I see this often, particularly RVs, but sometimes cars and trailers. Folks will park on 2x wood blocking. Why?

In the RV, well, it makes for a nice flat surface and I don't have to extend the tongue jack so far. As a side note, most RV parks encourage using wood or the orange plastic crate things because it saves the concrete.

I think.

Keep from getting flat spots on the tires? Also, if the tires aren't monitored, I could see sidewall damage from prolonged abuse (weight on low pressure).

All I know is that if your house needs an alignment, you might be a redneck....

quote:

Originally posted by TexasScrub:
In the RV, well, it makes for a nice flat surface and I don't have to extend the tongue jack so far. As a side note, most RV parks encourage using wood or the orange plastic crate things because it saves the concrete.

I think.

I mean the full weight of vehicle is on the tires is parked on the wood blocks.

Oh, no idea except that it might keep the tires from settling.

quote:

Originally posted by mjlennon:

quote:

Originally posted by TexasScrub:
In the RV, well, it makes for a nice flat surface and I don't have to extend the tongue jack so far. As a side note, most RV parks encourage using wood or the orange plastic crate things because it saves the concrete.

I think.

I mean the full weight of vehicle is on the tires is parked on the wood blocks.

There's a guy down the block from me right now with his car up in the air like that (quite a ways up). From some hanging hoses I assume he's working on it, and they are instead of using jack stands. Though the idea frightened me.

I have seen things jacked up like that, my assumption was always the intent was to keep the tires off the ground. lmao (no shit) Why I don't know. Could it be one of those things people do because they think they're supposed to, despite not knowing why?

Placing the vehicle on boards is normally done to provide side to side leveling. When parking on anything other than hard surface (concrete or asph6), it is done to prevent settling into the soft groumd.

I've used wood blocks on asphalt for heavier vehicles as it will make a dent in the asphalt over time (or in the case of a sharper object, like a motorcycle side-stand...right away).

Wood blocking under the tires could be for leveling.

To keep anyone from easily stealing your wood blocks.

Flat spotting tires it the deception.

It has been working for decades...

I can see this if your talking taking pressure off the tires.

You can get "flat spots" on tire if they sit for long periods of time.

I always thought it was a moisture thing if the vehicle was going to be parked in the same spot for awhile.

RV's have to be very close to level to get their Absorption style Refrigerators to work properly and not fail. Those are refrigerators that run on propane. Blocks may be used to level it when the RV doesn't have leveling jacks.

If it's jack stands or frame stands with the wheels and tires hanging free, it is to prevent sacking out the suspension. Classic car collectors are prone to this behavior.

If the tires are on the blocks or stands, they are either gaining clearance for repairs or misguided.

To allow the suspension, wheels, and tires to hang may have some positive effect on the longevity of those items. I don't think it is a huge advantage, especially compared to other more expensive issues that plague cars, like humidity and the dreaded tin worm.

As stated, in RVs, it is common and highly advisable to level the unit before storage; especially in areas that may see temps below freezing.

I know one RV guy that does this, so he can slide underneath on a creeper, to work on it.

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
RV's have to be very close to level to get their Absorption style Refrigerators to work properly and not fail. Those are refrigerators that run on propane. Blocks may be used to level it when the RV doesn't have leveling jacks.

Winner, winner chicken dinner...

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
RV's have to be very close to level to get their Absorption style Refrigerators to work properly and not fail. Those are refrigerators that run on propane. Blocks may be used to level it when the RV doesn't have leveling jacks.

Winner, winner chicken dinner...

OK, but why would someone want the propane refrigerator running if someone has it parked in their driveway for months and months at a time. Most of the time I see owners use jack stands so their is no weight on the tires. This also allows them to level it if they want.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
RV's have to be very close to level to get their Absorption style Refrigerators to work properly and not fail. Those are refrigerators that run on propane. Blocks may be used to level it when the RV doesn't have leveling jacks.

Winner, winner chicken dinner...

OK, but why would someone want the propane refrigerator running if someone has it parked in their driveway for months and months at a time. Most of the time I see owners use jack stands so their is no weight on the tires. This also allows them to level it if they want.

They may also wish to use the their RV while in so called storage, the jacks provide stability, you should walk around or try to sleep in one while parked and not stabilized by jacks. There are different issues, questions and answers.


However, for example, hydraulic jacks can bleed down and leave the RV unlevel. Absorption refrigerators when not being used, and left unlevel, will fail if left that way. Period. The gas and chemical will settle away from the pilot light. When the owner tries to relight and operate the fridge, the heat applied won't be in the right place and the settled blockage won't separate and flow. You have to understand there is no compressor like your home fridge. It's new $$$ fridge time.

Bottom line, RV fridges are expensive as well as all the labor to remove and then install a new one. Preventive proper storage is much better.

And that's just the way absorption refrigerators operate.

And of course, there may be other reasons why someone uses blocks. Just ask them why.

I'm just saying that if you have an absorption fridge, you'd better learn how and why to take care of it, or you'll be paying lots of $$$.

(Then we can get into more expensive RV fridges that can also operate on 12 volt, 120 volt as well as the traditional.)

If you want to learn more, go to RV.net and join. There's more info there than I care to type out here.

If this is to be done, use at least 2x6 or 2x8s, perhaps a foot and a half to two feet long, so as to support the entire contact surface of the tire.

Chemicals in concrete can react with the tire compounds leading to early tire failure. Additionally, letting the tires sit in or on a moist surface cand damage the tires.

I always park my RV on 1/2" plastic sheets when we camp for those reasons.