How To Level A Camper

‍Embarking on an adventure with your camper? Discover essential tips on leveling it for a stable, comfortable stay.

To level a camper, park on flat ground, use a bubble level to check unevenness, and then adjust with leveling blocks or jacks under tires. For side-to-side leveling, drive onto the blocks; for front-to-back, use jacks at the hitch.

As a camper, I've learned that leveling is key for comfort and safety. I've been there, struggling on uneven terrain, but with the right tools and know-how, it's a breeze. I've transformed rocky spots into cozy havens. Let's make your camping experience smooth and enjoyable, just like I did mine!

‍How To Level A Camper

Leveling a camper is essential to ensuring a comfortable and safe stay during your camping trips. A properly leveled camper not only provides a comfortable sleeping and living space but also prevents potential issues with your RV appliances, such as the refrigerator, which may malfunction when not level.

There are several methods and tools available to help you level your camper, whether you own a motorhome, travel trailer, or fifth wheel. Before you begin leveling your camper, it's important to understand the necessary tools and steps involved in the process.

Some popular tools for leveling a camper include leveling blocks, bubble levels, and wheel chocks. Furthermore, auto-leveling systems have become increasingly popular in recent years, making the process even easier for RV owners.

By following a series of steps, which typically involve leveling your camper from side to side and front to back, you'll create a stable and comfortable environment for your RV camping experience.

Tools Needed to Level a Camper

Leveling a camper is an essential process to ensure the comfort and proper functioning of the RV components. There is a variety of tools that can help you efficiently level a camper.

Below, we'll discuss some essential tools for leveling a camper and their functions.

• Bubble Level: A Bubble Level is a vital tool in the leveling process. This compact, handheld device helps you determine whether your camper is level or not. Place the bubble level on a flat surface inside your camper and adjust until the bubble is centered, ensuring your camper is indeed level.

• Leveling Blocks: Leveling Blocks come in a variety of sizes and materials, and they are used to raise your RV when parked on uneven ground. Stack the blocks under the tires of the low corners of your travel trailer to lift and level it.

• Wheel Chocks: Wheel Chocks prevent your camper from rolling when parked. They are typically made of rubber or plastic and fit snugly against the tires of the tow vehicle, ensuring your camper remains stationary during the leveling process.

• Tongue Jack: Tongue Jack is an essential tool for front-to-back leveling in a towable RV. Manually or electrically operated, it raises or lowers the trailer tongue to create a level camper.

• Stabilizer Jacks: Stabilizer Jacks help maintain your camper's level position after adjustments are made with tongue and leveling jacks. They prevent the RV from rocking or wobbling while in use. Stabilizer jacks can be found in various types, such as hydraulic, scissor, and bottle jacks.

• Torque Wrench: A Torque Wrench is a vital tool to ensure the correct tightening of your camper's leveling jacks and wheel lug nuts. Use this wrench to apply equal pressure and avoid overtightening or under-tightening the system components.

• Portable Air Compressor: A Portable Air Compressor is useful for maintaining proper tire pressure during the leveling process. Uneven tire pressure may cause inaccurate leveling, so keeping the tires optimally inflated ensures the best possible accurate measurement.

• Drill with Jack Adapter: A Drill with Jack Adapter makes the leveling process more efficient by speeding up the process of raising and lowering jacks. Attach the adapter to your power drill and use it to adjust your camper's jacks quickly.

By having the appropriate tools and utilizing them correctly, you can perfectly level your camper on any terrain, ensuring a smooth and comfortable camping experience. Remember to consult your camper's owner's manual for specific guidelines and requirements related to leveling tools and methods.

Steps of Leveling Your Camper

In this section, we’ll discuss the steps of leveling your camper to ensure a comfortable and safe camping experience. Follow these steps to properly level your camper and avoid potential issues such as tire damage or improper functioning of your camper's appliances.

1. Choose a Level Campsite

Before you begin, find a level site to park your camper. This will make the leveling process easier and reduce the need for excessive use of leveling blocks.

Procedure:

• Research campsites with level grounds.
• Upon arrival, visually inspect the site for flatness.
• Avoid areas with obvious slopes or uneven terrain.

2. Park Your Camper

Carefully park your camper, making sure to avoid any uneven ground or other potential hazards. Engage your camper's parking brake to ensure safety during the leveling process.

Procedure:

• Navigate your camper into the chosen spot.
• Align it with the intended camping area.
• Ensure it's in a hitch position that allows for easy leveling.

3. Place a Bubble Level on the Camper Floor

Using a bubble level, place it on the camper's floor to determine the current level of your camper. Check for both front-to-back and side-to-side leveling.

Procedure:

• Set a bubble level in the center of your camper floor.
• Check the level's bubble to assess the camper's current angle.

4. Determine Which Side Is Higher

Identify which side of your camper is higher, and keep this information in mind as you proceed with leveling.

Procedure:

• Observe the bubble level to identify the lower side.
• Note which direction the bubble leans towards.

5. Place Leveling Blocks by the Lower Side's Tires

If necessary, use leveling blocks or wood blocks under the lower side's tires to bring the camper level. Place the blocks in line with the tires, and ensure they're on stable ground.

Procedure:

• Arrange leveling blocks close to the tires on the lower side.
• Stack them in a ramp-like formation for easy driving.

6. Slowly Drive the Camper onto the Blocks

Have a spotter guide you as you slowly and carefully drive your camper onto the blocks. This will help ensure proper tire alignment and prevent any poor leveling.

Procedure:

• Gently drive the camper forward so the lower side's tires ascend onto the blocks.
• Proceed slowly to avoid overshooting the stacking blocks.

7. Recheck Levelness

Using the bubble level, recheck your camper's level. Make sure it's level both side-to-side and front-to-back.

Procedure:

• After parking on the blocks, recheck the bubble level.
• Ensure the bubble is centered, indicating levelness.

8. Adjust with More Blocks If Necessary

If your camper is still not level, you may need to add more blocks or adjust their positioning. Repeat the process of driving onto the blocks and checking the level until satisfactory results are achieved.

Procedure:

• If not level, add or remove blocks as needed.
• Reposition the camper on the newly adjusted leveling block setup.

9. Lower the Tongue Jack to Level Front-to-Back

Once your camper is level side-to-side, use the tongue jack to level it from front to back. Adjust the height of the tongue jack as needed to achieve the proper level.

Procedure:

• Extend the tongue jack to raise or lower the front end.
• Adjust until the bubble level indicates a level front-to-back position.

10. Deploy Rear Stabilizer Jacks for Added Stability

Extend your camper's stabilizer jacks to provide additional support and stability. Ensure they're set on solid ground, or use jack pads or foot pads to prevent sinking into soft ground.

Procedure:

• Lower the stabilizer jacks at each corner of the camper.
• Ensure they're firmly in contact with the ground but not lifting the camper.

11. Secure the Camper with a Wheel Chock

Place wheel chocks around your camper's tires to prevent any unwanted movement or rolling while parked.

Procedure:

• Place wheel chocks in front and behind the tires.
• This prevents the camper from rolling.

12. Double-check All Adjustments for the Perfect Level

Review your leveling adjustments, and confirm that your camper is level and secure. Enjoy a comfortable and safe camping experience with your properly leveled camper.

Procedure:

• Conduct a final assessment of levelness with the bubble level.
• Ensure all RV jacks and blocks are securely positioned.

Here's a table breakdown of the steps for leveling a camper:

Benefits of Leveling Your RV Camper

Leveling your RV camper is important for several reasons, both for your comfort and safety while using the recreational vehicle. Here are some of the major reasons why it's essential to keep your RV level:

• Comfort: Nobody enjoys staying in a tilted living space. Having an uneven surface can make it challenging to move around, sleep, or cook. By leveling your RV, you create a more comfortable environment to stay in.
• Safety: Uneven surfaces can cause accidents, particularly when climbing in and out of the camper. Ensuring your RV is properly balanced reduces the risks of these accidents.
• Appliances: Most appliances in your camper, especially refrigerators, rely on being level to function correctly. For instance, an RV refrigerator needs a level surface to ensure proper cooling performance. An off-balance refrigerator can be less efficient, and some manufacturers specify that operation on an unlevel surface can be a fire hazard.
• Sensors: Some RVs are equipped with sensors that need to be level to function accurately. For example, tank level sensors may provide incorrect readings if your RV is tilted.
• Auto-Leveling System: If your camper is equipped with an auto-leveling system, you'll have an easier time maintaining a level position. However, not all RVs have this feature, so it's important to know how to manually level the adjustments.

To level your RV camper, you'll likely need tools like leveling blocks, wheel chocks, and jack pads. Start by using a bubble level to check if your RV is level from front to back and side to side. You can then use leveling blocks and jacks to adjust the balance of the camper.

Leveling your RV camper is essential for ensuring a comfortable and safe environment, as well as for optimal performance of your camper's appliances and systems. Taking the necessary steps to maintain a balanced camper will lead to a better overall experience on your camping trip.

Tips for Maintaining Your Camper Balance

Maintaining the balance of your camper is crucial for both safety and comfort. A balanced camper prevents strain on the frame, ensures the proper functioning of plumbing, and keeps cupboards and storage spaces securely in place.

Here are some tips to help you maintain your camper's balance efficiently:

• Using a level: Purchase a reliable camper trailer level or use a smartphone app, such as LevelMatePRO, featuring Bluetooth technology to get an accurate reading. Properly leveled campers minimize stress on slide-outs and awnings.
• Stabilizing jacks: Essential for towable RVs and motorhomes, stabilizing jacks can provide support and keep your camper balanced. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for proper usage.
• Appropriate leveling systems: Opt for a well-suited leveling system based on your RV type - hydraulic leveling system for larger motorhomes and Levelmatepro Bluetooth for smaller towable RVs. For the fifth wheels, adjust the landing jack to stabilize the unit.
• Wheel leveling and chocks: Using the right number of leveling blocks and wheel chocks provides optimum stabilization for your recreational vehicle. Keep an eye on axle counts; dual axle trailers may need leveling support on both wheels per side (otherwise, it will level only your rear wheels).
• Regular checks and maintenance: Periodically check your camper's balance, especially when parked for extended periods or experiencing weather changes. Regular maintenance of hydraulic jacks, hydraulic systems, and RV leveling blocks is vital for long-lasting balance.
• Safety precautions: Always prioritize safety when leveling and balancing your camper. Engage the parking brake, use the properly rated fifth wheel’s landing jack stands, and follow the manufacturer's guidelines when using the leveling system.

Here’s a table showing the leveling checklist:

Usually, finding a level parking spot is your best bet for maintaining an evenly balanced camper. However, that may not always be possible. Make use of leveling tools, systems, and blocks to keep your camper stable and comfortable. Incorporate these tips and regularly inspect your motorhome for a well-balanced and enjoyable RV experience.