do not use anything under them. I was contacted by a city park that I had to put wood under the pads to protect their new blacktop. So I had to reconnect to lift the front. I cut with my camp saw made for trees 4 pieces of a 2 X 4 which I was using to keep items from sliding it the front compartment into pieces 4" long. I placed them under the 15" steel jack pads and when lifting the trailer to level pushed them over a 1" into their new blacktop. So by forcing me to use wood under the jacks they ended up with four impressions in the new blacktop where using only the steel plate jack pads did nothing.

Enforcing rules over common sense is the way of the world nowadays.

[Tville]

There are lots of ways to go.
After checking around a couple of years ago I bought Bigfoot pads from from Outriggerpads.com. We spend six-seven months a year in our Phaeton 37BH and have used them for 2+ years on everything from soft dirt to concrete without a problem. They don't absorb water or pick up dirt. I find them easy to use and recommend them highly.
Bigfoots pads come in a range of sizes and are reasonably priced. Take a look: https://www.outriggerpads.com/for-rvs/
Good luck.

[gpshay]

Amen .. But we don't have to follow them off the cliff .. Like sheep !!!

[cms4140]

I visited a friend’s 2023 4369 this afternoon. I guess this is the issue for the rear jacks in terms of being able to use Snap Pads. I guess I’ll order a set of 11” snap pads for the front and order some 15” or 18” mytee pads for the rear of our incoming 2023 4326.

[KingKid]

I cut some wood for my pads but I got so I don't like to do it so I put on some Snap Pad.

[KingKid]

I do still have the ones that when I had my 5th wheel these are very solid.

[Frogsme]

Below are pics of snap pads removed from my 2022 Dutchstar 4081. As evident from the pictures the rears were rubbing against the inner tire. I did notice that when I stopped, both rears were at about a 40 degree angle. Not sure what they were hitting but something was causing them to rub the tire. Snap pad was great at refunding me my money. I left the fronts on with no problem

[DerekF]

Originally Posted by gpshay

Hosspad Jack and Leveling Pads is what I have been using a little pricey but good quality

We use Hosspad too. I looked up roadwarrior pads $50 ea. Hosspads $70 for pair at CW Someone posted about outrigger pads. Found them after getting Hosspad. IIRC they might be less then Hosspad

[Steele]

A comment on Snap Pads, I was really interested in this product however if you go to their website they have removed almost all of the Newmar Class A diesel coaches from their applications list.

If you have a HWH leveling system they told me they do not recommend them for their systems as the added weight will cause premature failure of the retraction springs.

Last spring while in Nappenee I noticed that the parts store stopped selling them too. The parts guy mentioned the spring issue and that on some models there was interference fir issues with contacting the frame and or rear inner duel on DS and up.

We chose Bigfoot Outrigger Pads, 18” x 18” x 1 1/2” that are rated at 40k lbs. each. They hav3 nice cord handles and can be purchased in black or hi-vis yellow.

[evofxdwg]

I think Dutch Star Don reflects my opinion with better words.
And that is why I have Snap Pads.

That being said. If you camp a lot in non-"resort" campgrounds, city/county/state parks, core of engineering, Harvest Hosts sites, etc., you will likely at some point need additional lift on one end or one side to get level. Some boards or removable poly pads. I bought a set of 4 of the more expensive poly ones and they still deform and get gouged some. I used them on maybe 50% of our stops on our 3.5 month western trip this summer. They dont split like wood, and have a rope to grab.

[CINPHIL]

Went to Tractor Supply and bought one large piece of flooring that they use for horse stables. Cut it into 18" squares. You will get at least to 18 squares. These can be used under the jacks or as a riser. Total cost was $50. I added a looped line to each one for ease of removing.

[evofxdwg]

Oh and if you have the EQ Systems "taco feet" syndrome, it is not caused by snap pads. It is poor design of a mild steel (not forged or cast) foot with no gussets to prevent folding on soft ground. I had to replace mine with the more expensive ones from EQ systems that Newmar for some reason would not warranty or acknowledge a problem. EQ systems representative, at a rally, also would not warranty or acknowledge a problem.