We just traded our 37’ Fifth Wheel which weighed about 13,000 lbs. in on a 37’ Motor Home which weighs almost 26,000 lbs. We are keeping it in our driveway which is black top and not totally level, so we are building ramps to drive up on to have it level when next to our home. The Fifth Wheel required tow 2 x 10’s under one side and we know from experience that even pressure treated lumber will rot when placed directly on black top for long periods. The top board was generally OK while the bottom board began to rot.So, the question we have is relatively simple. For those who have built these ramps, what material do you use between the bottom board and the driveway?Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.PS: Our boards are: nothing on the right front, 3.5 inches on the left front, 3 inches on the right rear, and 5.5 inches on the left rear!

Use polyethylene deck boards (known by several brand names but the material is essentially the same - polyethylene). You won't be able to get them 10-inch wide so probably have to use two side by side.

Thanks, that is a great idea. I can also run a saw down the top of each one several time maybe 1/8 inch deep to be sure that the wood on top has a way to drain properly.

Sounds like you keep things a long time. I'd make them out of high strength concrete with fiber in it from HD. Include a handle so you can move. I would put a couple pieces of 1/2' rebar in the two for the dual tires. I would not go less than one inch thick on the tapered ramp. I would put tar paper on top of them.

Boards are cheap and easy ! Buy boards and use the extra time ya save fishing or chasing wild women !

As a man I like the idea of chasing wild women, but at age 68, I can't remember why!

Building Driveway Ramps | Good Sam Community

GuyM
Explorer
Jun 17, 2015
"Use Marine Grade treated boards.....they last years under water."

This is correct. Most people are not aware of the fact that there different grades of treated lumber. The cheapest stuff is meant for above ground use where it can air dry.
WeBeFulltimers
Explorer
Jun 17, 2015
Just buy a new home with a level parking space! :E
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jun 15, 2015
Sandy & Shirley wrote:
The Fifth Wheel required tow 2 x 10’s under one side and we know from experience that even pressure treated lumber will rot when placed directly on black top for long periods. The top board was generally OK while the bottom board began to rot.

I've always used wood for side to side leveling our trailer on the driveway and can't say I ever recall it rotting. That said, if you're otherwise happy with using wood for leveling but do seem to have this rotting issue wouldn't the simplest solution be to just replace the wood as needed with new pieces? :h
Sport45
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2015
How would concrete pavers work? Spread a thin layer of sand on the driveway under the bottom pavers so you can level them and not have void space underneath.
PastorCharlie
Explorer
Jun 15, 2015
Use Marine Grade treated boards.....they last years under water.
hotbyte
Explorer
Jun 15, 2015
The composite decking boards have that plastic, slippery feel to them. Will you have a way to hold them in place while driving up on them?

One thought would be to use some horse stall mat screwed into the composite decking and enough sticking out in front that your tires would ride up onto the mat which in turn would hold the boards in place. Heck, with the horse stall mat, you might not even need the composite decking since it would be making ground contact.
Sandy___Shirley
Explorer
Jun 14, 2015
After reading a lot of data on the good old web, we are leaning in the direction of using composite decking boards as the lower level with pressure treated lumber above that. The bottom board would have the solid side down with the beveled bottom facing up. This will allow the wood on top to drain into the indentations and run off.
Hank_MI
Explorer
Jun 14, 2015
Sandy & Shirley wrote:
We used pressure treated lumber under our fifth wheel and the bottom boards only seem to last at max 2 years. Not sure if it has something to do with the oils in the blacktop or not!

Pressure treated wood, except posts (4x4, 4x6, etc) are not meant for ground contact, only exposure to the elements. So they will rot if laid flat on driveway.
Raymon
Explorer
Jun 13, 2015
You might consider spraying the bottom of the boards with pickup truck bed liner spray. I used it to line the underside of my lawn tractor's mower deck. It worked very well to prevent rust and the grass clippings were easier to remove. I got the spray at Walmart or an automotive parts store. Not real expensive; one spray can should be sufficient to spray several boards.

Ray
Sandy___Shirley
Explorer
Jun 13, 2015
We used pressure treated lumber under our fifth wheel and the bottom boards only seem to last at max 2 years. Not sure if it has something to do with the oils in the blacktop or not!

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