Use of pads or cribbing under leveler pads

bedbug123 · 06-25-2021, 06:13 PM

I've seen "you tubes" that have coach owners stating you should always put blocks of wood or other type pads under you current OEM cylinder pads.

Is any extra padding needed on solid ground? Or is that only if ground is unstable, wet or slushy?
l?
If so when you hit your auto level, how do you get the pads under without stopping that process. Or do you do each cylinder until close to hitting and put each pad one at a time? Then hit auto lever

To extra pad or not is the question.

Bob Denman · 06-25-2021, 06:37 PM

I mounted Snap Pads on my Leveler feet in order to help spread out the weight over a larger surface area.
If the ground isn't solid: absolutely use something under your jacks.
Some folks like to put blocks under the jacks in order to allow for more potential "lift"...

TripleGGG · 06-25-2021, 07:10 PM

Snap Pads for me as well. As stated I have always used something on soft ground.

MJC62 · 06-25-2021, 08:42 PM

I use snap pads as well. On gravel or concrete parking surfaces they eliminated the squeaking we use to hear when we moved around inside the coach. Before snap pads we carried 2'x2' squares of marine plywood. It sucked putting them under the coach in wet conditions.

**EA37TS** · 06-25-2021, 10:09 PM

Snap pads for the purpose of protecting the leveling jack feet and soft surfaces like asphalt. Snap pads do nothing, repeat nothing, to assist with unlevel conditions. For that a couple of 2x12 blocks come in handy.

PictureTheSouth · 06-25-2021, 10:58 PM

I have not used Snap Pads or similar - yet, anyway. However I always carry a number of stabilizer pads like these, and use them almost all the time. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Place them by "eyeball" prior to leveling (yep, that can take a little practice to get it right consistently); but I've found they give me just a little extra stability on soft ground, gravel or ground that "might" get soft if I'm on a site for a few days and rain is forecast.

Cheap and effective. They are also stackable to assist somewhat on slightly un-level sites if you carry enough (we have 8); but I wouldn't trust stacking more than 3 or 4 on any particular jack.

chunker21 · 06-26-2021, 01:58 PM

Some parks require blocks under jacks. I have seen that about half dozen times.

wrapped · 06-26-2021, 01:59 PM

snap pads

**EA37TS** · 06-26-2021, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunker21

Some parks require blocks under jacks. I have seen that about half dozen times.

Have not encountered that in the last 15 years. Can you name a location or two for info.

Bob Denman · 06-26-2021, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunker21

Some parks require blocks under jacks. I have seen that about half dozen times.

While we don't travel nearly as much as the rest of you: that requirement seems a bit odd.
If they require it: they should either provide them... or notify you well in advance; so that you are prepared.

chunker21 · 06-26-2021, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EA37TS

Have not encountered that in the last 15 years. Can you name a location or two for info.

Hamilton County Park, Chickamauga Lake, Hixon TN, RV park, in Brooksville FL, can't remember the name. A couple out west in either MT or UT parks.

Bob Denman · 06-26-2021, 06:28 PM

Do they notify you of this requirement prior to your arrival?

Bill Johnson · 06-26-2021, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedbug123

I've seen "you tubes" that have coach owners stating you should always put blocks of wood or other type pads under you current OEM cylinder pads.

Is any extra padding needed on solid ground? Or is that only if ground is unstable, wet or slushy?
l?
If so when you hit your auto level, how do you get the pads under without stopping that process. Or do you do each cylinder until close to hitting and put each pad one at a time? Then hit auto lever

To extra pad or not is the question.

I have 22x22 pieces of plywood with rope on them. I welded a hook on a rod and push the plywood under the jack and when I'm done I just use the hook to pull the pads out and throw them into the compartment for next time

Bill Johnson · 06-26-2021, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunker21

Some parks require blocks under jacks. I have seen that about half dozen times.

Is that for parking on concrete so it doesn't leave rust spots?

chunker21 · 06-26-2021, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

While we don't travel nearly as much as the rest of you: that requirement seems a bit odd.
If they require it: they should either provide them... or notify you well in advance; so that you are prepared.

In TN they do indicate that blocks are available at the office. Don't remember the others. Some parks require that the sewer hose not be laid on the ground and must be supported by trestle or such and I haven't seen that they offer free hose supports. I suppose they sell them in their park office though.

chunker21 · 06-26-2021, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Johnson

Is that for parking on concrete so it doesn't leave rust spots?

In FL the sites were asphalt as I remember and in TN gravel most. I carry home constructed blocks of laminated plywood and 2x8 or 2x6 with a rope through them. I position them before leveling if required or desired. I don't like the leveling jacks with a lot of extension.

Bill Johnson · 06-26-2021, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunker21

In TN they do indicate that blocks are available at the office. Don't remember the others. Some parks require that the sewer hose not be laid on the ground and must be supported by trestle or such and I haven't seen that they offer free hose supports. I suppose they sell them in their park office though.

My sewer hose sometimes is so close to the ground the trestle would make it go up hill. I went to a new campground on the Mississippi in Iowa and the sewer was maybe 2 feet away, that was fun modifying a short hose I carry instead of using one of my 25 footers. If I used the trestle I would have to keep it tied together and the water would go up hill

chunker21 · 06-26-2021, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Johnson

My sewer hose sometimes is so close to the ground the trestle would make it go up hill

Understand that and I also have heard/read that some local ordinances make that requirement. I also carry some 4" sewer PVC pipe I split lengthwise and in 4-6' sections as a cradle for the hose. It may be supported by the trestle if there's room or some board sections. Those I regularly use.

Bill Johnson · 06-26-2021, 07:19 PM

Bill Johnson · 06-26-2021, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunker21

Understand that and I also have heard/read that some local ordinances make that requirement. I also carry some 4" sewer PVC pipe I split lengthwise and in 4-6' sections as a cradle for the hose. It may be supported by the trestle if there's room or some board sections. Those I regularly use.

So they will let you lay a piece of PVC on the ground with the hose inside?

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