Parking Camper On New Driveway Question

We had our driveway resurfaced about 4 weeks ago. The camper sat on the grass for over 2 weeks while they did the work and then we had rain for days, so didn't dare move the camper and run the chance of it getting stuck. Meanwhile, the drive way had a chance to cure a little.

We had a fairly good slope (side to side) made, that it did not have before, so we have better rain water run off away from the house.

Meanwhile, I'm parking on the asphalt now, and yes, using lumber under the tires and jacks. I've always used lumber under the jacks, but now, regardless of which side of the drive way I park on, one side has to be raised to be level. I am using the same blocks under the jacks and put more lumber under the tires. I'm waiting to move the camper once more and then I'll put a larger board under the tires. Meanwhile, I piecemealed this one, so I don't have to take it every time we go, as I keep my stock lumber in the truck all the time. I also painted marks on the drive way so the tires will sit in the same spot, and I know with the boards will be level. If the boards get moved, I can get them back in the same spot.

Yes, the wider foot print of lumber under your tires and jacks, will cause the weight of the camper to spread out more, reducing the risk of new asphalt dimpling under the summer heat! This is one scenario where bigger REALLY is better.





(That green is is grass clippings from mowing)

I use two pieces of pressure treated 2x6 12 inches long and screw a 12x11x 3/4 inch plywood to the 2x6's.

When set the 2X6 contacts the ground or asphalt.

A 3/4" piece of plywood is much floppier than a 3x8. I'd use a 3x8 about 12" long. If you put 1000 lbs in the middle of a piece of 3/4 ply, most of that pressure will end up right under the jack leg. It's better than nothing, but surely not better than a 3x8. A 3" piece of lumber is pretty stiff, and will spread the load somewhat evenly. Let's say 1000 lbs on a 3x3 jack foot is about 100 psi. Spread onto a 12" 3x8, that goes down to 40 PSI - about the same as a sedan tire.

The contractor suggested using the same blocks that I have been using and just always park and keep the blocks in the same spot meaning they are going to sink in a bit, I dont know if I want to do that or not.

Definetly use a piece of 3/4 plywood or equivalent under the jack legs to spread out the concentration of weight as the contractor suggests. I use 8x8 pieces under all the legs to spread the load.

I would suggest, as a Licensed Contractor in California, to have 4'x4' 3/4"-1" plywood centered under the tires when parked, and 2'x2' 3/4" plywood on the jacks. Don't crank the jacks down with a lot of pressure while parked. What temps are you getting? The hotter, the more you need the plywood. Sometimes you can hose off the driveway to cool, then place the plywood.

Asphalt Concrete doesn't cure like Portland Cement Concrete, so as soon as it's cooled down, it won't get any stronger.

The wider the pads you place it on the better. The problem with plywood is unless you get the very expensive marine plywood, it delaminates quickly if left out in the weather. Thickness does count but your camper isn't that heavy so a foot or two of wood under each leg should be plenty to protect the Asphalt.