Keeping Your RV on the Level

RV Camping - Stabilizing and Leveling your RV

It's impossible to get a good night's sleep when the head of the bed is lower than the foot of the bed.  Switching end for end might not be much better — especially if your pillow just falls onto the floor.

To make matters worse, when you wake up the next morning, you might find that everything in the refrigerator is a bit warm. Why? Because gas refrigerators need to be level in order to function properly.

Getting your RV level can be accomplished in a number of ways.  Some take a bit of effort, and others are as simple as pushing a button.

Here's what you need to know to keep your RV trailer or motor home level and stabilized…

2 Ways To Level An RV

#1 The cheapest way to get your RV level is to place a stack of 2x10s under as many tires as it takes to get the bubble on the level centered.

An inexpensive surface level (this refrigerator level is my favorite) will let you know when things are level in your RV.

Of course there's the question of storing all of those lengths of wood.  And more importantly, will the stack hold together as you try to run up on it with your tires?  This method is not only an inconvenience, but also a possible safety hazard.

#2  The next step up in getting your RV level would be a set of RV leveling blocks. (Lynx Levelers are my favorite.) These interlocking plastic blocks are designed to handle the weight of the largest motor home around.  You just snap them together and form a ramp that will stay stable while you drive or pull your RV onto them.  When your ready to leave, they unsnap and can be easily stored in a handy carrying case.

3 Ways To Stabilize An RV

So now you've got the RV level, but what if it still rocks back and forth as you walk around?  You'll also need an RV stabilizer.

#1  Stabilizing jack stands will make things nice and solid.

Again, there's  the issue of storing the RV jack stands.  Plus, you have to crawl under the RV to position each of the stands.  So this isn't the most user-friendly method of stabilizing your RV.

#2  Moving up to a better set-up, you could install a set of permanently mounted stabilizing jacks.  RV scissor jacks bolt or weld to your RV's frame.  That way, you just go around to each corner and hand-crank each jack into place.  A set of bubble levels mounted on the RV's exterior walls will indicate when you've found level.

Of course, with this method there is a bit of manual labor involved — cranking the jacks by hand and all.

#3  The next step up is a set of electric jack stands.  Now, it's simply a matter of pushing a button to get your RV trailer sitting straight with the world!

You might as well invest in an electric tongue jack too.  Why not make it a complete package?

RV Motor Home Parking & Leveling Tips

How about parking your RV trailer when you get home?  Do you park it in close quarters?  Is it hard to maneuver around obstacles?  An electrically operated power mover will let you ease your RV around corners — avoiding trees and setting your trailer exactly where you want it.  Again, all at the press of a button!

This takes care of your RV travel trailers and fifth wheels, but what about motor homes?  Consider this hydraulic leveling system.  With the push of a button or two, you can raise one corner, one side, or the whole motor home — all by hydraulic rams mounted front and back.  They can even lift the motor home off the ground to make changing a flat tire a snap.