Stabilizer Jack Pads/Blocks - what do you do?

[mojospeople]

So, I'm finding that if we get a campsite with a slight slope we could use some sort of blocks under the stabilizers but I can't decide what to use. Wondering what others are using. For us space and weight are considerations. It seems there aren't many options for scissor jacks. I did find these caps for leveling blocks but the picture of them under a scissor jack shows that you have to be quite precise in your positioning as there isn't any extra room.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/leveling-block-caps-set-of-4/102209

I really don't want to carry a bunch of wood or cinder blocks. What do you do?

Thanks!

[DavidM]

I use two things for leveling:

A two step ramp that lets me back up over it and raise that low side by several inches. I have had it for twenty years but can't find it today on Amazon or Camping World. Simple, easy and strong. I wish they still made them, but apparently not.

I also have a set of ten interlocking leveling blocks that I use underneath the scissor jacks to provide a solid base or to raise the height of the jack if it is too low. It works fine under a scissor jack.

David

[Merlin]

We use the Camco 44541 plastic jack pads. We started with wood blocks but quickly tired of storing wet, heavy wood in the pass-through. An Amazon search with the term "RV jack pads" will give you a gazillion choices. Don't get too large a pad; it's hard to make a level spot for them to sit! The thicker the better because when you are trying to stabilize a camper on a slope, you almost always need at least a few inches of extra height.

[FastEddieB]

Funny.

I just posted about this to the Facebook forum.

I cut pieces of 4x4, painted them black and screwed them onto the bottom of the stabilizers.





Always there, and to date ground clearance in the retracted position has never been a problem.

[charliem]

Buy two packs of these: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/rv-leveling-blocks-10-pack/56865

Good for leveling wheels and under the tongue and stabilizer jacks.

[pjcd]

I've been using Lynx Levelers.  I've had the same set for about10 years. They hold up, they're light and don't take up too much room. I keep three sets in the trailer, I usually use 1 1/2 sets, but have on occasion used more then two sets.

[thudd3r]

Buy two packs of these: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/rv-leveling-blocks-10-pack/56865

Good for leveling wheels and under the tongue and stabilizer jacks.

exactly what i use.  the bag (although cheap), is a nice addition

[Pinstriper]

Funny.

I just posted about this to the Facebook forum.

I cut pieces of 4x4, painted them black and screwed them onto the bottom of the stabilizers.





Always there, and to date ground clearance in the retracted position has never been a problem.

So, (we all know this but saying it out loud for a newb or drive-by reader) there's a difference between leveling and stabilizing.

Stabilizing holds the trailer's attitude and prevents tipping or bouncing as you move around inside and the balance shifts. It is a fraction, obviously, of the load involved in lifting the whole trailer's weight.

Leveling is done under the wheels (side to side) or using the tongue jack (fore and aft). You do NOT use stabilizing jacks to level, as the jacks themselves lack the strength and are typically not attached to the frame in a way that carries the load. You *might* be ok doing so with a light popup/tent trailer, and you will see claims from others who DO use their stab jacks this way or even to lift the trailer to change a flat tire, that it is fine and works, but they simply haven't experienced their eventual (and impending) failure. You should disregard their advice.

What FastEddie is showing is a great hack to stabilize a trailer with high clearance, instead of buying new taller jacks. But on a trailer with lower clearance, those permanently attached blocks will be always extending down and reduce ground clearance so you'd want to be careful they aren't extending lower than other low points nearby.

The way he has it also doesn't address the other reason for jack pads: to provide a wider footing to distribute the load on softer ground so it doesn't sink in as much. So you would really still want to carry pads.

I do as Charlie does and use these under stab jacks for stabilization, or under the tires  for leveling, or under the tongue jack for leveling, as called for by the situation. So far a single pack of 10 has been sufficient, but we don't do much (any, really) wilderness boondocking.

[FastEddieB]

Nice summary Pinstriper!

1) True, the 4x4's  don't have much effect on the footprint of the stabilizers. But so far we have never found ourselves camped on ground so soft it made a difference.

2) The blocks only stick down a tiny bit when retracted:



If they ever do drag, the black water tank is not far behind!

[Pinstriper]

Nice summary Pinstriper!

1) True, the 4x4's  don't have much effect on the footprint of the stabilizers. But so far we have never found ourselves camped on ground so soft it made a difference.

2) The blocks only stick down a tiny bit when retracted:



If they ever do drag, the black water tank is not far behind!

I figured as much, the same is true for us. All our campsites but one have been paved (but not necessarily level !) and that one was gravel.

Our new stairs are lower than factory but still higher than nearby low point on tanks, but it pays to check these things.



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[mojospeople]

Stabilizing and blocking under the stabilizers when the slope is too much  is what I'm interested in. We already have an Andersen leveler that we really like. Also an extra step because even with dual steps sometimes it's a little too long down and gets hard on our knees. 

[Pinstriper]

Stabilizing and blocking under the stabilizers when the slope is too much  is what I'm interested in. We already have an Andersen leveler that we really like. Also an extra step because even with dual steps sometimes it's a little too long down and gets hard on our knees.

If you have the ground clearance, look at my new step thread. Waay happy with 2 steps than one.


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[MonteD]

I used Fast Eddie's 4x4 block remedy. Works great and no other blocks to carry along; we have had our trailer for two years now and have seen some high and low areas to lower the stabilizers. No issues and since they are wood I just put them on gravel, dirt,grass etc. The approximate 4 inches thick block covers 95% of the issues you may run into.
Just a note that if you have an issue where the extra four inches on the stabilizer are not enough, make dang sure you have your wheels correctly chocked or you may be calling a tow truck!