Leveling your fifth wheel is crucial for comfort, appliance function, and structural integrity. It’s achieved by systematically adjusting the trailer’s height until it’s level both side-to-side and front-to-back, using leveling blocks, ramps, and a level.
Why Leveling Your Fifth Wheel Matters
Leveling a fifth wheel isn’t just about comfort; it’s about protecting your investment and ensuring a pleasant camping experience. An unlevel trailer can lead to a host of problems, from minor annoyances to serious structural damage.
- Appliance Functionality: Refrigerators, particularly older models, rely on gravity to circulate coolant. Being significantly off-level can prevent them from cooling properly, leading to spoiled food and costly repairs. Similarly, stoves and ovens won’t distribute heat evenly.
- Comfort and Convenience: Imagine trying to sleep on a slanted bed or constantly chasing a rolling can of soda across the counter. An unlevel fifth wheel creates a disruptive and uncomfortable living environment.
- Structural Integrity: Over time, the frame of an unlevel trailer can be subjected to undue stress. This can lead to warping, cracking, and other structural damage that can be expensive to repair.
- Door and Window Operation: Leveling ensures doors and windows open and close smoothly. An unlevel frame can cause binding, making them difficult to operate and potentially damaging seals.
Step-by-Step: Leveling Your Fifth Wheel
Here’s a detailed guide to leveling your fifth wheel effectively:
Step 1: Assessing the Site
Before you even unhitch, take a moment to assess the campsite. Look for any obvious slopes or irregularities in the ground. This will give you a head start in determining how much leveling you’ll need to do.
Step 2: Gathering Your Supplies
You’ll need the following tools and equipment:
- Level: A bubble level or a digital level is essential for accurate measurement. Some RVs come with built-in levels.
- Leveling Blocks or Ramps: These are used to raise the low side of the trailer. Consider purchasing heavy-duty plastic leveling blocks designed for RVs.
- Wheel Chocks: These prevent the trailer from rolling during the leveling process.
- Wood Blocks (Optional): Can be used to provide additional support under leveling blocks or jacks.
- Shovel (Optional): Useful for removing small rocks or debris that may interfere with leveling.
- Gloves: Protect your hands from dirt and splinters.
Step 3: Initial Positioning
Position your fifth wheel as close as possible to your desired location while still attached to your tow vehicle. This will minimize the amount of moving you’ll need to do later.
Step 4: Side-to-Side Leveling
This is typically the first step. Use your level to determine which side of the trailer is lower.
- Place Leveling Blocks: Position your leveling blocks or ramps in front of the tires on the low side of the trailer.
- Pull Onto Blocks: Slowly and carefully drive the trailer onto the leveling blocks until the side is level. Use a spotter to guide you and prevent overshooting.
- Check Level: Re-check the level to ensure the side is properly leveled. Adjust as needed.
Step 5: Unhitching and Front-to-Back Leveling
Now it’s time to unhitch from your tow vehicle.
- Unhitch: Follow your hitch manufacturer’s instructions to safely unhitch your fifth wheel.
- Extend Landing Gear: Extend the landing gear until it makes contact with the ground. Place wood blocks under the feet of the landing gear if the ground is soft.
- Level Front-to-Back: Use the landing gear to raise or lower the front of the trailer until it’s level. Check the level frequently to ensure accuracy.
Step 6: Stabilizing the Trailer
Once the trailer is leveled, it’s important to stabilize it.
- Wheel Chocks: Place wheel chocks behind the wheels on both sides of the trailer.
- Stabilizer Jacks: Extend the stabilizer jacks at the rear of the trailer to provide additional support and prevent rocking. Do NOT use stabilizer jacks to lift the trailer; they are designed for stabilization only.
Step 7: Final Checks
Before settling in, double-check that the trailer is level in both directions. A slight adjustment now can save you a lot of hassle later. Also, inspect the landing gear and stabilizer jacks to ensure they are securely in place.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ 1: What is the best type of level to use for leveling a fifth wheel?
The best type of level depends on your preference and budget. A bubble level is the most common and affordable option. Digital levels offer greater precision and are easier to read, especially in low light. Some RVs come with built-in levels, which can be very convenient.
FAQ 2: Can I use rocks or wood scraps instead of leveling blocks?
While you can use rocks or wood scraps in a pinch, it’s not recommended. Rocks are unstable and can shift, while wood scraps can splinter and break. Investing in a set of dedicated leveling blocks or ramps is a safer and more reliable option.
FAQ 3: How much is too much to raise one side of the trailer?
As a general rule, avoid raising one side of the trailer more than 4-6 inches. Exceeding this height can put undue stress on the frame and suspension. If you need to raise one side significantly more than that, it’s best to find a different campsite.
FAQ 4: Should I level my fifth wheel before or after extending the slides?
Always level your fifth wheel before extending the slides. Extending the slides on an unlevel trailer can cause them to bind, become difficult to operate, and potentially damage the slide mechanisms.
FAQ 5: What if the ground is too soft to support the landing gear?
If the ground is soft, the landing gear can sink, making it difficult to level the trailer. To prevent this, place large wood blocks or pads under the feet of the landing gear to distribute the weight over a larger area.
FAQ 6: My fifth wheel has auto-leveling. Do I still need to check it with a level?
While auto-leveling systems are convenient, they are not always perfectly accurate. It’s a good idea to double-check the level with a bubble level or digital level after the auto-leveling system has finished.
FAQ 7: Can I use the stabilizer jacks to lift the trailer for leveling?
No! Stabilizer jacks are designed for stabilization only, not for lifting. Using them to lift the trailer can damage the jacks and the frame.
FAQ 8: What if my tires are completely off the ground after leveling?
If your tires are completely off the ground, you’ve likely raised that side too much. Never leave your trailer supported only by leveling blocks. Reduce the height of the leveling blocks until the tires are at least touching the ground.
FAQ 9: How often should I check the level of my fifth wheel?
It’s a good idea to check the level of your fifth wheel every day or two, especially if the ground is soft or prone to shifting.
FAQ 10: What do I do if the campsite is extremely unlevel?
If the campsite is extremely unlevel, it may be best to find a different campsite. Trying to level a trailer on a very uneven surface can be dangerous and can put undue stress on the frame.
FAQ 11: What are some signs that my fifth wheel is not level?
Some signs that your fifth wheel is not level include: doors and windows that are difficult to open or close, rolling objects, uneven cooking, and discomfort while sleeping.
FAQ 12: Where is the best place to put the level when checking side-to-side level? Front-to-back level?
For side-to-side leveling, the best place to put the level is across the floor inside the trailer, ideally in the center, perpendicular to the length of the trailer. For front-to-back leveling, place the level along the length of the floor, in the center of the trailer. Some people use the refrigerator floor as a gauge as well.