Community Forums

T_Roy · 01-26-2022, 06:44 AM

Is anyone using leveling blocks and or jack pads with these heavy beasts? If so what are you using. Do I need jack pads in campsites that are gravel and not concrete?

brobox · 01-26-2022, 06:46 AM

I use the Snap Pads and they are great. https://rvsnappad.com/ No dirty pad to put away and no getting down on my knees to put them in place.

RayandWendy · 01-26-2022, 06:53 AM

Exactly what Chuck said!
Later...
Ray

bevandtomH · 01-26-2022, 08:17 AM

For me, there are two things going on.

One is the convenience of Snap Pads. Not having to get out and put pads under the coach is a real plus.
Especially parks that require them.

However, they don’t replace the need for leveling blocks. Like many, I made my own. Not all sites are created equal.

DerekF · 01-26-2022, 08:47 AM

We use something like hoss pads. Compressed tire pieces with rope for retrieving from underneath
Some have said their snap pads got stuck in the mud not better to lost a separate pad then potential damage to jacks.
This past April heading across Colorado, East on I-70 it had been raining for days. At Loveland we sank into the gravel. Which was packed well. Had one jack get stuck but caught it quickly. Not too much trouble getting unstuck. One reason went with separate instead on snap pads.
Like almost everything else, it’s a personal decision. Just try to understand pros and cons of each
Stay safe

Gary.Jones · 01-26-2022, 02:09 PM

2 x 12" pressure treated lumber about 12" long. Two sections of lumber with the grain oriented 90 degrees off of each other. Holes drilled on one end for short sections of nylon rope to serve as handles. Also, drilled one hole the same diameter as the steel rod we use to pull down the shades, which lets me position the pads right where they need to be.

Now, truth be told, I have not needed any of them in about two years as everywhere we have been has been solid enough that I haven't needed any additional cushioning or support.

Gary

deckape · 01-26-2022, 02:37 PM

Most sites have a solid pad be it gravel / concrete. I have 2' length's of 2 X 10's and 12's 4 each. Had Lowes cut . Use the 2 X 12 for dual's and front tires. 2 X 10 are used when jacks need lift , as if I use wood under tire ,then that jack gets a 2 X 10 . Have found eleveling my Forza , what ever side needs a lift ,that wheel and jack gets a block. I have stacked the 2 X's ,moved top back 2" ,then drilled two 5/8" holes thru both and I put a 5/8" dowel thru to lock them if I need to go with 2 high. Length of rode attached to them , to pull out from under coach. .

dcphil_98 · 01-26-2022, 03:09 PM

In addition to the benefits of the snap pads listed above, they also protect the bottom of the jacks. I have seen damage to the foot caused by a rock under the jack.

brobox · 01-26-2022, 03:41 PM

Reading some of the other post on boards stored in the basement. I remember how much room mine took up in the basement before switching to the Snap Pad. Dave is also correct about always protecting the Jack Pad. The jack pads will bend with the smallest rock. The Snap Pads do cushion against those.

Bigd9 · 01-26-2022, 06:49 PM

A lot of the sites we camp at are very much level challenged. So I have a selection of leveling boards I made. After trying lumber, I ended up making boards from 3/4 inch exterior grade plywood. I screwed and glued two pieced together to make boards 1 1/2 inches thick. i have some for the jacks and others for the tires. I painted them and sprinkled sand in the wet paint. This keeps the tires from spinning when climbing up onto the boards. It also keeps the boards from moving when I stack them on top of each other to get more height. The holes allow me to use the awning pole to move the boards around.

Mariol · 01-26-2022, 07:39 PM

I went to a commercial supply place and bought the pads they use for cranes, they are 3 inch thick solid plastic, huge and they are bright prison jumpsuit orange so I never forget them

Mariol · 01-26-2022, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mariol

I went to a commercial supply place and bought the pads they use for cranes, they are 3 inch thick solid plastic, huge and they are bright prison jumpsuit orange so I never forget them

Probly should explain why I did that. We live in Flagstaff, we are on top of a volcano and the ground is nothing but soft cinders. They sank right away in the driveway. Needed oversized thick pads.

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AggrevatedRv · 01-29-2022, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mariol

Probly should explain why I did that. We live in Flagstaff, we are on top of a volcano and the ground is nothing but soft cinders. They sank right away in the driveway. Needed oversized thick pads.Attachment 354779

I use these when needed which isn’t often just usually at my house to spread the weight out better on the concrete.

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LWBAZ · 01-30-2022, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mariol

Probly should explain why I did that. We live in Flagstaff, we are on top of a volcano and the ground is nothing but soft cinders. They sank right away in the driveway. Needed oversized thick pads.Attachment 354779

Years ago I came across a company called Outdoors for Life (OFL) that produces outrigger and crane pads for construction and utility companies. As a sideline, they also offer RV jack pads.

Their RV jack pads are available in three sizes: 12" square x 1" thick, 14" square x 1" thick and 16" square x 1" thick. The material is some sort of composite plastic which is all but indestructible. I've had a set of their RV pads for a long time. Don't need them often, but when I do they work great on all kinds of surfaces. If you have special circumstances like Mariol, OFL offers pads as large as 48” square x 2” thick.

Not cheap, but they’ll be the last set of jack pads you’ll ever need to buy. More info here:

https://oflpads.com