Leveling Jack Pads/Slide Out Supports

I would run from any RV that recommends slide out supports as that suggests a less than robust design. And what happens with a flat tire, shifting sand, etc? Answer $$$.

I am not a fan of snap pads, or any pad you permanently mount on the end of your jacks. They can be very expensive, and they accomplish very little in terms of added stability. They reduce your ground clearance when on the road, too. On top of that, they do nothing to help you to level things out when on a very unlevel site.

I much prefer my 'dirty wood blocks' and the way you can stack them at each corner to minimize how far your jacks have to extend, and drive one side up on them when site is very unlevel. Extending the jacks less is also easier on the jacks, and makes things much more stable inside.

Much cheaper this way, too. If one cracks, all I have to do is go to a local lumber store and buy another piece of 2x10 or 2x12 and cut it (or have them cut it) into squares.

As to slideout supports: I've never used them, nor ever owned an RV that recommended using them. Would probably be a good idea if you were going to be parked for extended periods, but not sure if they are worth the trouble, otherwise.

SnapPads for us. I never need to carry a bunch of dirty blocks or wood when a campground requires pads, as mine are always in place. Ground clearance is a non issue. The typical response from someone who does own them!

scbwr wrote:
I put SnapPads on my MH this year and I really like them. I don't have to worry about campgrounds that request you use pads.

Slide out supports....never. Potential for damage exceeds any benefits, and any slide out I've had never needed any stabilization.

+1

Made really nice wooden blocks which I have yet to utilize. I use large thick cutting boards purchased via Walmart.

Jack pads, yes. Slide supports, no. For slides, I believe the mfgr says no to those.

The factory 10"x 10" feet on our Bigfoot jacks are already larger than most of the aftermarket pads. We do use wood pads when additional leveling length is need though.

Slides are self supporting. If you need them then there is something wrong with the slideout.

I don’t have the pads, but probably will get them next year. If only to keep the rust rings off my driveway

Jack pads are nice.. I often used a 12" length of 2x12 (Well 11 3/4" a Square)
I also had plastic pads but the wood was .... Stronger

Why use them.. Well one winter I did not and when we went to head west and south to warmer location the blang jacks were frozen to the ground... I got 'em loose but it was a job.

Next year the wood blocks were froze to the ground but the jacks were NOT frozen to the wood.. Pulled off the pad. went back and tapped the blocks gently with an 8 pound sledge and the popped free right nicely.

I've been in one campground where corporate got the bright idea to "pave" the sites with asphalt. The jack pads were not large enough so there were nice round holes in the surface.. The 12x12 pad spreads the load a bit more and prevents that... Also works under my bottle jack.

Page 2: Slide out supports.

Imagine you are using slide out supports and the sun cones out and softens thew aforementioned asphalt and your leveling jack punches through.

I have seen the result.. (Thankfully not my rig) It was.. Not pretty.

Blackdiamond wrote:
I don't use either

x2-- no need. Snap pads reduce clearance while on the road and only offer marginal increase in footprint. If you need to use pads, use wood of substantial size. Slide out supports are a recipe for diaster.