Can someone tell me the flaw in my plan?

[lucky1320]

I really want larger "feet" on my landing gear. I think the stock feet need more meat to them for stability. I've looked at the Lippert feet and they get mixed reviews.

So my grand idea is to buy 9" solid steel discs, with recessed holes for flat head bolts to go through and mount to the stock feet. This would enable me to use "Snap Pads" or the Anderson buckets. Both of which I really like.

My real concern was the weight hurting the jacks, but the discs are only 4.5 pounds so I think it should be fine since people are using pretty similar set ups weight wise.

So what am I missing? Please remember I'm new, so be gentle.

Thanks

[mobilemike]

There is nothing wrong with your solution.

The problem is your solution lacks a problem. If you are still going to use blocks or buckets you have not advantaged yourself. Putting blocks under the standard feet or larger feet is still putting pads under feet.

Now if you invented automatic blocks, that would be something

[Bahamaniac]

We have a Bigfoot leveling system. I always liked having the extra foot surface to support so much weight.

[egwilly]

I agree that placing larger feet would help with stability. Good point about placing them on blocks and such, diminishing returns in that case.

I have no concerns about the weight of your blocks idea, those jacks can lift 1000 lbs or more. A 4 pound weight on them is going to have no effect.

[lucky1320]

Originally Posted by mobilemike

There is nothing wrong with your solution.

The problem is your solution lacks a problem. If you are still going to use blocks or buckets you have not advantaged yourself. Putting blocks under the standard feet or larger feet is still putting pads under feet.

Now if you invented automatic blocks, that would be something

True, but I like the pads for the stabilizing aspects and the buckets to relieve stress on the jacks by having a shorter distance to extend .

To my thinking bigger is better when it comes to stabilization.

[lucky1320]

Originally Posted by egwilly

I agree that placing larger feet would help with stability. Good point about placing them on blocks and such, diminishing returns in that case.

I have no concerns about the weight of your blocks idea, those jacks can lift 1000 lbs or more. A 4 pound weight on them is going to have no effect.

Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.

[00 Buckshot]

If stability means keeping the legs from sinking in the ground your plan will work just fine. If you are expecting the bigger pads to reduce the shaking in the rig you are wasting time and money.

[Bob_C]

JT Strongarms would also help stabilize.....

[winniman]

I don't see any advantage over just having larger blocks to put under them. That's what cranes do. I put blocks under my jacks on my motorhome if the ground conditions warrant it. On hard packed surfaces, bigger footprint is not required.

[hohenwald48]

I've found that the less I extend my leveling jacks the more stable the platform. It's extending those skinny jack legs out a couple of feet that contribute to the wobble more than the size of the pad foot print. The pad size just keeps me from pushing the jacks into the ground.

[lrgomez1976]

If this helps, but I use 2"x8" treated wood cut to 2' lengths. Each one had a nylon rope in the form of a handle at the ends forming a quick to reach and grab.. up jacks and gone!! I've used these on cement or in the yard of my parents when I visited. My unit is shy of 19,000 pounds fully loaded and no issues. This way the actual center point of the jack is spread over the 2x8 (192 inches). It was cheap!!

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by egwilly

I agree that placing larger feet would help with stability. Good point about placing them on blocks and such, diminishing returns in that case.

I have no concerns about the weight of your blocks idea, those jacks can lift 1000 lbs or more. A 4 pound weight on them is going to have no effect.

The effect will be plain when he or DW has to shorten/lengthen the bottom leg when they are already tired from a long travel day; assuming the leg must be adjusted.

[Dutch Star Don]

If you camp on soft ground on a regular basis, you probably need something to keep you from sinking. If you camp on firm ground, just leave the jacks alone. If you have a stability issue, add the JT Strongarms, they work well and are inexpensive.

I go camping to relax, sightsee and get away from the daily grind. It NEVER ceases to amaze me when I see people put all kinds of pads under their RV's when parked on firm ground. You'll see some old guy down on his knees stacking all this wood under the jacks, spending 20 minutes or more. Keep it simple!

[RV SnapPad]

Originally Posted by lucky1320

I really want larger "feet" on my landing gear. I think the stock feet need more meat to them for stability. I've looked at the Lippert feet and they get mixed reviews.

So my grand idea is to buy 9" solid steel discs, with recessed holes for flat head bolts to go through and mount to the stock feet. This would enable me to use "Snap Pads" or the Anderson buckets. Both of which I really like.

My real concern was the weight hurting the jacks, but the discs are only 4.5 pounds so I think it should be fine since people are using pretty similar set ups weight wise.

So what am I missing? Please remember I'm new, so be gentle.

ThanksAttachment 234464Attachment 234465Attachment 234466Attachment 234467Attachment 234468

Hi Lucky,

Just wanted to make you aware that those LCI landing feet replacements you have displayed on your post actually come with an attachment or 'knuckle'. If you look closely you can see them in the picture. Those will allow you to simply pull the pin on your current landing pads, line up your new LCI feet and and install them via the same pin. Easy peasy and no added steel plate necessary.
From there, if you so choose, you could easily install SnapPads on your new LCI feet.

Hope that helps.