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

[doxiemom11]

We haven't used anything and never had a problem. Of course we would not park on loose sand or dirt anyway. The cement pads, asphalt or crushed rock have never been damaged by our jacks. They do have a large base on them just as they are.

[2gypsies1]

We went for 14 yr. of full-timing trouble free without jack pads and two years ago our jacks sunk into asphalt twice. We now use plastic cutting boards from a discount store and they've worked great! They do have an opening on one end that a long pull rope could be attached for ease in pulling out.

[Stefonius]

I use 12x12 concrete pavers. They cost about $2 each and have tremendous compressive strength. Unfortunately, they will fracture if placed on very uneven ground. I may switch to plywood like some of the other posters have mentioned.

[Nomadac]

I bought 4 pcs. of rough cut Oak from a lumber mill that measure 2.5" x 14"x 24" that I sealed and have a metal handle on the edge to place or remove with a awning rod. I have never had them sink or cannot remove. I am sure they will never break. Price was very minimal, don't recall how much as that was over 8 years ago when I made them.

[NorCal_Dan]

I started out using 1" thick wood boards, but within a few months they fell apart. 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/

[rocmoc]

Don't carry them and have never had to or been required to use them. If it is soft enough that my jacks sink, I don't put them down.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[Acampingwewillg]

Have two separate set's that I made by sandwiching differing woods together...not a problem with them in 10+ years of use. I always use them for the reasons given and quite frankly, they keep the Jacks "clean" and everyone knows a clean jack tends to be a working jack.

[mscamping]

We carry three(three leveler system) 24" X 24" X 1 & 1/2" thick, that's two 3/4" screwed and glued exterior plywood that I got at one of the box stores already cut.. They're going on ten years and still look good.. I put handles on one side to hook with the awning hook and to handle them.. Mike Mathews..

[FW]

Since no one answered the OP's question, I have three of them $$ (18"X18")(my coach has only three jacks) and they have worked well. Coach like mine in next site sank into ground and had a hard time getting jack out from hole. He had to air up and retract jacks and then crawl under and using long pole and shovel help jack retract. Mine only bowed about 1/2". At next stop it had returned to original shape.
I've had many wooden ones and they either ended up breaking or squashing in the middle.
Good luck on whatever you decide.

[msmith1199]

bsinmich wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:

bsinmich wrote:
When a CG in Cincinatti told me I had to put pads under my jacks I got a refund and left. I physically can not get down on the ground to position it properly and still get back up. DW has also had 3 knee replacements and should not get down on her knees. (she wore 1 out after 10 years. she really only has 2 legs) When I go to my cousin's place on his alphalt drive he puts the boards down.

You should have explained that to the campground owner and I'm sure they would have come to help you.

He was the one that told me I had to use them and was right there when I said I could not get back up if I got down that far.

But did you ask him if he would come help?

[bsinmich]

msmith1199 wrote:

bsinmich wrote:
When a CG in Cincinatti told me I had to put pads under my jacks I got a refund and left. I physically can not get down on the ground to position it properly and still get back up. DW has also had 3 knee replacements and should not get down on her knees. (she wore 1 out after 10 years. she really only has 2 legs) When I go to my cousin's place on his alphalt drive he puts the boards down.

You should have explained that to the campground owner and I'm sure they would have come to help you.

He was the one that told me I had to use them and was right there when I said I could not get back up if I got down that far.

[lre01]

Know a carpenter? cutoffs from lvl's used to make beams in residential construction. 9 1/4" width and up 1 3/4" thick. Easy to find in 12" to 18" wide. Just cut to 12" long.

[Trackrig]

I made my own. I haven't had anyone tell me I had to use them, I use them because of the MH's weight. I don't want one or two of the levelers to settle causing the MH to loose its level after I'm set up.

If you take a full sheet of 3/4" plywood, it will cut into 18 pieces 18" x 18". Then using Tightbond III waterproof glue, you can glue two stacks of five and two stacks of four pieces together. In each stack I used five stainless steel screws to pull them together while the glue was drying. I used the green pressure treated plywood and then used additional treatment on the cut edges after the glue dried.

I screwed a 1" stainless eye hook in the edge of each one. Then put a stainless hook in the top end of a push broom handle to grab them with. I can either push them under the jsck with the handle or pull them out with it. The threaded end of broom handle also fits my squeegie.

They're slightly overbuilt, but I don't expect to have to replace them anytime soon.

Bill

[msmith1199]

J-Rooster wrote:
S-n-L, I use 2" X 10" X 8' Douglas Fir wood blocks! I buy the wood at Lowes, and I have them cut them into 2' sections. Lowes does 3 cuts for free, which makes 4-2' boards and no cutting or hauling a long board home! I've used everything and this works the best for me. And they won't wear out in my lifetime. I really like how they work in soft ground and in the heat (where my jack would damage the asphalt) they disperse the weight of my coach and transfer it evenly thru the 2" X 10" board. Good Luck in whatever you choose.

I made something almost identical for my gasser Class A when I had it. Worked just fine. Transferred them over to the DP when I got it and the first time I used them it turned them into toothpicks. The OP has a 45 footer. Doug Fir is not going to work. I don't think those plastic orange things will work either. The plywood sheets screwed together may work.

[bluebirdPT36]

hammer21661 wrote:
I usually use a 6x8 about 14 to 18" long if I am worried about sinking I place it on a pair of 2x8s or 3x 8s about 14 to 18" inches long. I lay them down next to one another and cross with the 6x8. They will not sink unless you are camping in a marsh. If height isn't an issue I would probably use an 18" 3x10 under each pad two with a cross piece the same dimention if I was worried with your rig. The out rigger pads are pretty expensive aren't they? I also Use a short boat hook about 3 or 4 foot,it works wonders for reaching things.

I think the above is the only solution, other than steel, that will work with a heavy 45 foot mh on a soft surface. I carry some scraps of half inch thick steel plate. It is heavy, but I already had it, so that is what I used.