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Leveling Pads?

Yahoo Message Number: 110134
Greetings All,

I find when parked on very uneven sites the leveling jacks raise the wheels off the ground, which I know is not good.
Currently I carry some 2"x12" wood blocks but they are heavy and tend to crack in half which renders them useless.
I am looking for recommendations for the best leveling pads to use that will handle the weight of my 40' Inspire. Of course I need ones that I can put under the wheels and under the leveling jacks.
Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

George Magee

06 Inspire # 51639

Re: Leveling Pads?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110135
I made my own but they are quite heavy. For each pad, I cut two pieces of 3/4" plywood 12" X 24". Then I cut 2 X 6's and sandwiched them between the plywood. It's all held together with lots of wood glue and deck screws. They are durable enough to support the rear axles without breaking. I have six pads. I do not have levelers though, mine is air level and it is always supported by the tires and axles.

Britt

2004 Intrigue 11836

Re: Leveling Pads?

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110137
Stop at your local lumber yard and ask about engineered beams that were cut offs... I did that and they have been great... they are multilayer plywood and come in differing widths

paint them bright color so you don't forget them.

J Moore, 05 Inspire

Re: Leveling Pads?

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110141
George - I bought a couple of rubber horse stall mats (from Tractor Supply) 4' X 6' ($35 ea) and cut them up in 12" X 12" and also 12" X 24". Very easy to cut to size with a straight edge and a box cutter. I also don't have leveling pads but use them under the tires and so far have had no issues. They are essentially the same as the Hoss Pads available at RV stores but are 3/4" vice 1" thick.

Dan

2000 Magna #5788
Dan Siedschlag
2000 Magna #5788

Re: Leveling Pads?

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110162
Dan, I read your post about the mats. I am a newbie and am gathering as much intel to incorporate into my experience. The mats makes sense I guess to protect tires. Is this a practice that most people do? Is the mats something to use for prolonged storage? How about weekend trips or week trips...Necessary? I appreciate your and anyone else's input.

Dave

04 Intrigue 42'

Re: Leveling Pads?

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110165
Dave - I really don't know if there is a necessity to use the mats to protect the tires. I bought the mats originally because I saw the Hoss Pads at Camper World and was impressed with how rugged they appeared to be. They were also expensive and seeing the horse stall mats at Tractor Supply looked like a way to get the Hoss Pad durability for a lot less money. My parking pad at home is not level and I do park on the pads to make the coach level. I cut up two stall mats and have more leveling pads than I will need in my lifetime. I am convinced that parking (longer term) on the pads is better than concrete but have no scientific reason for the belief. For shorter duration I only use them for leveling.

Dan

2000 Magna #5788
Dan Siedschlag
2000 Magna #5788

Re: Leveling Pads?

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110172
Dave, several years ago I talked to Michelin support based at their SC facility about this issue and he told me "we don't like our tires parked on concrete for long periods." It is not like me not to press for a reason, but I didn't. I did what Don did and cut up a Tractor Supply horse mat. However, I like the idea of the thicker one inch pads because sometimes you have a little standing water.

George Harper
04 Allure 31093

Re: Leveling Pads?

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110175
Thanks Dan for the clarification. I am in process of putting pad in at the house now. It will be level, but I am thinking for winter storage, I will get a piece of that horse mat and make the pads. It's better to be safe than sorry. Thanks again.

Dave
 

Re: Leveling Pads?

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110180
Thanks George. It kind of makes logical sense about tires sitting on any hard surface...My thought process would say that parking it on rubber would be better for the tires. Great advice. Thanks again.

Dave