Protecting new asphalt drive

[et2]

I just replaced my asphalt driveway. The asphalt was 3” and compacted to 2” and placed on compacted gravel. The house was built in 1955 so it’s pretty stabilized. My question is for those experienced in parking their small, 3,800 lb trailer, on their asphalt driveway, should I be concerned about leaving indentations in the asphalt from the tires? The trailer is single axle and the jacks are manual screw down. I’ll be parking the trailer at home just during the summer months while we come and go on our trips. During the Winter it will be stored elsewhere. If plywood, what size might be best. I’ll need to keep the tires pretty close to the edge to allow space for car going in and out of garage.
As always, thanks in advance

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by et2

I just replaced my asphalt driveway. The asphalt was 3” and compacted to 2” and placed on compacted gravel. The house was built in 1955 so it’s pretty stabilized. My question is for those experienced in parking their small, 3,800 lb trailer, on their asphalt driveway, should I be concerned about leaving indentations in the asphalt from the tires? The trailer is single axle and the jacks are manual screw down. I’ll be parking the trailer at home just during the summer months while we come and go on our trips. During the Winter it will be stored elsewhere. If plywood, what size might be best. I’ll need to keep the tires pretty close to the edge to allow space for car going in and out of garage.
As always, thanks in advance

Virgin asphalt is always prone to indentations, and especially if exposed to hot sunlight. The minimum protection I would use for your 3 points of contact……
Go to the lumber store, purchase a plank of 2” x 12” (usually sold in 8’ lengths)
Have them make three 2’ cuts, and you’ll have four sections.
In your case, you should have enough protection for your 3 points of contact, and you’ll have a spare.

[dangerranger]

I would place 24" to 30 inch plywood squares under every contact point for at least a few years. after a few years the asphalt stiffens up, every time I move the trailer I flip the ply over to keep it from warping. DR

[PhilFromMaine]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Virgin asphalt is always prone to indentations, and especially if exposed to hot sunlight. The minimum protection I would use for your 3 points of contact……
Go to the lumber store, purchase a plank of 2” x 12” (usually sold in 8’ lengths)
Have them make three 2’ cuts, and you’ll have four sections.
In your case, you should have enough protection for your 3 points of contact, and you’ll have a spare.

This is what I use. I once neglected to use the 2x12s and the tires sunk into the asphalt and this was in Maine. Granted, it was one of those rare days the temp hit 90 degrees.

[Mike134]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Virgin asphalt is always prone to indentations, and especially if exposed to hot sunlight. The minimum protection I would use for your 3 points of contact……
Go to the lumber store, purchase a plank of 2” x 12” (usually sold in 8’ lengths)
Have them make three 2’ cuts, and you’ll have four sections.
In your case, you should have enough protection for your 3 points of contact, and you’ll have a spare.

X2!! on the 2x12s

[D W]

A question as a point of interest: Where do you park the TV?

[NJKris]

x3 on the 2x12s. I used smaller pieces of wood initially on my fresh paved driveway, and my lightweight single axle camper left depressions in asphalt. Been fine since I used longer and bigger boards. Plus they are good targets when backing into my spot so I know everything is lined up, especially when tow vehicle is at an angle backing in and you can only see the driver's side.

[et2]

Thanks everybody for the suggestions. I’ll be doing the 2x12’s cut to 2’. For the question as to where I park the tv, it’s in the garage.

[boondocking]

Originally Posted by et2

Thanks everybody for the suggestions. I’ll be doing the 2x12’s cut to 2’. For the question as to where I park the tv, it’s in the garage.

If I were you I would buy two 8' planks and cut then in half or one 12' cut into 3 pcs.
I think 4 ft planks would be better than 2 ft.

[Tlmgcamp]

Originally Posted by et2

Thanks everybody for the suggestions. I’ll be doing the 2x12’s cut to 2’. For the question as to where I park the tv, it’s in the garage.

For the low side of the trailer, you might try to find some plate steel for under the tire so you don't need to raise the low side that much more to get it level side-to-side

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by boondocking

If I were you I would buy two 8' planks and cut then in half or one 12' cut into 3 pcs.
I think 4 ft planks would be better than 2 ft.

Agreed. So much easier than trying to target a small bullseye parking it. Makes it especially easy to have some leeway to back onto my Anderson leveling wedge on top of the plank as I frequently pre-chill fridge in driveway and it has to be fairly level (absorption fridge).

[Bob K4TAX]

If you plan to get 2" x 12" x 8', then have them saw the pieces on a 45 degree angle. Makes for the same number of cuts and makes it easier to get the tires on the blocks.

Bob

[GravelRider]

Originally Posted by et2

I just replaced my asphalt driveway. The asphalt was 3” and compacted to 2” and placed on compacted gravel. The house was built in 1955 so it’s pretty stabilized. My question is for those experienced in parking their small, 3,800 lb trailer, on their asphalt driveway, should I be concerned about leaving indentations in the asphalt from the tires? The trailer is single axle and the jacks are manual screw down. I’ll be parking the trailer at home just during the summer months while we come and go on our trips. During the Winter it will be stored elsewhere. If plywood, what size might be best. I’ll need to keep the tires pretty close to the edge to allow space for car going in and out of garage.
As always, thanks in advance

Is there any way that you can park off the driveway through the summer?

Any heavy object that isn't being moved on a regular basis can and will make indents on new asphalt, especially for the first few months, and especially in the hot weather. If not, I second (tenth?) the recommendation of 2x12s under the tires.