Andersen Leveling Buckets (How To use Andersen Jack blocks)
Uneven ground is difficult to deal with. When you lower your jacks, you may find that uneven ground makes it difficult to level your trailer. That is why many RV owners have gone to Anderson leveling Buckets and other leveling equipment. This gives them a fighting chance to have their RVs nice and level.
These leveling buckets, actually called blocks, are said to help take the wear and tear off your jacks. To use them, you simply place them under your jacks and lower them till the buckets and jacks are secure. They are so simple to use that a child can do it.
To learn more about these buckets and similar products, just continue to read our article. These little buckets seem to work well and protect your jacks when they are extended. Take a few minutes to see how this important information can help you level your RV better.
Andersen Leveling Buckets 101
Andersen Leveling Buckets
These are simple inventions that do not take a lot of experience or know-how to use. They are designed to help stabilize your jacks and give them a longer lifespan. Andersen calls them ‘trailer jack blocks’ but they are commonly referred to as buckets as that is what they are.
These blocks are 8 inches tall, 12 inches in diameter at the top, and 10 at the bottom. Plus, they are said to help keep dirt and oil away from your jacks and leveling system. They are supposed to be strong and very durable although some owners have had to replace theirs several times within a short time.
If you do not need to use all of them, you can use them as a seat for small children. They have a double use that should fit in with your RV vacation plans. In addition to all of that, these buckets are supposed to stop all movement and sway. That is a good thing when you want your RV to sit still when you move about.
If you buy from Anderson you can expect to pay about $30 each or a lot more when you buy a complete kit.
Leveling Buckets For RV
There is a variety of leveler helpers you can choose between. They will not be called RV leveling buckets or jack buckets but have a different name to them. For example, there is a product called SnapPads and they get that name because they snap into place on your jacks.
These SnapPads are designed to work with the Lippert 6-point “level up” system and they are made of rubber. This construction material helps absorb any ground imperfections you may have under your jacks.
There are a variety of these devices. Another model is not the same circular design as the SnapPad but a rectangle one. Made by Camco, they are designed to work with your tires and not your jacks.
This seems to be the general purpose of leveling buckets and blocks. There is a more secure and bigger surface to work with when using a tire or two instead of the jacks. Camco and Anderson both make levelers for tires.
Other companies also make blocks, ramps, and other similar devices to help you level your RV. However, they too focus on the tires and not the jack. RV Upgrades outlet does have jack pads for $25 approx., which will help you level your tires and protect your jacks from the ground.
To find specific buckets for your RV, you may have to do a little more in-depth searching. Look at different RV parts & accessories outlets to find some that will work for you.
How do You Use Andersen Jack Blocks?
The way to use this brand’s blocks will depend on which models you buy. For the tire-designed options, you just have to lay the blocks in place just before you stop the RV or trailer where you want it to sit.
Once those are in place, you simply back up over them to the point the RV is level and stop. Then lower your jacks to make sure you are completely level. The buckets are a little different to use.
Their use depends on whether your RV or trailer is in its final position before use. Once you are there, you take the blocks out of their storage box and place them under the jacks.
Some options are to put the buckets onto the jacks first, then lower them down. And that is all you have to do. Make sure the buckets are in the right place and then use your leveling system to make sure your RV or trailer is perfectly level.
There is no difficult application or operation with these buckets. It would be like placing a standard bucket under your jacks and letting the jacks rest on them. The principle is the same except the Anderson models will have a place for the jacks to fit into for a more secure balancing act.
How do You Make a Trailer Jack Block?
The best material would be wood. You can use a series of 2 x 4 pieces or cut a 2 by 12 up into smaller sections and use those. The 2 x 12 inch by 10 feet would get you 10 1-foot blocks you can use.
Make sure the wood is nice and thick. This helps the wood blocks hold the weight of the trailer better. You can use 1 or stack 2 or 3 of these wood pieces on top of each other. How you use them will be up to your preference.
Another way to go about it is to put together several pieces of 2 x 4s and make a solid block pad that works with your jacks. One design had 3 2 x 4 by 1-foot pieces attached to each other across and about 4 layers down in a criss-cross pattern.
That design should give you the strength you are looking for. Each layer is 90 degrees from the layer above and provides excellent support for those upper layers. The key to using wood though is protecting it from rotting and bugs.
You will need to use solid screws to hold them together and the right varnish, etc., to make sure the bugs and moisture do not eat the wood away.
What Can I Use as a Jack Block?
In this case, size will matter. If you go large, for example, 20 inches square, you are putting less pressure on the material. The weight of the trailer is distributed better over 20-inch pieces than say 16-inch pieces of wood.
We already mentioned using 2 x 4s, etc. but another material you can use is 3/4 inch pressure treated plywood. Just cut the plywood into 20-inch squares then glue how many you need together to make your pad. You should also use screws to make sure the glue adheres properly and to give the leveling pad more strength.
You can go to rubber as a pad material. However, rubber is very difficult to cut into the right size. You would need a very good cutting edge that is extra sharp to get an accurate cut.
Just cut them into similar-sized squares and stack a few on top of each other. Rubber is best for concrete pads and not so good with soft ground. The wood pad options are good as you can put a handle on them, tie a rope to the handle and pull the pads out when you are packing up to go.
Plastic is another good material to use but do not make your own out of plastic. There are far too many good plastic jack buckets already on the market you can use. Save yourself the time and the energy and simply buy one that is already made for you.
Plus, you get a warranty with the commercially made options that you would not get if you tried to make your own. Some plastic materials are not good with very heavy trailers so making your own would be hit and miss.
That would make doing this project yourself a bit more expensive than if you bought a pre-made set. Wood seems to be the best as it is more solid and easier to work with.
Do You Need Blocks Under Stabilizer Jacks?
It is a very good idea to have blocks under your stabilizing jacks. there are two very good reasons why this is an important task to do all the time. One, you never know when your jacks will break.
Jacks are not always built from the best material and they may have weaknesses and defects you do not know they had. That is until they finally break on you and you have to deal with replacing that jack.
The second reason is that for better stability, you do not want the jacks to travel a long way. The shorter the distance they travel, the more stability they should have. Jack buckets and blocks help cut down on the length of travel and keep your jacks better protected.
Building some solid wood blocks will certainly provide a shorter distance as well as keep the jacks very stable. Some people suggest making the blocks 4 or 6 inches thick to meet these requirements.
Thick rubber mats will help as well and they won’t curl up on you. Plus, you can attach them to the wood blocks to add traction and a little flexibility at the same time.
Where To Find Jack Buckets
Anderson Hitches is the company that makes these buckets. They have their own online store that you can shop at. Whether or not you get a better deal with the company or another outlet remains to be seen.
Amazon carries this brand as well and their prices are fairly close to the prices Anderson sells their models for. They should have other types of jack or leveling blocks you can look at at a reasonable price.
Then you can check a variety of RV parts & accessory stores. They should have something on their shelves that will help you out. Some will carry the thinner and smaller rubber pieces. That will save you the trouble of cutting them to size.
Also, check the big box stores like Home Depot and Lowes as they should have something as well. However, keep in mind that most leveling blocks are made for your RV’s tires and not for your jacks.
In that case, you may have to go to Home Depot or Lowes to get the wood and other materials you need to build your own.
How Much Weight Can Leveling Blocks Hold?
Most leveling blocks made today can hold between 3000 and 10,000 pounds, give or take 500 or 1000 pounds. There are some that will hold heavier trailers, up to 40,000 pounds, but you would need to read the packaging to see how much weight each one can hold.
Jack buckets do not seem to be that popular right now as very few of the top companies make these particular items. Not that we were able to find anyways. Camco, Anderson, Kohree, and Beech seem to be the most well-known brands that make some sort of leveling block.
The problem with the plastic jack buckets is that they can break fairly easily. it may be best to go with the DIY wood blocks and get the support you need.
Some Final Words
Anderson seems to be the only company making actual jack buckets. They may or may not work for your trailer as they do seem to have some flaws in them. One owner went through 11 of them before they decided to build their own.
It may be hit and miss when it comes to this product. Plastic is not known for lasting a long time. Wood will need protective coatings to last a long time.
