RV Expertise

Parking Pad Ideas: Create the Perfect Spot for Your RV

Looking for some Rv parking pad ideas? It's more important than you think as it will give your RV solid grounding especially over the winter when it's likely parked up for months on end.

What you'll find...

But of course an RV parking pad isn't the first thing that springs to mind when you're planning all these incredible places you want to visit. But, along with all the breathtaking and picturesque destinations, you have to consider the terrain you’ll be parking your trailer or RV on, so considering a good quality camper pad is essential.

Finding a proper place to park is often a real challenge for many. Some parking surfaces are more suitable than others, and it’s usually difficult to know which surface provides the best foundation for your RV.

To help you find the best place, we've put together some ideas for RV parking pads for you. As well as these, we've also included the types of materials you should use, and also a 'Dos and Don'ts' section just so you don't make the same mistake ass many before you.

We've also included a 'How to Build Your Own Gravel parking Pad'. It's not as difficult as it seems and anyone can do it. There's also an FAQ section for everything RV parking Pads, just so you shoulc be well equipped by the time you've read this post. Happy reading!

RV Parking Pad Ideas

1. permeable parking pads are inexpensive and anyone can lay them.

RV Parking Pads

The innovative design of permeable pavers, as depicted in the picture above, provides a DIY solution for any individual. These paving systems are porous, letting water move through and descend into the ground or the sub-base rock below. They match the resilience and strength of conventional paving materials like asphalt, compacted gravel, and concrete. In today's market, a variety of porous paving grids are accessible. These range from interlocking concrete grids, permeable concrete, asphalt pavements, to plastic grid pavers with flexible joints and the rigid or rolled plastic pavers featured in the image above. Much like a strategy from James Bond 's playbook, permeable pavers offer a covert solution to impervious cover code restrictions. These are designed to minimize flooding risks, protect natural waterways, and regulate stormwater runoff. Such pavers are perfect for constructing eco-friendly parking lots, fire lanes, driveways, industrial zones, and roadways that absorb and contain water, preventing flooding. The rolled plastic grid system conforms seamlessly to the landscape, ensuring no potholes or cracks form over time. This system not only promises optimal gravel or soil retention but also unparalleled permeability. Its design facilitates easy shipping and storage due to its rollable nature. While primarily designed for foot traffic and light load applications, the installation does necessitate staking, slightly influencing the overall cost.

Permeable pavers are cheaper compared to other traditional materials. Plastic rollout systems and plastic grid pavers with flexible joints are both less costly and easier to maintain compared to other traditional systems.

These pavers cost approximately $4 to $6 per square-foot, with the price varying according to the availability of materials. Meanwhile, an average-sized permeable driveway, along with its installation, will cost around $5000 or more.

2. Vapor Barrier and Leveling Blocks Make for a Budget Camper Pad

caravan on parking pad

Concrete RV parking pads divide opinion, with some loving them and others vehemently against them. However, if you do it right, you can make a great, permanent parking pad for your RV.

The problem with concrete layered parking pads is that there's no drainage, and if your tires are submerged in water for a long period you could damage them. But there are ways around the drainage issue, of course.

You could ensure the concrete parking pad levels down from one side or from the middle, like our roads are. In this way, it will ensure any excess water drain immediately to the sides of the parking pad and that there'd be no long standing water for your RV tires to have to sit in.

Doing this of course, you'd need to have drainage at the side to soak up the excess water, but it makes a concrete parking pad ok in our opinion.

The only thing we don't like about them is that they're more expensive than gravel, as you'd probably need to get a professional to come an install it. But, it's much more permanent than the other cheaper options above, and it should always be considered.

5. Interlocking Concrete Blocks Make for Great Parking Pads

interlocking pavements make for a permeable parking pad

If you're really determined to go for concrete, you could go for something classier, more permeable, and much more expensive too. Interlocking concrete blocks make for excellent parking pads, if you get the right blocks!

Firstly, be aware that not all driveway blocks can handle all the weight of an RV, so always do you due diligence before buying some, because they can break and they start to lose their appeal as soon as you start to see a few broken blocks.

This type of parking pad should be installed by a professional, so as well as the materials costing more, the whole job will cost quite a bit more than the other parking pad ideas.

That said, if you intend to create an RV parking pad at the side of your home, this type of driveway would add more value to your home. But more importantly, because of the permeability of the camper pad, your RV would be well protected.

This is because the water will drain quickly into the interlocking blocks, which usually have sand to absorb the water. This is definitely the most expensive camper pad on our list, but it certainly does the job well. That said, if you're not building the parking pad at your home, it's probably not worth the investment as the other RV parking pads will do the job just as well.

Considerations for RV Parking Pads

If you own a recreational vehicle, you would know the struggles one has to face when looking for an area to park and store their RV. And if you decide to store your vehicle at a commercial facility during the offseason, you should know it can be expensive, especially if you require indoor or heated storage options. The best solution is to build a parking space for your RV and use your own camper pad. Here are some benefits and drawbacks:

Build a Parking Space at Home

If you’re at home and don’t have plans to travel in the near future, then you will have to park your RV. With parking pads, you can build a parking space yourself at home. You can remove your RV tires to prevent them from getting damaged due to staying in one position on a hard surface. 

Moreover, since you can build a parking space at home, you can save the money you'd have to spend at a commercial storage facility. And, if you choose the right one, parking pads can actually help make your driveway look stylish an dadd value to your home.

You Might Break The Law

Before you install a camper pad at home, contact your homeowner association to see whether or not you’re allowed to do so. You need to check that you're not breaking any zoning laws and that you don’t require a permit to do so. Moreover, you need to make sure that you opt for the right kind of parking pad, as a wrong decision on your part can lead to your RV tires getting damaged. 

RV camper pad

People Also Ask - Parking Pad Ideas FAQs

If you’re thinking of having a parking area made, you need to be well aware of the parking pads that are suitable for your RVs. Since the market is filled with multiple options. You might still be confused about certain things. Therefore, we answered some of the most asked questions regarding these RV parking pads. Hopefully, these will answer some of your queries. 

What is the Best Surface to Park an RV on?

The most suitable surface to park your RV on is concrete. Opting for concrete padding is an ideal option as it is a lot stronger. However, it is a lot more expensive.

Other alternatives include crushed gravel and mined rock padding, or you can opt for asphalt padding. However, for the latter, you will need to make sure that you use a vapor barrier to prevent your tires from getting damaged. 

How Thick Should an RV Pad Be?

No matter which surface padding you’re opting for, the pad's thickness isn’t that important. What’s more important is the mix that you’re using for it and the type of soil you’re dealing with. You need to use the right amount of mix. Be specific about the type of material you want so that you get the appropriate amount.

travel trailer parking pad ideas

Other RV Related Buyer Guides

Here are a few other RV-Related guides to set you in the right direction: 

  • Best Wheel Chocks to Help You Stay Put
  • Make Your Wheels Thief-Proof With the Best Trailer Wheel Locks
  • Locked Up Like Fort Knox-Best Security Systems to Keep Your Family and RV Safe

Alyssia

Hello, fellow wanderers! I’m Alyssia. Since 2008, my husband and I have called an RV our home, journeying through life one mile at a time. Our nomadic lifestyle has led us to over 70 countries, each with their unique tales that have shaped our own.

I share our stories and insights right here, hoping to inspire and guide you in your own adventures. Expect tips on RV living, our favorite camping spots, breathtaking hiking trails, and the joys and challenges of an ever-changing view from our window. Alongside, you’ll also find practical advice on outdoorsy stuff, designed to equip you for any journey. Join us as we continue to explore the vast, beautiful world on wheels!

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Jeffsetter Travel

Jeffsetter Travel

Travel Consultants and Travel Tips

4 RV Parking Pad Ideas: Get Inspired!

February 1, 2022 by August Croft

Last updated on August 24th, 2023 at 09:53 am

rv parking pad ideas

All of our reviews are based on exhaustive research, industry experience and whenever possible, hands-on testing. When you make a purchase using one of our chosen links we’ll receive a small percentage of the proceeds. This supports the site and keeps Jeffsetter running. You can read more here .

The idea of RV storage can be anxiety-inducing for just about any RVer out there, especially when it comes to RV parking pad ideas. But you can get inspired and come up with your own RV parking pad thoughts- with a bit of our help!

In this article, we’ll discuss some popular RV parking pad designs, ideas, and how you can best equip your own home for RV storage. You don’t have to pay to store your RV anywhere else but in your own front yard, driveway, and more!

If you’ve never considered the ways you can store your RV on a parking pad on your own property, now is the time. Here are some ideas so you can safely store your RV for each and every off-season to come.

What Materials Are Best For RV Parking Pads?

Whether you’re looking for cheap parking pad ideas or want a unique RV parking pad design, it all begins with the types of materials you plan on using. But what materials are best for RV parking pad ideas? Let’s take a look at some options now.

Did you know that a variety of gravel and crushed rock options make for ideal RV parking pad materials? If you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive material to use on your parking pad, you may consider gravel for this reason.  Gravel is found in a variety of grades, colors, and materials. All are ideal for RV parking pads and generally are readily available at your local hardware store to cut down on some RVing costs!

There are certain types of gravel more ideally suited for parking pad projects, but more on that in a little bit!  You should plan your parking pad accordingly if you want to use gravel. This usually involves digging your designated pad area to a certain depth as gravel needs an even and level parking area in order to work effectively.

Some of the best gravel for RV parking pad ideas include:

  • Marble chips
  • Crushed stone gravel
  • All-purpose gravel 
  • Decomposed granite
  • Brick chips

Given the wide variety of rocks available, you will likely find a stone option to suit your particular design aesthetics as well. Depending on the cost, you may be able to build an RV parking pad that’s both unique and functional. Given the way gravel is manufactured, it’s vital to build your gravel parking pad with a decent amount of stone.

Gravel is easy to install since you simply lay the rocks down without much ceremony. However, gravel is likely to shift and move whenever you drive on it, which could shuffle things about. To avoid getting your RV stuck in the mud, make sure you purchase and install an ample amount of gravel for your parking pad. 

Non-Permeable Pavers

Another popular choice for RV parking pads is the paver. A paver is a word that describes almost any stone, concrete, or brick material that can be laid down as part of a road or sidewalk. Pavers are a much more complicated install than the average gravel parking pad, and they are often pricier too.

However, pavers maintain a solid and stable surface, even as season after season passes by.  This material is also valuable for creating a unique and intricate design, especially if you’re trying to match your existing driveway or outdoor landscaping. Having the option to match your brick exterior with an additional paved parking pad may be appealing to some, especially for the resale value of your home.

Popular paver options include bricks, cobblestones, and cement pavers, though there are many other manufactured options to choose from. These sturdy building materials are available in a wide variety of sizes, thicknesses, and colors, giving you far more options than you may initially think! The main downside to pavers besides the cost of the material is the extra labor involved.

Not only will you need to dig out an area for your parking pad that’s level and consistent , but you’ll also need to spend time laying each individual paver. You’ll l also need to budget the cost of the mortar or adhesive used to keep your pavers in place. While it likely won’t cost much, it’s another cost consideration to think about.

However, many homeowners have built their own paver RV parking pad so this isn’t something that you should be afraid of. You can check out a great example of this here: 

Pavers are incredibly stable and easy to install once you get the hang of it. I recommend watching some tutorials and taking your time, should you decide to go with pavers as your parking pad material.

Permeable Pavers

Did you know that there are permeable pavers as well as less permeable options? Permeable pavers are useful for their ability to drain water and maintain their shape for years to come. Plus, permeable pavers are easy to install and maintain. Maybe they are the best opportunity for a family project!

Permeable pavers are available in a wide variety of materials and styles, such as:

  • Rolled plastic pavers
  • Hexagonal patterned pavers
  • Plastic grid pavers

Some plastic permeable pavers don’t even need to be permanently installed in your driveway or home, which could be valuable for anyone renting a home or property. You can simply roll up your RV parking pad, which is extremely beneficial!

It’s important to note many permeable pavers aren’t ideal for heavy rigs or particularly long RVs. The plastic materials are likely not strong enough to handle so much weight regularly, and you will have to replace these pavers sooner than you expect.

That’s why it’s important to weigh up all RV parking pad options before making a final decision. While it may seem convenient to use plastic pavers given their ease of installation and water permeability, it may not work if you have a particularly heavy rig or want a more permanent option.

Another RV parking pad option is perhaps one of the more obvious choices. You can simply lay down a concrete or cement slab to park your RV, much like a driveway. But what are some of the benefits and drawbacks of this particular method?

Well, for starters, laying a cement parking pad may need more expertise than you currently have. This also will require you to potentially rent a cement mixer too which may result in additional expenses.  However, there are many tutorials like in the video below, that can help you through this process. Cement can be used in a variety of ways so you can make an RV parking pad that best suits your style and location.

Leveling your driveway or parking pad is of course the most important step in this process, as it is with all of the other parking pad material ideas. It can be tricky to level wet concrete when the time comes, so having a few extra people to help you out with this may prove useful. You’ll also need to build a wooden frame to hold your cement in place while it dries, another potentially unexpected expense.

Speaking of expense, a concrete parking pad can get expensive, even if you end up doing all of the labor yourself. This is doubly true if you plan on hiring a contractor or concrete driveway professional. I recommend hiring someone to help you with this project if you are a novice. An uneven concrete pad won’t help your RV in the long run!

Did you know that you can park your RV on your existing grass or lawn? This can be another fantastic option for those of you who are renting or otherwise don’t want to do anything too invasive to your property. Let’s talk more about this option now. It isn’t recommended you park your RV directly onto grass for many reasons.

You’re more likely to experience issues with bugs and other pests, given your proximity to their natural environment. This isn’t ideal for anyone, especially those storing your RV for months at a time . Another reason that you shouldn’t park your RV directly on grass is because of the level of moisture found in grass and on lawns.

Your tires can suffer if they are stored atop such moist environments for a great deal of time. No one wants to spend their funds on RV tires before they have reached the end of their lifetime! However, there are ways you can mitigate the moisture and pest issues that plague any RVer who chooses to park on the grass. You can use many different tire covers, moisture barriers, and even leveling blocks.

You may already own leveling blocks in an effort to stop your travel trailer from rocking . This is only one of the benefits of leveling blocks. They are extremely useful for blocking moisture from reaching your tires as well! While this may seem like the least expensive option on this list, there is one important drawback to mention.

Given grass isn’t a stable and secure material to park anything heavy on, you should consider that your RV may damage the grass that you are choosing to park on. If you live in an area of heavy rain and moisture, parking on a lawn may not be your best bet. Grass and dirt will be constantly shifting under the weight of your RV. You may even run the risk of damaging your grass completely. However, there are some preventative measures you can take to safely park on grass, but we’ll talk more about this later.

What To Consider When Building An RV Parking Pad?

In case you couldn’t guess, there are several things worth considering before and during the building of an RV parking pad. Curious to know what some of these considerations are? Read on to learn more!

Levelness Of Your Pad

One of the most important things to consider for your RV parking pad is the levelness of the pad itself. All RVs benefit from being level , especially RVs stored for months at a time.  Your RV parking pad should be level so you can properly take care of all the systems within your rig. RV water tanks and propane benefit the most from your RV being level.

Your propane regulator can struggle to work properly if your travel trailer isn’t level. Any water and holding tanks may also give inaccurate readings if your rig isn’t level. Having a level parking pad is key to safely parking your RV as well. If your pad isn’t even, you run the risk of your RV rolling away or shifting as time passes.

This can easily be avoided with the help of a level parking pad. Your RV tires and alignment can also suffer greatly if parked on an unlevel surface for a long period of time. You should take care to keep your RV level for the majority of its life, regardless of where it is stored. 

Weight Of Your RV

The overall weight of your RV can greatly affect your RV parking pad choice. Not only does your RV run the risk of settling into whatever parking pad foundation you choose. The material you choose may not be able to hold up an RV that’s too heavy!

You should take the time to weigh your travel trailer at home if you’re worried about how much weight your parking pad needs to uphold. Plastic pavers and grass will struggle the most with a heavy RV. Make sure to know the weight of your RV before moving forward.

The weight of your RV will ultimately determine the necessary thickness of your parking pad foundation. A thicker foundation will bring more stability to a heavy RV. It will also increase your necessary budget for building materials, so this is something to keep in mind.

Your Neighbors

Neighbors are another essential consideration when building an RV parking pad. Unless you live in a rural area or on a property with acreage, you likely have neighbors nearby. And you may be surprised to hear your neighbors may have something to say about your RV parking pad ideas!

When planning your parking pad, you should take the time to check in with your neighbors regarding where you plan on building. If you’re planning on going forward with one of your side yard RV parking ideas, great! You may want to confer with your neighbor regarding property lines and their comfort with this. RVs are tall and can cast long shadows, which could affect your neighbor’s living situation. RVs are also not the most attractive things to look at.

You may want to see what your neighbors prefer if you plan on parking your beast of an RV right next door!  Granted, your neighbor can’t really stop you if you’re choosing to build a parking pad on your own property. But attempting to be a good neighbor is never a bad thing!

Public Street Or Sidewalks

I received a not-very-kind note from my local post office about where I had chosen to park my travel trailer for a week. Apparently, it was blocking my neighbor’s mailbox too much, and I needed to move it immediately! This is something to keep in mind while you plan and eventually build your RV parking pad.

Public streets and sidewalks should be something you consider while crafting your blueprints. Ideally, it’s best to avoid using these areas in your design to keep the peace and respect the local area.  Building on private property is one thing. Your RV parking pad should not interfere with public property, like sidewalks and public streets.

You may be brimming with front yard parking pad ideas, but you can’t implement any designs that interfere with a sidewalk or street. Pedestrians should be an important consideration for your RV parking pad. Taking care to avoid interfering with walkways and public areas as much as possible is wise. The last thing you need is to interfere with public property and be forced to move your RV parking area entirely!

Cost Of Materials

Another huge consideration to think about before building your RV parking pad is the overall cost of the materials involved. Not only should this include the base cost of your needed materials (cement, gravel, etc), but it should also include the cost of labor (if necessary) and equipment rentals too.  Very few homeowners already own leveling equipment to make their own driveways.

If you do, great! If not, this is a necessary expense when it comes time to build your parking pad. You’ll need a commercial tamper or leveler to fully level the soil, or the parking pad foundation.  And this is just the beginning. Materials range in price, from budget-friendly options to top-of-the-line permeable pavers.

Cement parking pads often end up being very expensive, given the finesse and expertise involved. This is where you may end up paying more to get professional help.  Regardless of the professional help you receive as well as what materials you decide on, building an RV parking pad can be expensive. I recommend tallying up your total for various material options and more before committing.

RV Utility Access

Are you building an RV parking pad with the intention of using your RV while it’s parked? You may be hoping to use your rig as an alternative residence, which is a fantastic idea! However, this means you should be sure to build out adequate RV utility access as well. 

Having electricity, water, and sewer available at your brand-new parking pad can be a fantastic finishing touch for your new project. However, it will take additional budget and planning to do so. You may need to hire a professional to help you with RV utilities. This is especially true if you plan on laying additional power lines or water lines on your parking pad.

Sewer is another issue that needs to be tackled for this project. No matter how in-depth you plan on getting with the RV parking pad, it’s best to consider running utilities to your RV before the building commences. It’s much easier to lay additional power and water lines to your parking pad when the soil is dug up!

Height Clearance

The overall height clearance possible for your parking pad should be something you consider before starting to build. Taking a bit of time to measure your RV completely will help ensure you find the best spot to park your RV in the long run.  If your ideal RV parking pad lies beneath a grove of short trees, you may want to reconsider.

Tree removal can get expensive quickly. Plus, you don’t want to leave your RV parked under trees season after season. You run the risk of RV damage with each storm that rolls in! Many RVers only consider length and width when building their RV parking pad. Be sure to keep the overall height in mind too, as your RV roof is a delicate and necessary component to any rig and may change where you ultimately decide to park your rig!

Tire Protection

Another key consideration for you to think about is how you plan on protecting your tires while your RV is parked on its new pad. While pavers and cement can make your RV tires feel safe and secure, there is one enemy for your RV tires that you may not have considered: UV rays. No matter where you build your RV parking pad, the chances are high that you will have to contest with the sun for RV safety.

UV rays can easily damage your RV’s tires , from any angle. From fading to drying the rubber out, sunshine is one of the top causes of flat tires and blowouts while on the road. However, you can take the time to care for your tires when building an RV pad. Tire covers are easily purchasable through many retailers, and a simple fabric cover may be all you need to get the job done! 

Grass and gravel parking areas aren’t the most ideal for your RV tires. Gravel can be difficult to maneuver on. Plus, the stones can easily wedge in tire ridges and grooves. The moisture of grass can also be a nightmare with RV tires too! However, all of these parking pad options can suit any RV tires, with the right adjustments. Just take your time when considering parking pad options.

Weather And Moisture Protection

A final consideration you should think about before building your RV parking pad is how much protection you have from moisture and weather. Rain and water damage are one of the main battles you’ll face when building your RV parking pad. Rain can easily erode a parking pad, especially if precautions to combat moisture damage haven’t been taken.

Taking the time to efficiently compact the soil you’re building the parking pad on can help reduce moisture. Also, moisture barriers can be installed to provide further protection for the pad foundation. Permeable pavers can be extremely useful for dealing with water and rainfall. Other parking pad options, such as cement, grass, and gravel, may not be the best choices for wet weather.

If you live in a particularly wet environment, you may want to consider permeable pavers exclusively. This ensures the longevity of your RV parking pad ideas, so you can build it right the first time and enjoy it for years to come!

4 RV Parking Pad Ideas: Get Inspired Now!

Curious to learn how you can see your own RV parking pad ideas come to life? Check out some of these RV parking pad designs and get inspired for your own parking pad!

1. Gravel RV Parking Pad Ideas

Gravel parking pads can be a fantastic choice for just about any RVer. Not only does gravel make a secure and permeable parking pad for the heaviest RV, but it’s often less expensive than other parking pad materials. To start the process, excavate at least 6-12 inches of soil for the entire pad after finding out about any permits or digging rights in your local area

Once the area has been excavated, the tamping process can begin.  Tamp the entire area you plan on parking on and ensure the soil has been properly compacted. Once this step is complete, you can lay down a moisture barrier to better ensure the life of your gravel parking pad. Next comes the gravel!

It’s recommended to use multiple sizes of stone or rock when building your gravel parking area. Lay down your largest pieces first to form a stable foundation for your parking pad. and lay the gravel down until the whole area is level. Often, 3-5 inches of gravel is more than enough to create a stable surface. 

2. Paver RV Parking Pad Ideas

While pavers can be a more complicated installation, seeing a finished paver parking pad is always satisfying! The process of installing pavers begins just like the gravel parking pad. You’ll need to excavate deep enough to ensure the dirt is compact and stable.  Most pavers require you to dig a bit deeper, given the thickness of the average brick or stone paver.

You’ll also need to make room for paver sand, gravel, or mortar during this process as well. Digging up to 18 inches may be your best bet for this project.  Laying your brick or stone pavers is important, as the uniformity of these materials requires some finesse. However, using square stone tiles can help you in creating a uniform design, and the strength of a brick or cement paver can’t be beaten!

Permeable pavers can be useful if you don’t plan on laying down a base layer of gravel to help you with drainage. These plastic pavers can be even more difficult to install, so take your time. However, even plastic pavers [amazon link=”B01D3P7GZU” title=”like this option from TRUEGRID” /] require you to lay dirt or gravel over top of them. 

Plastic pavers are designed to give your parking pad more stability. They aren’t made to simply become your new driveway. Keep this in mind when you start planning your RV parking pad ideas!

3. Cement RV Parking Pad Ideas

A cement parking pad may be the most ambitious project on this list. But it can also be the most satisfying to see completed. Thankfully, there are plenty of DIY blogs and helpful tips you can follow in order to accomplish this project!

You should excavate your parking pad area, like always. Digging anywhere from 4-6 inches should be enough to ensure you can lay a uniform slab. Then, all that’s left is tamping the soil, mixing your cement, and pouring it! Pouring and evenly flattening your cement can be a stressful part of this process.

You may choose to lay down a base layer of gravel for proper drainage as well- something many handymen highly recommend. Finish your cement parking pad with a decorative border, and make sure your concrete is fully cured before driving on it!

4. Grass RV Parking Pad Ideas

Utilizing permeable plastic pavers beneath your lawn or grass can be a fantastic way to create a stable parking pad without sacrificing your lawn. While this process can seem a bit redundant if you have to dig up your lawn and then replace it, it can also be a cost-effective RV process.

You can also simply employ moisture barriers atop your existing lawn, something as simple as this tire saver ramp available on Amazon . While you run the risk of killing the lawn that lies beneath these ramps, it may be your best bet to safely store your RV tires without digging up your whole lawn or driveway!

Other RV Parking Pad Idea Tips

Still curious if there are things to consider when planning your RV parking pad? Here are some additional tips so you can safely and efficiently build the RV parking pad of your dreams!

Cover Your RV

We’ve already mentioned the importance of covering up your RV, and you may still be in the process of shopping for an RV cover . Regardless of where you’re at in this process or how you feel about RV covers, sheltering your RV while you store it on your property can be beneficial.

Not only can RV covers provide your RV with the necessary protection from both the weather and harmful UV rays, but they may be the finishing touch you need for your RV parking pad ideas too. There are a couple of types of RV covers; soft options that rest against your RV, or a hard roof structure kind of cover.

While RV covers range in cost, I think it’s wise to invest in a robust cover when building out an RV pad. This can save time and money in the future as your rig will be protected, no matter the weather! Many RVers choose to purchase a hard RV cover to go over the entirety of the driveway or parking pad rather than a soft cover that only covers the RV itself.

Soft covers run the risk of damaging your RV during windstorms and other unexpected weather phenomena. A driveway cover helps avoid this damage. It also offers your RV and new parking pad ample security, season after season.

Driving Your RV Is Important

While having a safe and protected location to park your RV is important, you should remember that RVs are made to be driven! Be sure to drive your RV once every other month. This will help keep all of the systems running well and your rig operating at its best. 

This can be especially useful for preventing any pests or rodents from making your RV their home too! By taking the time to check on your RV occasionally, pests are less likely to build permanent nests.

Watch Out For Trees And Shrubs

When building your RV parking pad, you may have already considered what you can do to avoid any trees and shrubs in the area. However, you should keep this in mind once your parking pad is finished and you’re backing your RV in. 

Any low-hanging branches or shrubs can easily scratch or damage your RV resulting in you needing to paint it again! Make sure that your designated parking pad area is free of these plants well before you decide to park. It’s the little steps that you can take that make all the difference!

Final Thoughts

Designing and building an RV parking pad is a fantastic choice for any RVer to do. It may just take some planning and time before your RV parking pad ideas see the light of day. However, with the helpful tips found in this article and countless video tutorials, you too can build a parking pad with durable and safe materials!

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Camper Grid

5 Best RV Parking Pad Ideas For Home Storage

5 Best RV Parking Pad Ideas For Home Storage

  • BEGINNERS GUIDE

G. Yoganand

Have you been wondering about RV parking pad ideas to store your RV at home? No wonder you are here, keep reading to find out the best surfaces you can park your RV on.

Storing a RV at a commercial storage can cost you few thousand dollars a year. This can vary depending on weather you need indoor storage and the heating option. Even with minimum facilities this isn’t a low cost option.

Storing RV at home also means risking its well being if not stored properly. A parking pad need to be good enough to keep the RV from all the damages the water can cause.

The ground need to be strong enough to handle its weight. It should also be able to facilitate easy access of camper should you want to move it any time.

RV tires need special attention and therefore there are methods that need you to remove the tires itself. But, that can be cumbersome. So, here i present the list of all the options for building a good parking pad that does not need removing tires and also provides for easy RV access.

Here are the parking pad ideas you can use,

Permeable Pavers

Permeable pavers can be considered to be a DIY project which can be undertaken by any individual.

The open cells in the permeable pavers is filled with grass that helps water to enter into their surfaces which is then drained in the base. This leads to absorbing the water in the ground. Hard surfaces may lead to collecting water leading to water pooling.

Permeable pavers are porous resulting in better water draining. The drainage of the water depends on the material used in making the paving system.

These type of systems are quite resilient and strong, similar to the traditional paving materials like compacted gravel, concrete, and asphalt.

At present, you will come across different kinds of porous paving grids which consist of permeable concrete plus asphalt pavements, interlocking concrete grids, rigid or rolled plastic pavers, and plastic grid pavers having fixable joints.

Permeable pavers are appropriate solutions for minimizing flooding risks, safeguarding natural waterways, and also regulating storm water .

For this reason, it is possible to use them for constructing environmentally friendly parking lots, driveways, roadways, as well as industrial yards which are responsible for absorbing and detaining water, thus helping to prevent flooding in the long run.

This system is going to stay close to the ground and will not develop any cracks or potholes while shifting.

In fact, rolled plastic grid will provide optimum soil or gravel retention with optimal permeability. Apart from this, it is possible to roll the paving system which ensures effortless storage and shipping.

Lets see the different types of pavers that can be used. Each of these have their pros and cons in terms of how fast they can drain the water and how long they last. You need to select the material based on RV weight, budget and other factors.

Plastic Grid Pavers : These are best suited as they offer better permeability and also supports good load.

Concrete Permeable Paver : This has very less water draining and also requires more maintenance.

Bricks Permeable Paver : The concrete used in bricks may not be permeable but the gaps in between are. This method may work in less rain areas. Before choosing this system be sure to check other options for your RV parking.

Asphalt Paver : Naturally asphalt is not porous but it can be made to be porous. Using this may not be better idea in case of heavy rain areas as the draining will not be that great.

Rigid Plastic Paver : These are hexagonal cells that are rigid and support better weight but its difficult to install. A DIY project could be a hard one to execute if you aren’t well versed with this.

Rolled plastic Pavers : This may not be good for heavier campers or motorhomes as they can handle only light weight. Therefore be careful if yo choose this one. This can be rolled and stored when not in use.

To summaries lets see the pros of using permeable or grass pavers ,

  • Reduces flood risk and runoff
  • This is a more environment friendly approach for building a parking pad
  • The heat and temperature raise due to hard surface is mitigated by this approach.
  • Saves space as you wont need a separate water draining by the side of the parking pad.

Vapor Barrier on Grass

In case you park the RV on grass, it is possible for insects and other creepy-crawlers to climb into the RV and build nests. Moreover, the tires can get damaged due to the moisture from the grass.

Fortunately, you’ll come across several options which will help you to prevent these from happening. Leveling blocks, variable barriers, as well as tire covers, will help you to safeguard your investment.

It is natural for grass as well as dirt to retain water, and therefore, exposing the tires of your RV to moisture for a long period of time might decrease the longevity of the tires eventually.

However, in case you are parking your RV in the grass, make it a point to include a vapor barrier in between the tires and the ground.

Another option will be to use leveling blocks as well. You can easily place wood or any other leveling block beneath the tires of the RV so that its weight can be dispersed on the grass effectively.

It is possible to purchase both leveling blocks as well as vapor barriers online.

It will also be possible to safeguard the tires from exposure to sun and moisture by making use of tire covers. In case these are not available to you, a tarp can be wrapped around the tire while keeping it in position utilizing a bungee cord. Make sure the parking pad size is enough to occupy the RV or travel trailer fully.

Lets see the next RV parking pad design that uses gravel.

Putting down a plot of gravel or crushed rock will be one more inexpensive method of creating an RV parking pad. Both these materials are quite tire-friendly given that they enable the water to drain as well as dissipate. Nevertheless, it can be a difficult job to figure out the gravel pad’s thickness.

This will depend on the soil conditions where you’re going to park the RV. The gravel can be simply put down in some soil types, and it is going to last for quite some time in the future.

It is possible to build a gravel pad on your own or you can also take the help of an expert.

In case you’d like to construct your personal gravel pad, it will be imperative to dig and get rid of at least 6 to 8 inches of soil. You have to install large base stones at the bottom up to a depth of 4 to 6 inches for making it strong.

Complete the pad with choker angular gravel or regular-sized gravel after making the area compact. You may also talk to other individuals who already have gravel driveways for getting their advice.

Being more inexpensive as compared to concrete, gravel will allow superior water drainage as well as runoff. However, in case you would like to construct a gravel parking pad for your RV, make it a point to place a vapor barrier in between the tires and the ground.

Concrete Pad

So many times i have heard that concrete is not a good parking pad for RV. For the same reason i was skeptical about including it here. But, i think there are fair number for votes for this option as people are happy parking their RVs on concrete made parking pads.

Its obvious that, there wont be any draining here and therefore it needs separate water draining or run off management. The overall construction cost is high. For a typical 16 by 40 foot parking pad the cost is more than $3500.

Other advantages with concrete pad is, it can be cleaned very easily with pressure wash. You can easily move the RV over it and it will be there permanently. Its life will depend on the construction and the quality of the material sued.

So, how thick this parking pad need to be? A 4 inches concrete pad is enough to support the weight of an average RV.

Choose this type of pad if you are sure the RV will be parked there for many years and also the cost is not a factor for you.

Many RVers are confused between gravel vs concrete pad. Gravel is cheaper and drains water faster but RV movement can be hard.

Grass Protection Mesh

This parking pad is made up of synthetic material that is made as a mesh grid. It can be rolled directly over natural grass. Its designed to support RV weight and at the same time preserving the grass underneath.

This method however may not be great if you are worried about the grass. This is a less costly method but may need your additional attention to preserve the grass. Also if you own a very heavy RV then be sure to check with the professional on weight limits for this type of parking mat.

So, after going through so many options, confused on whats the best material for your RV parking pad? Don’t be. Lay out your requirements, budget and that should give you the best option.

Tips For Parking RV At Home

In case space is available to you, it will be sensible to park the RV on your property.

This might imply making use of an empty place in the driveway, converting the side yard into a parking area, widening the driveway for including a parking spot for the RV or even coming across an area on your property where the RV can be stored for the long-term.

Below, I have mentioned some vital guidelines for parking your RV at home.

Be Careful Regarding The Neighbors

It is less likely for your neighbors to complain in case the RV isn’t obstructing their views by any means. Therefore, make sure that your recreational vehicle is not towering on top of the outdoor living areas of your neighbors.

Moreover, make it a point not to block the line of sight of your community members. It is imperative for them to be able to see around the RV whether any bicycle, car or pedestrian is approaching down the street.

The Sidewalk Should Not Be Blocked

In case your RV is parked in front of your residence, ensure to have lots of space for parking it and it should not block the sidewalk whatsoever.

This is going to be a violation and you will be hearing lots of complaints from your neighbors in case the sidewalk is blocked.

Build A Solid Foundation

It is possible for the parking spot of your RV to be a concrete slab, gravel, or an attractive paving stone driveway.

In case the new parking spot is matching the existing driveway of yours, it might be sensible to install a wider paving stone driveway out there.

Trim Bushes And Trees

It might be imperative to trim any nearby shrubs, trees, or bushes so that you have adequate clearance for your RV.

Take Your Roofline Into Consideration

In case the RV parking space is created in your side yard or close to your residence, be mindful of the roofline and ensure that you have adequate space.

Be Mindful Of The Slope

It might be the fact that the area where your RV is parked happens to be a slope, and in that case, you have to block the wheels effectively.

Moreover, in case the RV comes with a refrigerator, parking on a slope for a long time might also cause problems. Try to keep your RV on a level area as far as possible and also switch off the refrigerator once it is parked.

Go For An RV Garage Or Covered Parking

Although constructing a carport or a garage for the RV might prove to be a costly option and is going to need permits, you as well as your neighbors might prefer this alternative provided it fits your budget.

Read : How much does Covered RV storage costs?

Figure Out The Way To Provide Electricity

There will be no need for you to have any access to electricity in case your RV is simply parked or you are planning to use it for backyard camping or as a guesthouse.

In case you’d like to have electricity for the RV, there are 2 options in front of you. Firstly, you might connect the RV to the electrical system of your residence using an electric cable.

Otherwise, you might take the help of an electrician for setting up an electrical hookup. The first option will provide adequate amps to the RV for operating small appliances as well as lights; however, an electrical hookup for the RV will be required in case you’d like to operate an air conditioner.

Figure Out How To Take Care Of The Waste

While you are traveling on the road, you can make use of the tank of the RV and also empty it as and when required. Otherwise, the tank can also be hooked up with the septic system of your residence.

However, this option will not be worth the cost in case you do not want to use your trailer as long-term.

Nevertheless, you can make use of the water derived from the gray water tank for irrigating ornamental landscaping and the black water tank can likewise be emptied if required.

Determine How Water Should Be Provided

In case you’d like to make use of the RV as a guesthouse for the long-term, you can consider hiring a plumber for installing a water hookup at the parking spot of the RV.

Otherwise, it can simply be hooked up to the waterline of your residence as well. In case you’d like to opt for the second option, make sure to employ a white hose which has been designed particularly for potable water.

The usage of a conventional garden hose is not recommended in this case.

Each of the ideas we discussed above can be implemented as a DIY project. However, in case you do not have adequate time as well as cash, it will be prudent to take the help of an expert who can accomplish the job faster.

It does not matter whether you perform the task yourself or with the help of a professional, make it a point that the RV pad covers the tire’s entire area so as to prevent any unwanted damage in the long run.

travel trailer parking pad ideas

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How to Create an RV Parking Pad at Home (In 5 easy steps)

  • October 17, 2020
  • Motorhomes/RVs

How to create a parking pad for your RV at home. Save money and keep you RV close to you with this plan for a backyard parking pad - in 5 steps.

The basic five steps for creating your own RV parking pad are -

  • Choose the spot
  • Pave the area to build the pad
  • Address trees and shrubbery
  • Get hookups in place (if you're going to use them)
  • Protect your new RV parking pad

This post will not only walk you through these steps, it will also help you decide whether or not an RV parking pad on your own property is the right solution for you. We'll review the considerations as well as the alternatives before getting to the building process itself, so keep reading.

What you can do with your RV when not traveling

Most people can’t travel in their RVs full-time. They have homes, jobs, and other responsibilities. What do you do when it comes time to park your RV? These are your basic three options -

  • Put the RV in a storage facility
  • Parking the RV in the street
  • Create your own parking pad on your property (what this entire post is about!)

To fully understand the pros and cons of creating a good parking pad at home, we'll begin by reviewing the alternatives.

You could always put the vehicle in a storage facility. This is what many RV owners do during the winter.

Your vehicle will sit in a park or storage facility that’s indoors or outdoors. If the local climate requires it, you’d winterize your vehicle . You'll also probably cover it up, and then come back for it in the spring.

While this is a convenient option, RV storage is not always cheap. According to Storage.com, here’s how the prices break down for an average-sized trailer:

  • Outdoor storage: $30 to $50 or $60 to $100+ monthly depending on the facility
  • Unheated indoor storage: $50 to $125+ monthly
  • Heated indoor storage: $100 to $450 monthly

Costs will go up if you opt for extras like sewage dumping, battery charging, valet parking, and other premium services. You will also spend more for any storage, be it indoors or outdoors, if you have a Class C or Class A motorhome due to their sheer size.

Parking your RV on the street

Another option you have is parking your RV on the street. This is convenient since your RV is right where you can see it, but it’s admittedly dicey.

RV parked on the street

First, there’s the issue of a permit, which you may need for street parking. Also, your city/town or neighborhood may have rules banning you from keeping your RV on the street.

The last downside to this is that you open yourself up to getting your vehicle vandalized or - worse - stolen .

Knowing all this, you might opt to make your own RV parking pad instead. This is an inexpensive and reliable parking option you can trust year in and year out. And hence, this is the topic of this post, so let's hop right into the intiricacies of it all!

Creating your own RV parking pad on your property

Things to consider ahead of time.

Before you begin constructing your own RV parking pad, you should keep these considerations in mind:

  • Legal aspects.
  • Finding the space for it.
  • Adjustments to be made to the space.
  • Hookups - if you want to keep using the RV when parked

Let's review each of these.

Legal Aspects

First, we have to again mention those local municipality regulations.

Your parking pad would be going on your property, yes, either in your backyard or in your driveway, but it’s still subject to certain rules.

You should first contact your homeowner’s association or municipality to ask whether you could make a parking pad on your property. You then have to look into those rules to make sure you don’t break any zoning laws. Again, you might need a specialized permit to park your RV, so you’d want to make sure you have one.

Consider the available space

Do you have enough room for your RV on your property?

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by Janet Zeko (@dozer_dame) on Sep 18, 2018 at 10:09am PDT

That will depend on its size. A smaller vehicle like a Class B isn’t too hard to fit in a driveway or even in a garage, but a Class A could be challenging. So maybe there's another spot you could use?  Either in the front or back yard.

Do you need to make adjustments?

Even if you have the square ft to get an RV on your property, that area may need some fixes and changes. Levelling is the first thing that comes to mind but you may also need to remove shrubbery, piles of stuff or even a shed.

Also, you might have to widen your driveway to accommodate a big RV. Driveway renovations like this can be an expensive project, so you have to think carefully if it’s worth it.

Will you need hookups?

Are you going to just cover the RV and never use it while parked? Then hookups are not a problem. But if it's on your own property, why not make use of it?

Many people use their stationary RV as an additional room. Why not use it as your office? Or maybe as an additional guest room, allowing your guests privacy as they're outside your actual home.

For that, you'll need shore power at a minimum. You can hook up your RV to your own electricity to run it as an office. If you want to make use it for sleepovers, or just to be able to use the bathroom, you'll also need freshwater and sewage hookups as well. If you or any guests stay overnight in your RV, you’ll want all the creature comforts of home.

Then there’s your neighbors

What are they going to think of all this? The only way to find out is to talk to them. We recommend you ask them about installing your own RV parking pad before doing it. You don’t want to agitate your neighbors by blocking their view with your RV.

How to Create Your RV Parking Pad

After mulling over the above considerations, you’re still convinced you want your own RV parking pad. You know for sure that you won’t break any laws and/or tick off any neighbors, so you’re all ready to get started making your own parking pad.

Here are the steps you should follow.

Step #1: Choose the spot

If you can, choose a level area in which to construct your parking pad. Otherwise, you will have to level the land yourself. Sometimes this is as easy as filling in gaps and hills with dirt. In other instances, you might have to hire a contractor to use a front-end tractor or loader and level the land for you. They’ll add dirt to depressions and other dips as well as cut through areas of elevation.

Once the land is leveled, you can place chocks or jacks on all four tires of your RV.

This will keep the wheels in place. If you really want to, you can also turn on your parking brake. This isn’t mandatory, but it will certainly keep your RV from rolling away.

Step #2: Pave the area to build the pad

Time to choose the material in which the parking pad will sit. Grass is not a great choice, since it can become wet and slick. Dirt is also no good. If it gets wet, it will get muddy and your RV could sink.

Instead, you should set up your parking pad on sturdier materials. Paving stones, concrete, and gravel are all great choices. Stones can withstand weather like rain much better than grass or dirt can.

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by 3D Scapes LLC (@3dscapesllc) on Aug 19, 2018 at 4:00pm PDT

Step #3: Address trees and shrubbery

If you have any plants, trees, or other greenery around your parking pad, you’ll probably have to trim these down. It may be worth removing some trees if they’re too close to your RV or they hang above your vehicle’s roof. It only takes one bad storm and even thick branches can break and destroy your RV. It’s better not to take any chances. You might pay $150 or sometimes even $1,500 for tree removal depending on where you live and the size of the trees.

Step #4: Get your hookups in place

These include a city water connection, sewage water connection, and electricity. We’ll now talk about each one in more detail.

Electricity Hookups

If your RV is going to be sitting on your property, then you might as well connect it to the electrical system that powers your home. The electrical outlet for your house typically runs on 15/20 amps, while the RV’s electrical hookup uses 30/50 amps. You’ll need a 15/20-amp adaptor then, preferably one that’s weather-resistant and includes an extension cord. Shorter extension cords are your friend, as longer ones can overheat and cause shorts.

Shore power hookups

Don’t hook yourself up to your home’s power right away. First, you want to power down any and all appliances and items in your RV that are using power. You should also power down house breakers, just for the time being. Now you can plug your RV in. If all goes well, turn the house breakers back on.

Like anytime you use an electrical hookup, be careful of how many appliances and items you run in your RV. Using too many at the same time can kill the power to your house, which means your RV is also left without power.

Sewage Hookups

All the waste you accumulate in your RV has to go somewhere. From kitchen messes to bathroom waste, having an RV sewer hose will make your life a lot easier.

To set up your RV sewer hose, first ensure you close the sewer hose valves. Otherwise, all the waste in the graywater and blackwater tanks could come spraying out all over you. So yes, don’t forget this step!

Next, use the bayonet waste fitting to secure your hose. It should be sealed on nice and tight. The hose should also be able to pass through to the inlet in your dump station. Secure the station with a fitting elbow or a soft sewer gasket for easy access.

Now you can crank on the sewer hose valve for the blackwater tank. Be aware that pressure surges may occur. Using the fitting elbow should keep the dump station doing its job regardless of pressure.

Once the tank is empty, secure the valve, double-checking that it’s closed. Next, you can repeat the same thing with your graywater tank.

When you’re done, go to both RV sewer hose valves and close them. Take your sewer hose off, put the waste valve cap back on, and wash away any messes.

City Water Hookups

If you want to enjoy running water aboard your RV, you’ll need to set up your city water hookup. To start, head over to your driver’s side seat. You should see a city water connection hose near the rear outside compartment.

Make sure your home’s outdoor water spigot works. Hook the hose up to it, using the orange end to do so. The hose’s other end should go on the hand twist city water connection. That orange end is pretty useful, by the way. It has an adaptor that controls water pressure, ensuring you avoid rupturing pipes as you get water.

There’s no need to use your water pump if you have a city water connection. You’ll still get adequate water pressure for showering, cooking, and washing your hands.

Step #5: Protect your RV

Last but certainly not least, you may opt to get a gate or fence installed around your property. This decreases the chances of RV vandalism and theft. Security cameras and alarms, although expensive, can also ward off vandals and miscreants.

You may also want to secure your RV with tire boot locks. These will help make sure the RV stays in place as well as deter potential thieves.

Secure your RV in its parking space

You should now have your RV parked long-term next to your home. You could use it as an additional living space. Or you could also just winterize and cover the RV until springtime - the choice is entirely yours!

Related posts:

  • Can You Bypass The Black Water Tank?
  • How to Empty RV Holding Tanks at Home
  • What Does “Full Hookups” Mean in an RV Park?
  • Where Is The Black Water Tank On An RV?

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Camper Trailer Report

Travel Trailers and RVs

RV Parking Pad Ideas: Everything you need to know.

By Mark on July 28, 2021

Parking your RV at home when you aren’t traveling can be a great and affordable solution. You will save on the storage costs and also use it while it is there. But, remember, it must be parked in a proper place to prevent any damages.

The parking pad should be good to keep the RV from being destroyed by water. Besides, the ground should be strong enough to handle its weight.

Have you been wondering about the RV parking pad ideas to park your RV while at home? Keep reading to find out. But, let’s first talk about the RV pad basics.

What is an RV pad?

An RV pad is a place where the RV can be parked. It can be made of gravel, concrete, mesh, or permeable pavers. RV pad mainly prevents your RV tires from getting damaged. The parking pad must be strong to handle the weight of the RV.

> You may also like: 45 RV Accessory Must-Haves for Your Travel Trailer <<

How Much Does it Cost to Build an RV Pad?

The cost of building an RV pad depends on whether you are building it yourself or using the help of professionals. There are water hookups costs and electrical hookups costs. If you hire a plumber, the cost may be approximately $750 and $1200 if you hire an electrician.

How do you Make an RV Parking Pad?

Making an RV parking pad is not a walk in the park. It requires labor and some skills. Here are the steps for making an RV parking pad;

Prepare the place and dig out the dirt to flatten the place.

Build a retaining wall! First, dig a small trench of 1 or 2 inches deep. Level the place with sand. Use a laser level to ensure the wall is perfectly flat and straight.

Add landscaping fabric at the bottom of the RV pad.

Level the place and add leveling sand.

Fill the place with gravel.

Add retaining wall caps to the top edges of the retaining wall.

Finish the end of the wall, and prepare for building a gate/fence.

Install a fence with a gate

Video Overview: I Built My Own RV Pad!

How Deep Should an RV Gravel Pad be?

An RV gravel pad should be at least 6 to 8 inches. The large base stones must be installed at the bottom up to 4 to 6 inches to make it strong.

> You may also like: Worst 5th Wheel Brands to Avoid <<

5 Best RV Parking Pad Ideas:

We all know that the RV parking pad should be strong and durable. Here are ideas you can use to get a good parking pad;

1. Permeable Pavers

The permeable pavers have open cells filled with grass to help water go through the surface, which is then drained in the base. The drained water will then be absorbed into the ground.

The pavers are porous, leading to better water draining. The water drainage mainly depends on the material used to make the paving system. These systems are quite strong and resilient, thus good for the RV pad.

2. Vapor Barrier on the Grass

If you park your RV on grass; there is the possibility of insects and other animals climbing into your RV. Moreover, the tires can get destroyed due to moisture. Grass does retain dirt and water, exposing your RV tires to moisture, hence decreasing their longevity eventually. Therefore, including a vapor barrier in between the ground is ideal.

> You may also like: 25 Best National Parks in the USA   <<

Using gravel or crushed rocks is also a cost-effective way to make an RV parking pad. Both gravel and rocks do not damage the tires since they enable water to drain and dissipate. Ensure that you know the soil conditions to install the gravel pad. It will help it last for some time. It is important to use a depth of 8 inches when making a gravel pad.

Video Overview: RV TRAILER? How to build a Gravel parking pad in 4 EASY steps!

4. Concrete pad

You can also consider using concrete for making an RV parking pad. But, the concrete pad needs to have a separate water draining system. This will make the water drain and not affect the tires. Such a pad is easier to clean, durable and you can move the RV easily.

Video Overview: Making a small concrete pad, no fancy tools. ASMR

5. Putting Mesh on Grass

The mesh is made of synthetic material and can be rolled over grass. It is made to support RV weight and also preserve the grass below. It is less costly and also can serve you for some time. However, ensure that you ask for weight limits for such parking mats from a professional.

So, after going through these ideas, are you still confused about the best material for your Rv pad? Don’t be. Know your prerequisites, and budget and you are good to find the best option.

> You may also like: Least-Visited National Parks: Why They’re Worth a Look <<

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DIY RV Parking Pad – How We Made Space In Our Yard For A 30 Foot RV!

Our RV Story… Once upon a time (last year) we bought a stinky, stinky Repo trailer. We bought it unseen knowing that the fridge would probably need to be replaced, the mattresses tossed, and everything would need to be very, very, very, deep cleaned! It was only 4 years old, but the people who owned it before us were not the cleanest of people. Plus when it was repossessed they left some sort of meat and freezie concoction in the freezer, which then sat in the heat for a few months, before we bought it. It was EXCELLENT! and perfect for us!

So we went on a journey to bring our new baby (the trailer) home… we cleaned her, and cleaned her, then cleaned her again… We removed the fridge, and let it sit in our backyard to air out for a month, we cleaned it with every cleaner available, let it sit in many different concoctions of cleaners, and the sun. We bought a new freezer door liner, and guess what… after so much loving care… It was back! No more stank!! Hallelujah!!

We also brought her home knowing that we would have to find a storage lot, because we have quite a steep driveway, with no space for a trailer… BUT… Within the first month of storing our lovely fixed up trailer, She was broken into, and almost everything we had just outfitted her with was stolen!! I know!!! What the what!?!?…

So guess what happened next… Yup! We knew that our trailer needed to be home with us. We didn’t want anyone invading her, or our space again, so our dreams of an RV parking pad begun!

And this is how it all went down!

Before RV Parking Pad was put in

First we did a trial run to see if the trailer would actually make it up our steep driveway! She made it with her back stabilizers millimetres from scraping the driveway. But she did it!! So game on!!

We have a side yard on one side of our house, and luckily we have a driveway which leads to that area, but it just ends at a bushy wall, and is usually just a parking stall. But not anymore!

Here is how we went about creating an RV Parking Pad at the side of our house!

SUPPLIES NEEDED TO MAKE A DIY RV PARKING PAD:

TO REMOVE AND FLATTEN THE GROUND:

  • An Excavator
  • A Dump Trailer – to take the dirt away
  • A place to put the earth you want taken away

TO BUILD THE RETAINING WALLS & STAIRS:

  • Retaining Wall Cinder Blocks – Found at Home Depot
  • Retaining Wall Corners
  • Retaining Wall Caps
  • Pick Ax – for removing hard ground
  • Circular Saw with a Diamond Segmented Blade – For cutting Cinder Blocks
  • Laser Level – To make sure the ground your Retaining wall will be is flat and straight.
  • Dirt or Gravel to fill inside the cinder blocks to keep them in place
  • Landscape Block Adhesive – to secure the cinder blocks and the stairs

TO MAKE THE PATHWAYS:

  • 2 foot X 2 foot Patio Slabs – found at Home Depot
  • Leveling Sand

TO FILL YOUR RV PARKING PAD:

  • A dump truck of 10 yards of 3/4 inch Crushed Gravel
  • Landscaping Fabric

TO BUILD A PRIVACY FENCE:

  • Cedar Fence Panels – Home Depot
  • Gate Fence Panel
  • Gate Hardware
  • 4 X 4 Post Base – we used 3 of them
  • Power Stud Anchor – To anchor the post base to the ground (In our case it was into concrete)
  • Masonry Drill Bit – To drill through the concrete

Digging an RV parking pad

STEPS TO MAKE AN RV PARKING PAD:

Step 1: Remember to always call before you dig!!!

Then prepare the space for your RV parking pad. We had to dig out a large amount of dirt to flatten the area for the RV. In total we removed 12 Dump trailer loads of dirt!! To remove the earth, we rented an excavator, loaded all the earth into a dump trailer, and took it to a place we found that was looking for dirt. Just look in your city’s classified to find a place to dump it.

The kiddos happen to have awesome grandparents that came out for a whole week to help dig out the whole side of the house! They are amazing… without them it would have taken 10 times as long. Since you don’t have our kiddos grandparents, you could get some buddies to help, or brilliant idea…. Hire someone to do it all for you!!

Making a DIY parking pad

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digging an area for RV Parking Pad

Step 2: Build a retaining wall!

Start by digging a small trench, just an inch or 2 deep (this is where the cinder blocks will lay), and level it with levelling sand. This is when you will need that awesome laser level to make sure your wall will be perfectly flat and in a straight line… Shawnikins may or may not have just eyeballed it. But it still turned out awesome! He must have laser eyes!

Then start placing your cinder blocks. After you are done a row fill it with dirt or rocks to keep it in place. Then just keep layering them and filling them up, until you come to the height that you want your retaining wall to be.

travel trailer parking pad ideas

Step 3: Line the bottom of your RV parking pad with Landscaping fabric to stop those pesky weeds from popping up through your beautiful gravel RV parking pad!

Step 4: Level the area where your patio slabs will be, and put down leveling sand. Place your patio slabs on top of the leveling sand to create your walkway (if you want a walkway that is).

travel trailer parking pad ideas

Step 5: Fill RV Parking pad with gravel. Yes the dump truck made it up our driveway!!! Just level the gravel with a shovel, and hopefully you have enough to line your whole yard with too.

travel trailer parking pad ideas

Step 6 : Build some stairs. This seems complicated, If you need details on how to build cinder block steps just ask, and I’ll refer to Shawnikins on this one…

travel trailer parking pad ideas

Step 7: Add retaining wall caps to the top edges of your retaining wall. Like this…

travel trailer parking pad ideas

Step 8: Finish this end of the wall, and prep for building your privacy gate/fence.

RV Parking Pad Retaining wall construction

Step 9: Install a privacy fence with a gate (or a “keep the deer out of your yard, and stop them from eating all your hedges”… fence!!). Just make sure however you decide to build your fence, that you can remove the fence to get your RV in and out! Wink! Look at those cute pesky deer.

travel trailer parking pad ideas

Our fence is permanently affixed to the ground and cinder block wall on the gate end of the fence. Then the 2 panels that are in front of the RV are held in place with 3 black post bases, which are drilled, and anchored to the cement. This makes it so we (I mean Shawnikins) can just lift the fence panels out, and move them to the side, to get our RV in and out! Super spiffy! This way we can still have a man door gate, without opening the whole fence each time we just want to walk into the yard. Like this… So Smart!

travel trailer parking pad ideas

Step 10: Add a walkway at the top of the stairs to access the top part of the yard. And then create raised garden beds in the extra space there, and plant a veggie garden… Perfect! Extra Gravel was sprinkled around the garden beds!

travel trailer parking pad ideas

Step 11: Make it all look pretty, and paint all the wood elements BLACK! We painted our whole backyard fence the same color, and I must say it looks AMAZING!! Check out how we painted our fence black here!

travel trailer parking pad ideas

Optional Step 12: Add lighting posts down the side of the walkway to light up all your beautiful work! And so you can pack up your trailer for your next vacation in the dark, when the kids are asleep! Stay tuned for our DIY Light Post tutorial coming soon!

travel trailer parking pad ideas

This is now my favorite spot in our yard. I love sitting on the steps with some tea in the morning sun. I love my RV parking pad with our trailer on it, and my garden. It’s my happy place, that we built all ourselves, but mostly all of it was Shawnikins! He’s a super dude!

House with RV parking

Having RV parking at your home is a game changer! It’s so much easier to pack up before our adventures, and clean out after we return home. It also serves as extra sleeping space for our guests, A fun place to play board games and color with the kiddos, and it was also used to quarantine Shawnikins away from us when the kids and I were all ill. Lol… I love it!

I hope this story of how our DIY RV parking pad came to be, inspires you to build your own RV parking pad too! It’s hard work, but more than worth it in the end!

Until next time, enjoy your RVing adventures, and creating beautiful things everyday!

P.S. What color do you think we should paint our house? Dreaming up new projects now! Wink!

travel trailer parking pad ideas

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1 thought on “diy rv parking pad – how we made space in our yard for a 30 foot rv”.

Thanks for sharing, looks great. Did you use a tamper to flatten the rock? I’m thinking of doing a layer of crushed gravel, tamper it and then some rock on top.

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JENNA CLAIR

travel trailer parking pad ideas

Welcome, My name is Jenna and I love creating beautiful things everyday! I also love my little family, Corpus Propose, Ivy LynnKins, and my hubby Shawnikins! I am currently taking time away from my RN career to raise my family, while blogging, and sharing our creative life with you! I hope you find inspiration and learn how to easily create beautiful things too!

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  • How to Create RV Parking at Your Home (16 Tips + Ideas)
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How to Create RV Parking at Home (16 Tips + Ideas)

Folks who own recreational vehicles may love taking them on road trips, but finding a place to park them when they get home can be a real challenge. Most people do not have RV parking at their house, many cities do not allow you to park them on the street, and RV storage at a commercial lot can be expensive.

For some, parking your RV on the street is a free, convenient option that makes life as an RV owner much easier. However, for many people in San Diego County and beyond, this is not an option.

In San Diego County, cities like San Diego, El Cajon, Del Mar, Solana Beach and Chula Vista each have regulations that require permits for parking RVs on residential streets. One example is the City of San Diego, which requires a permit to park an RV on a residential street overnight ( San Diego Municipal Code 86.0143 ). The permit is $1.25 and there is a maximum of three consecutive nights at a time and 72 nights per year. The permit is only good for parking your RV on the block where you reside, and you must have proof of your address when applying for the permit.

This means that you may be able to have guests stay in their motorhome in front of your house for three nights at a time, but you will not be able to park an RV near your house on a long-term basis. Plus, this does not only apply to motorhomes; parking other recreational vehicles on residential streets, such as boats, is also prohibited without these short-term permits. This means that even if you do not have a motorhome, you may need RV parking for other vehicles.

Houzz Photo

16 Tips for Creating RV Parking at Home

If you have the space, the most convenient and affordable place to store your RV is on your property. This may mean using an empty spot in your driveway, widening your driveway to include an RV parking spot, transforming your side yard into a parking space, or finding a spot on your property where you can store your motorhome long term or make your trailer a semi-permanent guest house.

Your municipality or homeowners association may have regulations regarding parking motorhomes and other recreational vehicles on private property. This may affect your ability to park your RV at home, so be sure to inquire about these regulations before you purchase an RV or before you create a parking space for your camper trailer at your house.

Once you have determined that you can legally park an RV on your property, here are 16 tips for parking your RV at home:

1. Be considerate of your neighbors. Your neighbors are much less likely to complain about your recreational vehicle if it is not obstructing their views or towering over their outdoor living areas .

2. Do not block the sidewalk. If you are parking your RV in front of your home, make sure you have plenty of room to park it without blocking the sidewalk. This is a violation, and you are sure to hear from your neighbors or the city if it is at all obstructed.

3. Do not block line of sight. You and your neighbors need to be able to easily see around your RV to determine if cars, bicyclists or pedestrians are coming down the street.

4. Build a firm foundation. Your RV parking spot can be a concrete slab, a more-attractive paving stone driveway or gravel. If you are concerned about your new parking space matching your existing driveway, this might be the perfect excuse to install the wider, paving stone driveway you have been considering.

5. Trim trees and bushes. You may need to significantly prune nearby trees, shrubs or bushes to make sure you have enough clearance for your boat or motorhome.

Trailer Chic- Strathmere, NJ

6. Be aware or your roofline. If you are creating your RV parking space in your side yard or near your house, be aware of your roofline and make sure you have enough space.

7. Be aware of the slope. If the area in which you plan to park your recreational vehicle is on a slope, you will — of course — need to block the wheels. However, if your RV has a refrigerator, extended parking on a slope can cause issues for this as well. It is best to keep your RV as level as possible, but if you have to park on a slope, be sure to turn off your refrigerator when your RV is stored.

8. Consider covered parking or an RV garage. Building a garage or a carport for your RV is a more expensive option and will require permits, but you and your neighbors may both prefer this option if your budget and zoning allows.

9. Do you need gated parking? Gated parking is always a good selling point and can help keep your RV secure.

10. Determine how to provide electricity. If you are simply storing your RV and do not plan on using it as a guest house or for backyard camping , then you may not need access to electricity. If you do want electricity for your RV, you have two basic options. You can either connect your RV to your home’s electrical system with an extension cord or you can have an electrician install an electrical hookup. The extension cord method generally provides enough amps for lights and small appliances, but you will need an actual RV electrical hookup if you plan on running an air conditioner.

My Houzz: New Life and Style for a 1976 Airstream

11. Determine how to provide water. You can hire a plumber and get a permit to install a water hookup at your RV parking spot, which may be a good idea if you are planning on using it as a long-term guest house. Alternatively, you can also simply hook it up to your home’s water line by connecting it to an exterior faucet with a hose. If you choose to go this route, be sure to use a white hose specifically designed for potable water — not a regular garden hose.

12. Determine how to best manage waste. You can use your RV’s tank as you would when on the road and empty it as you would when on the road, or you can hook it up to your home’s sewer or septic system. Unless you are planning on using your trailer as long-term, frequently used guest quarters, it is likely not worth the expense of hooking it up to your sewer. You can, however, use the water from the gray water tank to irrigate ornamental landscaping and can just empty the black water tank as needed.

13. Research zoning and permit requirements. You will need a permit to run electrical or plumbing to your RV parking space, and you may have zoning regulations in your area that prohibit using a trailer as a guest house. So you will want to be sure to do a little research before you begin this project.

14. Consider WiFi and cable or satellite service. If you plan on using your RV for short- or long-term guest quarters on your property, you may want to consider providing your guests with access to your home’s WiFi and television provider. You may need a booster to get the WiFi signal to the RV.

15. Does your RV parking area need a patio or pet area? If your RV is intended for long-term use, you may want to consider installing a paving stone patio for your guests to enjoy or a small, artificial grass lawn for their pets or children .

16. Do you need a privacy screen. A privacy screen serves two purposes: It provides privacy for you or your guests who are staying in your RV, and it blocks the view of your RV from your house or your neighbors’ houses. This may not be necessary, but if your RV is a bit too conspicuous, you may want to consider installing a fence or planting shrubs to block the view a bit.

Your Turn…

Do you have an RV stored at your home or in use as a guest house? What tips do you recommend for parking an RV at home?

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travel trailer parking pad ideas

Tips for Building an RV Pad on your Property

RV set up on RV Pad - Side of Home

The number one reason to build an RV Pad on your property is so you can store your RV. But, it’s also a great way to add extra space for guest visits.

The main reason we added an RV pad on the side of our son’s house was so that we could visit for weeks at a time, without disrupting their day to day activities. However it’s also a great option to offer when you have visits from family or friends. Even better, it adds value to your home!

What is the total cost to build an RV pad on your property?

We spent a total of $1,550 to build our rv pad. see details below..

If you don’t own an RV you can rent one and have it delivered and set up at your house , if you add a pad, you’ll have a great guest room option for the holidays. We decide to add a pad as well as the full hook ups that really make it convenient. This means power, water, and sewer hook ups which turned our RV storage pad into a vacation rental pad. 

When people say, “I’m building an RV Pad on the side of my house”, they are typically referring to a place they can store their RV and get it out of the driveway, or out of an expensive storage lot. But, this set up works great as a guest house for family and friends to visit without interfering in your daily activities. In my humble opinion, all RV owners should consider using an RV for family reunions, holidays, and extended stays for illness and caretaking. Even if it’s rented and parked in your driveway, it works great for all of these purposes.

How we built our full hook-up RV Pad – 3 useful tips :

Side yard of house

Tip #1 – Clearing and leveling the land – Rent or hire a tractor or bobcat

Back Hoe for RV Pad

We rented a bobcat for a weekend to do the leveling and spreading work. The cost was around $400 for the weekend and it was well worth it.

Tip #2 – Materials – Road base and DG for the pad. Railroad ties as borders

Trenches dug for RV Pad

After living with the DG for a while, I’d say that the best DG mix should include a mix of variable sized DG. The material needs a range of fine particles up to small sandy pebbles in order to compact into a hard drivable surface. We went for a “looks first” approach and the DG we chose ended being too much gravel, not enough “bind”. So, we end up with a loose gravelly finish, not hard. Still works great and looks great though.

Tip #3 – Do it yourself

Bobcat building RV Pad

Besides learning and having fun, you will save a ton of money. There is no component in the building an RV pad process that the DIY person can’t do. Even the tractor work is possible to do yourself. So, make a plan, set aside the time, budget, watch some YouTube videos, and pull the trigger.

Connecting sewer hook ups for your RV pad

RV pad Sewer connection at home

Not only is it great for long term guests, but it makes a huge difference if you ever want to rent out your RV . You have a place to empty your tanks after each rental!

RV Pad sewer connect to house main

Home RV Pad Electrical Connection

50 Amp Electrical box for RV Pad

The electrician showed us how the testing procedure should go, how to turn off breakers and really do it right. He ended up adding a single 30 amp outlet which we used for a long time before adding a full blown 50 amp box. We watched a few videos and simply connected it. It was easy! Yes, it works and it’s safe. We’ll likely upgrade the electrical box to 200 amp at some point and then run 50, 30, and 20 amp connections to the RV electrical box. For now, we just have 30 amps.

Approximate cost of material:

  • DG Material  – You’ll need approximately 4 to 5 yards of material for a standard size pad at 3″ deep. Cost – $50 – $80 per yard
  • Railroad Ties  – You can usually find used RR ties anywhere in the country for an average of $20 each. Figure 9 feet per tie. You’ll need 9 to 12 for an average size pad with a patio cut out like ours.
  • Wire Mesh  (Optional) – We spent about $100 per roll to cover our pad. No gophers yet, knock on wood.
  • ABS and PVC  – We spent about $360 on 20 feet of PVC water pipe/fittings, and 4″ ABS for 40 feet of sewer pipe and fittings.
  • Electrical wiring and conduit – 50 feet of 10 gauge underground copper wire was about $2/foot. With all the connectors and pipe fittings we spent almost $200.
  • 20, 30, 50 Amp Electrical outlet box – We paid $150 for an electrical box on Amazon . It’s high quality and works great.

Hopefully this post will inspire and motivate more home DIY projects that will surely increase your home’s value. If nothing else, you may have learned that you can pull your RV out of storage and save those fees. And, if you get really motivated, List your RV and share it with others. It’s a great way to keep your RV ready for the next trip, and generate a few bucks to pay for it!

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Common rv renter questions, who cleans the rv after an rv rental.

The RV Owner is responsible for sterilization, following CDC guidelines for sanitizing after use. The RV owner or rental company is also responsible for the quality and functionality of the RV that they are renting out to guests.

Why do I need RVPlusYou, why not just book direct with the RV owner?

RVPlusYou holds payment for the RV rental, thereby making sure that both parties get what they expect. Payment to the owner of the RV does NOT happen until after check out. Booking through RVPlusYou means a reliable RV rental is delivered when it’s supposed to be, and payment for services is paid on time to RV owners. RVPlusYou provides marketing, advertising, reservation and booking software, as well as a $5,000 liability and $300,000 Protection Policy designed to protect both parties.

NOTE: Only fraudsters and scammers will request payment outside of the RVPlusYou booking system. If the RV owner requests information or payment outside of the platform, do not proceed with the booking!

What costs can I expect when I rent an RV from RVPlusYou

Rates and fees are determined by each individual RV owner. Owners publish a nightly rate, a delivery and set up rate, cleaning fees, and will list other fees that may apply, including extra mileage fees. Fees that RV owners charge may vary depending on the season, special event, etc.

RVPlusYou collects a nominal booking fee (8% to 17%) from renters. This amount is clearly outlined for you when you check availability and make a booking inquiry to an RV owner. For more information, see RV Rental Cost. For information on payments, see our Renter Payment Policy .

Does RVPlusYou deliver the RV or does the RV owner deliver and set up

RVPlusYou does not get involved in the delivery of the RV. The logistics of the RV rental delivery and set up is arranged by the owner. The  RV is usually delivered by the RV owner, RV Vacation Rental manager, or a contracted RV Transport company.

Do I need to make a separate campsite reservation

Yes, you almost always need to find your own campsite reservation, but that can be negotiated with the RV owner. The campsite fee is paid separately from your RV rental through RVPlusYou unless you have made arrangements with the RV host. Some campgrounds are first-come, first-serve and your RV host can advise you how to best to secure those sites. Other campgrounds book up months in advance and require reservations well in advance.

Do I have to drive a big RV to my campsite and then set it up myself

No. RVPlusYou is different than other RV rental companies. Our RV owners will deliver, and set up the RV for you at an agreed destination—RV resorts, campgrounds, special events, farms, even private homes. You never have to drive the RV. You simply drive up to the location and begin enjoying your RV accommodations. At the end of your stay, you check out and drive away.

What is a Trust Platform

RVPlusYou is built on a trust platform, meaning that each party is verified by phone number, email, and social media (if available). Each party creates a profile that includes a full name, descriptive personal bio, and photos. We encourage users to get to know each other through our messaging system. Renters and RV owners are rated and reviewed by each other for past transactions. This builds value for RV Owners and peace of mind for RV renters. Remember, when in doubt, ask questions! Reach out to multiple RV owners. If you′re not getting the answers you need, consider booking with another RV owner.

How Payment for RV Rental Works

How does the payment process work and what are the payment options.

The RV owner must accept your reservation request for the dates and pricing you have agreed to in order for you to see the “Book It” button where you can pay.

You must click on the shopping cart to pay and confirm your reservation. Accepted payments include Visa, MasterCard and American Express which is process via Stripe . When you reach the payment window, enter your billing information first, then click ‘Continue’. You will see the option to pay by credit card on the next screen. Click for details on How to Book.

I’m ready to check out and pay for my RV rental. How can I pay by credit card?

After clicking on the “Book It” button, follow instructions to add a credit card and pay for your RV rental.

If you’ve navigated away from the payment instructions, you can find your booking in your shopping cart. Click on your name at the top of the page to find your cart and RV rental booking ready for payment.

Fill out the contact information required, accept the terms and conditins, and then click ‘Continue’. Click for More Payment Information .

How to Book an RV Rental

Step 1 – search rv rentals near your destination.

RV rental search listings bar

Enter your destination: Where you want the RV delivered; you will be sent to a search results page listing all RV rentals that deliver to that destination.

  • In most cases, this is a campground where you have reservations, or an event, a private home, or work site.
  • Most RV owners will deliver within 60 to 100 miles of their location for a set fee. Others will charge extra mileage fee for distances outside of their delivery area.
  • Contact several RV owners to insure you have options for your trip.
  • Note : Most RV owners require that you make campground reservations , unless your RV rental will be delivered to a private residence or event. 

Step 2 – Sign Up and then Contact the RV Owner

Once you find an RV rental that works for you, contact the owner and check availability.

  • First you must sign up and become a member. It’s free and easy to do.

Photo of RV host and check availability button

Step 3 – Contact Multiple RV Owners – Ask Questions

The best way to find the right RV for you and your family, is to ask questions of multiple RV owners. Remember:

  • It doesn’t obligate you to “Check Availability” and ask questions.
  • If the RV listing doesn’t provide the necessary information or photos that help you make a decision, just ask: “Will you please upload a photo of the bathroom? Does your RV rental include camp chairs?”
  • Use the ‘Click to Call’ button to speak directly to the RV owner.

RV Rental Message box

Step 4 – Pay for your RV Rental

Only after the RV owner has approved your request can you book your RV rental. Make sure you “request to book”.  Note : RV owners also have the option to send a custom quote for a special offer. See payment policy for details.

Important : Once the RV owner accepts your request to book their RV, or sends a special offer, you will receive a message. Follow the prompts to your message inbox to book your rental.

travel trailer parking pad ideas

  • You may now book and pay for your rental, cancel the request, or send a message to the RV owner.

How to List Your RV For Rent

Step 1 – click on the list your rv button – top right of page.

travel trailer parking pad ideas

By clicking on “ List your RV ” you will start a process that first requires you to sign up or log in if you haven’t already.

Sign up form for RV Plus You

Step 2 – Enter Information About Your RV

  • Make sure to choose a title that will be searched. Example : “RV Rental Sleeps 8 Delivered to Houston Area Campgrounds”
  • What should renters expect when they arrive?
  • What condition is your RV?
  • What sets you apart?
  • Note : The more relevant, detailed, and useful information you provide, the better your chances are of booking the rental request.

Questions an RV Owner might have

What about insurance.

RVPlusYou provides a Rental Protection Policy , that is included in our service fees. However, this damage and liability policy only applies when the RV is rented through this website, and within the contracted rental period. The RV is NOT covered while the RV is moving . Coverage applies only after the RV is set up at the destination, NOT while moving.

Note: The renter is always responsible for damages and the security deposit will always apply. Our rental protection plan is supplemental.

Most auto policies cover RV trailer towing, as well as your motorhome while you’re driving it to the campground destination, but check with your agent to be sure your RV is covered for commercial operations. Insurance is always a question that should be discussed with your insurance professional.

What happens if my renter cancels?

If your renter cancels their reservation, your cancellation policy will be employed and you will be paid accordingly.

Note: Your renter must click the cancellation button to officially cancel. Please advise your renter that they responsible for the Guest Fees, whether or not you cancel, or they cancel. Only if you cancel will they be free from paying the Guest Fees. If you, the RV owner cancels, you will be responsible to pay the Guest Fees on behalf of the renter.

Check to be sure your RV listing is displaying the correct policy.

Can I let the RV renter drive or tow my RV

Yes, you may let the RV renter book through the RVPlusYou platform and drive or tow your rental. It is your decision, however there are two issues to address:

  • The RVPlusYou Rental Protection policy does not apply to moving RV rentals. Make sure to obtain a rider from the renter’s auto policy to cover your RV.
  • The RVPlusYou terms and conditions apply to delivered RV rentals, not driving or towing rentals. Make sure to obtain a supplemental RV rental agreement that covers you for driving RV rentals.

Note : Most damage as well as excess miles on your RV will happen when you let others drive or tow. If you want to limit damage and maintain resell value, your focus should be on delivered RV rentals.

What are the RVPlusYou fees? What will renters be charged? What will owners be paid?

RVPlusYou will process the rental transaction on behalf of the RV owner and charge 3% of the total rental fees charged by the RV owner.  Once the rental is complete, RVPlusYou releases the credit card deposit hold from the renter and pays the RV owner their portion of the rental fees (97%) within 72 hours.

Note: The 3% transaction fee charged to the RV owner is based on what the RV owner charges. In addition, RVPlusYou charges a guest booking fee of 8% to 17% to the renter.

On the day of check out, the RV Owner will receive an automated email asking about any issues or damage. RV owners should simply reply to that email. Tell the support team that there was no damage. Payment can usually be expedited and released the same or next business day. The credit card token for the renter’s damage deposit will also be released.

See Damage Policy if the RV incurred damage. Note that renters are responsible for any damage caused.

Who lists their RV on RVPlusYou

RV rental companies and individual RV owners typically list their RV’s for rent on the RVPlusYou peer to peer platform. For information on how much can be earned, see average cost to rent an RV.

RV owners can offset the high cost of owning an RV, expenses such as loan payments, insurance, maintenance and storage. RV rental companies can fill out the corners of their season by listing their RV’s. RVPlusYou returns 97% of the rental fees to the owners and rental companies.

How will RVPlusYou Pay me

RVPlusYou will send payment to your Stripe Express account, or by check. You must first set up your Stripe account and update your ‘Payout Preference’ in your ‘Account’ setting.

travel trailer parking pad ideas

RVPlusYou Rental Protection Policy

Who pays for the rental protection benefit.

The RVPlusYou liability and damage policy “ Protection Policy ” is paid  by RVPlusYou and included in the service fees paid by guest and RV owner.

How would the RVPlusYou Protection Program respond where a guest slips on Member Host property and sues

The RVPlusYou Protection Program liability coverage protects RVPlusYou recreational vehicle owners in the event that someone is injured on your recreational or you are deemed responsible for personal injury or property damage through negligence, in every case solely associated with a RVPlusYou booking. The program will also defend any claims against RVPlusYou recreational vehicle owners and pay for reasonable and necessary medical expenses up to the program limit regardless of who was at fault.

Website Help & Trouble Shooting

How does the click to call feature work.

travel trailer parking pad ideas

The feature is only available to Gold Hosts and for those users with an updated and verified mobile phone number. To Opt Out of the feature, edit your profile and untick the box marked, “Share this number”.

Why can’t I use the ‘Click to Call’ feature that allows live phone calls between RV renter and RV Owner?

Second, both renters and RV owners must have verified their mobile phone accessed through the edit profile section. By verifying your mobile phone, you qualify for “Click to Call”.

How to verify your phone:

  • Click on your dashboard and find your profile.
  • Click on “edit profile” and scroll to the alerts section. Follow instructions to verify your mobile phone.
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You are now set up for “Click to Call” and may call a Gold Host RV owner. If you are an RV owner, you must be a Gold Host in order to use this feature and contact renters prior to booking.

Note : Once you book and pay for a rental, both parties can see contact information whether they are a Gold Host or not.

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Creating a Parking Pad for your RV

As an rv owner, it’s essential that your trailer or rig stays as clean and maintained as possible. this is important when the rv is in use – whether you’re camping or traveling – when it’s being stored long-term, or simply sitting around awaiting your next camping trip. where you park your rv when it’s going to be stationary for a period of time matters to its overall “health.” for this article, we’ll be discussing considerations for creating a parking pad at home and at other properties at which you’ll be staying with your rv – or storing it..

Many RV owners simply park their trailers and motorhomes in the driveway or just off the side of the driveway when they aren’t being used for camping. Some people have the benefit of a being able to covered space, whether it’s a garage, barn, or carport. If you are fortunate enough to own property and like to travel there seasonally with your RV, you’ll need a space prepared there, too. Regardless of whether you own a travel trailer, fifth-wheel, camper van, popup, or sports utility RV, you need to make sure your “parking pad” is suited for your RV and helps to extend its life.

What considerations need to be made if you’re thinking about building your own parking pad at home or elsewhere? Well…

The space should be flat. This should go without saying, but where you park your RV should be relatively flat. Of course, the leveling jacks help make up for inconsistencies, yet you don’t want to be parked on the side of a hill. Check the surroundings for run-off areas, too. The flattest spot may be at the foot of a hill, but rain could spell trouble for your RV if it’s in the wrong spot. Finding a flatter spot is only part of the battle. Now you need to make sure it’s really level. This could require pushing dirt around and compressing it until it’s nice and firm. Road base has worked well for many RV owners. From there, it’s important to keep the area vegetation-free.

Material should fit the intended use. Pads and parking areas can be dirt, gravel, concrete, or paved. What you want to avoid is grass, weeds, stumps, field grass, and plant growth in general. For one, this vegetation invites insects and mice under your RV, which could then turn into a pest invasion. When it comes to materials, we’ve already mentioned road base, which has the benefit of being able to be compacted. Some RVers then cover this dirt base with gravel or pavers. You can add pavers just in front of the door if you want. Some RVers elect to have a concrete pad poured for more stability and less maintenance in the long run. Again, it depends on how often you’ll be using it and the typical weather conditions in your neck of the woods.

Obstacles should be removed. The air and ground should be free of obstructions and dangers. Take out any towering trees that could potentially fall on your RV during a storm or windy day, remove large rocks, or remove or grind down stumps that could ruin your RV’s undercarriage if they’re run into. You don’t want anything to hit your RV.

Covered space may be necessary. Covered space such as a carport or an awning can help protect your RV’s roof, thereby extending its life, as well as offer much-needed shade to help keep your RV cooler on hot days. If you park the RV in a barn, then covering the roof with moisture-wicking material will help keep dirt and debris from settling on the roof of your RV directly.

The space should protect the RV. Think of a parking pad as a protective bubble around your RV. It should be level and provide good drainage, especially if you also have an RV hookup. It’s important to make the pad a

When you visit a campground, RV park, or RV resort, usually your RV has a nice, flat space that’s obstacle-free on which to be stationed. If you build your own pad, that’s where your RV can be set up; stay level; offer good drainage or protection from rain; and remain separate from grass, weeds, and trees.  It’s important to do it right the first time so that you have your refuge for years to come.

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An Alternative to Traditional Gravel Parking Pads

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travel trailer parking pad ideas

If you’re a homeowner or business owner in need of a parking solution, there are more than a few directions you could go. Most tend to opt for asphalt or concrete parking. These materials are very durable and stylistically pleasing at first, however they come with a litany of potential issues that can — and will — cost you big bucks down the line.

Dirt driveways and grass parking is another option, but they aren’t feasible if you’re looking for a professional-looking and long-lasting parking solution. Gravel pads can be a nice compromise between durability, cost-effectiveness, and aesthetic beauty.

However, not all gravel parking pads are built the same. In fact, not building with the right materials could lead to just as many problems as can be found with asphalt, concrete, dirt, and grass.

In case you’re interested in implementing gravel parking pads in your home or place of business, let’s take a look at the downfalls of traditional gravel pads and how you can eliminate them with an innovative, and eco-friendly, new product.

Issues with Traditional Gravel Pads

For homes or businesses without any type of pavement in place for parking, even an unstabilized gravel pad is an upgrade. Gravel pads provide a parking area that can withstand the weight and friction of vehicles. Instead of causing giant mud ruts or tearing up your yard, these pads and gravel are able to much more easily handle the parking needs of your vehicles.

However, gravel pads aren’t suitable for use over an extended time because they are essentially built like giant playpens. The gravel inside the perimeter of the pads is free to move around and shift without anything stopping it. This will lead to gravel becoming displaced. It may pile up near the edges of your parking pad, or even spill out over the tops of your parking pad perimeter.

Once the gravel has become displaced, it can lead to rutting inside the pads, displacement of the soil below the gravel, washouts, flooding, and recurring maintenance. This is less than ideal for anyone in need of a long-term parking solution and has led innovators to develop products that are much more capable of providing all the benefits of gravel parking pads without almost any downsides.

What’s the Alternative to Unstabilized Gravel Pads?

travel trailer parking pad ideas

The solution to unstabilized gravel pads is to stabilize them. Instead of just digging out an area and filling it with gravel, there’s one more step that needs to be taken. This is where TRUEGRID PRO PLUS pavers come in. Built from incredibly durable, 100%- recycled plastic, TRUEGRID pavers stabilize the gravel and trap it into place.

Each individual paver is built with S-Flex Joints and a hoop strength design that allows it to bend but not break when handling the weight of even the heaviest vehicles. The X-Anchors within each paver trap the gravel inside and weigh the pavers to the ground, preventing any shifting or moving.

The pavers are made from Hi-Impact recycled polymer that can withstand the weight of a monster truck landing on them without breaking. The 3-Point locking tabs on the end of each paver can be snapped together effortlessly and quickly, slashing installation time and preventing the pavers from accidentally coming apart.

An Affordable and Long-Lasting Solution to Gravel Parking

travel trailer parking pad ideas

Unstabilized gravel parking pads are more of a temporary solution, but gravel parking stabilized with the TRUEGRID PRO PLUS paver system will give you the best of both worlds as a homeowner or a business owner.

Since this paving system is so easy to install, it takes only a fraction longer to complete than an unstabilized gravel pad. Once the parking area has been excavated and filled with gravel, the pavers can be snapped into place over the top and filled in with more gravel, using a heavy vehicle or roller to press it into the top of the pavers.

Once the installation is completed, your gravel parking pad will never suffer from shifting gravel, ruts, or flooding again. There are plenty of different-colored aggregates to choose from for your filler material, and the end product will look very professional and stylish.

travel trailer parking pad ideas

It’s safe to say that stabilizing your gravel parking pad with the TRUEGRID PRO PLUS system is the smartest way to preserve its lifespan. TRUEGRID pavers can eliminate long-term maintenance, rutting, dust, mud, and even vehicle problems as well.

Whether you’re looking for individual, residential parking, or you want to stabilize gravel parking pads at your place of business, the TRUEGRID PRO PLUS system can handle it all.

If you want an alternative parking solution that won’t require any sacrifice in terms of quality, durability, permeability or style, get in touch with the professionals at TRUEGRID today .

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IMAGES

  1. Top 3 Best RV Parking Pad Ideas

    travel trailer parking pad ideas

  2. Top 3 Best RV Parking Pad Ideas

    travel trailer parking pad ideas

  3. Parking Pad Ideas: Create the Perfect Spot for Your RV

    travel trailer parking pad ideas

  4. RV Parking Pad Ideas: Everything you need to know

    travel trailer parking pad ideas

  5. Parking Pad Ideas: Create the Perfect Spot for Your RV

    travel trailer parking pad ideas

  6. How to Create an RV Parking Pad at Home (In 5 easy steps)

    travel trailer parking pad ideas

VIDEO

  1. Building A Parking Pad For An RV

  2. travel trailer is ready

  3. Travel Trailer Living

  4. Lifting Parking Area and Digging out Hill

  5. JCB STANDS FOR JUNK COMING FROM BRITAIN

  6. RV parking pad with the Kubota KX 040 4

COMMENTS

  1. Parking Pad Ideas: Create the Perfect Spot for Your RV

    These pavers cost approximately $4 to $6 per square-foot, with the price varying according to the availability of materials. Meanwhile, an average-sized permeable driveway, along with its installation, will cost around $5000 or more. 2. Vapor Barrier and Leveling Blocks Make for a Budget Camper Pad. Source.

  2. 4 RV Parking Pad Ideas: Get Inspired!

    4. Grass RV Parking Pad Ideas. Utilizing permeable plastic pavers beneath your lawn or grass can be a fantastic way to create a stable parking pad without sacrificing your lawn. While this process can seem a bit redundant if you have to dig up your lawn and then replace it, it can also be a cost-effective RV process.

  3. RV TRAILER? How to build a Gravel parking pad in 4 EASY steps!

    RV Trailer gravel parking pads are easy to do. We show you 4 easy steps to DIY.We post videos of Branson tractors and homestead implements here on the farm! ...

  4. 5 Best RV Parking Pad Ideas For Home Storage

    Concrete Permeable Paver : This has very less water draining and also requires more maintenance. Bricks Permeable Paver : The concrete used in bricks may not be permeable but the gaps in between are. This method may work in less rain areas. Before choosing this system be sure to check other options for your RV parking.

  5. What kind of parking pad for your RV at home?

    In a recent RV Daily Tips Newsletter we asked readers, "How important is it to you that an RV park campsite have a concrete pad?". Most of you - 70 percent - thought a concrete pad was nice, but certainly not important. From the comments left, most were concerned that regardless of the pad type, a level place to park the RV was a ...

  6. Complete Guide to DIY RV Parking Pad Ideas

    Our team of experts has helped with many RV parking pad projects! Backyard Bases proudly supplies RV owners with high-quality BaseCore Geocell products designed to meet your RV storage needs. You can access our FAQ page or contact us directly for further information at (888) 897-2224.

  7. How to Build a RV/Travel Trailer Parking Pad in 101 seconds

    00:00 Intro00:34 Why We Built the Travel Trailer Pad1:12 The Cost of the Travel Trailer Pad1:35 Drainage was an Issue!2:11 Why a Landscaping Wall?2:41 Lots o...

  8. How to Create an RV Parking Pad at Home (In 5 easy steps)

    The right way to go about it would be to create your own RV parking pad. The basic five steps for creating your own RV parking pad are -. Choose the spot. Pave the area to build the pad. Address trees and shrubbery. Get hookups in place (if you're going to use them) Protect your new RV parking pad.

  9. RV Parking Pad Ideas: Everything you need to know

    Here are the steps for making an RV parking pad; Step 1: Prepare the place and dig out the dirt to flatten the place. Step 2: Build a retaining wall! First, dig a small trench of 1 or 2 inches deep. Level the place with sand. Use a laser level to ensure the wall is perfectly flat and straight. Step 3:

  10. DIY RV Parking Pad

    Step 4: Level the area where your patio slabs will be, and put down leveling sand. Place your patio slabs on top of the leveling sand to create your walkway (if you want a walkway that is). Step 5: Fill RV Parking pad with gravel. Yes the dump truck made it up our driveway!!!

  11. Home RV Parking Ideas: A Complete Guide

    3. Do not block line of sight. You and your neighbors need to be able to easily see around your RV to determine if cars, bicyclists or pedestrians are coming down the street. 4. Build a firm foundation. Your RV parking spot can be a concrete slab, a more-attractive paving stone driveway or gravel.

  12. Creative DIY Ideas for RV Parking Pads

    Transform your outdoor space with these creative DIY ideas for RV parking pads. Get inspired and create a functional and stylish area for parking your RV with ease.

  13. Tips for Building an RV Pad on your Property

    Cost - $50 - $80 per yard. Railroad Ties - You can usually find used RR ties anywhere in the country for an average of $20 each. Figure 9 feet per tie. You'll need 9 to 12 for an average size pad with a patio cut out like ours. Wire Mesh (Optional) - We spent about $100 per roll to cover our pad.

  14. Creating a Parking Pad for your RV

    Now you need to make sure it's really level. This could require pushing dirt around and compressing it until it's nice and firm. Road base has worked well for many RV owners. From there, it's important to keep the area vegetation-free. Material should fit the intended use. Pads and parking areas can be dirt, gravel, concrete, or paved.

  15. Home rv parking pad ideas

    Discover Pinterest's 10 best ideas and inspiration for Home rv parking pad ideas. ... Parking Pad Ideas: Create the Perfect Spot for Your RV - RV Expertise. Parking pads are one of the last things we think about when planning a journey in the RV, but getting one will benefit you and your camper.

  16. Reconfiguring driveway, parking pad in anticipation of Travel Trailer

    To replace and widen my driveway, one estimate came in at over $5,000. Then to lay the other material, plus the pad for the RV, about another $2,500. The second estimate was much better. About $2500 for the driveway replace/widen, and another $1500 for the extension/pad.

  17. ULTIMATE RV PAD! How we built it overlooking our 140 acre ...

    After a few years of our camper sinking in the mud, we decide to do a complete renovation of our campsite here in Southern Ohio. We included a segmental reta...

  18. RV Parking Pad Stabilization Ideas

    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 ...

  19. 21 RV Parking Pad Ideas

    Apr 10, 2021 - Explore Christine Perronne's board "RV Parking Pad Ideas" on Pinterest. See more ideas about rv, gravel parking, permeable driveway.

  20. Parking pad ideas...

    Posts: 2,650. The best material to use for a pad is crushed limestone about 3-4" deep. This is a self locking stone since its crushed and it will pack tight and not rut, if you use smooth natural stones they roll and do not lock which causes ruts as the tires pass over it. 09-16-2015, 08:30 AM. # 9.

  21. An Alternative to Traditional Gravel Parking Pads

    This is where TRUEGRID PRO PLUS pavers come in. Built from incredibly durable, 100%- recycled plastic, TRUEGRID pavers stabilize the gravel and trap it into place. Each individual paver is built with S-Flex Joints and a hoop strength design that allows it to bend but not break when handling the weight of even the heaviest vehicles.

  22. RV Parking Pad Ideas

    Aug 17, 2022 - Explore Trent Mulloy's board "RV Parking Pad Ideas" on Pinterest. See more ideas about camper living, rv homes, rv carports.

  23. Top 3 Best RV Parking Pad Ideas

    Mar 16, 2021 - Parking pads are one of the last things we think about when planning a journey in the RV, but getting one will benefit you and your camper. Pinterest. Explore. ... Camper Storage Ideas Travel Trailers. Rv Storage. Bus Camper. Camper Life. 3 RV Camping Mistakes to Avoid.