The Ultimate Guide To Leveling Your Camper Van

Levelling a camper is a crucial step in ensuring your comfort and safety during your camping trip. While it may seem daunting at first, levelling your camper can be done in a few simple steps. The process involves adjusting the camper's position to ensure it is level from side to side and front to back, using tools like levelling blocks, wood scraps, and wheel chocks. This guide will ensure your appliances work correctly and that you get a good night's sleep.

Use a level to measure the camper from side to side

To level a camper from side to side, you'll need to use a level to measure the camper. Bring along an inexpensive level, such as a surface or bubble level. Lay the level from left to right in the camper's doorway. The side of the level that is lower is the side of the camper that needs to be raised.

Keep the camper hitched until you're done levelling it from side to side. Once you've measured the camper's level from side to side, you can place levelling blocks near the tires. These are like strong, plastic Lego blocks for campers. Snap them together to form a ramp for the camper and place them in front of the tire that needs to be raised. You can also use 2-inch by 10-inch pieces of wood as a cheaper levelling option, but the wood always has to be wider than the tires.

After placing the levelling blocks, you can drive the camper onto them. Slowly drive the camper forward, ensuring the wheels are firmly on the blocks. Measure the camper's level again and make adjustments as needed. If it feels easier, you can place the levelling blocks behind the wheels and back onto them instead.

Finally, place wheel chocks under the tires to hold the camper still. Chocks are a safety measure, so use them even when you think you don't need them. Place them under the wheel, wedging them in place by hand. Place them behind the wheels if the ground slopes towards the rear end of the camper.

Place leveling blocks near the tires

To level a camper, you'll need to level it from side to side and then from front to back. This can be done using a variety of tools, including leveling blocks, wheel chocks, and a bubble level.

Leveling blocks are placed near the tires of your camper to adjust its position and ensure it's in an even spot. They are usually made of plastic or wood and can be stacked to achieve the perfect height. Here are some tips for placing leveling blocks near the tires:

• Choose the correct type of leveling blocks: Plastic leveling blocks are lightweight, affordable, and easy to use. They can be snapped together like Lego blocks to form a ramp for your camper's tires. Wooden blocks are a cheaper alternative, but they are bulkier, heavier, and more prone to splitting.
• Prepare the area: Before placing the leveling blocks, clear the area of any rocks, branches, or other debris that might get in the way. Make sure the ground is as flat as possible, and consider using a bubble level to check the slope of the surface.
• Determine the number of blocks needed: Assess the slope of the ground and decide how many blocks you will need to raise the camper to a level position. For a slight slope, one or two blocks might be enough, while for a more significant slope, you may need three or more.
• Stack the blocks: If you are using plastic leveling blocks, snap them together to form a ramp. If you are using wooden blocks, place them in a ramp-like formation, with the highest point in the middle and the lowest points on the outside, so your tires can drive up easily.
• Position the blocks: Place the leveling blocks in front of the tires that need to be raised. Make sure the blocks are securely in place and won't shift when the camper drives onto them.
• Drive the camper onto the blocks: Slowly drive the camper onto the leveling blocks, making sure the tires are completely within the width of the blocks. If necessary, have someone guide you to ensure accurate placement.
• Check for overhanging tires: After driving onto the blocks, check to make sure that no part of the tires is hanging off the blocks. If there is overhang, back up and reposition the blocks or the camper to avoid damaging the tires.
• Use wheel chocks: Place wheel chocks behind the tires if the ground slopes towards the back of the camper and in front if the slope goes the other way. Wheel chocks are essential safety measures to keep the camper in place and prevent it from rolling away.

By following these steps, you can effectively use leveling blocks near the tires to level your camper and ensure a comfortable and safe camping experience.

Drive the camper onto the blocks

Driving the camper onto the blocks is a crucial step in levelling your camper. This is how you do it:

Step 1: Decide if you need to raise the right or left tires

If you are levelling from side to side, you will need to decide whether to raise the right or left tires. If you are close to level, try going up on just one block. If you are off by a bit, try going up onto two blocks. It is not recommended to go up more than three blocks.

Step 2: Build a platform

To make it easier to drive up onto the blocks, build a platform. For example, use five blocks to make a kind of ramp or slope to go up the height of two blocks.

Step 3: Decide whether to roll back or pull forward

Look at the angle of your campsite and trailer. Decide if it will be easier to roll back onto the blocks or to pull the RV forward up onto them. If you are going to roll back, place your blocks behind the wheel. For pulling forward, lay the blocks in front of the wheel.

Step 4: Pull your camper onto the blocks

Pull your camper onto the levelling blocks slowly. It is best to have someone who knows how to guide an RV to help you with this process. If you are alone, go slow and check your placement several times. Set your parking brake each time you need to leave your tow vehicle.

Step 5: Check your level

Check to see if you are now level. If you are not yet level, you may need to pull off the blocks, add another level, and repeat the process.

Tips

• If it feels easier, place the levelling blocks behind the wheels and back onto them instead.
• If part of the tire hangs off the levelling block or wood scrap, the tires will weaken over time. Readjust the camper to avoid this.
• If you are levelling a motorized RV, to adjust the level left to right, place blocks under both driver or passenger wheels.

Place wheel chocks under the tires

Once you have levelled your camper from side to side, it is important to keep it in place. Place wheel chocks under the tires to hold the camper still. Chocks are a safety measure, so use them even when you think you don't need them. Place the chocks under the wheel, wedging them in place by hand. If the ground slopes towards the rear end of the camper, place them behind the wheels.

Wheel chocks can be found at general stores and camping supply stores. If you don’t have any, wood scraps can be used instead.

When using leveling blocks, it is important to also use wheel chocks to secure the camper. One method is to use a BAL Light Trailer Tire Leveler on the low side and a BAL Single Axle Tire Locking Chock on the high side. Another option is to use Lynx leveling blocks with Lynx chocks on the low side and heavy-duty rubber chocks on the other side.

Camco also makes wheel chocks that connect to their leveling blocks to stabilize and center wheels, helping to eliminate dangerous wheel movement.

Level from front to back and stabilise

To level a camper from front to back, you'll need to unhitch it from your vehicle and adjust the tongue jack. The tongue jack is the front part of the camper that connects to your vehicle. You can adjust it by hand using a crank or manually with a drill attachment. Lower or raise the jack until the camper is level. You can check this with a bubble level placed in the doorway or on a countertop.

To stabilise the camper, place wood scraps or jack pads under the stabilising jacks on each corner of the camper. These are different from the tongue jack and are not meant for lifting the camper. Instead, they prevent the camper from rocking and falling out of level. You can also use wheel chocks to stop the camper from moving.

Frequently asked questions