Easy Guide: Installing Levels On Your Camper Van

If you're looking to install levels on your camper van, you're probably interested in making your vehicle more comfortable and ensuring that your appliances work properly. Levels are important because they help you position your camper so that all components function as they should. For example, pumps and compressors require levelling. If your camper isn't level, your refrigerator may not work properly, and electrical components can be damaged if something leaks.

There are a few ways to go about levelling your camper. You can use a bubble level, plastic levelling blocks, or wood scraps. If you're levelling from side to side, bring a bubble level and lay it from left to right in the camper's doorway. The side that is lower is the side you'll need to raise. If you're levelling from front to back, you'll need to adjust the tongue jack.

Choosing the right tools

• Levels: Start by investing in a good level, such as a bubble level or a Bluetooth level. The bubble level is inexpensive and easy to use, while the Bluetooth level provides more precise readings and can be connected to your phone.
• Leveling Blocks: These are vital for levelling your camper on uneven surfaces. Plastic leveling blocks, such as the popular Andersen Levelers, are durable and easy to use. They come in pairs and allow for precise levelling. Alternatively, you can use pieces of wood, such as 2x6 boards or 2x10 lumber, but these may take up more storage space and need to be regularly checked for rot or damage.
• Wheel Chocks: Chocks are essential safety tools to prevent your camper from rolling away. Solid rubber wheel chocks are a good investment and can be found at general or camping supply stores.
• Tongue Jack: A tongue jack is crucial for levelling and stabilising your camper. Make sure to place it on a solid surface, such as a paving stone or treated lumber, to prevent it from sinking.
• Stabilizing Jacks: These jacks are placed at the four corners of your camper to provide additional stability and prevent rocking. Ensure they are installed evenly and don't bear weight until your camper is fully level.
• Shovel: A shovel can be handy for levelling a campsite by scraping away gravel or adding it to low spots. It's also a useful tool to have for other camping tasks.
• Automated Leveling Tools: If manual levelling seems daunting, consider investing in automated leveling tools like hydraulic jacks or digital levelers. These can be factory-installed or purchased as aftermarket options. They take the guesswork out of levelling and can be controlled with the push of a button.

Preparing the site

Choose and Prepare the Site:

Start by selecting a flat and level site for your camper. It's best to opt for a concrete slab or a raw piece of land. If you choose a concrete slab, ensure it's free of any debris, including fallen leaves, branches, sticks, and dirt. On a raw piece of land, clear the area of rocks, logs, and other obstacles that may interfere with the levelling process.

Check Your Camper's Level:

Use a level to check the balance of your camper. You can use a bubble level or a Bluetooth level, which tends to be more accurate and easier to read. Place the level in the camper's doorway, from left to right, to determine which side is lower and needs to be raised.

Clear the Area:

Before beginning the levelling process, ensure that everyone moves away from the camper for safety. Also, remove any rocks, big branches, or camping items nearby that could get in the way.

Position the Levelling Blocks:

Place levelling blocks, such as plastic levelling blocks or wooden scraps, near the tires on the lower side of the camper. These blocks will act as a ramp to raise the camper. Ensure the blocks are snapped together securely or placed tightly against the tires.

Drive the Camper onto the Blocks:

Slowly drive the camper forward onto the levelling blocks. It may be helpful to have someone guide you during this process. Ensure the wheels are firmly on the blocks, and re-measure the camper's levelness to make any necessary adjustments.

Secure with Wheel Chocks:

Place wheel chocks under the tires to keep the camper in place and prevent it from rolling. You can use specially designed wheel chocks or wooden scraps for this purpose. Ensure they are wedged securely in place, and consider placing them behind the wheels if the ground slopes towards the rear of the camper.

By carefully following these steps, you will effectively prepare the site for installing levels on your camper, ensuring a comfortable and stable camping experience.

Levelling from side to side

Levelling your camper from side to side is an important step to ensure your camper is stable and safe. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve this:

Firstly, choose a parking spot that is as flat as possible. While levelling can compensate for minor unevenness, parking on a slope will still be unsafe and uncomfortable. If the ground slopes towards your camper, reposition it so that the slope is towards the front or back end. Clear the area of any rocks, branches, or camping items that might get in the way.

Next, use a level to measure the camper from side to side. An inexpensive bubble level or surface level will work well for this. Place the level from left to right in the doorway of your camper. The side that is lower needs to be raised. Keep your camper hitched during this process.

Now, place levelling blocks near the tires. These are like plastic Lego blocks for campers, which you can snap together to form a ramp. You can also use pieces of wood as a cheaper alternative, but ensure they are wider than the tires and not rotten or broken. Place the blocks in front of the tires that need to be raised.

Slowly drive your camper onto the blocks. You may need someone to guide you. Ensure the wheels are firmly on the blocks, then re-measure the levelness and make adjustments as needed. If it's easier, you can place the blocks behind the wheels and back onto them. Just ensure that the tires don't hang off the blocks, or they will weaken over time.

Finally, place wheel chocks under the tires to keep the camper still. These are an important safety measure, so use them even if you think they're not needed. Place them by hand, wedging them under and behind the wheels if the ground slopes towards the rear.

Now that you've levelled your camper from side to side, you can move on to levelling it from front to back.

Levelling from front to back

Levelling your camper van from front to back is an important step in ensuring you have a comfortable camping experience. While some people don't mind if their van is unlevel, levelling your rig is important if you want to sleep well. It also ensures that all components of your camper will function properly. For example, a propane refrigerator may not work if your RV isn't level, and doors and cupboards may not open or close correctly.

Step 1: Use a Bubble Level

First, grab a bubble level and check the level of your camper van from front to back. Place the level on the floor inside your camper to check the front-to-back level.

Step 2: Adjust the Jack

Next, you'll need to level your camper by raising or lowering the jack. Some jacks are power jacks, while others are manual hand-crank jacks.section break]

Step 3: Place Jack Pads (optional)

If you're using an auto-levelling system, you may need to place blocks or jack pads under the jacks. Make sure the ground is not icy or slick, as this could cause the jack pads to slip. Jack pads are also useful for preventing your jacks from sinking into soft ground and protecting the campsite's parking pad.

Step 4: Use Your RV Levelling System (if applicable)

If your camper has an auto-levelling system, use your control panel to level your camper. The control panel will indicate which corners are low, and you can use the corresponding buttons to automatically level your camper.

It's important to note that levelling your camper van from front to back may be more challenging than levelling it from side to side. If you need to drive onto a stack of more than three levelling blocks, you may need to reposition your camper or choose a different campsite.

Stabilising the camper

Stabilising your camper is an important step in ensuring your safety and comfort. Here are some tips to help you stabilise your camper effectively:

• Choose a level site: Look for a spot that is as flat as possible. If you can't find a perfectly level site, try to position your camper so that the ground slopes towards the front or back, rather than the side.
• Clear the area: Remove any rocks, branches, or other debris that might get in the way. Ask everyone to move away from the camper while you work.
• Use a level: Measure the levelness of your camper from side to side and front to back. You can use a bubble level or a spirit level for this.
• Level side to side: Place levelling blocks or pieces of wood near the tires on the low side of the camper. Drive the camper onto the blocks slowly and adjust as needed.
• Use wheel chocks: Place wheel chocks under the tires to prevent the camper from rolling. Chocks can be purchased at camping supply stores or general stores, or you can use wood scraps.
• Level front to back: Place pieces of wood or a wheel dock under the tongue jack, which is the front part of the camper that connects to your vehicle. This will help keep the camper level during use.
• Adjust the tongue jack: Use a crank to raise or lower the tongue jack until the camper is level from front to back.
• Lower the stabilizing jacks: Extend the stabilizing jacks until they make solid contact with the ground and ensure equal pressure on all of them. These jacks provide additional stability and should not be used to lift the camper.

Frequently asked questions