Project Day 11 - Poured Footings & Assessing the RV Parking

Dave and I were discussing the RV parking situation last night. We came to the realization that our original plan of putting gravel as the base for the RV driveway was now not going to work.

Here's a diagram of our original plan (Plan A).



We had always thought that the driveway into the house would be flat (well, nearly flat). As you can see by the pictures in the previous postings, flat is now not the configuration of the driveway.

In our planning stage, these were the specs:
1) We would pour a cement "pad" for the wheels of the RV to rest upon.
2) The RV door would be near the garage door for easy loading and unloading.
3) Most of the RV's length would be forward from the front of the garage.

The only way that Dave can park the RV is to drive past the house and then back up the driveway. Our cul-de-sac is not large enough for the GMC and travel trailer to make the turn. The combined length of the GMC and RV is 52 feet.

Here's a list of dilemmas we must now overcome because the driveway is not flat:

1) If the driveway surface is gravel, and Dave backs the unit at an upward slant, the gravel would rain stones like fireworks.
2) The GMC and RV must be level to hook or unhook them from each other. With the slant continuing to the front of the garage, the RV must be pushed much further back on the property.
3) The area in which the builder had planned to put the HVAC condenser would now be right in the area where we would need to enter the RV, hampering loading.
4) Dave cannot carry heavy items easily from the front of the garage all the way to the door of the RV. Therefore, he will need to use a cart, which requires a level, flat surface, such as concrete.
5) The cost of all this additional concrete is high; therefore, we are considering a narrower car driveway near the street (see Plan B).

Here's Plan B, but I'm sure this is just an interim diagram.



With Plan B in hand, we decided to return to the lot to see the practicality of changing the parking location for the RV. We couldn't remember how much slope there was to the land on the right side of the house. Of course, we were anxious to see the poured footings as well. So, there ya go. Off we went.

I am happy to report that the area where we are now considering parking the RV is probably do-able. There would not be too much effort required to level that area. However, I did send an email to Brad showing him our Plan B and asked him for some help in trying to figure out the best location and driveway surfaces for the RV area. So, poor guy, I guess he's going to be pondering this over the weekend. Hey, Brad, THANKS!

When we arrived at the lot, we were able to capture a few pictures of its current state. Hopefully, these pictures will give you a visual of some of the items I have written about in this blog.

Driveway with Posts for Leveling Foundation Walls in the Background



Dave Standing by One of the Leveling Posts

Dave is standing at the front left corner of the house. I am taking the picture from the front right corner of the garage (the white footing in the foreground is the garage's right wall).



Footings from Right Side of House (Foreground) to Left Side of House

The "step-up" effect is because the footing in the foreground is lower than in the distance. I am taking this picture from the bedroom side of the house and looking toward the kitchen side of the house.



Notice the chair in the background. That's where the observation station is located so we can watch all the action.

Construction Power Pole with Meter Installed



After reading about the drama over the power meter, you can now see that it was a whole lot of fuss about not much! But, we sure looks "official" now!