Can I please tap the collective for ramp/leveling block suggestions? We spend most of our time boondocking or in older camp grounds/parking lots where it's not uncommon to exceed the limits of what the airbags can do; usually a front to back incline that could be solved by ramps. I'd love to see what you guys have for these situations. Now that we aren't full timing we have room for just about anything. 2 x 10 lumber steps?
We carry cut up horse stall mat, 1 mat cut to 4 pieces(2 smaller 2 larger), fits under the joey bed.
Tonight we used all 4 and were just able to level, tomorrow we will move to another site.
Very interested to see what others carry.
I use to carry some ramps that I had made. They were 2x10 and I had them nailed to each other to be a ramp. Bottom was 3ft long, then shorter ones on top for 3 or 4 boards. I would turn the coach where I would only use them on the front axle. They were heavy and tough to carry.
I have some oversized "Lego" like leveling blocks designed for motorhomes. They are rectangular, light, and stackable. They fit in our forward driver storage bay. We also camp in National Forests and state parks.
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I have tried some of the lego type blocks that were supposed to be stout enough but our U320 distorted them. I sure like the idea of horse stall mats. I hadn't thought of that.
When we hit the road I cut up some 2x6 boards for such a purpose. Some of them have cracked and have been tossed, to be replaced by others that were given to us at various times. No cost, since I already had them for other purposes.
Might I make a suggestion?
If you go with planks such as 2x6 or 2x8 or whatever, 1/4" plywood glued to each side will give extended life to the planks and distribute load so the planks are less likely to crack apart.
Then use a good sealer on the "sandwich" board.
I have lots of LVL beam cutoffs, most about 16" x 16" to 40". These are 1 7/8" thick they will fit under my joey bed. With 4 you can lift the rear by 1 thickness or in the front by 2 thicknesses.
I also have ramps (4) made from 6x6 treated cutoffs. Use two in the front or all four in the rear. These are for home work.
Do you have any photos of the grades you are on where you have needed something like this?
I like the idea of horse mats. I have used them for other things and they are very heavy and stout. I will cut a spare section up for this, great idea.
I have used the lego ones on my 8K lb TT and they have some breakage, I would not recommend them for 30K bus.
I would be leery of any ramps, unless they are made in the USA and by a reputable company , ie Hein Warner, not that they have them. the trade off is if they are good quality, they will be heavier to move.
Most of the sites at the Game Lodge Campground are sloped for drainage. The one we were in in September had us down to the stops in the front and up to the max in the back and we were still down in the rear by several inches. Some helper pads would have been helpful but we were OK without them.
We've done Habitat For Humanity RV Care-A-Vanner builds in Brookings, SD. We stay at the Larson Manufacturing plant there. The first time we were up on two levels of 2x6s and full air bag extension at the front, while the rear was all the way down. The next time we parked in a different spot, and were able to level with the airbags only. Someone that time was parked where we were the first time. Their motor home had drop-down leveling jacks, and they were on several 2x10 pads. When came time for them to leave, somehow something slipped. The steel foot came off of the jack and the jack slammed into the blacktop. Fortunately the team leader travels with a VERY full tool assortment, and he was able to get the jack unstuck and retracted. That's why I don't want to have a motor home that uses those things.
No photos but really doesn't take much once you get outside of campgrounds. I decided to go with 2 x 10s in 3" chunks that I can stack. Still need to seal and glue them all but this is where I'm headed. I will be able to split each of them up in two sets of two if I want to raise the rear end, or I can stack them and bring the front end up a full 6 inches
Elliott, I carried similar lumber in my '81. instead of gluing I carried drywall screws and assembled on site. Screwed one on top of the first then one on top of that and so on as needed.
Where do/will you store/carry them?
I'm considering doing something similar. That first photo I attached is a little deceiving since it looks like all four are glued together. It's actually two pieces. I wanted to have at least two glued together to help with current and future warping.
I'm trying to come up with a solution that doesn't require a drill. Thought about two holes that I could run wood dowels through but there's inevitably going to be some warping on the boards and then what? I suppose I could re-drill the holes at that time. Ratchet straps would get old in a hurry... fancy hardware like a sliding lock is overkill. Will probably end up doing screws...
Just in my main storage bay on the joey bed. We have a ton of storage space now that we have a home base.
I kept a bottle of the torx bit drywall screws and a bit driver drill bit and torx driver. Assembled as needed disassembled to break camp. Did this for 18 years with the '81