Bathroom floor drain gray water valve problem

[Mike and Carol]

1 hour ago, Geronimo John said:

There are many ways to minimize jack wear by reducing movement.  So I compliment ScubaRx and Mike & Carol for their posts.  I would like to also mention that they both have taken to heart the concept of multiple slip planes. 

Over the past 8 seasons I have just used a pile of 2X6X11 blocks.  I carry a milk crate in my basket. It holds eleven of them I recall.  Due to limited storage space for my mini blocks I have not benefitted from the benefit of jack wear that the big blocks bring.  Time for me to upgrade my thinking and evaluate the "Big Block" options.  This Ole Dog can still learn from others! 

When we picked up in 2016 I was using a bunch of cut off ends of a 2X6 stacked on yellow plastic Camco pads.  

 

In 2017 I made some blocks with a rope handle out of those ends.  

 

 In 2018 I quit using the yellow pads and just went with the big legos which offered more flexibility.  I carry 4 wood blocks and 20 big Legos in the front basket along with locks, gloves, flashlight and four rubber wheel chocks.

Edited Thursday at 07:12 PM by Mike and Carol

[Geronimo John]

16 minutes ago, Mike and Carol said:

In 2018 I quit using the yellow pads and just went with the big legos which offered more flexibility.  I carry 4 wood blocks and 20 big Legos in the front basket along with locks, gloves, flashlight and four rubber wheel chocks.

"Big Lego's" you use?

 

GJ

 

 

[John Dorrer]

58 minutes ago, Geronimo John said:

"Big Lego's" you use?

 

GJ

 

 

We use three round Andersen Jack Stands, to reduce the amount jack deployment. This has also cut back the amount of trailer movement when walking around inside. They also provide protection to the jack of you drive off without raising them.

[Geronimo John]

2 hours ago, John Dorrer said:

We use three round Andersen Jack Stands,

Not finding anything with that name.  Did you mean Jack Blocks like these?  Do they stack or are they internally reinforced?

Thanks. Exploring options.

[topgun2]

20 minutes ago, Geronimo John said:

Do they stack or are they internally reinforced?

According to Andersen:

"Attach the Trailer Jack Block to the pad and level. It's that easy. The Trailer Jack Block offers 5th wheel & RV stabilization, all while reducing stress on your jacks. The built-in magnets instantly attach to the jack, so there is no need to double-check and adjust each block. Available in either 4" or 8" height options, each Jack Block is designed to be used with up to 9" round jack pads.

• The 4" option is rated up to 30,000 lbs each or 20,000 lbs double stacked.
• The 8" option is rated up to 8,000 lbs each or 1,500 lbs double stacked.
• All of our plastic trailer accessories are made in the USA
• Covered under a lifetime warranty"

Therefore it appears that they CAN be double stacked and even though they do not specifically mention internal reinforcement the stated "ratings" would appear to confirm that they are fairly strong.

Bill

[Patriot]

@Geronimo John

We also have used Andersen chocks and blocks for several years. They clean up easy, don’t get water logged and have really served us well. I carry these in our Sea Biscuit front storage box along with other immediate set up gear.  

I see they have gone up in price since we purchased our set. 

 

https://andersenhitches.com/product/trailer-jack-block-bag/?_gl=1*1mv85o9*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnJHMBhDAARIsABr7b86djF75m0CCgyTk_YL8VGqDktpOQgowBOSYNVMPQhJDGteTk8b4o8AaAg9KEALw_wcB

Edited Thursday at 11:24 PM by Patriot

[topgun2]

Or, as "AI" says:

"

Based on the product specifications, Andersen trailer jack blocks (specifically the 3608 and EZ Block models) are constructed from a solid, high-strength, UV-resistant polymer material, rather than being reinforced with internal metal or composite structures. 

Key details regarding their construction and strength:

• Solid Construction: They are designed as a solid, single-piece unit.
• Material: The blocks are made from a heavy-duty, durable, UV-resistant polymer that resists dirt, oil, and grime.
• Weight Capacity: Despite lacking internal structural metal reinforcement, a single 8" block is rated to support up to 6,000 lbs (some specifications list up to 8,000 lbs for specific,8-inch models).
• Stability: They feature a 12-inch diameter base, a 10-inch top, and built-in magnets for attachment to the jack. 

While they are not internally reinforced with other materials, they are Engineered to be extremely durable for stabilizing RVs and trailers. "

[Mike and Carol]

4 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

"Big Lego's" you use?

 

GJ

 

 

We got our legos at Walmart.  Probably similar to those above.  We bought two sets of 10.

[Wayfinder]

I did a quick video review of the Weigh Safe Flap Jack Block, but I'm not sold on it yet, specially for the price.  Yes, it's a HUGE space and weight saver, but I'm not sure if it will hold up like my two red Andersen blocks I use in the rear. Only time will tell. I've used it for about a year now. The Andersens just sounds and feel more solid material.  

 

Edited Friday at 02:19 AM by Chris Scarff
more bla bla

[jd1923]

We use two 8" Andersen Blocks for the rear stabilizer jacks (only). If I need more height I add some "Lego Blocks" upside down on top of the Andersen (see pic1, upside-down they fit into the ring top of the Andersen Blocks). I prefer not to stack the Andersen Blocks as you get 8" or 12" with two and the Legos allow for 1" increments (often 12" is too much).

Two is enough for us vs. the $294 set cited above (got two for $80 on eBay lightly used). We already had enough chocks and I find I rarely need chocks since most of the time I use a pair of these: https://andersenhitches.com/product/camper-leveler/

I use the 'Legos' only on the front jack since I have about 30 of them, 3 sets from past RV purchases! These are not near as strong as the Andersen products! I have a short stack of 'Legos' I crushed or wrecked in some way!

While traveling, we do a lot of one-night stays. When we do, I prefer to stay connected TT to TV! I always travel with 4" ramps for the TV (don't leave home w/o them)! We have camped a dozen nights where having the rear of the TV up a few inches helps to level while being hitched. We did this one time at a Sunoco dump station in Cedar City UT (pic2) and this is one of the rare few times I doubled up on the Andersen Blocks! 😎 

[Geronimo John]

8 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

Do they stack or are they internally reinforced?

Next picture shows yes they stack for use, but not efficienctly for storage...three of them would be a lot of space in my 5.5' F-150 bed.

 

[Ronbrink]

11 hours ago, Chris Scarff said:

I did a quick video review of the Weigh Safe Flap Jack Block, but I'm not sold on it yet, specially for the price.  Yes, it's a HUGE space and weight saver, but I'm not sure if it will hold up like my two red Andersen blocks I use in the rear. Only time will tell. I've used it for about a year now. The Andersens just sounds and feel more solid material.  

 

I too went with the Flap Jacks after five years using the taller Andersen Blocks at the rear stabilizers, primarily for the space and weight savings you mentioned. I bought two in individual carry bags rather than a single larger bag, easier to arrange and stow in the rear basement. The only thing I miss are the magnets on the Andersons for ease of positioning on the stabilizer feet. Even though both brands have the same 6,000 lb. weight capacity and equally sturdy, there is a distinct advantage with the Flap Jack design. To @Geronimo John’s point, both the top and bottom plates are solidly flat and thus, effective “slip planes”!

Edited Friday at 01:49 PM by Ronbrink

[Geronimo John]

4 hours ago, Ronbrink said:

Even though both brands have the same 6,000 lb. weight capacity and equally sturdy, there is a distinct advantage with the Flap Jack design. To @Geronimo John’s point, both the top and bottom plates are solidly flat and thus, effective “slip planes”!

I was sort of leaning towards the Flap Jacks for those reasons.  Then I saw this video:

 

Well, both tested exceptionally well.  Basically it appears that only a nuclear inferno would damage them.  That test is an order of magnitude or two more severe than even Crazy Horse could abuse them. 

The attributes of extreme durablity, light weight, 1/4 of the storage space, and now superior slip planes of the Flap Jacks works for us.

Thanks to Ron and Chris for highlighting this amazing product.   We'll be using them this season!

GJ 

[jd1923]

11 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

Next picture shows yes they stack for use, but not efficiently for storage...three of them would be a lot of space in my 5.5' F-150 bed.

Time to upgrade to a F-250 and a long bed! 🤣

I carry 2 vs. 3 and I do not stack them when stored (easier after packed up to stick one here and the other one there, being the last items to stow). The picture I shared was actually the one time I stacked them! Ron @Ronbrink you sure have enough room in that 2500 van! Hang them from the ceiling, LOL!

When I read the word "collapsible" in any marketing copy, I stop looking at that item immediately. The collapsible crate for example; I want a milk crate, steel preferred, but if plastic it must be heavy enough for me to turn it upside-down and stand on it, hold my weight safely! The collapsible crate would surely collapse at just the wrong time! Try to find a crate on Amazon that is NOT collapsible and you'll have to look long and hard. Collapsible is for kids driving compact cars, still living in apartments! 🤣

If I had a set of Flap Jacks, they would sit in the back of my truck ALWAYS in working position. The fact that you use these almost everyday while traveling, twice a day when dumping, I'm not taking the time to erect them and then fold them back to save a few cubic inches of storage space.

I'll stick with two 8" Andersen Blocks and 16 of the 1"Legos. This combination works well for us. When you use both in combination you get the slip plane some of you worry about and can tailor the right height (more height up front, or more height needed on one side). I ALWAYS walk a full 360 after everything else is done. Even though I KNOW the 3 jacks are up, because I just removed them, habit is do the 360 inspection, eyeballing all 8 tires for correct shape and making sure there is nothing (not just blocks) under truck or trailer. 😎