There are many things to learn when you start VR. From what RV is right for you to tow safely on the road, you will learn something new before, during and after each adventure, no matter where it takes you. When it comes to parking an RV, leveling it if it’s on uneven ground is essential to keeping your rig in working condition.
An unlevelled RV can wreak havoc on your chassis, tires, and could even cause your deck to tip over or slide across an uneven surface. Many RV parks and campgrounds have invested in concrete decks and level parking spots, but if you’re boondocking or arriving in a location that doesn’t have a level surface available, you’ll need to manually level your RV.
Here’s your beginner’s guide to leveling an RV and what to keep in mind when parking your motorhome, trailer, or caravan during a trip.
Why do you have to level an RV
You would like to stay level for your personal comfort. Nobody likes sleeping on a slanted bed or watching their food slide off the table. Parking on an uneven surface will put more pressure on your tires and potentially your undercarriage or chassis. This pressure could cause your tires to wear out more quickly or require costly repairs.
Another reason to maintain an RV level is to maintain a vital gadget: your refrigerator.
The RV refrigerator, an absorption refrigerator, must be level to allow chemicals to flow into the refrigerator. Running an RV refrigerator on an uneven surface will not only cause a malfunction, it can also cause permanent damage. This will force you to buy a new one. We recommend keeping a circular spirit level on top of your refrigerator to make sure the refrigerator is level while it is running.
Pro Tip: If you have a built-in leveling system, have it checked during your annual maintenance inspection. Make sure your leveling system works, and if not, repair before hitting the road.
Now that we know the importance of staying level, we need an easy way to do it. If you’re lucky, your RV will have built-in hydraulic or electric levelers with outriggers, but for the rest of us, we’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way with blocks.
Leveling an RV with blocks
The number of leveling blocks you will need will depend on the terrain you are parking on. Most RV parks do their best job of keeping sites level, but if you like dry camping, you may have uneven terrain to deal with.
What you use to level is your choice. Some RVers carry simple pieces of wood along with them, but we recommend getting something more stable, like RV leveling blocks that are available at many campgrounds, outdoors, and even some large stores. The advantage of using RV blocks is that they are designed for the job. The use of planks or wood can cause stress on the tires if the full weight is not distributed throughout the tire.
Take a walk around the RV park before starting the leveling process to give you an idea of where your RV might need help. Pull the motorhome to the spot a few feet from where you plan to park. Place the blocks under the wheels with your best estimate of what will level everything out. Try to leave at least one tire on the ground at all times to keep the RV stable.
Relax the brakes and try to let your engine idle roll your vehicle into the blocks. Keeping a spirit level on the dash of your RV is an easy way to gauge how far away you are. If it’s a little off, don’t worry, go back and try again, and before you know it, you’ll be able to get your VR level up first. Check the spirit level in your refrigerator to make sure everything looks good too.
Pro Tip: Even if you have a leveling system, keep some RV leveling blocks on hand in case you need them. They will come in handy if your system is malfunctioning while traveling or if you need a little extra lift to stay level in an RV park or campground.
You now have a level RV so you can sleep in and not worry about having to buy a new refrigerator or slide from where you parked during your trip.
