Pad under jacks

[S-n-L]

Hi all,

Does anyone use pads under their jacks to prevent damage to the surface under the jacks or to prevent the jacks from sinking into soft ground?

Has anyone used this brand of pads: http://outriggerpads.com/

If you do use jack pads what size do you use. I am interested for a 45 foot DP.

Thanks

[frankdamp]

I made my own also. 18" square 3/4" exterior-grade plywood top and bottom and six pine 2 x 4's laid across with gaps between. One layer of 2 x 4's goes at 90 degrees to the other layer.

Everything is screwed together with CRES wood-screws and one 2 x 4 has holes for a loop of poly-rope. I use the awning rod to push them under and to snag the rope to pull them out.

[hipower]

I haven't done it personally, but don't see it as a problem with some random thoughts tossed in to muddy the waters a little.

Will the added weight be a factor in keeping your jacks reteacted? Might be on jacks that are raised by springs only. It doesn't take much movement to trigger my jack(s) down alarm. If they are electric or have hydraulic actuation both directions it shouldn't matter.

Will there be much difference in the life of the attached wooden pads by being exposed to all sorts of weather, and does it even matter with the minimal cost and ease of replacing them occasionally?

Anything else would be just stupid questions on my part. If you think it will be a benefit for you, go for it.

[winnie32v]

I made my pads by glueing & screwing together two 12" x 12" exterior 3/4 plywood pcs and then treated with protectant.
These have worked well.

NOW, I am tired of carrying these around AND having to pull them out of storage (valuable space) and positioning them under the jacks.....AND cleaning them so they can be stored again...........SO.....

I'm going to permanently attach them to my jack pad so I don't have to go through the positioning exercise. A couple of stainless bolts should do the job.

Has anyone done this?
I have checked all clearances and I'm OK all around.

Please advise.
Thanks,
Paul

[Pop-Pop_C]

On the two fivers we had I put pads under the jacks. If I was going to be at a place for
a extended period of time I put 1 foot square ply wood block under the tires.
Jus traded for a 40' MH. Use pads under the jacks made out of 2 x 12's laminated with
3/8 thi's plywood, when we re on asphalt, grass and rock. The plastic ones move on rock.
With out the laminating the planks split.
IMO.

[Acampingwewillg]

It may not take a "Rocket Scientist" but my Wood Jack Pads have lasted 10 years so far and Im at least as heavy if not heavier than 35,000 lbs! Whatever floats the boat.

[Bruce_Brown]

Link to pads

[NorCal_Dan]

Rich D. wrote:

NorCal Dan wrote:
<> My rig is way to heavy for wood pads. Rather than continue spending money for replacements I decided to splurge and get something that would outlast my rig. Yes they are expensive, but the company told me if I ever break one they will replace for free. In over 6 years of full-timing I have had zero problems with these pads. I have no affiliation with this company and get nothing from them

http://dicausa.com/

Just currious, Just how heavy are you? My last bus weighed 51,000 lbs and 2" plywood pads (16"x16") worked just fine for years. Are you heavier than that? You are right on about Dicor making a fine product though. Buy them once and be done with it.

About 35,000 lbs when loaded. It's not just the weight, but what is on the ground. If gravel it can embed in the wood and eventually the wood will fail. Once I saw the damage begin on the wood I knew the wood wouldn't last long. If the ground isn't level the wood will bend as well. You don't have to be an engineer to figure out wood will eventually fail. Yep, the DICA pads are the final solution.

[mowermech]

I built mine out of a double thickness of 3/4 exterior plywood, glued and screwed together. the edges were trimmed and beveled on a table saw, then the wood was given a liberal Water Seal treatment. I screwed industrial cabinet handles to one edge of each pad, for ease of carrying, and to have something to grab with the awning hook. The pads are about 16" on a side.
They work nicely.

[Rich_D_]

NorCal Dan wrote:
<> My rig is way to heavy for wood pads. Rather than continue spending money for replacements I decided to splurge and get something that would outlast my rig. Yes they are expensive, but the company told me if I ever break one they will replace for free. In over 6 years of full-timing I have had zero problems with these pads. I have no affiliation with this company and get nothing from them

http://dicausa.com/

Just currious, Just how heavy are you? My last bus weighed 51,000 lbs and 2" plywood pads (16"x16") worked just fine for years. Are you heavier than that? You are right on about Dicor making a fine product though. Buy them once and be done with it.

[Jim_Nina]

I use orange pads from camping world.
My wife and I both have had heart problems, and back trouble, so the awning stick is a blessing. She 78, me 77, JJ 5 years old.
I have wondered about pads, so you guys enlighten me. Great topic.
Thanks

[s_N_s]

We use them on our coach. I made them from 3/4 exterior plywood. Cut them to 12 x 12 pieces and screwed two of them together to make one pad then coated them with a weatherproof urethane material. I also have non conductive pads that I put underneath the ones that I made. They are bit pricey but well worth the money. Nothing worse then having 3 or 4 ground rods (your jacks) sitting on the ground and having a lightning strike near by to take out some expensive electronic equipment on board.

[Johno97007]

Like many of the above, I made my own out of 1" 12 x 12 plywood with a 4 x 6 x 12 Gorilla glued and screwed together. This after sinking a rear jack in compacted 1/4 minus. Twice. Same park, different sites. One jack retracted fine, the other had to be dug out. BTW, the coach weighs 12,000 in the rear.

Drilled a hole in one corner and attached a piece of parachute cord.

[Gau_8]

My jacks have 12 inch diameter pads on them. Have never needed anything extra.

[Pangaea_Ron]

lanerd wrote:
I made mine out of 1" plywood by cutting six pieces 14" square and glueing/screwing two together with the top grain 90 degrees from the other. I then gave them a good soaking in sealer and two coats of white enamel paint. I then drilled a 1" hole in one of the corners so that I can use my awning rod to place and remove them. For those of you who are wondering why only six pieces....I only have three jacks.

I got one of those heavy duty grocery bags that all three fit in nicely and I usually use them when on any surface other than concrete.

Ron

That's exactly what I did, except that I have 4 blocks (14x14x1 with 10x10x1 centered on top), and I painted them black. I thought that I was above brilliant by drilling holes and using the awning rod to place/retrieve them. It must be something in the name?

I had to make a $200 "dimple" deposit at Crater Lake RV Park in Prospect, OR, and pads were required under my levelers. I had not heard of that before.