Leveling your travel trailer isn’t just about comfort; it’s crucial for the proper functioning of appliances, preventing structural stress, and ensuring a good night’s sleep. Mastering this essential skill ensures a stable and enjoyable camping experience, preventing costly repairs and maximizing the longevity of your investment.
Why Leveling Matters: More Than Just Comfort
Many new RVers underestimate the importance of a properly leveled travel trailer. While a slight tilt might seem insignificant, it can lead to a cascade of problems impacting both your comfort and the functionality of your RV. Beyond avoiding that awkward rolling-out-of-bed feeling, leveling plays a critical role in several key areas:
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Appliance Efficiency: Refrigerators, particularly absorption refrigerators common in older models, rely on gravity to function correctly. When significantly off-level, the ammonia mixture inside can crystallize, leading to decreased cooling efficiency or even permanent damage. Similar issues can arise with propane-fueled appliances like furnaces and water heaters.
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Plumbing Drainage: Leveling ensures proper drainage from sinks, showers, and toilets. A tilted trailer can cause water to pool in certain areas, leading to unpleasant odors, potential mold growth, and inefficient waste removal.
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Structural Integrity: Over time, an unlevel trailer can place undue stress on the frame, axles, and suspension system. This can lead to warping, cracking, and costly repairs. Even minor inconsistencies in weight distribution can exacerbate existing weak points.
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Door and Window Alignment: A severely unlevel trailer can cause doors and windows to bind or become difficult to close properly. This can compromise weather sealing and security.
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Overall Comfort: Let’s face it, a sloping floor just isn’t comfortable. From uneven cooking surfaces to things rolling off tables, an unlevel trailer detracts from the overall camping experience.
Essential Tools and Equipment
Before you start, gather the necessary tools and equipment. Investing in quality tools will make the process easier and more accurate. Here’s a basic checklist:
- Leveling Blocks or Ramps: These are designed specifically for raising trailer tires. Choose durable, stackable options like interlocking blocks or gradually sloped ramps.
- Bubble Level or Digital Level: A bubble level is a simple and reliable tool. Digital levels offer greater precision and can measure angles. You’ll want one that can be placed inside the trailer and also on the trailer tongue.
- Wheel Chocks: Essential for safety. Use these to secure the wheels that aren’t being raised.
- Tongue Jack Pad: A wide, stable pad for the tongue jack to prevent it from sinking into soft ground.
- Gloves: Protect your hands.
- Tire Pressure Gauge: Ensure your tires are properly inflated. Uneven tire pressure can affect leveling.
- Wrench (for Stabilizer Jacks): For extending and retracting stabilizer jacks.
The Leveling Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Leveling a travel trailer requires a methodical approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure accuracy and safety:
1. Initial Assessment and Positioning
- Choose a Level Site: Ideally, select a campsite that is as level as possible to begin with. Survey the area and avoid obvious slopes or depressions.
- Position the Trailer: Carefully maneuver the trailer into your desired campsite position. Try to minimize the amount of leveling required by aligning the trailer on the most level ground.
- Initial Level Check: Use your bubble level or digital level to determine how far off-level the trailer is. Check both side-to-side and front-to-back. Place the level inside the trailer on the floor, preferably in the center.
- Note the Discrepancy: Make a note of which side (or the front or back) needs to be raised and by how much. This will help you determine the appropriate number of leveling blocks or the height of the ramp needed.
2. Side-to-Side Leveling
- Position Leveling Blocks: Place the leveling blocks or ramp in front of the tires on the side that needs to be raised. If using a ramp, ensure the trailer is positioned to drive onto it.
- Chock the Wheels: Before moving the trailer, securely chock the wheels on the opposite side. This is a crucial safety step!
- Slowly Pull Forward: Carefully pull the trailer forward onto the leveling blocks or ramp until the trailer is level from side to side. Have a spotter outside to guide you and monitor the leveling progress.
- Re-Check the Level: Use your level to confirm the side-to-side level. Make adjustments as needed.
3. Front-to-Back Leveling
- Use the Tongue Jack: Use the tongue jack to raise or lower the front of the trailer until it is level from front to back.
- Leveling Blocks (if necessary): If the tongue jack needs to be extended significantly, use additional leveling blocks under the jack pad for added stability.
- Re-Check the Level: Use your level to confirm the front-to-back level. Make adjustments as needed.
4. Final Stabilization
- Lower Stabilizer Jacks: Lower the stabilizer jacks to provide additional stability. Remember that these jacks are not designed to lift or level the trailer; they only prevent rocking and swaying.
- Check and Adjust: Double-check the level in both directions. Make any final adjustments to the tongue jack or leveling blocks as needed.
- Ensure Stability: Once leveled and stabilized, walk around inside the trailer to ensure it feels solid and stable.
FAQs: Leveling Travel Trailers
Here are some frequently asked questions about leveling travel trailers to help you troubleshoot and improve your leveling skills:
FAQ 1: What happens if my RV refrigerator isn’t level?
A significantly unlevel refrigerator can suffer from reduced cooling efficiency. The ammonia mixture within an absorption refrigerator relies on gravity. If the refrigerator is off-level, the mixture can crystallize, potentially damaging the system. The recommended tolerance is typically within 3 degrees.
FAQ 2: Can I use my stabilizer jacks to level my trailer?
No, stabilizer jacks are designed to stabilize the trailer, not to lift or level it. Using them for leveling can damage the jacks and the trailer frame.
FAQ 3: How precise does the leveling need to be?
While perfectly level is ideal, a slight variance is acceptable. Aim for within a few degrees. Use a level inside to visually confirm the levelness.
FAQ 4: What are the best leveling blocks?
The “best” leveling blocks depend on your needs and budget. Plastic interlocking blocks are a popular, durable, and stackable option. Wood blocks can also work but may deteriorate over time. Ramps offer a gradual lift but can be more difficult to position precisely.
FAQ 5: What if I can’t find a level campsite?
Unfortunately, this is a common scenario. Carry plenty of leveling blocks and be prepared to use them. Don’t be afraid to adjust your trailer’s position to minimize the amount of leveling required.
FAQ 6: How do I level a trailer on soft ground?
Soft ground can cause the tongue jack and leveling blocks to sink. Use wide pads under the jack and blocks to distribute the weight. You may also need to re-level after a day or two if the ground continues to settle.
FAQ 7: Should I level my trailer before or after extending the slide-outs?
Level your trailer before extending the slide-outs. Slide-outs add significant weight to one side of the trailer, and extending them on an unlevel surface can strain the slide-out mechanism and frame.
FAQ 8: What if my tires are different sizes?
Uneven tire sizes can make leveling difficult. Ensure all tires are the correct size and properly inflated. Consider carrying a spare tire of the correct size.
FAQ 9: Can I use air suspension to level my trailer?
Some trailers are equipped with air suspension systems that can be used for leveling. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when using air suspension for leveling.
FAQ 10: How often should I check the level of my trailer?
Check the level of your trailer each time you set up camp. It’s also a good idea to re-check it after a day or two, especially on soft ground.
FAQ 11: What if my level is broken or I forgot it?
While a proper level is ideal, you can use a water level (a clear tube filled with water) as a makeshift alternative. The water level will equalize, providing a reference point for leveling. Additionally, smartphone apps that act as levels are readily available.
FAQ 12: What’s the best way to determine how many blocks I need?
Measure the distance between the tire and the ground on the low side. The combined height of your leveling blocks should be slightly greater than this measurement. You can always stack more blocks if needed.
By following these steps and addressing common issues, you can master the art of leveling your travel trailer, ensuring a comfortable and safe camping experience for years to come. A little preparation and attention to detail can save you from costly repairs and allow you to focus on enjoying the great outdoors.