Sturgeon-Phish
Ohio
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Joined: 06/12/2009
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Another noob question. I was going to set the camper on piers of dry laid 8"block side by side 3 block high, a pier on each corner. Would this be OK or should I make a frame to support the whole thing set on the piers. I'd still use the corner jacks most likely for additional support. The storage location is protected from the wind, and I was going the raise the front ~ 4". What do you think?
Thanks
Jim
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HarryWM
Wherever we are parked this time.
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I would think the frame on top of the piers would be better since it supports more than just corners. In any case I would put a piece of wood between the highly abrasive cement blocks and the camper.
Harry
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Vet Man
Ct. & Florida
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I had a 44ft park model for a few years sitting on cement blocks, 2 high and criss-crossed them. I used shingles for miner leveling adjustments.
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Gary3
Windsor, ON
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I use 3 10 in. blocks on each corner with a 4ft 2x10 across front and back level them out then let the camper down. I put a little preasure on each corner jack also.
Gary Lance 1181 solar Gen.
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1320quick
Colorado
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I've been using concrete cinder blocks for 18 years to support my camper when it's off the truck. I use two full size block and a solid half block all stacked on their side to support each corner. I always put a small amount of tension on the jacks as well once I get it situated where I want it. It's up to you if you want to build a frame or not but just using the blocks alone has always worked well for me.
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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We almost lost my then-new-to-me camper the day I bought from the previous owner while we were loading it on my truck. He had cinder blocks stacked up under the jack feet. While we were in the middle of loading the camper, while it was quite high in the air, one of the cinder blocks cracked and broke. That caused a chain reaction and other blocks cracked and broke too. The camper almost fell to the ground.
We were very lucky other people were around to push on the camper to keep it from falling and the truck was right there and I was able to quickly back the truck under the front edge of the camper floor to steady it and hold it up untill we could replace the broken cinder blocks with wood blocks.
I will never use open (not poured) cinder blocks to support anything heavy that can move again. Wood blocks or solid concrete blocks only, no open cinder blocks. They crack and fail way too easily and suddenly without warning. Not safe.
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Paoli
Quesnel BC
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Cement blocks (on lumber) at the bottom, two wooden beams, 2x8's and a sheet of half inch plywood on top.
This supports my Lance 992.
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kohldad
Goose Creek, SC
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If you lay the block on it's side, holes horizontal, the block loses most of it's compression strength and is easily subject to failure.
Cement blocks are designed to be used with the holes in the vertical direction. In this direction, they have great compression strength and why they are used to build walls and support piers. Also, always put a block of wood on top of the block to dispurse any pin-point load by spreading the force.
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Sturgeon-Phish
Ohio
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Paoli,
I like your blocking system. I have enough leftover material to fab up what you show. Very good idea.
Also as stated, the block web on the side is a lot weaker, and if the jack was placed directly on the block, it concentrated a LOT of pounds per square inch on the block. I can understand why it failed.
Thanks everyone. You are very kind and informative to share your knowledge
Jim
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Paoli
Quesnel BC
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Make sure when you store your camper like this that it is NOT level.
You want the water to run off the camper.
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