Hydraulic Jacks

journey15 · 03-05-2006, 01:56 PM

Do any of you guys put anything on the ground under your jacks. Such as wood or something? I know those suckers present a lot of weight and splitting something or breaking something could be an issue.

journey15 · 03-05-2006, 01:56 PM

Do any of you guys put anything on the ground under your jacks. Such as wood or something? I know those suckers present a lot of weight and splitting something or breaking something could be an issue.

olley · 03-05-2006, 02:05 PM

Hi juststreaming I made 4 pads out of 1" ply 16" square, plus I carry some small bits of wood, incase i need to pack under the jacks to get level.

Olley

rebelsbeach · 03-05-2006, 02:12 PM

I use these....a bit pricey but guaranteed!

DICA jack pads

AFChap · 03-05-2006, 02:16 PM

We use the dense plastic cutting boards we bought at Wal-Mart for apx $5 each. We use them on dirt, gravel and asphalt. They have a handle slot in them that is easy to snag with the awning hook to pull them out from under the coach when packing up. They sometimes warp if the ground surface is soft, but they will regain their shape with no problem.

In addition to helping to keep your jacks from sinking and/or getting dirt or gravel on top of the feet, they help prevent your jack feet from freezing to the ground if you make the mistake of not leaving before cold weather hits.

rebelsbeach · 03-05-2006, 02:36 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AFChap:

...if you make the mistake of not leaving before cold weather hits.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Paul,that's a mistake you're not supposed
to make!!

DancinCampers · 03-05-2006, 02:37 PM

I made 4 pads, each one 11" sq, 3 pieces of 1/2" plywood, gorilla glued together. I normally use this on everything but level concrete pads. There is a hole in the center for positioning with awning rod.

I also made an additional 8 pieces of single 1/2" plywood. These come in handy on very unlevel sites. I've used them under the front tires, also to support the sewer hose in some situations.

11" just happened to fit side by side in my smaller compartment.

traveler of california · 03-05-2006, 04:33 PM

I also use the cutting boards and I think they are an inexpensive answer to the problem. They work as Paul said.

Nick, Journey '01

AFChap · 03-05-2006, 05:53 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Paul,that's a mistake you're not supposed
to make!! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
But it is easily made, like two weekends ago here in the DFW area when the temps went from 70-80 down to low 20's ... something we had not figured on experiencing again!!!

Motorhome05 · 03-05-2006, 06:46 PM

we also use the Walmart boards.

Retired and Happy · 03-05-2006, 07:10 PM

I made mine with a piece of treated 2x12 on one side, a piece of 1/2" plywood in the middle and 2 pieces of 2x6 on the other side. I put them together with some galvanized deck screws I also added a loop of rope with screws and washers into the side to pull them out with. I only use them on soft ground.

glenda1908 · 03-05-2006, 07:33 PM

A friend in our RV club is quite the craftsman. He made all of us pads for our jacks. He used some heavy duty wood and added round screw eyes to each one. Then he made a retriever pole with a hook to pull them out with. They don't take up a lot of room in the storage compartment either.

Izzyblueye · 03-06-2006, 02:29 AM

I have used the teflon cutting boards for about 3 years now. They work just fine. Easy to clean up if it is wet when you dock. Take up very little space in storage. The trouble with wood is after it gets wet, it stinks in storage.

AFChap · 03-06-2006, 08:04 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">trouble with wood is after it gets wet, it stinks in storage. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I would think wood of sufficient strength/thickness would be a good bit heavier than the cutting boards too.

I know some owners who have bought the cutting board material in a sheet, thicker than the normal cutting boards, at Home Depot or Lowes and cut it to the size they want.