what type of rv pad?

tking1866 · 06-30-2011, 12:39 PM

Just wanting some feedback on different kinds of rv pads like concrete or gravel. If concrete how thick should it be and what mix? If gravel what size rock is best? Planning on doing this project myself. Thanks for any advice.

Brave · 06-30-2011, 01:55 PM

Go with Cement, it is easier to keep clean. 4" is lots but you need a good 6-8 sand base well packed.

RubenZ · 06-30-2011, 02:03 PM

Will you do this yourself? If so, the concrete route is a PITA unless you have a Cement mixer.

Brave · 06-30-2011, 02:20 PM

NO, I would not, but I know it is very do-able for those that like to do this. I would prepare the area for sand, but have a contractor finish the work. Packing down is very important, if not done right. your pad will crack and possibly shift or drop.

tentcamper1 · 06-30-2011, 02:26 PM

we used #73 washed limestone (recommended by my excavator), it works great and has compacted nicely. I went 12" deep where the wheels travel and sit and 6" every where else. call a gravel supplier in your area and see what they suggest.

RubenZ · 06-30-2011, 02:58 PM

For you guys that have done this, are you making the PAD the full length of trailer, or just enough for wheels to back into? Our trailer doesn't sit in backyard full time, we have it stored, but do like to bring it home to prepare for trip or when we first get back to unpack. I'd like to do a pad as well.

tentcamper1 · 06-30-2011, 03:32 PM

my trailer is 34' long and the pad is 20 long. the jack sits on the concrete and the rear hangs over. the boards are to level the camper because i had to match the slope of the drive way. the pad was set up for my last trailer (27') so I still need to do something from the pad to the fence but that is low on the to do list!

grhodes50 · 06-30-2011, 05:15 PM

Concrete or rock I guess is a personal and/or pocketbook choice.
I used 2½" crushed rock with shavings for my pad. The ground here is the type that is hard as concrete when dry, but very mushy after a heavy rain. I decided on the larger rock since I was starting on bare ground and it won't sink into the ground like the smaller rock will.
After the pad has "settled" in a couple of years, I'll bring in smaller rock that's easier to level and to walk on.

jrennich · 07-01-2011, 09:21 AM

If you are lucky, your local pit might have some millings left over from a road project. These would be perfect. They are a milled concrete and when placed and packed properly they will be better than gravel and save $$$ over concrete. You would be surprised how hard the stuff gets after it gets rained on a couple times.

Emptypockets · 07-01-2011, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrennich

If you are lucky, your local pit might have some millings left over from a road project. These would be perfect. They are a milled concrete and when placed and packed properly they will be better than gravel and save $$$ over concrete. You would be surprised how hard the stuff gets after it gets rained on a couple times.

Our local sand pit has asphalt millings (from where an asphalt road bed is ground up before they can lay a new layer of asphalt) this makes for a very good covering for RV pads & or driveways. As you can imagine during the hot summer months it will pack down very well.

jrennich · 07-01-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emptypockets

Our local sand pit has asphalt millings (from where an asphalt road bed is ground up before they can lay a new layer of asphalt) this makes for a very good covering for RV pads & or driveways. As you can imagine during the hot summer months it will pack down very well.

I agree. Very cost effective and becomes extremely hard. Won't have to maintain like gravel.

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