cost and type gravel for parking area?

[EddieWalker]

Add me to the list of what the others have said. You want the rock to be crushed so there are sharp edges to it and you want it to vary in size from fines up to an inch or two. The bigger stones have a way of working their way to the surface and on to the top sometimes, but overall it will compact hard enough to shed water and support heavy traffic. It has to be at least 4 inches thick to lock together and thicker is always better. Six inches is ideal!!

Proper compaction and drainage of the soil before laying the rock is critical. If you have wet areas or soft soil, then you need to fix that before doing anything else. Fabric is used for those instances where speed in getting the job done is more important then bringing in more dirt and grading it properly. Water is always the enemy and if not addressed, will eventually win and cause failure.

Once the rock is spread, it will need a good soaking before it locks together. No amount of driving over it or compacting it will work until it is thoroughly soaked. Either a really good rain, or using the hose. Once soaked, work on compacting it by driving over every inch of it. A plate compactor is too small for something like this, so whatever is the heaviest vehicle you have is what you want to use.

Eddie

 

[jtygoku]

Everyone has their own nomenclature for crushed gravel w/fines, but that's what you want. Around here "3/4 minus" is what you order.

 

[vtsnowedin]

I have mixed opinions about the textile fabrics. They do their job but cost a lot. The last time I ran the numbers fabric cost about as much per square yard as an eight inch layer of clean sand installed and as far as I can see an eight inch layer of sand below your top surface will do the same job as a layer of fabric. Of course if you don't have the time to dig out another eight inches or having the finished grade eight inches higher causes problems then maybe fabric is the way to go in your case. And yes names and numbers for gravel products vary a lot from region to region. A natural gravel that has been run through a crusher should be less then 1 1/2" maximum size (3/4" if you prefer) and half of it should be retained on a quarter inch screen, called the stone fraction and half of that should have a fractured face or sharp edges so it won't roll around under tire action like marbles. The half that passes through the 1/4" screen or sand portion should be clean sharp sand that free drains. No more then twelve percent of it should be clay or dust that will pass through a number 200 screen. More then that and it will turn to mud when wet.
Many of the crushed stone products sold to home owners have way too much stone dust in them and they get slimey when wet. The state made them take out the excess dust from the material they bought for state and federal work to meet specs and they mix that dust back into the consumer pile to get rid of it rather then piling it back up in the old end of the quarry. Most people never see the difference and think they have good value for the dollar paid but it is not a good base to pave over if you have any winter conditions.

 

[clovergamecock]

Thanks all. I had single dump truck load of crusher run delivered Thursday. I spread it with my tractor and then wet it several timeswhi.e rolling over it with my 250 in between. I still have not parked on it and yesterday we got 2" of rain. I am going to compact it again today. Once I'd do this would it be a good idea to let it dry out for a couple more days?

Also, I think I may have another load brought in at so e point just to be safe. The trailer is almost 10k pounds and the truck, is probably another 5. The cost was 425 delivered.

Wade

 

[clovergamecock]

Thanks all. I had single dump truck load of crusher run delivered Thursday. I spread it with my tractor and then wet it several timeswhi.e rolling over it with my 250 in between. I still have not parked on it and yesterday we got 2" of rain. I am going to compact it again today. Once I'd do this would it be a good idea to let it dry out for a couple more days?

Also, I think I may have another load brought in at so e point just to be safe. The trailer is almost 10k pounds and the truck, is probably another 5. The cost was 425 delivered.

Wade

 

[Western]

Wade, my camper weighs in around 14k add the truck about 6k. The run over 4" road base fine here, but extra never hurt anything. The 2" of water is what you needed, that should have settled the fines in around the rock and locked them together. I would let it dry out a day and park my rig.

You can try walking on it, it should feel almost as solid as rough concrete.

 

[EddieWalker]

I agree with Dennis. That rain is what will make it all lock together and you should notice a huge difference in how solid it is now.

Eddie