Leveling

I believe its because many RV's have too small of jack pads in the first place. I see some 6-8" round pads that are bent up on the edges from gravel then only a small surface is touching the ground. Our HWH jacks have square pads that are 10" on each side that provide an area equal to or greater than the front tire contact patch. Have never used an additional pad. What really gets me is the RV manufacturers that skimp on jacks in the first place by installing only 3.

I'm on a gravel lot in Lake Havasu City, AZ. and I have 2 - 12" X 12" X 1' wood beams in front to help me get height to level! My front levelers couldn't get high enough to level.

Many campgrounds with asphalt pads will ask that you use pads. The jacks will make depressions in good asphalt (see my driveway) or punch clean thru thin, old, or bad asphalt (see my seasonal campsite)

Gravel or concrete = no pads.
Asphalt, grass, or dirt = use the pads.
Freezing temps = use the pads.

I made 6 pads from a sheet of 3/4" cdx plywood, cut into 16" squares, tripled and screwed together. Cost about $20. Drilled holes in the corners (thanks forum!) so I could manuver them with an awning rod.

They worked real good with my previous gasser.
The Monaco DP tends to fold them up like a taco on soft ground.

If I am on soft ground I use large plastic pads (usually 2 deep) and/or a wood block on top of those.. The reason: "Spread the wealth (Well weight).

If I'm on ground that might freeze, I use something, does not matter what, either the plastic squares or wood blocks,,, WHY.

Well I've had jacks freeze to the ground and I had to get under the rig and get nasty to raise the jacks.

And I've put blocks under the jacks, had them freeze to the ground, but the jacks came off them all on their own,, Then I moved the RV and gave the blocks a gentle tap with my 8 pounder and they popped right off the frozen ground.

Thank you all for the information, many great ideas.

Good info Thanks

I park the following way:

1) Get the motorhome as level as possible - sometimes shifting right/left or forward/backwards on the site will help you approach level.
2) Use the jacks to stabalize - two jacks should be just making contact. The other two can elevate the low end or side so you're level.
3) Never ever allow the rear tires to loose solid contact with the ground. This is where your emergency brake is.
4) Place 2"x12"x24" blocks under your wheels if you need to lift any wheels off the ground (back wheels can each be on a block if needed).
5) Place a 2"x12"x24" block underneath the jack if it is going to be on a soft surface.

This process has worked for me for years.

Blocks of some sort keeps the jack feet from getting dirty.

It spreads out the weight over a bigger area.

It will help, but usually if you level properly and put enough weight on the jacks, depending on how soft the ground is, it's going to compact to some degree, so usually the next day I have to add an inch on each jack just to stiffen things back up.

Jim