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Veteran
Posts: 198
 
Location: Iowa |
I've always used a block of 4 x 4 treated lumber under my jack...but we've had a lot of rain lately, and when I went to get my trailer yesterday, the block had sunk down about 6 inches into the soft ground. So I'm thinking of using something different, and wanted to see what other are using. Thanks for any suggestions. |
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Expert
Posts: 1416
Location: sc | Piece of 2x8 about a foot long or a cinder block....... How heavy is your trailer? Either way I dont think a 4x4 is much of a "foot" in the dirt? |
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Expert
Posts: 2958
 
Location: North Carolina | 18 inches of 4 x 6 treated lumber scrap. Or about 100 square inches of ground pressure distribution. (18x6) Stored in back corner of the truck bed. Also doubles as a wheel chock if needed. Price ... cheap, one less piece of trash after deck construction. |
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Expert
Posts: 1351
Location: Decatur, Texas | Originally written by hosspuller on 2009-04-23 12:38 PM 18 inches of 4 x 6 treated lumber scrap. Or about 100 square inches of ground pressure distribution. (18x6) Stored in back corner of the truck bed. Also doubles as a wheel chock if needed. Price ... cheap, one less piece of trash after deck construction. I use them same thing, also doubles as a trailer jack to change tires..... |
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Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain... | Ditto. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 714
Location: Minnesota | 24"x 2"x12" cca under an 18" x 6"x6". I carry several of the 2x12's in varying lengths for use in leveling the trailer at the camp site. Keep them in a box in the truck box. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 383
Location: Texas | 8.5' cross tie (about 10" wide) under dual jacks, I had used 8"X12" blocks but they sink when it rains. |
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Member
Posts: 8
Location: MT | My girlfriend's hand. |
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Member
Posts: 38
Location: somerville,al | If you use a wooden or concrete block under your jack or jacks, you might want to consider grounding your trailer. The jacks are the only metal touching the ground. |
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Expert
Posts: 2958
Location: North Carolina | Originally written by lightonthebay on 2009-04-23 11:29 AM
My girlfriend's hand. Either you've a fast jack, or she's very slow LOL Seriously... Beware of using cinder blocks. Unless the pressure is evenly distributed (like in a foundation) the block can crumble and collapse. |
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Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | A couple pressure treated 2"x10"... about 18" long. |
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Veteran
Posts: 198
Location: Iowa | Thanks for all the advice...very helpful. Yeah...I kinda found that the 4 x 4 wasn't quite enough to spread the weight around!! |
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Regular
Posts: 74
| is there anything to the comment about grounding your trailer? |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Originally written by millironk on 2009-04-24 9:46 PM
is there anything to the comment about grounding your trailer? Well, if you were just connected to your truck with your landing gear up...You would not be grounded as well...so it seems to be a NBD...
Edited by PaulChristenson 2009-04-25 4:11 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2958
Location: North Carolina | Originally written by millironk on 2009-04-24 5:46 PM
is there anything to the comment about grounding your trailer? To add to Paul's comment... A painted landing pad makes a poor ground plate on dry dirt, gravel, even grass. I would rather depend on the camp site's electrical ground. It is easily checked with a $5 outlet tester. If you're using a generator, a ground fault interupter (GFCI) is a good safety feature instead of a driven ground rod. |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | I am not one to worry too much about stuff so I just have two or three boards in the truck- one is longer and wide,then some thicker blocks. My trailer is never unhooked for more than a few days ( except at home of course) |
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What do you use under your jack?
