Concrete RV Pad Basics: Thickness, Size & Weight

If you're pouring an RV pad, the two questions that matter most: how thick and how big. Get either wrong and you'll be looking at cracks, settling, or a pad that won't support your rig. Here's the straight answer.

Thickness: It Depends on Your Rig

RV weight varies enormously — from a 5,000 lb travel trailer to a 30,000+ lb Class A diesel pusher. The slab thickness and reinforcement need to match the rig.

• •Travel trailers and lighter RVs (under ~10,000 lbs): 5 inches with reinforcement
• •Fifth wheels and mid-size motorhomes (10,000–20,000 lbs): 5–6 inches with heavier reinforcement
• •Class A diesel pushers (20,000+ lbs): 6 inches with heavy reinforcement

A 4-inch pad — standard for driveways — is not enough for most RVs. The point loads from jacks, tires, and leveling systems are concentrated and heavy. We size the slab to your actual rig.

Size: Measure Your Rig (Plus Room)

Measure your RV's length and width, then add room to walk around and for slide-outs. Standard single-rig pad: roughly 12×40 feet. If you're parking a tow vehicle too, you need more space. We measure and recommend during the walk-through.

Reinforcement: Holding the Slab Together

Rebar or heavy mesh. RV pads need more reinforcement than standard flatwork because of the concentrated point loads from jacks and tires. Reinforcement holds the concrete together under stress — a crack stays a hairline, not a separation.

Base Prep: Especially Critical for Heavy Loads

Utah clay soil under a heavy RV pad is a problem if the base isn't done right. Clay expands and contracts — under a 30,000 lb rig, that movement cracks an undersized pad. Proper compacted granular base is non-negotiable.

Drainage

Water pooling under or around your RV pad erodes the base and causes settling. We grade the pad and surrounding area to move water away — protecting both the slab and the rig parked on it.

See our RV pads service page for what's included, and our gravel vs concrete comparison for why concrete wins over 5 years.