One concern new campers struggle with is how to level their trailer after arriving to their destination. However, don’t worry, it’s actually quite easy. Follow these Steps to Leveling a Camper.
Steps to Leveling a Camper
Step 1: Evaluate Your Site
Unless you’re on a leveled pad there will always be a natural slope to the ground. Even so, finding an area with a minimal slope is safest. After all, campers at risk of rolling can lead to dangerous predicaments. Therefore, don’t hesitate to ask for another site if it’s more like a bank than a slope.
That being said your trailer can be safely leveled on a slope. Begin by examining the site for the most level spot to park. Also, consider where utilities are located and leaving room for your slide outs. Now go ahead and carefully back or drive your camper where you want it. Before doing so make sure that there are no kids or pets nearby while you’re leveling the camper
Step 2. Level camper side to side.
Once you’ve parked its time to level your camper side to side. Although it’s tempting to get other things done, wait until you’re level. Instead retrieve your leveling blocks and line them up behind or in front of the trailer tires. Stack Now, grab your wheel chocks. These are placed between the axle tires and tightened. Putting in wheel chocks is a very important safety measure. It will also ensure that the effort put into repositioning your travel trailer was not a waste. Personally for dual axle trailers I prefer the wheel chock seen below which are placed between your tires.
Step 3: Chock the Wheels of your Camper
Step 4: Unhitch your Camper from the Tow Vehicle
Once your leveled from side to side go ahead and unhitch from your tow vehicle. After unhooking move your vehicle forward to ensure that no weight is distributed onto the vehicle. Now, lower the front of your trailer slightly past level.
Now, place leveling blocks at the rear under your stabilizing jacks and raise the front back to level. Never fully extend them as they are not intended for lifting the camper.
Once more use your carpenter’s level on a flat surface to see if your camper is level. Again, check side to side and front to back. Lower the nose of your front jack in the case that the front of your camper is higher that the back. Likewise, rise your front jack if the back is higher than the front.
One tip for those with waste tanks located at the middle or back part of the camper is that having your front slightly higher than the back is better. Plumbing will drain more efficiently this way.
Final Step: Double Check
Walk around your camper and do a final check. Check out your wheel chocks and stabilizing jacks before moving on. After go ahead and hookup to your utilities.
Areas of Concern
Don’t overlook the importance of leveling your camper. Problems caused by being unlevel range from minor to dangerous. Campers that are uneven can have doors that stick and open randomly. As well slide outs can be worn out and torn since they need to be on a level frame to work properly.
Additionally, being unlevel will effect your cupboards, plumbing, and chassis. It’s also necessary to have a level camper for the refrigerator to work properly. Otherwise, you’re risking a fire if the refrigerator chemicals aren’t flowing properly.
Also, the sensors in your holding tanks won’t read correctly when your RV is not level. Therefore, you will not know how full your tanks are as the fluid will shift when your on a slope. Furthermore, you will have problems dumping or emptying tank completely if your camper is uneven.
Clearly, it is best to keep your camper leveled for your safety and to keep it in good condition.
Wishing you S’more Journey’s and Safe Travels!
