Parking A Camper On An Incline: Safe Or Not?

Parking a camper on an incline is possible, but it requires careful preparation to avoid damage to your vehicle and to ensure your safety. If you're new to RVing, it's important to cultivate the skill of parking on a slope, as it can be a challenging task even for experienced RV owners. Here are some essential steps to follow when parking your camper on an incline:

- Use the proper tow vehicle: Ensure your tow vehicle is rated to tow your camper's weight. Check your vehicle's towing capacity and transmission capabilities.

- Get the right equipment: Invest in good-quality wheel chocks or X-chocks to prevent your camper from rolling. You can also use leveling blocks to stabilize and level your camper.

- Choose the right parking spot: Look for a spot with firm ground that can handle the weight of your camper. Avoid soft surfaces where your camper might sink.

- Angle your wheels correctly: If there is no curb, angle your wheels towards the edge of the road to minimize the risk of rolling. If there is a curb, angle your wheels towards it.

- Level your camper: Use trailer tongue jacks, stabilizer jacks, and leveling blocks to level your camper as much as possible.

- Engage the parking brake: Before leaving your camper, make sure to set the parking brake to keep it secure.

- Chock your wheels: Place wheel chocks and wheel stabilizers to prevent your camper from rolling.

- Rearrange your bed: Adjust your sleeping area so that your head is elevated higher than your feet for a more comfortable rest.

While it is possible to park your camper on an incline, it is always preferable to find level ground for parking whenever possible. Parking on a slope can put unnecessary stress on your camper's structure and appliances, leading to potential damage and costly repairs.

Wheel chocks and stabilisers are essential for parking on an incline

Parking a camper on an incline is possible, but it requires careful preparation to ensure safety. One of the most important tools for this task is wheel chocks. These are placed against the wheels of a vehicle to stop it from moving, and they are a vital safety measure when parking on a slope. It is recommended to use multiple chocks, both in front of and behind the wheels, to prevent the camper from rolling downhill. In addition to wheel chocks, it is also important to use leveling blocks to raise the lower side of the camper, ensuring it is level. This is important for both safety and comfort, as sleeping on an incline can be challenging.

Wheel chocks are an essential safety measure when parking a camper on an incline. They are designed to stop a vehicle from unintentionally rolling or moving, and they provide resistance to the wheels if the camper tries to move. It is important to choose the right type and size of wheel chock for your vehicle. Plastic chocks may be sufficient for small trailers, but heavier vehicles will require more heavy-duty rubber or metal chocks. It is also crucial to position the chocks correctly, ensuring they are flush against the tires. Inspect the chocks regularly to make sure they are in good condition and providing sufficient stability.

In addition to wheel chocks, stabilisers are another essential tool for parking a camper on an incline. Stabilisers are used to level the camper and provide extra stability. They are often built into the camper and can be adjusted individually to level the vehicle based on the terrain. If the incline is particularly steep, it may be necessary to dig a little and build up blocks using wood or concrete pavers for the stabilisers to rest on. This provides a more solid foundation and reduces the risk of the camper rolling downhill.

When parking a camper on an incline, it is crucial to follow these steps:

• Place wheel chocks in front of and behind the wheels to prevent forward or backward movement.
• Use leveling blocks to raise the lower side of the camper and ensure it is level.
• Engage the parking brake to provide additional security.
• Adjust the stabilisers to level the camper and provide extra stability.
• Regularly check the wheel chocks and stabilisers to ensure they are in good condition and properly positioned.

By following these steps and using wheel chocks and stabilisers, it is possible to safely park a camper on an incline. However, it is important to remember that parking on level ground is always the best option to avoid potential damage to your camper and ensure your comfort.

Angle your wheels to avoid rolling downhill

When parking a camper on an incline, it is crucial to angle your wheels correctly to prevent it from rolling downhill. Here are some detailed instructions to ensure your camper remains safely parked:

Parking Downhill with a Curb:

When facing downhill, turn your front wheels toward the curb. Slowly roll forward until the front of your front tire gently rests against the curb, using it as a block to prevent further movement. This technique is especially important when parking on a hill with a curb, as it creates a physical barrier to keep your camper from rolling.

Parking Uphill with a Curb:

When facing uphill, the procedure is similar but in reverse. Turn your front wheels away from the curb and slowly roll backward until the back of your front tire gently makes contact with the curb. Again, the curb acts as a safety measure, preventing your camper from rolling downhill.

Parking Downhill or Uphill without a Curb:

If there is no curb present, the strategy differs slightly. Whether parking downhill or uphill, always turn your front wheels to the right. This ensures that if your camper moves, it will roll off the road and away from traffic, reducing the risk of an accident.

Additional Safety Measures:

While proper wheel angling is essential, it is also recommended to utilize wheel chocks or X-chocks, which are wedge-shaped devices placed against your tires to prevent unintentional movement. Additionally, always engage your parking brake and, if possible, use leveling blocks to stabilize your camper and reduce stress on its structure.

Remember to double-check your wheel position and never leave your camper parked on an incline without taking these necessary precautions. By following these instructions, you can confidently and safely park your camper on an incline.

Level your camper to prevent damage to your appliances

Levelling your camper is essential to keeping your appliances in good working order. An uneven camper can cause a lot of problems, from spoilt food to broken parts. Here are some tips to help you level your camper and avoid any issues:

Find a relatively flat spot

First, try to find a spot that is relatively flat. Look for an area that seems close to flat, especially if you're camping somewhere rustic or off the grid. Never park on an obvious hill as it's not safe.

Use levelling blocks

Use levelling blocks to even out your camper from side to side. Levelling blocks snap together to create the height you need to balance your camper. Place them in front of the wheels on the side that needs raising, then slowly pull forward until the wheels are on top of them.

Chock your wheels

Use wheel chocks to keep your wheels from rolling and coming off the blocks. Place them in front and behind the wheels on both sides of the camper. This will also help to keep your camper still, even when people are moving around inside.

Adjust your stabilizers

Use a bubble level to check the grade of your camper from front to back. Adjust your tongue jack as needed until the length of your camper is level. Then set your stabilizer jacks to keep your trailer stable while parked.

Use a levelling system

If your camper has an electric levelling system, you can use this to do most of the work for you. However, you will still need to follow the steps above first to ensure your camper is safe and secure.

Check your appliances

Once you've levelled your camper, check that your appliances are working correctly. This includes your refrigerator, air conditioning, slides, and holding tank monitors. An uneven camper can cause a lot of problems, so it's important to make sure everything is working properly.

Use a bubble level to check your vehicle is level

Using a bubble level to check if your camper is level is a simple, low-tech, and affordable method. It is a sealed tube that contains a solution that moves a bubble to the centre of the instrument, indicating when something is horizontally level and/or vertically plumb.

• Clean the level, removing all buildup and dirt from the edges.
• Mark a line along the bottom edge on the wall.
• Flip the level over so that the bottom becomes the top. Put the new top edge along the marked line. If the bubble is centred, your level is accurate. If not, it is defective.
• Place the level on the surface of the object for which you want to find the true horizontal (the “horizon”). Make sure the spirit tube runs parallel to the object. Allow the bubble to float to the top of the spirit tube.
• Put your eyes at level with the spirit tube. In order to get an accurate reading, close one eye.
• Take note of where the bubble is inside the spirit tube. If it’s centred between the lines on the tube, your object is level. If the bubble is to the right of the lines, your object slopes downward right-to-left. If the bubble is to the left of the lines, your object slopes downward left-to-right.
• To find the true vertical or "plumb," repeat the same process vertically.

To level your camper from side to side, place the bubble level close to the rear axle of your camper, with the length of the level aligned with the side-to-side axis of your camper. If the bubble is only slightly off-centre, try moving forward or backward in the site to get level. If that doesn't work, add levellers (levelling blocks or pads) under the lower side tyres and drive up onto them. Your goal is to get the bubble as close to the centre as possible.

Once your camper is level from side to side, you can begin the front-to-back levelling process. When levelling an RV from front to back, you will raise or lower one or both ends of the camper, using the rear axles as a pivot point. Place the bubble level so that it aligns with the front-to-back axis of your camper. Then, raise or lower the front of your camper using a tongue jack, front stabilisers, levellers under your front tyres, or your camper's levelling jacks.

Rearrange your bed so your head is higher than your feet

If you're parking your RV on an incline, it's important to take steps to ensure your safety and comfort. One of the steps you can take is to rearrange your bed so that your head is higher than your feet. This will allow you to get a comfortable night's sleep, even on an incline. Here are some tips to help you rearrange your bed:

• Lift the mattress: If your mattress is placed directly on a platform, you can try lifting one end of the mattress by placing objects such as books or blocks of wood under the mattress. This will create an incline that raises your head higher than your feet.
• Add more pillows: If you use a pillow-top mattress or have a mattress with a built-in pillow, you can add extra pillows to raise your head and upper body. This will help you achieve a comfortable sleeping position, even on an incline.
• Use an adjustable bed frame: If you have an adjustable bed frame, you can raise the head of the bed to a higher position. This will create an incline that helps improve your circulation and breathing while sleeping.
• Choose a suitable mattress: If you're planning to camp in hilly areas frequently, consider investing in a self-inflating air mattress or an adjustable air mattress. These mattresses allow you to customize the firmness and incline to suit your comfort and the terrain.
• Practice good sleep hygiene: When camping on an incline, it's even more important to practice good sleep hygiene. This includes avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed, establishing a relaxing bedtime routine, and minimizing the use of electronic devices before sleep.

Remember, while it's possible to park your RV on an incline, it's always preferable to find level ground for your safety and comfort. However, if you must park on a hill, following the steps outlined in this guide will help you avoid damage to your trailer and get a good night's sleep.

Frequently asked questions