OK, now I'm going to need to put in a driveway to my RV shelter.

Miles65 · 10-02-2018, 10:40 AM

OK, guys and gals, now I'm going to need to put in a driveway back to my RV shelter, or I'll have very limited opportunities to take my RV out, because of the mud, after it rains, that keeps me from backing up, to hook up my rig. I'm thinking I'll go with gravel. The run will be about 120' x 10' x 1/3'. I'll get about 15 yards of gravel/decomposed granite for around $500, delivered, ground cloth for about $100, and rent a bobcat for about $250. Total project estimate:around $1000.

Tell me what you know about putting in your own gravel/decomposed granite driveway. Thanks!

Carrottop · 10-02-2018, 02:01 PM

I think I would use Road crush. it drains well and for the most part will not sag when driven on wet. The other plus is the more you drive on it the more compact it becomes and should stand the test of time.

Miles65 · 10-02-2018, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carrottop

I think I would use Road crush. it drains well and for the most part will not sag when driven on wet. The other plus is the more you drive on it the more compact it becomes and should stand the test of time.

I have no idea what road crush is, nor do I find it on the internet. Please explain exactly what it is. Thanks.

66joej · 10-02-2018, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miles65

I have no idea what road crush is, nor do I find it on the internet. Please explain exactly what it is. Thanks.

It's the material they put down before asphalt. Also known as driveway gravel I believe.

Local150 · 10-02-2018, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66joej

It's the material they put down before asphalt. Also known as driveway gravel I believe.

Crushed limestone,, road rock,, ca- 6 a lot of different has just enough fines in it to compact the rock,, it sounds like there are no fines in what you are talking about

66joej · 10-02-2018, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Local150

Crushed limestone,, road rock,, ca- 6 a lot of different has just enough fines in it to compact the rock,, it sounds like there are no fines in what you are talking about

No crushed limestone in this part of BC so you are right. It's basically unwashed crushed gravel hence the crappy roads up here.

Gegrad · 10-02-2018, 05:02 PM

As a geologist who conducts remedies on old landfills, I would recommend #57 stone. It is a crushed rock, typically granite, that is more coarse than gravel, which is smooth from weathering. It has a nominal size of 3/4" -1" and perfect for making driveways that remain permeable. Our contractors use it almost exclusively for temporary haul roads. Use the bobcat to smooth it out and compact it some and you should have along lasting driveway. Too much larger and you will destroy tires; too much smaller and it will always be washing away or your rig sinking in.

Carrottop · 10-03-2018, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miles65

I have no idea what road crush is, nor do I find it on the internet. Please explain exactly what it is. Thanks.

You have gotten some good advice from people more qualified than me on what product to use, but to answer your question this is the product I was referring to. It is inexpensive and drains well. It will get ruts over time where you would have to add more product.

"25mm (1") Crushed Gravel is a compaction material also known as 'road crush' which is comprised of sand & rock. It is best used as a base under asphalt, concrete, & paving stones."

Good luck with your driveway project.

kksfish · 10-03-2018, 04:00 AM

If you have a quarry near you check the availability of “pit or quarry fines” yup it is almost a dust which after it gets rained on a few times and compacted gets almost as hard as concrete!
Another advantage to fines over 57 or crush and run is it won’t just keep sinking in the mud and have to keep reapplying and it’s usually cheaper........

Just my opinion after using it and lots of other material for construction lay down areas in Virginia clay/mud

kfxgreenie · 10-03-2018, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miles65

ground cloth for about $100

Use good geotextile fabric, it will save you on your gravel expense and keep your materials separate, also prevent the rock from sinking away into the mud and having to keep adding more gravel. Preferably you want a base of some more coarse rock followed by some smaller gravel 3/4" to top dress it.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/WF200-6-...-300/206604907 l

**flybouy** · 10-03-2018, 08:52 AM

I've always called it crush and run. https://www.homedepot.com/p/13-16-cu...3517/202521207

Miles65 · 10-03-2018, 08:59 AM

Spoke to the major gravel supplier in town. She told me to lay down decomposed granite, first, then compact it, then put the coarser granite over that. This goes against what I've read, online, but perhaps some of you have laid down a granite driveway, before, and can join in, here. Thanks.

LuvsPalmTrees · 10-04-2018, 05:47 AM

We have what they call #8 Slag Stone. It worked in a very muddy alley that turned into our property and this is where we park our TT. The slag gets hard like concrete and there is very little mud now.

Mikendebbie · 10-04-2018, 08:02 AM

Miles65 - I PM'd you with my work email address. I can tell you what I did at my place. Austin "dirt" is a tale of two cities due to the Balcones Fault...east of IH35 is highly plastic black clay, and west of the interstate tends to be limestone rock. What you need to do depends on where you live. I have been in commercial construction here since 1984...email me a note and I'll give you my two cents worth of advice for what to do and what material to use.

Lymey · 10-11-2018, 08:27 AM

With years of experience in building roads I would suggest the following
1. Work in dry weather if possible
2. Excavate a minimum of 6” for the drive way, preferably 8”. More is better.
3. Compact sub grade with vibratory tamper or small roller.
4. Apply fabric on sub grade, staple in place.
5. If possible find a local source for crushed concrete (usually construction companies that do road work) and place in two lifts compacting each with the vibratory tamper.

I suggest the crushed concrete as in my experience it packs in and sets better than most stone. If you want to try to keep your lawn I have actually used this method excavating an extra 4” then covering the area with more filter fabric and placing top soil over the stone to grade then seeding. That way you have a green driveway.

Andymil · 10-11-2018, 09:45 AM

I am a fan of the milled asphalt if you can get it. I put down a base of #3 slag (2” - 3”) and at least 4” of ground asphalt on top. We used to be able to get slag from the steel mills in our area. I’ve bought millings from a paving company but I got some for free when the state was resurfacing a road a couple of miles from my house. I was happier than a pig in... well, you know.

The only maintenance I do is to spray a round-up type weed and grass killer on the weeds that pop up in the spring.

NevadaRich · 10-11-2018, 03:45 PM

I have a 43 ft Toy Hauler which is over 20k, I placed 3/4" Gravel on the driveway where it is parked, I have added rock every 5 years, but I have been able to drive in and out over the Gravel, I have rain and snow in the winter.....

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