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Old 01-18-2018, 03:43 PM   #1
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Leveling Blocks vs. 2x6 wood

What is the advantage to the plastic leveling blocks/pads that I see at the campground. When we bought the TT last fall, I went to Lowes and bought a 4x4x8 fence post and cut it into 10 or 12 equal lengths to put under the stabs if not on level ground. I also have three 2x6 planks that I use under the wheels when needed to level side to side.

All told, I don't have $15 invested. Why should I be dropping $30, $40 $50 or more for those plastic leveling blocks?

What am I missing here?
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Old 01-18-2018, 03:59 PM   #2
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weight and storage savings.
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Old 01-18-2018, 04:01 PM   #3
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Advantage of the blocks is weight and space savings and some find them more convenient. But nothing wrong with good old wood for blocking.
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Old 01-18-2018, 04:02 PM   #4
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Precise leveling and no jockeying back and forth. Occasionally the campsite is so unlevel that the Andersen block needs a 2x6 under it too so wood is in the kit too
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Old 01-18-2018, 04:53 PM   #5
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Don't get me started - I have been asking myself this same question. I have always used wood (2x6). Over the last few years the wood has split and broken so I didn't really have enough of them. So last trip out I didn't have enough wood to level the trailer in the really unlevel spot I was in. I broke out the plastic levelers. I will never do that again. The plastic levelers kept sliding around on the dirt/broken asphalt and I couldn't get up on more than 3. I needed to get up on 4 at a minimum. What a pain. We were pretty unlevel for the stay at that campground.

I am going to make myself some cheap Anderson levelers - ramps out of wood. I have had wood slide around before too, but not nearly as much as the plastic ones. My ramps will have traction cuts on the bottom. I will still keep some flat pieces of wood for backup and unforeseen unlevel places.

I'm with you, wood is so much cheaper. I will keep the blocks (why toss them?) for when we are in front of my wife's grandparents house - they look slightly better.
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Old 01-18-2018, 04:59 PM   #6
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I use the plastic and agree, light and they take up less space than wood blocks. That said, I have crushed a couple. Made a ramp for one wheel to lift the other off the ground (in the neighborhood of 5k#’s), so they’re not indestructible. If the ground is soft (muddy) a bit of weight can cause them to sink into the ground. But these things are my go-to for leveling and footings for the stabilizers and most of the time they work great. I do keep a stack of 2x4x16 for cribbing if I need to use the bottle jack to change a tire.
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Old 01-18-2018, 05:23 PM   #7
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You are missing nothing, save the money and keep it in your pocket. For the little added weight I don't think you will be over capacity, and a few 2xs will get you more than close enough to level. I bought a 2x6 length of Trex decking cut it up, easy to wipe clean, no splitting, not much weight.
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Old 01-18-2018, 05:34 PM   #8
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I agree that it is cheaper, but I would use Trex or a "plastic" decking material. My two concerns about plain wood are that if it gets moist, it can rot and it can also provides insects with a livable environment. After reading some of the comments below I would guess that where you camp also can make a difference.
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Old 01-18-2018, 05:39 PM   #9
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I use wood, parents have used both, they have damage rhe plastic blockd and went back to wood.

All my boards are 2x6, 12 inches long, or 3/4" plywood, with the same dimensions. I can use any board in any position. As for cost, nothing, any it was all scrap wood.

Mine are all cut to fit in a custom plywood box, that doubles as a step.
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Old 01-18-2018, 06:22 PM   #10
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I've used both over the years. I've been able to swing some very good deals on leveling blocks on Amazon so that's what I'm carrying now. No real issue with whatever you decide to use. As mentioned above, the big advantage of the blocks over wood is the weight. Other than that, a block is a block.
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Old 01-18-2018, 06:28 PM   #11
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The only advantages I've found are weight, and the plastic is easier to clean with a hose, and doesn't absorb water.
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Old 01-18-2018, 10:04 PM   #12
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I use the Anderson concave leveler. If I’m gonna spend money on something then it might as well work. Takes only a few seconds to level side to side. Only issue is sometimes it doesn’t have enough height. Only goes to like 4” but more like 3.5” unless you want to risk driving off of it.


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Old 01-18-2018, 10:22 PM   #13
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I don't even worry about space. I have a milk crate that all the leveling boards go into. Its the last thing that goes right inside the door and the first thing to come out. It sits behind the camper when parked out of the way. All my wood was free. No cost.
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Old 01-19-2018, 05:56 AM   #14
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I use the plastic ones simply because of weight. And I'm thinking of getting the Andersen Leveler next.
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Old 01-19-2018, 06:32 AM   #15
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Not needed more than three high. Built a stepped up ramp with the plastic. Amazon has had some short lived deals for some reason, 15 bucks a set.
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Old 01-19-2018, 07:12 AM   #16
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Storage and weight is the main advantage. The plastic store nicely and stay put, where the wood doesn’t. The 2x6 like to split over time as well. I use 2x6 wood on the hitch and plastic on the stabilizers.
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Old 01-19-2018, 07:34 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Atlee View Post
I use the plastic ones simply because of weight. And I'm thinking of getting the Andersen Leveler next.
I carry 2 Anderson levelers. They work very well. If it the site is close to level, I'll still just use a standard block. But if I need more than an inch or so, I'll use the Anderson.
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Old 01-19-2018, 07:57 AM   #18
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I use sections of the 5/4 treated lumber deck boards which are exactly 1" thick. I can put my trailer in the spot we want it, read the graduated bubble level, figure out the height I need to raise one side and place the boards either in front or behind the wheel, drive on and set the chock blocks on each side of the wheel. The boards are stacked in a milk crate for travel.
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Old 01-19-2018, 08:28 AM   #19
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I may give these a try this year. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-444...Chock/55635430
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Old 01-19-2018, 08:31 AM   #20
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We carry chunks of wood, 12" sections of pressure treated 2x6.

We use the Anderson levelers, and often find ourselves on soft ground where the levelers sink a little or a lot. We carry a couple 1x6, 4 foot pieces of pressure treated deck boards that we use under the levelers to prevent sinking. Sometimes, one deck board is all we need if the site is close to level.

We applied skateboard tape to the levelers, eliminating any sliding on the deck board as we back up.
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