Newby questions

[Kathy and John]

Wondering what folks use as base under tongue jack & stabilizer jacks? We have looked at wood blocks, plastic lego type blocks, & Anderson jack block. Any recommendations?

Also, any advice concerning using a surge protector between RV park pedestal & the Ollie? Our Ollie will have a surge protector built in, but is it worth having a SP at the pedestal?

Any recommendations for water filter in line from water source?

 

Thanks!

 

[Frank C]

Welcome to the forum!  You’ll find forum members that use each of the options you mentioned.   We use the Andersen jack blocks (the big red bucket style) under the stabilizer jacks.  They’ve worked well but take up a lot of space in the truck bed when not being used.  And we use the Camco yellow Lego type blocks under the wheels for side to side leveling.  
And I built a two stage water filter system into a milk crate.  

 

 

[ScottyGS]

We use the red stacking leveling blocks.    Easy to use and they are light.    Link is: https://www.campingworld.com/stackers-leveling-pad-78796.html?cgid=levels-leveling-systems

Have not used an additional surge protector BUT... I ask about the quality of power when checking in and keep an eye on it when hooked up.  You can get sketchy power in a lot of campgrounds.   

Camco water filter works well:  https://www.campingworld.com/camco-evo-premium-water-filter-56670.html

Good Luck 

[Jim and Frances]

Preface - we are newbies, less than one year of experience, but this is what we have done in reference to your questions.

Blocks - we use the orange plastic lego blocks - the bright color helps me to not forget them LOL - they work well for us.  We got 2 sets of 10 and some extra caps.  We can store them easily in our tote.  So far, so good.

Surge protector - we use an additional surge protector.  Looking at the specs of the Progressive Dynamics one provided, there are some better options, IMO.  While we went with the 30A Surge Guard Portable Total Electrical Protection 34931 from TechnoRV with the remote display option, If I had to do it again, I think I would go with the Power Watchdog Surge Protector with Bluetooth - Portable - 30 Amp.  I would prefer the Bluetooth to a separate display.

For water filters, we decided to actually drink water from our fresh water tank.  As a result, we likely went overboard on our approach.  We use Purogene to sanitize the tank annually (vs. bleach) and add a tiny bit  (1/3 oz) when we fill up our fresh water tanks.  The actual filter we used is US Water Puredge Ultimate RV Filter - it fits in the basement during travel and sits in a milk crate when in use.  Since it's filters are a bit pricy, we also use the clasic blue filter seen everywhere to help extend the life of the US Water filter.

I am sure you will get lots of good input from much more experienced folks on the forum.

[Trainman]

I use a wood block under the tongue jack, it is some 40 years old, I guess I just don't want to part with it over the years of use. I use the red leveling pads on the rear jacks, sometimes 1, some times 5-6, just depends how long I want to hold the stabilizer switch down. I guess what you use depends on how much room you have to carry this stuff around, since we use a full size crew cab pickup room is not really a problem. Personally I like the wood over plastic, I do think the wood has a better bite for slipping over plastic, just from my experiences. I get all me leveling stuff in one large milk create (leveling blocks jacking blocks, and stabilizer pads) and carry it in the bed on the truck, so far no one has stolen any of the stuff in some 40 years of camping.

trainman

[topgun2]

1 hour ago, Kathy and John said:

Wondering what folks use as base under tongue jack & stabilizer jacks? We have looked at wood blocks, plastic lego type blocks, & Anderson jack block. Any recommendations?

I use 6x6 wood blocks to lessen the distance the jacks have to travel and provide some protection against driving off with the jack all the way down.  While a bit heavier than the plastic blocks, the wood blocks are a touch smaller and they are very inexpensive - free if you keep your eyes open.

1 hour ago, Kathy and John said:

Also, any advice concerning using a surge protector between RV park pedestal & the Ollie? Our Ollie will have a surge protector built in, but is it worth having a SP at the pedestal?

While there is no harm in using a second SP, I do not use anything other than the one that was built into my Oliver.  It has worked well over the years.

1 hour ago, Kathy and John said:

Any recommendations for water filter in line from water source?

I use water from home or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes.  Water from the onboard fresh water tank is filtered and sanitized (via a blue Camco filter) a couple of times during the camping season.  But, I only use that water from the fresh tank for bathing, washing dishes, etc.

Also, I use the Andersen leveling ramps for side to side leveling.  I used to use the "lego" blocks (and I still carry one set of ten just in case) but the Andersen ramps are much easier to use - particularly when traveling alone.

 

[Mike and Carol]

We just use the blue Camco water filters.  I have a Culligan that had replaceable cartridges but I’ve found that it is a pain to use, especially if you are just wanting to fill the fresh tank.  So, we went back to the blue filter but the jumbo size.  We don’t have an on board surge protector so we use one at the pedestal.  It’s worked well the last 6 years.  I don’t know how a pedestal protector would work with the on board system, maybe someone who has done it knows.  I made some blocks, similar to Bill’s above and use them on top of the big yellow/black legos to keep jack movement to just a couple of inches.

 

[Ken_Judy]

A remote surge protector might seem like a belt and suspenders option but you can check on the pedestal before backing in.

 

[Jim and Frances]

22 hours ago, topgun2 said:

I use 6x6 wood blocks to lessen the distance the jacks have to travel and provide some protection against driving off with the jack all the way down.  While a bit heavier than the plastic blocks, the wood blocks are a touch smaller and they are very inexpensive - free if you keep your eyes open.

What is the approx length of the 6x6 blocks you all are are using?  I now remember reading about minimizing jack travel when possible.

[topgun2]

Basically I measured the distance from the bottom of the jack to the ground while the Ollie was level.  Then I cut two blocks just a tad shorter in order to allow for ease of placing the blocks when there is gravel or "bumps" on the ground.  For me, this measurement was right at 11 inches.

The block I cut for the front jack is a touch shorter - about 10 inches - to allow for ease of placement given that the frame and Andersen chains can be in the way.

Remember - these blocks can also be used on their sides which will be about 5 1/2 inches (for a 6x6 block).

If you make a set of these, be sure to make some sort of "handle" so that they are easier to remove and carry.  I used some old plastic rope I had around the shop - plastic "truckers" rope would be good - and some electric wire staples.

Bill

[Steph and Dud B]

We use the orange Lynx leveling blocks and the blue Camco water filters from Walmart.

[Mike and Carol]

3 hours ago, Jim and Frances said:

What is the approx length of the 6x6 blocks you all are are using?  I now remember reading about minimizing jack travel when possible.

I think mine are just a little over 6” tall.  That gives some flexibility on really unlevel sites.  I’ve stacked a number of legos underneath to bring it to the right height.  I also have a fourth block that is only 4” tall.  Sometimes the front of the trailer needs to come down quite a bit, that’s when it gets used.  Mike

[ScubaRx]

On 2/15/2022 at 8:35 AM, Kathy and John said:

...Our Ollie will have a surge protector built in, but is it worth having a SP at the pedestal?...

No, just one more thing to lug along with you and potentially leave behind, additional cost with no additional benefit.

[Frank-n-Val]

Bill and Mike inspired me to make a better block for the tongue jack. Price was right; had some off cuts from beams we sawed a few years ago, so made one for the Oliver and one for a camping buddy. 

Frank

[topgun2]

Got a handle on that block - yet?  I really like free!

Also, if you throw a coat of poly on them they will not get as dirty and will not absorb water either.

Bill

[Frank-n-Val]

Just put a coat of tung oil on it. 

[topgun2]

3 hours ago, Frank-n-Val said:

Just put a coat of tung oil on it. 

And a nice handle too. 

Makes my 6x6 pine look a bit pedestrian!  Way to go!

Bill

[Mike and Carol]

Looks like a piece of furniture to me!  Nicely done.  I’d make new, nicer ones but mine are 6 years old and don’t look like they are going to wear out anytime soon!  Mike