its going to depend on how off level you are......I carry 4 ..2x12x12 and 4.. 1x12x12 poly cutting blocks for 3 pods....if that doesnt cover it ,I move it

Mike and Clay, thank you for your responses!

Based upon what you carry Mike, it sounds like we should carry 12 of the plywood 3/4" 12x12s, since the ABS plastic jack pads are also 3/4" high. It lights the load in the basement slightly ... by eliminating two of the 12x12s . Overtime, we will see how comfortable/how frequently we choose to stay on unlevel sites/locations and can potentially eliminate some more of the 12x12s.

Lynn and Ed wrote:

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We purchased ABS plastic jack pads (20,000 lb. weight capacity each) for typical usage, but we know we will need additional jack pads if we are on unlevel ground. I had Home Depot cut some 3/4 plywood into 12x12 pieces for me, that we can use to assist with leveling. However, I am not sure how many pieces it makes sense to carry with us. A 18 gallon roughneck tub will easily hold the 4 ABS jack pads and 14 of the plywood 12x12s, but I think that is overkill--and I am sure we could use the weight/space otherwise. I would be interested to know what the maximum number of jack pads that others have used.

Thanks,
Lynn

-- Edited by Lynn and Ed on Wednesday 19th of March 2014 11:36:31 AM

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Lynn and Ed:

You may need additional jack pads if the NH is really unlevel left to right.  No problem using pads if you want to.  However, the Big Foots, in our experience, will auto extend to the correct length required before they try to level the rig.  That is they will come down, you can do it manually in the front as you unhitch, and they will “find” and actually verify they are individually solid on the ground before they try to pick up the rig. 

I always extended the ones in front to the ground, unhitched, and then hit the auto button and watched the blinking lights.  All four make sure they are solid to the ground, individually, before they attempt to level the rig. They “bump” the hydraulic pumps (one on each leg) and look for back pressure so to speak to make that “I'm solid” determination.

That’s the way ours worked for years and I seldom needed any pads except when the ground was muddy and I didn’t want that mud getting on the hydraulic shafts.  Naturally, using pads or building up the pads vertically can't hurt a thing.  But the Big Foot system is designed to level the rig under some pretty adverse conditions and you don't need to "pre-level the ground" as some other systems might require.

YMMV

Bill

I've dug a hole on 1 side, and raised 6" on the other side. The issue was we couldn't unhook, but it was only overnite in a very unlevel area.

Lynn and Ed,

Something to consider with regards to plywood.  Since they are made up of multiple layers of thinner pieces of wood, those layers could begin to separate once they start getting wet.  For that reason, I always use solid wood, regardless of the thickness.  However, it should also be mentioned that thinner wood may split easier when pressure is put on them when they are on somewhat uneven ground.

Personally, I use two systems, but have not really tested the second one very well.  I use 2-inch blocks of wood that are at least 12"x12" for the first system.  The second system is a bunch of pieces cut from a barn stall mat that I picked up at Tractor's Supply.  I have about 4 pieces that are 8" wide and 5-feet long and the rest are 8" wide and about a foot long that make up the second system.  Why I'm saying that isn't tested is because I've not used them much.  I am currently using one of the 5-foot ones under the wheels on one side of the coach to make it more level before extending the leveling legs.  I've noticed that when I back up on that strip when it is on concrete, it tends to want to "squish" to one side.

I found the idea for the rubber mats at this location:  RV Leveling Blocks Built for Indestructibility

In that article above, he used a hacksaw to cut that barn stall mat.  I used one of the utility knives that uses angled razor blades.  I had to make multiple cuts to get all the way through, but it makes a cleaner cut than what a hacksaw would.

Once we get moved to Colorado, our wheels won't be on concrete, so I may have to rethink what I do up there.

Terry

I don't know how many we have, but I do know it's too many. All of our blocks were used when we had to level on our old driveway before we sold the house. I keep saying we need to get rid of some of them, I never want to have to level on that steep of a slope again!! One purging battle I have not yet won, but I will

 

Terry - LOL, we're not that close, however, the fairly level pad was just the right length to get the trailer and truck on it with the rear jacks on the pavement but the rear living area hanging over a down slope, if we wanted to get the bikes off the rack in the back, it would require a 3 step stool or potentially a ladder. However, this variable OK weather with strong winds is not making us real inclined to ride bikes, not to mention our allergies that are running amuck with this seasonal allergy "stuff" you Okies think is normal. However, we still didn't need any blocks, just chalks, thanks to our leveling system. BTW, the driveway at our house was over 15% downgrade, like I said, never want to level on a spot that steep again.

Lynn and Ed wrote:

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Alie & Jims, Bill and Terry, thanks!

Terry, I thought about solid wood jack pads, but decided on the plywood since ideally we will not regularly need them for leveling. Additionally, when the plywood is used they will be placed on top the ABS plastic jack pads, so they should have minimal contact with the ground (although they will be exposed to weather conditions) and benefit from the underlying strength of the ABS plastic. Over time, depending upon how often we need to use the wood jack pads, we might upgrade our wood choice. If it is of interest to you (or others reading the thread) -- the ABS jack pads we purchased are on Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TPEP7C/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1), but they can also be found otherwise at a better price. I assume these ABS jack pads will provide us with many years of use.

Lynn

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We carry a set of similar pads that we got at a rally many years ago.  They are still good.  Black ABS is supposed to have UV (sun) protection.  I destroyed some of the yellow Camco blocks after 3 months in the sun, they discolored and distorted.   But those pads are not very thick.  Close to the cutting saw at home improvement stores there is often a scrap bin, you can often find nice lumber at a discount there.

Tid-bit for cutting Stall mats:

Reverse the blade..(put it on backwards) on your circular saw....you will get a super clean cut without all the work!!!!!