Yes, leveling your travel trailer during storage is highly recommended and, in many cases, essential for maintaining its structural integrity and ensuring optimal appliance performance upon your next trip. Failure to do so can lead to a range of issues, from damaged appliances to compromised frame stability and even accelerated wear and tear on tires.
Why Leveling Matters: The Long-Term Benefits
Leaving a travel trailer unlevel for extended periods, such as during the off-season, can inflict slow but significant damage. It’s not just about comfort; it’s about preserving your investment. Think of it like this: consistently uneven weight distribution puts undue stress on specific parts of the trailer.
Appliance Health and Longevity
One of the most immediate concerns is the impact on your appliances. Refrigerators, especially absorption refrigerators (often found in older or smaller trailers), rely on gravity for their cooling cycle. If they aren’t level, the cooling fluids won’t circulate properly, leading to inefficiency, damage, and potentially complete failure. Newer compressor refrigerators are less sensitive but can still experience issues with door seals if the trailer is significantly unlevel.
Structural Integrity and Frame Stability
The frame of your travel trailer is designed to distribute weight evenly. When a trailer is unlevel, this distribution is compromised, leading to stress concentrations in specific areas. Over time, this can result in:
- Frame warping or bending: This is especially problematic in lightweight trailers with less robust frames.
- Sealant failure: Uneven pressure can weaken seals around windows, doors, and other openings, leading to leaks and water damage.
- Door and window misalignment: Difficulty opening and closing doors and windows is a common symptom of a warped frame.
Tire Health and Safety
Even when stationary, tires are subject to wear and tear. An unlevel trailer can place disproportionate weight on one or two tires, leading to:
- Uneven tire wear: This shortens the lifespan of your tires and can compromise their safety.
- Flat spotting: Prolonged pressure on one area of the tire can cause a flat spot, resulting in a bumpy ride.
- Increased risk of blowouts: Weakened tires are more susceptible to blowouts during travel.
Practical Considerations for Leveling Your Trailer
Leveling your trailer for storage isn’t complicated, but it does require some planning and the right tools. Here are the essential steps:
- Choose a suitable storage location: Ideally, this should be a relatively flat surface, preferably concrete or gravel. Avoid soft or uneven ground.
- Use leveling blocks or ramps: These are placed under the tires to raise the lower side of the trailer.
- Employ a spirit level or bubble level: Place the level on a flat surface inside the trailer (e.g., the refrigerator floor or a countertop) and adjust the leveling blocks until the bubble is centered.
- Consider a tongue jack: Use the tongue jack to adjust the front-to-back level.
- Stabilize the trailer: Use stabilizer jacks to prevent rocking and swaying. These jacks are not designed for lifting the trailer; their primary purpose is to provide stability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Leveling Your Travel Trailer for Storage
Here are 12 frequently asked questions with detailed answers to further enhance your understanding.
FAQ 1: How level does my travel trailer need to be for storage?
Ideally, your travel trailer should be as close to perfectly level as possible. A slight incline (a degree or two) is usually acceptable, but avoid significant deviations. Aim for a bubble that’s perfectly centered in your spirit level.
FAQ 2: Can I just use the stabilizer jacks to level my trailer?
No, never use stabilizer jacks to lift and level your travel trailer. Stabilizer jacks are designed to prevent rocking and swaying, not to support the weight of the trailer. Using them for leveling can damage the frame and the jacks themselves.
FAQ 3: What happens if I store my trailer unlevel for just a few weeks?
Storing your trailer unlevel for a short period (a few weeks) is less likely to cause significant damage, especially if the unlevelness is minor. However, it’s still best practice to level it, even for short-term storage, to prevent any potential issues.
FAQ 4: What’s the best way to level my travel trailer on soft ground?
When storing on soft ground, use large, sturdy leveling blocks to distribute the weight of the tires. Consider using treated lumber or composite materials to prevent rotting. You might also want to use jack pads under the stabilizer jacks to prevent them from sinking into the ground.
FAQ 5: Do I need to remove the wheels when storing my trailer long-term?
Removing the wheels can help prevent tire degradation, but it’s not always necessary. If you choose to leave the wheels on, cover them to protect them from sunlight, which can cause cracking and dry rot. Ensure the tires are properly inflated to the recommended pressure.
FAQ 6: How often should I check the level of my trailer during long-term storage?
It’s a good idea to check the level of your trailer periodically, especially after heavy rain or snow. The ground can settle, causing the trailer to become unlevel again. Adjust the leveling blocks as needed.
FAQ 7: What if I don’t have access to leveling blocks or ramps?
While leveling blocks and ramps are the most effective tools, you can use wooden planks or other sturdy materials as a temporary solution. However, ensure that the materials are strong enough to support the weight of the trailer and that they are properly secured. Investing in dedicated leveling blocks is highly recommended for long-term storage.
FAQ 8: Is it okay to store my trailer on an incline?
Storing your trailer on an incline is not recommended as it concentrates weight at either the front or the back of the unit, resulting in the same issues as storing the unit unlevel. If the land has any sort of angle on it, invest in leveling blocks to make the trailer level.
FAQ 9: Will storing my trailer level help prevent rust and corrosion?
While leveling won’t directly prevent rust and corrosion, it can indirectly help by preventing water from pooling in specific areas. Water accumulation can accelerate rust and corrosion, especially in areas with compromised seals. Proper leveling helps ensure that water drains properly.
FAQ 10: Does it matter if my RV cover is level if my trailer isn’t?
The level of your RV cover is irrelevant if the trailer itself isn’t level. The primary concern is the level of the trailer’s frame and appliances. The cover protects the exterior, but it doesn’t affect the structural integrity or appliance function.
FAQ 11: Can I use automatic leveling systems to maintain level during storage?
Yes, automatic leveling systems can be used to maintain level during storage, although they require a power source to operate. They can automatically adjust the leveling jacks as needed to compensate for ground settling. However, it’s still important to check the level periodically to ensure the system is functioning correctly.
FAQ 12: Is leveling necessary if I’m only storing my trailer for a month or two during the winter?
Even for short-term winter storage, leveling is highly recommended. The cold temperatures can exacerbate the effects of unlevelness, potentially leading to frozen pipes or cracked seals. Taking the time to level your trailer is a worthwhile investment in its long-term health.