Gravel Question (not the normal parking issue)

[IchLiebeBier]

All,
I need some landscaping advice and don't know how to find it with a google search.

I had my asphalt driveway extended back to park the camper on and the area cleared out along the sides of the extension. My plan is to put pea gravel or something around it to keep the grass away from it and hopefully keep critters down.

What type material and what depth do you recommend to surround the parking pad? I want to be able to walk on it without sinking, but deep enough for drainage to keep the mud away.

Thanks.

[Freetyme]

Not a landscaper, but have had success with a driveway by laying down a weed barrier and covering with driveway mix. That stuff packs like a gravel road. Suppose you could use pea gravel over a barrier on top of a driveway mix if you need to build up or slope, just for a firmer substrate in a muddy area.

[Chad_P]

I would avoid pea gravel, it will never pack. You want road rock or something similar that will pack nice and solid. Putting a weed barrier down as suggested will help keep away grass and weeds.

[Blackrock]

You want what is called 3/4 minus materiel. Actually any good Sand and Gravel yard can help you out better than this bunch of punters, my self included. Sometimes they will have some non spec materiel at a lower price. Non spec being materiel that didn't meet specifications fr a government road job. It's all about the ratio of fines and rock.

[railroaderone]

crusher run topped with 57 will work out good.
Let them pack the crusher run with a roller compactor then a couple inches of 57. And as mentioned a weed barrier is helpful

[JimMorrell]

This depends entirely on where you live. In my area of northern California, it would be "pack Gravel" or"decomposed granite". They both pack down hard, allow drainage and tend to discourage vegetative growth. I even have used both under my trailer, as neither allows water to stand

[aircommuter]

Actually as a retired general engineering contractor in CA I would use class 4 base, it doesn’t meet specs for the roads except as a sub-base, it typically has less 3/4” rock in it. For pre-emergent I use Dimension 270G before the base and on top. It needs to be watered in.
The class 4 or any base material should be watered and mixed then spread and compacted with a vibratory roller and a plate for areas the roller cannot get or just use plate for the whole thing if it isn’t too large.

[paverdave]

Originally Posted by JimMorrell

This depends entirely on where you live. In my area of northern California, it would be "pack Gravel" or"decomposed granite". They both pack down hard, allow drainage and tend to discourage vegetative growth. I even have used both under my trailer, as neither allows water to stand

I'm with Jim on this one..decomposed granite."DG"....Around here they use Asphalt grindings to.....

[CGK]

Agree with those who say avoid pea gravel. Looks nice in the beginning, but doesn't do a great job of stopping weeds and won't pack down to form a hard surface. Around here we'd use "crush 'n run" that goes on like gravel but packs down hard as a rock. You'll have limited success with the weed barrier, or "weed mat" as it's called here. Works great to stop weeds from growing up from underneath (unless there are holes in the mat), but eventually you'll enjoy the benefit of Nature's composting services and that mat will be covered with a pretty good growing medium. Once weeds get established on top of the mat, it can be very difficult to get rid of them without using herbicidal sprays. Enjoy your new parking pad!

[asr524]

I took a few inches of soil out then put a base of 1x3 down then topped it with crushed concrete....8 yards of each

[Highwayguy]

Don't use pea gravel you will regret it. No matter what you do it will migrate into the lawn in your yard.
Use crusher fines or sometimes called crusher chips.
Packs very firm if you have good a good base.
Pack it with a rented plate tamper and sprinkle water on it during the process best substitute for concrete.

[oxcamper]

6-8" excavation filled with #12 sandstone, rolled and packed, topped with #412 screenings, leveled, rolled, and packed.

[IchLiebeBier]

Thanks all.

I went to a gravel place yesterday just to see what they offered. They recommended #57 put in 3" deep.

I'm going to look at the other options mentioned here.

[asr524]

Originally Posted by IchLiebeBier

Thanks all.

I went to a gravel place yesterday just to see what they offered. They recommended #57 put in 3" deep.

I'm going to look at the other options mentioned here.

one thing to keep in mind is the soil base...my yard tends to be soggy and spongy in the the spring so the larger 1x3 helps keep from sinking with a heavy 5th wheel.

[mnoland30]

In NM they call it base course. Crusher fines work too. If you have soggy soil, you'll want to put some filter fabric under it. I'd recommend 4" of crushed rock on top of the filter fabric. Just make sure whatever you use, it is crushed, not pea gravel.

[flyflotrtim]

I'll say it again in agreement and for emphasis, don't use pea gravel. It won't stay in place and eventually ends up everywhere. Won't compact nor keep out weeds.

[oxcamper]

#57 is just driveway limestone, 3" of that will be very "squishy" and won't pack down to give a solid foundation unless you drive over it for about a year to pack it down.

Maybe your best bet is to call a driveway company for an estimate, you don't have to go with them, but they will give you good options, including asphalt screenings.

A lot of your decision is how permanent is this parking space going to be. If you're looking at over 5 years, then go with a more permanent rather than cheaper solution.

[IchLiebeBier]

Originally Posted by oxcamper

#57 is just driveway limestone, 3" of that will be very "squishy" and won't pack down to give a solid foundation unless you drive over it for about a year to pack it down.

Maybe your best bet is to call a driveway company for an estimate, you don't have to go with them, but they will give you good options, including asphalt screenings.

A lot of your decision is how permanent is this parking space going to be. If you're looking at over 5 years, then go with a more permanent rather than cheaper solution.

I'll ask the asphalt company when they come to put the second layer down. Maybe they can work me a good deal with something.

[FlippinUid]

Don't get anything round, it will move and sink. Crushed rock 3/4. you won't want bare feet, but it packs, and you can drive & walk on it. But I think any kind of rock/stone will keep the mice at bay, though the sharper the better & that what crusher rock is.

[Rwbaker65]

I just made an area to park my trailer and used 20 tons of 3/4 clean rock
It’s 12 ft wide and about 45 ft long with 4x4 on sides to hold rock in place
Works great