Opinions on RV Snap Pads Vs Anderson blocks

[jjbbrewer]

I really love my snap pads. I found that they do give a little more thickness to the jacks (I had to reposition mine on the frame), but that's not the big advantage.

I boondock & overnight @ rest areas so I need something that'll work on uneven and loose surfaces. Plus I really don't want more stuff to deal with when setting up or breaking down camp. Lastly, I kind of find the buckets visually unappealing, but that's just me it seems.

[Hoopy Frood]

The Snap Pads would seem like they would make the most sense when used on an unfirm surface. However I see that distance from the cylinder to the ground, and I think that would make the trailer more wiggle prone. I don't know if it's true, but it would seem a shorter extension of the leg would be more stable. JMO anyway. Yeah, the Andersen buckets aren't the most visually appealing, but it's one of those "function over form" instances.

[huntindog]

I really love my snap pads. I found that they do give a little more thickness to the jacks (I had to reposition mine on the frame), but that's not the big advantage.

I boondock & overnight @ rest areas so I need something that'll work on uneven and loose surfaces. Plus I really don't want more stuff to deal with when setting up or breaking down camp. Lastly, I kind of find the buckets visually unappealing, but that's just me it seems.

X2 My reasons exactly

[MccNeo]

X2 My reasons exactly

I have used the Snappads and Anderson buckets. I will not use wood anymore.

I like the Anderson buckets because they nest inside each other for storage and travel and they reduce stabilizing jack extension. However, I have personally experienced bulging of the sides of the buckets due to weight in hot weather, cracking and splintering of the top ring around the steel jack-pad during cold weather, cracking due to weight, and sinking into soft ground - wet or dry. Additionally, it was rare that I could use all six due to stroking out the end of my jacks when leveling. The front and rear jacks were habitual about that. At $49 apiece, its expensive paperweight not to be using them. They do not work well on heavy rigs or motorhomes.

I like Snappads because you don't have to do anything to them after you install them, they provide a slightly wider footprint, and keep the steel bottom plate of the jacks off the ground and minimize mud and dirt on the steel bottom plate. They work well on heavy rigs and motorhomes. However, they do NOT provide any tangible hight differential to reduce stabilizing jack extensions, and I have knocked one off twice and had to re-install it. Also, if you need to re-torque the steel jack bottom plate attaching bolt it has to be removed. Also, I see some pooling of water on top of the steel foot when using Snappads.

I will not use wood anymore for several reasons. I will easily conceded they are cost effective and widely available to anyone with tools. It works well on heavy rigs and motorhomes. Additionally, by it isn't rocket science to carry enough cribbing to achieve any JENGA configuration desired for the most flexible height adjustments. For that matter, you could crib up two meters in height if you had too. They are cheap if you leave them behind accidentally. However they are typically heavy, multiple wood cribbing pieces to stack or store and be knocked around do not make for compact and organized storage, and I don't want to be troubled dealing with wood falling over or sliding around. Additionally, they will crack, hold water and rot.

As for the problem of keeping mud or dirt off the hydraulic cylinders I read somewhere in this thread, mine rarely anything of significance on them. With the inspections and routine maintenance I do, it wouldn't be a problem anyway since I inspect, clean and use a dry lubricant on them routinely including the last 24 hours before each travel day.

Thats my story. But, I get it. To each his own preference. Use what makes you comfortable and keeps you smiling and stays within your budget.

[jjbbrewer]

However I see that distance from the cylinder to the ground, and I think that would make the trailer more wiggle prone.

I thought that as well - especially at the place where I took that picture. But the trailer wasn't unstable at all - mostly because this was the only jack anywhere close to full stroke. The other 5 were either about mid-way, and the opposite corner (left front) was barely extended at all.

I can't think of a place I've been where all 6 jacks were extended far enough to create instability. Maybe if I parked cross-ways on a 3 track road??

[trailrydr]

We use snap pads and also like them. They do several things (for us). Protect the landing feet from getting scratched up and rusted. Prior to using snap pads, our original feet looked like they were drugged over gravel and needed to be occasionaly grinded, sanded and repainted. Havent had to do so since using them.

Second, they work great for quick leveling on areas that are fairly level, especially single over night stays on concrete.

We still use blocks for those challenging non-level sites..... and the snap pads work good there as well on top of the blocks. No slip and plenty of grip.

More or less, protection from rough surfaces and quick overnight Cracker Barrel or parking lots stays.