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Snow_Hawk's avatar
Snow_Hawk
Explorer
Oct 04, 2015

Recommendations for Parking Surface for Diesel Pusher

My wife and I have ordered a Newmar diesel pusher. We currently park our 39' Montana fifth wheel on a gravel drive way, and have for years. The diesel pusher will takes its place. Ideally I would like to have a cement pad for the new rig which I think is the best option but up here in Mass. that could be very expensive.

I have always been told that parking anything on a grass surface is not good for the vehicle because the grass will hold moisture. I wasn't too concerned about parking it on gravel since that drains well and we haven't noticed any real rust or issues with our fifth wheel. My wife raised the question and this DP is a much bigger investment so I want to do things right. Any feedback or recommendation is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Class A

30 Replies

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  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2015
    We've parked all of our RVs on crushed stone parking pad since 1987 no problems at all.

    We keep it clear of grass. and run a rake over it yearly.
    Jacks won't sink into it, and it's level.
  • neilnbe's avatar
    neilnbe
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2015
    I had some pretty bad soil under where I wanted to put ours. So I put down some geofabric (you get it at a contractor supply) and put a few inches of recycled asphault down. It's like cement. I've put the jacks down for extended periods without pads and been parking there for a few years now. No ruts no soggy mess...nothing. It doesn't turn to mud or get soft. Its been great.
  • ncrowley's avatar
    ncrowley
    Explorer II
    Oct 05, 2015
    Gravel is a good surface. I would put pads under the jacks so the coach is sitting on a larger surface.
  • randallb's avatar
    randallb
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2015
    Top it with what is referred to as crusher run here in ETN. A lot of the contractors refer to it as poor mans concrete. The high content of powdered limestone makes it pretty **** firm.
    Randy
  • Sully2's avatar
    Sully2
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2015
    Ive parked mine on hard packed gravel for more than 15 years...nothing wrong with gravel at all
  • Snow_Hawk's avatar
    Snow_Hawk
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2015
    Thanks for your replies. It looks like gravel is a pretty good surface, short of a cement pad. I was thinking of adding 3 or 4 inches of 1 inch stone to the gravel surface to improve drainage and to firm up the base. The coach has a GVWR of 36,400 so there will be some weight to it. Plus in the spring it can get a little soggy. Another friend put down some stone like I'm thinking of doing and then sprinkled concrete mix over the stone and it became a pretty solid surface over time.
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2015
    I would park it on the gravel pad. Then save your money and build a roof over the Newmar.

    Congrats on your Newmar.
  • bluwtr49's avatar
    bluwtr49
    Explorer II
    Oct 04, 2015
    Before I built a barn, I bedded railroad tire in the area for the wheels. Worked well for me and was inexpensive and easy.

    If the coach you buy has hydraulic jacks you will need a decent pad or you may just punch post holes.
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2015
    Put it on gravel. Need good thick layer. Place large pads under jack legs, take partial weight on jacks. Spray jack legs well with WD-40.
  • korbe's avatar
    korbe
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2015
    I don't see any reason not to park it on gravel. If tires, or settling are an issue, you could pour a small area of concrete where the tires will rest.

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