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RV Parking Pad Stabilization Ideas

Parking and storing your RV, motor home or trailer is a challenge that every camper or recreational vehicle owner addresses. If you decide to store your RV in the off season at a commercial facility you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,200 – $5,500/year depending of if you need indoor and/or heated storage options. A way to mitigate some of this cost is to build your own RV storage area that includes a secure parking base or pad.

A good parking pad must first be able to support the weight of the vehicle without destroying the ground underneath and enable water to drain so that it does not pool around the vehicle or create unintended moisture issues. The following article will cover 3 of the more popular methods used for building an effective parking pad and access driveway for your RV. All these methods do not require you to modify or remove the RV tires or require much upkeep. There are options out there that require you to remove the tires and put your vehicle up on blocks while in storage, while this can be a good option for some we’ve found it to be too cumbersome for most people as it diminishes the freedom to quickly get moving and get the RV back out on the road should you wish to.

We’ll progress through each of these 3 options in order or permanence progressing from the temporary to more permanent options.

Grass Protection Mesh -
Heavy Grade

Grass protection mesh is a composite material of two coextruded polymers where both High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), and Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) are combined into a mesh grid that can be rolled directly over existing grass areas. The mesh is designed to distribute the weight a vehicle, preserving the grass roots and preventing ruts or divots in the ground from repeated traffic and use.

A benefit of using the mesh is the additional traction it provides since it’s been engineered to have an oscillating structure of cross extruded polymers. This means that it will lay flat to the ground while ensuring maximum traction for your RV.

While this option is the most cost effective and easiest to install option please note that over time a heavy vehicle parked on the mesh can create an indent and ultimately damage the mesh. One way to mitigate this is to reinforce the ground below where the tires will be resting when parked. This can be accomplished by removing the grass, adding a few inches of aggregate mixed in with the dirt then reseeding the grass. By reinforcing where the tires will be resting the small area will be less prone to sinking and put less stress on the mesh.

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Grass Pavers

Grass pavers are a more permanent solution which provide a high degree of stability and water permeability. GRS Grass Pavers are pre-assembled HDPE plastic rolls made from 100% recycled plastic. The 1.8” thick honeycomb style grid has been engineered with a “Quick Connect” interlocking shape that allows for fast installation and requires no tools or specialty clips to join rolls together.

To install the existing grass must be removed and approximately 4” of crushed rock (approx. ¾” size) must be added and compacted. Next the pavers are rolled over the gravel then filled with soil. At this point the area can be either seeded or sod can be applied. Grass with grow up through the paver cells and provide a natural looking and very stable surface which is resistant to rutting or sinking.

Grass Pavers have both an H-15 and HS-20 rating options depending upon how much tonnage will need to be supported.

H-15 supports up to 24,000 lbs for single axle loads

HS-20 supports up to 32,000 lbs for single axel loads

Grass Pavers are an excellent long term RV parking solution and although more difficult and costly to install than the grass protection mesh, the stability of the surface and longevity of the material are superior.

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EGA Ground Grid

If you are looking to create a stable gravel RV Parking pad, the EGA Ground Grid units are an excellent choice. The EGA gravel grids are a type of cellular confinement product which features a 3-D cell structure to provide a high level of gravel stability. Although approved for both gravel and grass infill the EGA is best suited for gravel areas which are utilizing a angular rock infill (no pea gravel). The EGA grid features flexible cells which open up and restrict lateral movement of the infill creating an impressively strong compacted driveway or parking area supporting from 40,000 to 60,000 with either the 4” or 6” depth cells.

Another benefit to using the cells is that there is no need to build up an aggregate base underneath. This product is able meant to be placed over a geotextile fabric with the infill poured directly in the cells. This can reduce the required aggregate material by up to 50% further reducing labor and material cost for installation.

The EGA Geocells may be particularly attractive solution for RV parking pad areas where there is an slope or incline. The geocells work very well over sloping areas, in enabling drainage downhill and providing the necessary stabilization required for a parking pad or driveway area.

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Questions?

Do you have further questions, or is your project a little “out of the box”? Feel free to give us a call to discuss your project, pricing or to place an order at (800) 524-4161.