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Old 12-08-2014, 12:33 AM   #1
Way Of Life
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Homemade jack pads

Has anyone made any home made jack pads? Currently have Lynx levelers and they work most of the time. What I am concerned about is using the hydraulic leveling system while parked on softer terrain that may change due to rain or other climate conditions.

Have seen some post's that people have made jack pads out of rubber barn stall matts. Sounds like a cost effective product to use and easily available at most farm supply stores.

If any of you have ventured this direction please share your experiences as I find it hard to swallow the price of what is available in the market place.

Thank you
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Old 12-08-2014, 05:15 AM   #2
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I don't have them anymore, but I used to use 2x10s cut at 9.5" long (square). You could also use 2x12s cut 11.5". Also made stabilizer pads out of 2x10s, cut 3 of them 9.5" long and screwed them together, then screwed short pieces of rope to them for dragging/carry handles, similar to aircraft chalks. I used 2- 10' boards to start with, cut equal amount off of each board and use the remaining length for parking when stored. Before I had a self leveling system, I used to carry the boards in the back of the truck to use for leveling side to side.

Total cost, about $15.
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Old 12-08-2014, 06:14 AM   #3
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I have 2x4's 12 inches long. I can lay 3 side by side, then one or more cross ways on top.
Sometimes, I use these boards for sewer support.
I like multi purpose boards that are easy to store. I keep them in a tub as sometimes they get wet and/or muddy.
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Old 12-08-2014, 08:09 AM   #4
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I cut and 2X12X8 into 8 nice 12X12's or close to it boards and I use these now. I had a friend copy mine and he screwed each 2 together for 6 nice jack stands and he has 6 point leveling. So he had to use 2 8ft boards for some extra. he needed them double stacked(4 boards) on the back 2 pistons over the Thanksgiving holiday camping trip.

I got rid of everything else I use but these 8 boards and I can use under the tires if need be.
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Old 12-08-2014, 03:38 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Way Of Life View Post
Have seen some post's that people have made jack pads out of rubber barn stall matts. Sounds like a cost effective product to use and easily available at most farm supply stores.

Thank you
Not yet. Going to be buying the barn stall mat soon for next season. Been reading a lot about it. Only downside is the mats are heavy.
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Old 12-08-2014, 04:31 PM   #6
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2x8 or 2x10. You can buy it or visit the dumpster at a construction site.
The plastic leggo blocks are probably lighter, but, I prefer the wooden blocks.
They will also serve double duty as jacking blocks if you have a flat tire (or need to jack up the trailer for any other reason) and if you run out of kindling, you can use your camp ax on the blocks. JMHO
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Old 12-10-2014, 04:10 PM   #7
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I also dumpster dive for scraps of 2x10 or 2x12, lumber, then cut the ends at a 45 degree angle so I can use them like in the picture. I prefer plain old framing lumber to pressure treated as it is lighter, and if it starts looking ratty or splits, it makes nice kindling wood.
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Old 12-15-2014, 08:31 AM   #8
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The lego blocks work fine as long as the ground is firm . Now I use 2 x 8 then put then legos on top if needed it's been really wet here. It should freeze next week then all will be fine
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Old 12-15-2014, 01:36 PM   #9
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Mats

Hello all, anyone try these yet? They're the same thickness as the barn mats. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Greatmats...FRKUfgodWjQADQ
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Old 12-15-2014, 03:30 PM   #10
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Normally use the "lego" blocks (Lynx Levelers) if the ground is wet I have some 16"-18" square pieces of exterior grade plywood that I can use underneath the legos. The plywood is rounded on the corners and has a couple of finger holes drilled in it. I always keep a couple in my trucks and cars to use as a jack base. I believe it is either 5/8" or possibly some are 3/4". Again scraps that can be gotten via dumpster diving.

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Old 12-15-2014, 05:49 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoePK View Post
Hello all, anyone try these yet? They're the same thickness as the barn mats. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Greatmats...FRKUfgodWjQADQ
Yes they are the same thickness but are softer than the rubber barn mats. These are made of foam and would give with a lot of weight.
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Old 12-15-2014, 05:52 PM   #12
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http://www.rv-boondocking-the-good-l...ingblocks.html

Above is a link to a great site and "how to" direction to make leveling blocks from barn stall mats. I purchased the mat yesterday for $39. Will be working on cutting them this weekend. Aside from the weight I'm excited to try these out after the holidays. Guess that's another reason to camp in January.
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Old 12-19-2014, 06:49 AM   #13
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I got tired of my 2X12's splitting. Found this idea on utube.
I bought a 4X6 horse stall mat at Tractor Supply for $40, cut it up into 24 12X12's. Gave 12 to my FIL and I use 12 under my 6 point level up jacks. Seems to be working good. They are rubber, made from recycled tires.

The only draw back is the weight... 12 12"x12" pads = approx 50lbs.

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Old 12-27-2014, 12:48 PM   #14
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For jack pads I use 14 x 14 3/4 " exterior plywood that I sprayed with rubber coating to protect them from the elements. Cost me nothing since I had the plywood from other projects,.
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Old 12-28-2014, 12:39 PM   #15
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I have used scraps left over from a deck project of synthetic/compound decking 6-8 inches long, x 5 1/2 inches wide. they are stable, stackeable, and do not rot when left on the ground long term.
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Old 12-28-2014, 01:29 PM   #16
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I permanently bolted composite wood pieces to the jack pads.
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Old 01-27-2015, 09:10 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Way Of Life View Post
Has anyone made any home made jack pads? Currently have Lynx levelers and they work most of the time. What I am concerned about is using the hydraulic leveling system while parked on softer terrain that may change due to rain or other climate conditions.

Have seen some post's that people have made jack pads out of rubber barn stall matts. Sounds like a cost effective product to use and easily available at most farm supply stores.

If any of you have ventured this direction please share your experiences as I find it hard to swallow the price of what is available in the market place.

Thank you
I use 8"X 10" cutting boards with handles from Walmart for cheep .Very strong ,light ,will not rot and nothing sticks to them.
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Old 02-01-2015, 01:48 PM   #18
JoeofNSB
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Barn Stall Mats!!!

I've been using the barn stall mats from TSC. the are 4'x6' to start but cut into long strips or squares with a good razor knife. Mine are 6' long and 8 inches wide. I stagger step and stack them to make the thickness I need to level a triple axle Raptor. Love them. You just have to leave room to store them!!!
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Old 02-13-2015, 12:27 AM   #19
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A friend made both of us some out of laminated plywood and took a jig saw and cut hand holds on the end They are 12x18. Great for the landing gear.
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