Why do I have to check my feet and jacks if you already know what my rig needs?Updated a year ago
Finding the right SnapPads for your rig can be as easy as knowing the leveling system or stabilizer brand and the shape and size of the front and rear jack feet. With this, we can generally recommend the correct SnapPad product your rig will require.
Beyond finding the right SnapPad product, there are many other factors that need to be addressed in order to know if adding SnapPads is a safe option. As the placement and setting of jacks and stabilizers are not standardized in the building of RVs, there can be potential safety and proximity issues that cannot be anticipated by SnapPad. As a result, each RV can be very different even though the basic setup is the same.
Below are the Special Considerations that should be checked prior to purchasing or installing SnapPads on your rig's leveling or stabilizing system.
1. Condition of the metal jack feet
As SnapPads are meant to snap on and stay on the jack feet, the fit of a SnapPad must be snug and secure. Each SnapPad product is specifically designed around the manufacturer's specs of each foot type.
Checking the condition of the metal feet is very important in order to guarantee a good snug, tight fit for the SnapPad. Metal landing feet displaying bending, misshapen areas, damage, excessive rusting or corrosion, or signs of warping may not fully and safely install in the SnapPad that it was designed for.
This initial inspection should be done for all 4 or 6 metal feet present on the RV to ensure SnapPads will be a good fit. Customers are encouraged to take photos and share these with our Customer Service Team, should there be concerns. Please reach out to [email protected] should you require assistance.
2. Confirmation of Ample Ground Clearance
Prior to purchase or installation of any SnapPad product, we encourage our customers to ensure there is ample ground clearance under the rig between the fully retracted jacks and the ground surface below.
Lower-lying jacks can run the risk of the SnapPad or metal jack foot bottoming out on areas like potholes, speedbumps, curbs, or rough roadways. When these areas are approached at speed, and the suspension of the vehicle is activated, these jacks can be forced very low to the ground. If there is not ample ground clearance, and attention to speed when navigating over these areas of concern, enough force can be applied to the SnapPads to cause damage or even loss. In many cases, the driver and occupants will not even realize the impact has occurred.
We recommend no less than 6-7" of full ground clearance from the base of the fully retracted foot to the ground below. Being aware that some jacks on the rig can be set higher or lower than others will be an important factor in this clearance check.
If you are concerned, please feel free to contact our Customer Service Team at [email protected] for assistance.
3. Proximity Clearance Check around and above the metal jack feet
This final clearance check will be most important to ensure SnapPads will be a safe addition to your rig. The metal feet can be in perfect factory condition, there can be more than ample ground clearance on all of the jack feet, and the perfect set of SnapPads found, but there can be proximity issues above or around these jack feet that may not get noticed until it is too late. These issues will not be the same from rig to rig, and can be very different from jack to jack.
For this inspection, all jacks will need to be fully retracted. If your RV has different modes like "Travel", "Low Ride", "High Ride", etc, this inspection must be performed in each mode. If your RV has Air Ride, you must expand the airbags prior to this check. These modes and positions will change where these jacks will encounter possible safety concerns under your rig.
We always recommend that each jack foot have at least 2" or more clearance from the outside edge to anything surrounding it to the side, and at least 3/4" from the top outside edge to anything residing above the foot. Potential proximity hazards can be bolts, brackets, beams, components, and especially tires.
SnapPads will add approximately 2" to the total outside diameter of your metal jack feet, and an additional 1/2" above the lip area that snaps over the edge of the foot. Ensuring your jacks will retract and lower without interference, and that they will not come into contact with the tires while in motion is the most important step in ensuring SnapPads will be a good, safe addition to your RV.
If there are areas of concern that you are unsure of, please feel free to take measurements and photos of these areas and contact our Customer Service Team at [email protected] for assistance.
As SnapPads are an aftermarket accessory, compatibility cannot be guaranteed without a full visual inspection by the owner prior to purchase and installation. SnapPad cannot be held responsible for loss or damage caused by failure to perform an initial visual inspection of the jacks and jack feet.
For questions or concerns, please contact our Customer Service Team at [email protected], or by phone at 1-866-923-9538.