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Driveway Concerns

We are working our way back to our summer place in Maine, and will be visiting some friends and relatives on the way there. My concern is that we are debating whether we can, or should, park our 33,000# coach on their concrete or asphalt driveways. These are typically 4" thick, and I dread the thought of busting up a concrete drive or leaving some deep grooves in asphalt. Any thoughts or experience with this issue?? Thanks, again
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #1 –
I would stay off their driveways, or ask the homeowner what he thinks.  Some may be constructed to take the weight, but mine isn't.

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #2 –
When we visit our relatives in Ventura, CA we park in the street in front of their house.  We call the local police dept. ahead of time, and they issue a "verbal permit" that allows "over-size" vehicle parking for up to 7 days - after that they can issue a ticket.  We actually had a cop come by and check on us (one time).  He was very friendly - mostly interested in looking at our classic coach.  No hassle whatsoever...

Of course, the neighbors might not be too pleased, especially if curbside parking is popular/necessary in a particular residential area.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #3 –
When we stay with our aunt up in Sun City, AZ, there is NO street parking. We can park for a few days in her driveway, but the HOA has strict rules about "settling in". The way to not be invited back is to have any fluid leaks onto someone's pristine drive.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #4 –
Quote from: GleamB –
We are working our way back to our summer place in Maine, and will be visiting some friends and relatives on the way there. My concern is that we are debating whether we can, or should, park our 33,000# coach on their concrete or asphalt driveways. These are typically 4" thick, and I dread the thought of busting up a concrete drive or leaving some deep grooves in asphalt. Any thoughts or experience with this issue?? Thanks, again
I poured our pad 4" thick and the U300 lives there when not traveling. It's just a 5 sack mix with rebar so nothing unusual. This was what the concrete company recommended. You might ask if their pad has rebar in the concrete.

Hot weather and asphalt may not be good depending on the thickness, etc. Might be better to be conservative.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #5 –
When we visit friend orfamily we eather park in the yard or street. If those are not available we stay at a nearby CG. Most res driveways won't stand the weight of our coaches especially near the edges.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #6 –
I had some cuttoffs of 18" wide x 1-3/4" thick LVL beam material. An 18" square under the front tires and a 36" piece under the rears will distribute the load.  But that is a lot of lumber to haul around.  I got mine free at a construction site.  18" length is pretty common, 36" long means somebody ordered the wrong size.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #7 –
I have not had any issues with concrete. Asphalt on the other had does groove if it is hot enough.  I had two track marks in my old house from where I would back in and drive out.  It took years though. The 4 inches is enough it is the 2-3 inches that I worry about if it was done on the cheap.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #8 –
"Thanks for letting us park in your driveway, we'll be backing out now."
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #9 –
Pull into an asphalt driveway in the summer--hot or not--with your tires hot from driving on the highway and you will definitely leave some "witness" marks in the asphalt where you turned the front wheels while sitting still. (Don't ask!)
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #10 –
put some solid boards down.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #11 –
Where there is frost and freezing temps, the ground under the concrete becomes unstable and without a firm base the concrete will crack. Out west it's hardly a problem, but up north, I wouldn't take the chance.
'The strength of the effort is the measure of the result'
1995 U320SE
40'
#4740
#17648

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #12 –
It's a tough call. Driveway asphalt is more tar and less stone than road asphalt. It looks pretty. I have seen some really pretty asphalt driveways done by fly by night guys and it's only 1 inch thick on top of topsoil.  Concrete is kind of the same mess you can't see the prep but you could dig down along the edge and see how thick it is.
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #13 –
Our coach sits on the top pad of pit. It is 8" thick with a LOT of rebar and mesh. I do not mickey mouse around when building, usually well over what is needed even in framing etc.
I found years ago it costs very little extra to do it better than what is actually needed because if it breaks or? the cost of fixing takes the original cost way up there.
If I was doing a new driveway it would be 6" plus mesh.The sub base is the main part for supporting the pad. We are on 100% sand so soaking and packing it was the way to go.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #14 –
Total crapshoot somewhat, when it comes to thickness of concrete more than 4" for a driveway,  with rebar or wwf. 6" may be overkill, If the sub-base of sand  and/or gravel that it is resting on, is bearing on is compacted soil. All concrete is guarantied to crack so they put in weak spots called control joints to somewhat hide the cracks. Very few if any residential contractors will compact the soil, and the city building code inspectors you pay for, inspect nothing. So parking on the street may be advised.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #15 –
               Several  years ago --eight-- , I visited an old retired Navy friend in Mississippi , just a few miles south of Memphis , Tennessee  . He has a fairly new home with a nicely curved ,laid out concrete driveway . I told him that the coach was heavy and I probably should park on the side . He said not to worry as big trucks deliver here all the time , so come on and park here . I did and it broke his concrete all to pieces . Had to by hand remove several chunks that were standing on end that didn't want to chance driving back over to exit . No rebar or mesh of any type .  Had to have a small load of crushed stone delivered to fill in the large gaps  where I sunk in as I passed over them . The ground there is soft  and damp . Not a good day to say the least . This was in our 2006  40 ft. Phenix  which weighs a bit less than our present coach .  ???  ???  ???    Brad Metzger
Brad Metzger
2010 Phenix 45'

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #16 –
Thanks for all the response....
I think I will go for parking in the street or a campground.
I want to be invited back!!!
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #17 –
If you really need to park on a driveway, as I do almost everyday with my crane. Use 4'x8' 3/4 plywood to protect concrete, bricks etc. I make the contractor aware when I take the job if I must set up on a residential driveway. Commercial ones have never failed in my experience.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean
 

Re: Driveway Concerns

Reply #18 –
We also used plywood when moving heavy loads on blacktop roads. Up to 800+ tons.
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss