How To Level A Camper

Learning how to level a camper is essential for any camping enthusiast. Whether you’re a veteran outdoorsman or a budding nature lover, you need this skill so you can make the most out of your camping experience.

It can be a daunting task to level a large vehicle like a camper, but with this guide, you’ll learn how to safely and properly level your vehicle when you arrive at your chosen campsite.

Why You Should Level Your Camper

Why is leveling your camper important? Several reasons involve safety and general comfort while you stay in your motorhome.

Firstly, keeping your camper’s fridge level is a must – food and drink could spill and contaminate each other, as well as leave an annoying mess.

Nowadays, some motorhomes are fitted with fridges that won’t work if they are not level, which is a problem if you want to keep your perishables cool and fresh.

Another reason that leveling is important is that your camper’s shower needs to drain properly.

While some motorhome manufacturers are aware of this issue if leveling isn’t done, and have designed showers around it, it’s not the case for older RVs.

Water can collect in your shower or drain and cause dampness and mold. To avoid this unpleasant situation, you should make sure your camper is leveled.

Finally, it can be dangerous to cook with your stove in an off-balance camper.

If your camper is not level, you’re at risk of burning yourself, especially if there are hot liquids involved. For your safety and the safety of others, a level motorhome is needed.

Find A Good Position

You’re going to want to find a flat place to park your camper that is clear of any large rocks and branches.

It’s also a good idea, especially if you’re setting up in a grassy area, to park somewhere that has good drainage while avoiding deep slopes.

If the weather takes a turn for the worse, muddy, waterlogged ground can cause your camper to lose balance, and the conditions will make it much harder to level again. Not only that, you wouldn’t want your camper to get stuck!

Use Strong Leveling Ramps

It’s worth investing in some quality leveling ramps that can take the huge weight of your camper. Strong and durable ramps are essential to avoid breaking or splitting, which often happens with low-quality leveling ramps.

You need ramps that you’ll be able to use many times, just in case your camper tilts for unforeseen reasons, otherwise, you could be stuck with an off-balance RV for the duration of your trip.

Don’t Hold The Ramps

Do not hold the ramps into position! This is extremely dangerous and will end in disaster if something goes wrong. Always kick the ramps firmly instead. Both driver and ramp placer must be cautious and aware of each other to avoid a nasty accident.

How Does Your Camper Need To Be Leveled?

If you have an RV rather than a detachable camper, you only need to level from side to side and avoid sloped land so your driveable camper doesn’t tilt forwards or backward.

A detachable camper will need front-to-back leveling as it’s trickier to maneuver onto flat land. For a detachable camper, you will also need leveling blocks and wheel chocks, which you can get at your local camping goods store.

For both, you will also need a level to ensure your camper is perfectly balanced.

How To Level From Side To Side

Use A Level To Measure

When you have found your campsite, you will first need to check your motorhome using a level.

Lay the level from left to right in the campers doorway and check where the bubble is in the tool. Whichever side the bubble is tilting towards is the side you’ll need to raise.

Make sure if you have a detachable camper that it stays hitched until you’ve leveled it.

Place Leveling Ramps

Once you know which side to raise, place the leveling ramps under the tires on the side that needs to be raised.

As we mentioned before, do not place them with your hands! Kick them into place, parallel to the tires.

Drive The Camper Onto The Ramps

Slowly drive your camper onto the ramps. Make sure you ask someone to guide you if you’re struggling, while still being cautious of each other.

After this, check the level again to see if you need to make any adjustments.

Place Wheel Chocks

As a safety precaution, you should use wheel chocks to keep your camper still, even if you think you don’t need them. Place them under the remaining wheels, kicking them into place.

How To Level From Front To Back

Place Block Under The Tongue Jack

The tongue jack is the part of your camper that connects to your vehicle. Place a leveling block under it to keep it level.

Unhitch Camper

You can now unhitch your camper and move your vehicle out of the way so you can finish leveling.

Use A Level To Measure

Set the level in the camper’s door, but this time place it so it points to the front and back.

Adjust your camper according to where the bubble lies – if the bubble is closer to the back, you need to lower the jack, and if it’s closer to the front, you need to raise it.

Adjust The Tongue Jack

Usually, your jack will have a handle that you can turn to raise or lower it. Adjust the jack until your camper is level.

Place Blocks Under The Stabilizing Jacks

Use your other blocks under the camper’s stabilizing jacks to prevent the camper from falling out of place.

Lower Jacks Onto The Block

Finally, lower the jacks until they are placed firmly on the blocks.

Summary

With this guide, you will be able to safely make sure your camper is level, keeping you comfortable and protecting you from any mishaps during your camping vacation.

Remember to find a good position for your camper and to use strong equipment while being cautious. Keep this in mind and you won’t have any problems when following this step-by-step manual.