Load Spreaders

[Blackadder]

G'day
Our van will shortly acquire self-levelling and, although the rams have fairly large feet, I'd like to get some fairly large (at least a foot square) load spreaders just to make sure we don't sink into mud etc. I could make them from marine plywood but I'd like something a lot lighter. I've seen vans sitting on what look like large plastic squares but couldn't find the owners to ask about them. The only ones I've found on the interweb are lattice style which would defeat the object. Can anyone recommend a suitable product?
cheers
Blackadder

 

[PaulyP]

Could be bread baskets or the type of thing that supermarket delivery’s are made in with the sides cut down, lightweight and large.

 

[TheAleMan]

Hi, these are what we have…. https://www.outriggerpads.co.uk/product/300x300x25-pack-of-4-square-recessed-motorhome-pads/

 

[Richard n Ann]

You can't beat wood for strength.

Even plastic wheel ramps break so rams won't be very kind to them.

 

[PaulyP]

You can't beat wood for strength.

Even plastic wheel ramps break so rams won't be very kind to them.

Totally agree, best thing to use is cut down scaffold boards.

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[David and Sally]

Totally agree, best thing to use is cut down scaffold boards.

That's what I use.

I find a couple of them stacked prevents the jacks going out of range on steeper pitches.

 

[Sapper520]

0.66kgs each, but there are other sizes and weight capacities. No idea if they’re any good, but search ’Outrigger Pads’.

 

[icantremember]

These are what I use but only on very soft ground ....
BROKEN LINK

 

[pappajohn]

12" square x ⅜" ply would do it and can't be much heavier than plastic.
Most of the surface area will be covered by the ram foot so not as much load around the edges.

 

[Blackadder]

These are what I use but only on very soft ground ....

Those look good - especially if the feet fit into those recesses. Assuming your moniker isn't too real , where did you get them?

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[icantremember]

Those look good - especially if the feet fit into those recesses. Assuming your moniker isn't too real , where did you get them?

Ha ha, with the aid of search facility in yahoo email I have remembered that they came from Approved Hydraulics Ltd on ebay, but they don't appear to be listing them now.

Approved Hydraulics for Hydraulic Equipment and Components - Stockport

Suppliers of high quality hydraulic equipment and components to the UK and EU markets. A huge range of hydraulic grabs, attachments, rams and accessories. All guaranteed. Approved Hydraulics are based in Stockport, Manchester, Cheshire.

www.approvedhydraulics.co.uk

 

[Jamesh]

How about 3 plastic chopping boards stuck together cheaper than a £10 each.

Cheers James

 

[funflair]

I just use 18mm ply, two pieces stuck together are very strong and give a decent additional lift when required, the plastic ones are quite heavy.

 

[Maggie and Raddie]

I use the same one's as Ale man (Outriggerpads.co.uk)
Very good and very stong.

 

[Two on Tour]

When you think about it, you probably have more area in touch with the ground with the leveler's pads than you with your tyre.

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[karalal]

300mm x 300mm x 30mm

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

When you think about it, you probably have more area in touch with the ground with the leveler's pads than you with your tyre.

That’s the idea

 

[Two on Tour]

That’s the idea

But what about the vast majority that don't have levelers, are their tyres sinking when they park up ? are they all parking up on bread trays and pads ? not seen them doing that, have you ?

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

But what about the vast majority that don't have levelers, are their tyres sinking when they park up ? are they all parking up on bread trays and pads ? not seen them doing that, have you ?

Thought this post was about self levelling systems?

 

[Two on Tour]

Thought this post was about self levelling systems?

So what ?, was what I said irrelevant or just in your view ?

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

12" square x ⅜" ply would do it and can't be much heavier than plastic.
Most of the surface area will be covered by the ram foot so not as much load around the edges.

Yes, cheapest way is to buy a whole sheet and cut it into squares, ie, one sheet will give you a dozen squares. In some trade stores they have circular saw tables for the public's use, use that to rip the sheet down to 1' widths, then hand cut as required at home.
The trouble with scaffold planks I have found is they tend to split along the grain once cut into shorter lengths.
Mike

 

[funflair]

But what about the vast majority that don't have levelers, are their tyres sinking when they park up ? are they all parking up on bread trays and pads ? not seen them doing that, have you ?

To answer your question Yes Yes and Yes, OK not everybody does this but when the ground is soft it is sensible to park on something with a greater surface area than just your tyres as it can and does make the difference between driving off a wet field and being towed off by a tractor.

 

[Two on Tour]

To answer your question Yes Yes and Yes, OK not everybody does this but when the ground is soft it is sensible to park on something with a greater surface area than just your tyres as it can and does make the difference between driving off a wet field and being towed off by a tractor.

Totally agree, but my point was on my post #15, that the feet certainly on our E & P system have a greater surface area than
the contact point of our tyres, I was making an observation, it was the other funster that went off on one.

Rather than carry around additional pads for soft ground, I bought and fitted these feet covers that increase the foot diameter to a little over 11 1/2"

If the weather looks really dodgy, then I take these with us.
Not had to use them yet as the foot covers above has coped so far.

 

[Al n Val]

to the OP

before splashing out i’d ask the installer to chuck you a set in for free

if you don’t ask

 

[Beltie]

There is currently an offer from E & P levellers for CAMC members for a free set of footplate covers like those shown by Two on Tour. Obviously this is for a new installation.

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[charliesgrandad]

Yes, cheapest way is to buy a whole sheet and cut it into squares, ie, one sheet will give you a dozen squares. In some trade stores they have circular saw tables for the public's use, use that to rip the sheet down to 1' widths, then hand cut as required at home.
The trouble with scaffold planks I have found is they tend to split along the grain once cut into shorter lengths.
Mike

Try doing what the scaffold companies do add some of these
Amazon product ASIN B07F3RZZ98

 

[chrisandbev]

i would love to have an ep system or similar to level my van with, the prices are too high for me and my wife will not let me spend that sort of money.
I have been looking for some ware to purchace the rams so that i can install them myself whether they are electric or hydraulic i do not mind, i have looked at loads of places on the net to no avail.

i at the moment use small hydraulic jacks but this is a pain.

all i want is to be able to fix two rams to the front and may be the back that can be either manually pumped down and up or by pressing a button to lower and raise the rams,

hope someone can help

chris

 

[Two on Tour]

i would love to have an ep system or similar to level my van with, the prices are too high for me and my wife will not let me spend that sort of money.
I have been looking for some ware to purchace the rams so that i can install them myself whether they are electric or hydraulic i do not mind, i have looked at loads of places on the net to no avail.

i at the moment use small hydraulic jacks but this is a pain.

all i want is to be able to fix two rams to the front and may be the back that can be either manually pumped down and up or by pressing a button to lower and raise the rams,

hope someone can help

chris

With the E&P and other commercially manufactured and installed levelling system, they always operate just 2 jacks at the same time to stop chassis twist.
They will either be the front 2, the rear 2, the left side 2, or the right side 2. If not lifted in this way, then there is the percentual you can damage or crack the panels in the habitation area with any chassis twist.

 

[cyberyacht]

I haven't got rams but, when parking on grass, I always use milenco mats under the wheels, although they are quite thin and deflect with the wheels weight, at least will help with traction. It's surprising how much the wheels will settle even on relatively firm ground.