Snap pads and leveling jacks

[OldBaldFat]

Originally Posted by pilotspike

What do the snap pads do for you?

Pouring rain, I don't need to get down on my knees in the wet and make sure my pads are positioned.

I've run into campgrounds with asphalt paved sites which say no leveling jacks are allowed without using pads to increase the area spreading the weight. RV owner is responsible for any repairs necessary to the site if their steel foot pads damage the surface.

It is surprising the percentage increase in spreading the load when someone does the math. Even just one inch larger adds a significant percentage of lower load per square inch.

[CharlesBrown]

I have them on my 2017 Ventana 3709. They are fine in the rear. Up front they are a different configuration and DO NOT have the proper clearance. At times I will get a fault from the leveling system, indicating that the cylinders are not completely retracted. I simply push the “Retract All” button, the system retracts all cylinders and clears the fault.
I have investigated spacing the leveling cylinders further from the frame (Freightliner) to allow proper clearance, however the spacers would be at least 1” thick and (as a mechanical engineer) I’m concerned about the stress when using the levelers.
I have not lost any of the snap pads while traveling.

[Dutch Star Don]

Many just don't get the point of Snap Pads. They go into long stories about how they got some free wood, made some beautiful pads and they work great. However, every time you use them, you have to get them out of storage, drag them around to all four positions and then mess with getting them positioned in the right spot. When you're done, it's another step you have to deal with before you can leave. You have to get an awning rod out or get down on your knees and pull them out. Unless you're a slob, you need to clean them up and then haul the four heavy pads back to a storage bay and use up valuable storage space to store them.....hoping they're not still wet and nasty from the rain or swampy ground.

Did I paint an accurate picture of dealing with homemade storage pads. For me, I like to put things away the night before we depart, so I can just fire up in the morning, put the power cable and water hose away, both on power reels, and the SaniCon hose that just gets stuffed in the wet bay. I can do that in under five minutes and be on my way.

I also have a bad back and don't need to be carrying jack pads to and from storage. As to why they're needed, out west, in warmer climates, many places with asphalt pads want pads down.

If you don't want to spend the money on SnapPads.....don't, get your free wood and make some boards you can drag around. For many, the home-made pads work great, but for a lot of us, we prefer to make setting up and tearing down camp simple, versus a chore.

[PanJH]

Originally Posted by OldBaldFat

Pouring rain, I don't need to get down on my knees in the wet and make sure my pads are positioned.

I've run into campgrounds with asphalt paved sites which say no leveling jacks are allowed without using pads to increase the area spreading the weight. RV owner is responsible for any repairs necessary to the site if their steel foot pads damage the surface.

It is surprising the percentage increase in spreading the load when someone does the math. Even just one inch larger adds a significant percentage of lower load per square inch.

In 30+ years of traveling around the US in Class A's, I've run into only 1 place that required a pad under the jacks.... they provided them when I told them I didn't have any. They threw 4 ratty looking OSB pieces under the 4 jacks before I lowered them.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by pilotspike

Honestly I have struggled to understand what they provide. I have jack pads that I really like (utility blocks) but I rarely need to use them unless the surface is really unlevel.

What do the snap pads do for you?

J

You are in the minority along with me. I don't think they add enough additional footprint to make any real difference. We like staying at Harvest Host and parking in a soft area we use jack pads that are 17" long and 9 inches wide and they have sunk an inch or so. I use them so seldom that the hassle of putting them down and taking them us is worth it since the same blocks add as levelers under tires when not used under the jacks. I have been at Harvest Host which says jackpads are at least 12" in size to prevent damage. In 15 years of camping, I have only seen a couple of campgrounds that require jack pads and they require you to use the one they provide.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

PS. I don't like the Blackstone Grill either. I think that brings fast food burgers to the campgrounds.

[BayRunner]

Originally Posted by CharlesBrown

I have them on my 2017 Ventana 3709. They are fine in the rear. Up front they are a different configuration and DO NOT have the proper clearance. At times I will get a fault from the leveling system, indicating that the cylinders are not completely retracted. I simply push the “Retract All” button, the system retracts all cylinders and clears the fault.
I have investigated spacing the leveling cylinders further from the frame (Freightliner) to allow proper clearance, however the spacers would be at least 1” thick and (as a mechanical engineer) I’m concerned about the stress when using the levelers.
I have not lost any of the snap pads while traveling.

This may not be a snap pad issue. I had the exact same issue on my ‘22 Ventana. The problem was that after being parked, the front leveler would sag down some this having to press the retract all button. I mention this to Newmar on my last warranty service visits and they replaced I believe a control board. Have not had the problem since.

[Shotokan]

Originally Posted by PetesMH

I put Snap Pads on my BSS but would not do so again. I never lost one or hit anything with them but they definitely were the lowest thing under there. And they are heavy. After installing them I had an issue of jacks drifting down during storage. Not an actual issue as I just had to tap the retract button to bring them back up and turn off the alarm. But I didn’t see enough value to ever do it again.

The pads might not be causing the downward drift. In storage, my jacks drift without snap pads attached. As you say, not a big deal to retract them.

[dhlairbus]

Here is an update on the AWOL jack pad Foot. Looks like the Foot developed a crack, and it spread to the point where the securing bold was able to slip through the hole. Thinking back to a visit to a campground in Bradenton FL, they assigned me to a spot with the concrete pad only half useable, so I was two jacks on the concrete, and two in the grass.
I placed blocks under the grass side, but one did tilt, that may have made it worse, and caused the complete failure. Luckly, it is an easy fix, and the replacement jack pad is being ordered.

[Boondog605]

Originally Posted by No Plan

I have Snap Pads on my 2022 Ventana 3407. My dealer installed them and there is a size differential between the front and rear.

2022 Ventana 3412 and also have size differential front and rear. Dealer installed and advised for proper clearance.

As was noted, they are heavy and cause jacks to drift down in storage - quick retract all required at start up.

[carls241]

Originally Posted by Baxsterob1

We have a 2022 Ventana with Equalizer levelers and snap pads. Has anyone had a problem with clearance as we recently lost both the snap pad and the base plate on those miserable Atlanta roads. Any impute would be appreciated.

What size of pads did you order, are they the same front and rear?

[DarkSideJeep]

One reason to use homemade pads is that the thickness of the homemade ones reduces the amount the jacks have to extend. The ones I use are 3" thick I built them with a rope loop so I could hook them with an awning rod or with a Dutch Oven lid lifter. Like Alton Brown I believe in multi-use tools.

[richpatty]

I looked into them but thought they did not expand the footprint enough…. And then I measured and found that they would contact the frame when retracted.

[Traygar]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

Many just don't get the point of Snap Pads. They go into long stories about how they got some free wood, made some beautiful pads and they work great. However, every time you use them, you have to get them out of storage, drag them around to all four positions and then mess with getting them positioned in the right spot. When you're done, it's another step you have to deal with before you can leave. You have to get an awning rod out or get down on your knees and pull them out. Unless you're a slob, you need to clean them up and then haul the four heavy pads back to a storage bay and use up valuable storage space to store them.....hoping they're not still wet and nasty from the rain or swampy ground.

Did I paint an accurate picture of dealing with homemade storage pads. For me, I like to put things away the night before we depart, so I can just fire up in the morning, put the power cable and water hose away, both on power reels, and the SaniCon hose that just gets stuffed in the wet bay. I can do that in under five minutes and be on my way.

I also have a bad back and don't need to be carrying jack pads to and from storage. As to why they're needed, out west, in warmer climates, many places with asphalt pads want pads down.

If you don't want to spend the money on SnapPads.....don't, get your free wood and make some boards you can drag around. For many, the home-made pads work great, but for a lot of us, we prefer to make setting up and tearing down camp simple, versus a chore.

That's exactly the way I feel about them. They make my RVing life easier.

[azpete]

i dont have snap pads. but i do use pads most of the time.
pads dont effect the performance of jacks, just my opinion. snap pads are a convenience that is great during cold or rainy weather, or when you get older, like me. im not quite there yet, but its coming.
not many campgrounds require pads, but many recommend them. they do help avoid dents in asphalt, and even holes in dirt.
i have attended fmca rallies where all the vendors coaches were parked on asphalt or concrete. at one, we were told that if we did not use pads, we had to leave. granted, this was a regional rally, and the guy in charge was a stickler for rules, it is what it is.
i carry 8 2x12s about 20 inches long. i use them when on grass or soft areas to avoid sinking into the ground. may be overkill, but i dont have buried jacks, ever.
pads do help avoid damage to asphalt surfaces in hot weather.
even in walmart, i have seen damage done by heavy coaches. i carry a small gallon pail of cold asphalt to fill holes, even when i dont make them, because its the right thing to do. i dont want to wear out our welcome.
pads are a personal choice. i use them, its your choice whether to use them or not.