Leveling blocks

Diesel Donnie · 03-07-2013, 12:50 PM

I read somewhere on the web that a rubber mat such as is found at a mechanics bench can be cut into various lenghts and widths to make leveling blocks for the rv's wheels- My existing plywood blocks are near the end of the road for them and I am interested in info regarding the use of rubber mat material for blocks- Rubber matting would be practically indestructable and lighter in weight than wood and last longer than plastic which becomes brittle with age and exposure to the sun- Is such matting available at Harbor Freight or other commercial outlets? I believe the matting is made from ground up junk tires and is 1/2" thick- The matting would conform to uneven ground- THANX in advance for all replies- I will surely post the outcome of this endeaver- JMHO- DD

3'senough · 03-07-2013, 12:53 PM

Stable mats and you can find them at Tractor supply or farm supply stores.

Old Blue · 03-07-2013, 03:10 PM

Last longer yes but lighter I am not sure of that the rubber mat that is in the bed of my truck is like a stable mat it is 1/2 to 5/8 inches thick but real heavy but when cut in to 6 inch by 1 foot strips it might be lighter than plywood the same size

**norty1** · 03-07-2013, 07:11 PM

I have seen them at Tractor Supply, They are larger mats and would have to be cut and stored somewhere. It is a novel idea. I think they would be heavier than plywood and you would need to have a good many on hand to cover your needs.

I have always used 2"X8"X16" treated yellow pine, cut with a 45 deg. angle on each end.

Ranger431 · 03-07-2013, 07:57 PM

Hate to say it, but I just use Lynx leveling blocks. They are light, pack easily and neatly and can also be used easily to help build a ramp to change a flat (speaking from experience). Not the novel approach, but IMO the way to go.

Jagiven · 03-07-2013, 08:18 PM

I have seen the stable mats used just like you said, but I have no experience thou. I would think it would be heavier than wood. I am not a big fan of the plastic blocks, I have seen them damaged all too often, due to uneven terrain, from things like rocks and tree roots.

glcamp · 03-07-2013, 08:22 PM

I came across that a while back, was not sure if it was worth getting the mats or not. Right now I just have boards...

http://www.rv-boondocking-the-good-l...ingblocks.html

Gary

Doug · 03-07-2013, 10:22 PM

X2 on the Lynx leveling blocks. They sell them at Walley Mart now.
I've never had one brake, but easily replaced and cheap.

Murphie · 03-08-2013, 01:32 AM

The Feb. issue of Motorhome tested 11 jack pads that evaluated for four main characteristics. Homemade ones made of wood were one of these. The homemade ones weighed 6ibs. with the plastic ones around a pond and a half. Hosspads made frome recycled rubber faired pretty good and weighed 8 lbs. These were not the heaviest. That went to a $300 dollar set made of close cell polyethylene which hit the scale at 12lbs. The Hosspads were $100-150 depending on size. I have always used homemade wood ones which dry out and crack. I like the ones that someone on the forum made. He made them from wood and covered them with a rubber that had a domino type design.

billb800si · 03-08-2013, 09:19 AM

Personally i would stay away from rubber mats. I have enough bounce in the trailer with rubber tires. Having said that if they work for you then try them out.

We have used the same boards for six years now traveling all over the U.S. and Eastern Canada.
1- 2"x8"x5' cut ends at 45° angle
1- 1"x8"x5' cut ends at 45° angle.
Both boards cut from exterior treated lumber. I just throw them in the back of the truck.
Happy trails,

sirrealone · 03-08-2013, 09:55 AM

For those who use Lynx leveling blocks, how many blocks do you have on hand? I have a storage compartent filled with various wood blocks, and I'd love to consolidate down to Lynx blocks, but is one set typically enough?

jdorant · 03-08-2013, 10:34 AM

I have 1 set but want to add a second set

clubhouse · 03-08-2013, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirrealone

For those who use Lynx leveling blocks, how many blocks do you have on hand? I have a storage compartent filled with various wood blocks, and I'd love to consolidate down to Lynx blocks, but is one set typically enough?

I have (2) 10pks of Lynx leveling blocks, 1 (4) Pk of the smooth top caps for the lynx blocks. I also carry (4) 4"x4"x10" wood blocks if needed for the Stab Jacks and tounge jack for the rare occasion that I need all 20 for leveling

Doug · 03-08-2013, 10:40 AM

A 10 pack does me good with a small trailer.
You can now buy them in 10 packs a 4 packs.
They come in handy for lots of things, so at least 10 pack IMHO

Best regards,
Doug

Diesel Donnie · 03-08-2013, 11:34 AM

We are fulltimers going on 14 years- I have used dimension lumber as well as plywood- Plywood lasted longer than lumber because it has some "give" to accommadate uneven campsites- I have no experience with rubber matting but read about it somewhere on the web- It is my intention to give it a shot and I will post my opinion on the outcome- JMHO- DD

dmax_83 · 03-08-2013, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clubhouse

I have (2) 10pks of Lynx leveling blocks, 1 (4) Pk of the smooth top caps for the lynx blocks. I also carry (4) 4"x4"x10" wood blocks if needed for the Stab Jacks and tounge jack for the rare occasion that I need all 20 for leveling

Same here and it is very seldom that I even need to use any of the wood blocks.

Bob Landry · 03-08-2013, 03:43 PM

I have pads made from three thicknesses of 3/4" treated plywood with rope handles that I made and are used for the tongue jack and the corner stabilizing jacks. I carry three bags of Lynx blocks. One bag always takes care of leveling the trailer with some left over. The remainder are used with the screw jacks that I put in front of the wheels to reduce shake. I was going to build more pads, but for $31 a bag at Walmart, it's cheaper to buy than build, plus they are light, easy to handle and easy to store. The treated plywood cost me more than that. I didn't know that Lynx made smooth caps for the blocks. I'll have to check into that.

Ranger431 · 03-08-2013, 05:04 PM

I have two 10 packs and haven't needed any more, but was thinking of getting one more set "just in case". We've got a few hills here in east TN. I have this cone looking thing that I bought at CW for the front that is great. I like it so much more than stacking boards and blocks. It looks like a cone, but has an are recessed in the top to accept and hold the front jack leg.

Cruzinfools · 03-08-2013, 06:21 PM

I use the same boards that billb800si is using and have had them for along time. Just through in back of truck and go.

Recondite · 03-08-2013, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmax_83

Same here and it is very seldom that I even need to use any of the wood blocks.

X3:

Usually one bag (10) is more than enough to level the TT. I use the rest under the stabilizer jacks, especially those farthest from the ground as I found the shorter they are the more effective they are at reducing the shake. Much, much lighter than enough wood blocks to accomplish the same thing IMHO.

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