You've
finally made it to the campground. But before you can run off to the
lake or go for a hike, the first order of the day is to park and
level your RV so that your refrigerator will operate properly and you
don't find yourself in bed at night with your feet higher than your
head.
Never
assume your site will be flat or level. That would make parking an RV
too easy. Due to the nature of camping, chances are higher that your
site will be rutted, gouged and somewhat uneven.
But
don't fret. You can still get your RV into your spot, and leveled so
it operates properly, with a few easy steps. Here's how:
How to Park an RV
With
many campsites designed to accommodate smaller vehicles, easing your
30-foot long fifth-wheeler or even longer motorhome into some spots
can be a challenge.
How to Level an RV
There
are several reasons to make sure your RV is level, including proper
refrigerator operation and safe slide out extension (if you have
them). You'll also want to stabilize your rig so that it doesn't sway
when you move about inside or in windy conditions.
Many
luxury motorhomes and trailers come equipped with exotic
self-leveling systems, with hydraulic or electric rams that extend at
the touch of a button and level the coach automatically. For rigs
without this nicety, leveling blocks or ramps and a small bubble
level are required.
Leveling
blocks or ramps don't have to be expensive. They can be as simple as
a stack of 2x10-inch boards. Or, you can step up to interlocking RV
leveling blocks. Made of high-strength plastic, these blocks are
touted as being able to bear the weight of even the largest
motorhomes and trailers.
1)
With your RV positioned in the site where you want it, place the
bubble level on the floor to determine if the unit is level both
front-to back and side-to-side. If you have slide outs, extend them
now to see which way your trailer or motorhome leans. Then retract
them for safety.
2)
Next, mark some lines in the dirt in front or back of the tires on
the side that needs to be leveled.
3)
Now pull your rig forward (or back it up) so that the tires are clear
of the lines. Place your boards or blocks in position. If you
determine that you'll need several layers of boards or blocks to get
your rig level, build them in a ramp configuration.
Don't
try to force your RV to climb up more than 2 inches at a time.
4)
Move your motorhome or trailer up onto the levelers, making sure to
keep the tire footprint completely on the boards or blocks. Don't let
your tires overhang any edge as this can cause damage.
5)
Now check the bubble level again and adjust the height of the boards
or blocks as needed so that your rig is level side-to-side. When all
looks good, place wheel chocks in front or behind the tires
(depending which way the site slopes) to keep the trailer from
moving. You can then disconnect your trailer from your tow vehicle
and use the trailer's hitch jack (or a fifth-wheel's "landing
gear") to fine-tune the front-to-rear level.
For
motorhomes, put the transmission in "park" and set the
parking brake.
How to Stabilize Your RV
Now
that your RV is level, you'll want to stabilize it so it doesn't rock
back and forth when you walk around inside. You should use
stabilizing jacks to accomplish this.
Note:
These should never be used to level a rig, as they weren't designed
for that purpose.
Stabilizing
jacks come in several configurations. The most common is the scissor
jack, which is usually bolted or welded to the trailer's frame at the
front and rear.
Pop-up
tent trailers are frequently equipped with a drop-down style jack,
which, as the name implies, drops down from the frame.
To
use the stabilizing jacks after you've leveled the
RV:
1.
Lower the jacks following the manufacturer's instructions. To save
time and give the foot of each jack a larger base, slide a couple of
short 2x4- or 2x6-inch boards beneath each foot. This is especially
helpful if the ground is loose or sandy.
2.
Once the jack foot is in contact with the ground, give the crank a
few extra turns to provide the trailer a secure footing. Check the
bubble level to make sure your RV remains level. Do this for all four
corners.
And
that's how to park and level an RV! Your RV is now safely in the
campsite and ready to enjoy. When you get ready to leave just reverse
these steps, remembering to raise the jacks to their travel position,
and collect and store your leveling boards or blocks.
