Leveling Jack Pads

[George Z]

Originally Posted by jobriant

A responsible RVer won't put jacks down first and check for damage later. Instead, place jack pads under your levelers BEFORE leveling to protect the surface from any damage. These are commercially available, but several folks I know get the same benefit from inexpensive squares of 3/4" plywood, with ropes attached so they're easily retrievable from under the RV.

I totally agree with you jobriant, but believe you and I are in a small minority. Ride around any campground let alone a free overnight stopping site like WM. In late and out early prompts many not to use pads, or in a CG many don't use pads till after the jacks have sunk in and the unit is not level. Of course at that point it's too late. Working in the heavy construction, I have been involved with resurfacing a few shopping center parking lots and the four dimple marks are are a dead give away.

George

[Chuck 1935]

Now that there is a concern about DIMPLES. has anyone thought about attaching plates to the bottom of their jack base that would increase the footprint size. It would eliminate all the crawling around placing and retrieving pads under the jacks . I have put aluminum plates on my jacks and have never left a dent in pavement and it doesn't sink into the dirt when I'm boondocking. Just a thought for a simpler life.

[Lakeman1]

Chuck 1935 I would think these would have to be some real thick aluminum plates?

[Chuck 1935]

Mine are 1/4 inch and hardened and I've never had a problem. It also makes it easier in the rain. My jacks also go streight up and down and don't fold like some I've seen.

[Wayne M]

Put an eyelet on the board (if used) and use the awning tool to push/pull the board into place and out after retraction. No need to crawl down on the ground.

Ooopss! Off Topic.

Walmart - Walmart - Walmart

there, back on topic.

[steelheadbluesman]

Okay George, you've got me going on this one! How did you attach your aluminum plates? Bolts, rivets? I think it's a great solution.

[steelheadbluesman]

Okay, Dirk. That's fine by me , but.... Part of the walmart topic is about using jacks, dimple problems in the parking lot surface, etc. Of course this info would apply to other parking situations as well.... Where should we talk about this? Feel free to move me, I don't mind, but I would like a reply, somewhere, if George is willing to give me one

[Chuck 1935]

Steelheadbluesman, I used bolts. No need to use your awning wand or strings. Keeps you high and dry !! My jacks don't seem affected by the additional weight of the plate but if they were I would just add some extra springs such as screen door springs that you could put inside the existing springs. For every problem there is a solution.

[steelheadbluesman]

Thanks, George. So, have you been using them long? And how big are they? Any thoughts on improving them? I once saw a woman's rig stuck in a campground with one jack hyper-extended into the ground, and it wouldn't retract. I wondered then why the MH builders don't make larger pads as standard equipment.... By the way, I've noticed your most excellent behavior

[Chuck 1935]

Steelheadbluesman, The pads I made are 14 inches square, a bit larger than those yellow plastic . I put them on about two years ago because we camp alot at the beach and the front jacks are on asphalt and the rears are in the dirt. I didn't want them sinking in and It made me feel bad having my dear wife crawling around like a lizard placing those plastic pads on the ground. She was dragging mud and debris back into the MH after doing so and became rather cranky when I tried to hose her off. The plates were a better solution than sensitvity training classes or a marriage counciler. This is all part of my new excellant behavior !!!!!

[George Z]

Originally Posted by steelheadbluesman

Okay, Dirk. That's fine by me , but.... Part of the walmart topic is about using jacks, dimple problems in the parking lot surface, etc. Of course this info would apply to other parking situations as well.... Where should we talk about this? Feel free to move me, I don't mind, but I would like a reply, somewhere, if George is willing to give me one

Please reread my posts as you are not comprehending what I said. I use 14 round plywood under my jacks and have nothing attached to my jacks, thus I have nothing to reply about.

George

[steelheadbluesman]

Sooooo sorry George Z, I was talking to Chuck 1935, but I lost all my marbles and called him George, so you're right - I was not comprehending your post. My fault for not using better identification....

[Gary RVRoamer]

But how big are "bigger pads" the manufacturers should put on?. It all depends on the ground you are on. Being on pavement doesn't mean much - a couple inches of asphalt over soft ground will cave in with most any amount of weight.

The stock pads on my Equalizer jacks are roughly 110 sq inches. Power Gear makes a decent size too. HWH did a lot of models with very samll feet, especially the kick-down types.

[Route 66]

Much of the damage would be eliminated if jack manufacturers stopped using the bowl shaped pads and used a larger flat pad.