Archive - Aluminium Camper Forum

Everything Camping => Gear => Topic started by: drdave on December 05, 2015, 10:36:03 PM

Title: Elephant feet
Post by: drdave on December 05, 2015, 10:36:03 PM
As far as I can tell these will only work if you have the scissor jacks or 5th wheel jacks like me.  It saves a step of having to place blocks or pads down if you are camping on soft ground.    They are pricey for what they are, but seem to be built with quality and include mounting bolts.    The hardest part was getting the rubber pads onto the feet.   I muscled them on, but maybe some soap/water would have helped in hindsight.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QEYPUO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01


(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41QswVKgpdL.jpg)
Title: Elephant feet
Post by: thudd3r on December 08, 2015, 10:02:01 PM
another option...

http://www.amazon.com/BAL-R-V-Products-Group-29160/dp/B00O9U8HKM/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1449626316&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=scissor+jack+pads+sand


(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61gRpVDLX2L._SL1500_.jpg)still kinda pricey considering what they are...a piece of steel and couple carriage bolts and you could make your own for about half of the price of the cheaper version
Title: Elephant feet
Post by: drdave on December 09, 2015, 09:24:50 PM
The description for the elephant feet is actually wrong, you get a total of 4 feet even though the description says a set of 2.   I think they meant to say a 2 sets of 2.
Title: Elephant feet
Post by: fasteddieb on December 12, 2015, 09:23:40 AM
I found myself constantly in need of wood blocks to extend my stabilizers, so I permanently attached pieces of 4x4, painted black.


(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7654/16752331258_dc62a88549_z.jpg)




(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7590/16939048141_dffb286859_z.jpg)



No downside that I can see. They do not widen the footprint, but are very handy regardless. And virtually free!
Title: Elephant feet
Post by: drdave on March 22, 2016, 11:02:37 PM
Quote from: @fasteddieb" source="/post/17095/thread" timestamp="1449926620I found myself constantly in need of wood blocks to extend my stabilizers, so I permanently attached pieces of 4x4, painted black.


[img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7654/16752331258_dc62a88549_z.jpg"]


[img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7590/16939048141_dffb286859_z.jpg"]

No downside that I can see. They do not widen the footprint, but are very handy regardless. And virtually free!
Yep....just replace those with some 8x8 blocks and it would do the same thing as the elephant feet.   
Title: Elephant feet
Post by: fasteddieb on March 23, 2016, 11:37:23 AM
I can see how a wider "foot" could provide more support in sand, mud, wet ground or whatever - its a good thought.

But so far in practice, the "footprint" of those 4x4 sections has been fine, not sinking in on whatever surface we found ourselves on and providing plenty of stabilization.
Title: Elephant feet
Post by: montedtrotter1 on March 23, 2016, 06:48:39 PM
I agree with Fast Eddie, I copied his design and attached the 4x4 post pads on my 21BHS. My problem was more of a height issues as the stabilizer jacks were a little short in some cases. If I need a bigger footprint I just put down a yellow plastic pad I bought for that purpose, only used them one time in the sand.
Title: Elephant feet
Post by: drdave on March 23, 2016, 06:59:43 PM
You both raise good points and you can't beat cheap.  The best part regardless of 4x4 or commercial product is you can't forget your blocks when you pack up.   I've lost a few odd and end pieces of lumber over the years!   I wish I had thought of that on my old 16DB.   Now I'm pushing 7000 lbs loaded and my yard can get muddy.