New concrete pad

[Randy Connell]

Getting a concrete pad poured tomorrow on our lot in Wisconsin. 6 inches deep, 6 bag, 4000 psi, with rebar. We have been told so many variations of when we can drive on the pad. 7 days - (research says if we were a typical passenger vehicle). Up to 28 days.  Looking for answer from anyone that has had new concrete pad and how long they waited to pull on site with RV and no negative issues.  Thank !!
44,500# Beaver Contessa

[Joel Weiss]

If you Google your question you will find many answers to it.  Here's one:

We have had plenty of customers who did not want to wait that long and drive on the concrete 3 days after it was placed without having any problems. So it can be done with small cars and light trucks but we recommend 7 days.The full 28 days for heavy equipment or large heavy trucks(ex: a concrete truck).

[Roy Warren Co-Admin]

Randy,
Just from what I know about concrete in pads.  You should keep it wet for 14 days.  At the airport where we poured new runways, we always had standing water on it for 2 weeks then watered it every two hours during the day and 3 hours at night for 2 weeks.  Then for 2 weeks we watered it every four hours during the day and once during the night.  Then for 2 weeks we watered it once during daylight and once at night for 2 weeks, then let it cure for 30 days.  No cracks after that.  Probably excessive, but pad was 2 feet thick and 400 feet long.  Took over 2 years to build a 12000 foot runway.  I would recommend doing as we did in our pad at Surprise and water it twice a day and once a night for 10-14 days then letting it cure for 14 days.  No cracks and it will cure nicely.
Roy

[Grant Ralston]

I don't know what MH you have, but you could easily have a 6000 lbs front wheel load spread over 50 sq inches of slab trying to punch thru the new concrete slab.  Given good curing practices and no excess water added to the mix, the concrete should reach it's design strength in 28 days.  If you have 6 inches of heavily compacted gravel under the slab on top of good original ground (no fill, only cut) you could probably be safe after 14 days of wet curing as described above.  If you don't have the compacted gravel and soil I would recommend you wait as close to 28 days as you can and keep the slab wet (burlap, plastic, or a tarp will help) during the entire time.

[Steve Huber]

Randy,
Grant has the same comment I was going to make re weight. Focus on weight and area at each wheel. I think you have the same model I do. FYI, my max weights are front passenger: 6900, rear passenger: 12,500 w/ tag down. I waited about 28 days + on my slab (shile they finished the barn. No cracking since.
Steve

[Edward Buker]

I also waited a month on mine with similar construction with rebar. We put plastic membrane below to keep the moisture from leaching out and used plastic on top to keep it from drying out. Pulled the plastic and dampened it for over a week. If you rush it there is no turning back the clock...

Later Ed

[Dick Simonis]

It took me about 46 days for the building to go up after the slab was poured and I have no cracks of other issues.

Mine is 6" 2400(?) lb with rebars, poured above grade....just leveled with a DG base.  Of course the ground out here is like concrete in itself.

The only thing I'm kicking myself for is not installing a sewer dump to my septic.  However I did run a water line in the utility trench from the house to the outside of the barn.

[Bob Jae]

Randy why take a chance you are spending a good amount of $$ for a nice concrete pad.  When I did mine I found a place to park the coach for a month. 

[Dan Murphy]

Randy
Just last week we poured the floor and apron for our new Beaver Barn. I intend to wait at least 12 days before i let the door installer drive their 3/4 ton truck onto the apron and it will be the full 28 days before the Beaver goes in the barn.We also pored 6 inches thick where the RV sits and drives and used rebar. We got a very good mix from the concrete plant and the contractor said it would exceed 4000 psi but he still wants me to wait a month before I use it.
We are working inside and framing a loft and we were walking on it the same day but no heavy loads yet.I've been lugging all the lumber from the gravel drive all the way back into the barn.LOL

[LaMonte Monnell]

Randy
Just last week we poured the floor and apron for our new Beaver Barn. I intend to wait at least 12 days before i let the door installer drive their 3/4 ton truck onto the apron and it will be the full 28 days before the Beaver goes in the barn.We also pored 6 inches thick where the RV sits and drives and used rebar. We got a very good mix from the concrete plant and the contractor said it would exceed 4000 psi but he still wants me to wait a month before I use it.
We are working inside and framing a loft and we were walking on it the same day but no heavy loads yet.I've been lugging all the lumber from the gravel drive all the way back into the barn.LOL

Very nice Dan! We have a 2001 Contessa Naples double slide!