Parking pad on a slope -- on a budget

[ECones]

I know "on a slope one a budget" may be an oxymoron.

RV is a 28 footer with 212" wheelbase.

The only reasonable place we have to park it is on a slope that drops about 5" every 8 feet or so.

We'd like to use 12" x 7" concrete wall blocks to build a level pad about 20' long going down the hill. The pad would be about a foot thick at the deepest end. The RV would be parked facing down that hill, so the cab / engine end will be on the deepest part.

We've been told we can just fill it with SB-2 gravel, but I'm concerned about filling it that deep.

Advice / suggestions would be welcomed and appreciated.

[winnietrey]

Is it that you want the MH level? or you want a level pad? or both? A 20 inch drop in in 28 ft.
I wonder if the MH is capable of backing up that without a pad. Maybe if you buried some blocks to give the back tires something to bite into.

Just spit balling but two thoughts, 1) Form up with plywood and build concrete ramps for the front tires and 2) Just build concrete or cement block "tracks" for the tires. Would not think you would have to level the whole pad if you did not want to. Tracks would be a problem though if you went off them. If they were above grade, but don't see why they would have to be. If you don't care if the MH is level. I don't think the MH cares much if is.

[Islandman]

Think I'd have a small contractor with a good endloader come in and partially level the site, backfill with good crushed gravel while compacting, and then place concrete blocks (or some sort of timbers like RR ties) around the sides to keep the fill end from spilling out. The finished product should be as close to level as you can make it so you can run the refrigerator while it's parked, or sleep in it if the need arises. Try to have the elevation of RV door close to the natural ground or walkway if possible so you don't have to go up/down much to get into the RV, and so the step can extend out when opening the door w/o getting stuck on something.

[Calisdad]

Can you back in so the water runs off the back? I park mine on a slope so rain water doesn't pool on the roof and isn't constantly running over the front window.

They make retaining wall blocks that interlock and are pretty easy to set. Gravel would work fine and is considered 'self-compacting'. That being said I'm sure someone could get more compaction if they tried hard enough but it generally isn't done in construction.

Just remember to start well. Any errors will magnify as you go up. I have an above ground pool set on retaining blocks- half dug in, half on blocks with the highest part on 5 or 6 courses. Been there 6 years with no problems.

Don't scrimp on the size- you'll appreciate easier access and parking with an apron around it. Good Luck!

[K_Charles]

A couple blocks and a couple planks to drive the front wheels up, done. If the grass under it doesn't die move the RV and mow it, then put the RV back.

[DrewE]

Gravel should be fine, I think. Compact it fairly well as you fill it up; don't just dump a foot of loose gravel in and try to tamp it down from the top.

That said, I'm not the one who would have to winch an RV out that's sunk to its axles if I prove wrong, so still use your best judgment.

[ECones]

rvten wrote:
How about digging out to make pad level?
Should only take a couple of hours to do.(to dig out) Than gravel and then your blocks.
You will also need to put something in where you dug out. To keep dirt from falling back in.

This would be my personal choice. But not seeing you lot. Only a guess.

That, unfortunately, is not really an option. The lot slopes away from the house toward the woods. There would be no way to get to it.

[rvten]

How about digging out to make pad level?
Should only take a couple of hours to do.(to dig out) Than gravel and then your blocks.
You will also need to put something in where you dug out. To keep dirt from falling back in.

This would be my personal choice. But not seeing you lot. Only a guess.