Why RV Pads Are Their Own Category
St. George might be the RV capital of Utah — between Zion trips, snowbird season, and toy haulers for the dunes, half the county owns a rig. And here's the thing most homeowners learn the hard way: an RV pad is not a big patio. A Class A motorhome can weigh 30,000+ pounds. Pour a standard 4-inch patio slab under that and it's a matter of time before it cracks, settles, and fails.
The Specs That Matter
Thickness
- 4 inches: fine for pop-ups, small trailers, and boats
- 5 inches: travel trailers and most fifth wheels
- 6 inches: Class A motorhomes, large fifth wheels, heavy toy haulers — the safe spec if you're not sure what you'll own in five years
Reinforcement
Heavy-load pads should be reinforced — rebar grid or engineered alternative, matched to the load and the soil. Reinforcement doesn't prevent every crack; it holds the slab together so small cracks never become failures.
Base Prep
The pad is only as strong as what's under it. Proper excavation and a compacted gravel base are non-negotiable for RV loads, especially in neighborhoods with clay or loose fill soils. This is the invisible half of the job — and the half that determines whether the pad lasts 5 years or 40.
Dimensions
| Rig | Recommended Pad |
|---|---|
| Small trailer / boat | 10′ × 20′ |
| Travel trailer | 12′ × 30′ |
| Fifth wheel | 12′ × 35′ |
| Class A motorhome | 14′ × 45′ |
Add width if you want walk-around room or a side patio strip, and length for a tow vehicle. Also plan the approach — the transition from street or driveway to pad — so you're not dragging a hitch on a sharp grade change.
Slope and Drainage
A quality pad is nearly level side-to-side for comfortable parking and leveling jacks, with a slight fall (about 1–2%) for monsoon drainage — planned so water runs away from your house, not toward the neighbor's wall.
What Does an RV Pad Cost in St. George?
Because the thickness, reinforcement, and base prep exceed standard flatwork, an RV pad is priced by the specifics: your rig's weight, the pad dimensions, site access, existing concrete or landscaping that needs removal, and gate width for equipment. Rather than guessing from a chart, get a real number — estimates are free and no-obligation. Call (435) 610-7583.
Do It Once, Do It Right
An RV pad is a buy-once purchase when it's specced correctly — and a repeat expense when it isn't. Get the thickness, base, and drainage right the first time. Details on our RV pad service page, or call (435) 610-7583 for a free quote anywhere in St. George, Washington, Hurricane, Ivins, or Santa Clara.