Camper Leveling: How Much Is Too Much?

There are several reasons why levelling your camper is important. Firstly, it ensures your comfort and safety. Walking on a slanted floor or sleeping with blood draining to your head can be unpleasant and even dangerous. Secondly, levelling helps prevent damage to your camper's components and appliances, such as the refrigerator, air conditioning coils, and plumbing. An uneven camper can cause wear and tear and even warp parts of the RV. Additionally, levelling ensures proper drainage into your wastewater tanks and accurate tank fluid readings. Finally, levelling helps stabilize your camper, distributing the weight to the elements designed to handle it. While achieving a perfect level may require some fussing, it is generally recommended to get your camper as level as possible.

The impact on the functionality of appliances

The impact of an uneven camper on the functionality of appliances can be significant. Here are some of the issues that can arise:

Refrigerator Issues

An uneven camper can cause serious problems with the refrigerator, which requires a level surface to function correctly. If the camper is tilted more than three degrees off level, it can result in permanent damage to the refrigerator. Ammonia-based absorption refrigerators, which are common in campers, need to be fairly level to prevent the ammonia from flowing improperly and forming crystals that can obstruct the tubing. This can lead to permanent damage and affect the efficiency of the refrigerator. Propane refrigerators will not work when they are not level, and running them in this state can destroy the refrigerator.

Air Conditioning Problems

Air conditioning coils in a camper rely on gravity to function properly. If the camper is not level, the air conditioning may not cool effectively, leading to an uncomfortable environment inside the camper.

Slide Damage

Slides, which are designed to extend and retract, need a level surface to operate properly. Operating slides on an uneven surface can create additional wear and tear and lead to costly repairs.

Tank Sensor Misreadings

An uneven camper can cause tank sensors to display incorrect information. This can result in unexpected drainage issues or false readings, leading to unpleasant surprises when returning home from a camping trip.

Plumbing Problems

Plumbing systems in a camper work best when the camper is level. An uneven camper can affect water flow and cause pooling in areas where it shouldn't, leading to potential leaks and damage.

Door, Cabinet, and Drawer Annoyances

Entry doors, cabinets, and drawers may not stay open or closed properly when the camper is not level, leading to frustration and inconvenience.

Poor Drainage

Proper leveling is essential for effective drainage into wastewater tanks. Without it, black and grey water may not flow properly, resulting in potential backups or leaks, which can be disastrous.

In summary, keeping a camper level is crucial to ensuring the proper functioning of appliances and systems within the camper. By taking the time to level the camper properly, campers can avoid a range of issues and ensure a more comfortable and safe camping experience.

The impact on plumbing and drainage

The level of your camper has a direct impact on the plumbing and drainage systems. If your camper is not level, you could be adding unnecessary stress to the plumbing, which can cause long-term issues and damage. When the camper is level, you are ensuring that water is flowing accurately and not pooling where it shouldn't. Proper leveling also promotes effective drainage into your wastewater tanks. When you use the sink, take a shower, or flush the toilet, you want your black and grey water to go where it's supposed to and not have to work uphill to get there.

If your camper is not level, your tank sensors will not read correctly. Depending on the slope, your sensors may read as more full or more empty than they really are. This can even affect drainage by not allowing all of your tanks to empty.

Additionally, if your camper is not level, the weight and stress points of slide-outs will not be in the proper locations, which could cause damage.

The impact on safety

Secondly, many of an RV's amenities require a level surface to function correctly. For example, a refrigerator that is not level can be damaged, and in some cases, this can lead to permanent damage. The ammonia/water solution in the refrigerator can accumulate in low points of the system, interfering with the boiling/condensing process and causing an increase in heat. This can lead to a fire, which is a serious safety hazard.

Additionally, air conditioning coils won't cool properly if the RV is tilted, as they rely on gravity to function. This can cause discomfort and even health issues for the occupants. Leveling also promotes effective drainage into wastewater tanks. Poor drainage can lead to unsanitary conditions and the potential for backups and flooding.

Furthermore, an unlevel RV can cause incorrect readings on tank sensors, indicating that tanks are fuller or emptier than they actually are. This can lead to unexpected drainage issues and the potential for wastewater to remain in the tanks until the next trip, causing unpleasant odours and health risks.

Lastly, an unlevel RV can be unsafe to walk in, as it can cause a loss of balance and lead to trips and falls. It can also be frustrating when items slip or roll off countertops and tables.

In summary, ensuring that a camper is level is crucial for both the functionality of the RV and the safety of its occupants. By taking the time to properly level an RV, campers can prevent potential disasters and enjoy a comfortable and safe camping experience.

The impact on comfort

An uneven RV can be an uncomfortable place to be. If the RV is not level, you may find yourself walking on a slanted floor or sleeping with all the blood draining to your head. It can also be unsafe to walk inside an unlevel RV as you could lose your balance, leading to a trip or fall.

If the RV is not level, items may roll or slip off countertops and tables. It can be frustrating to cook on a slanted surface, and you may find yourself wanting to curse. It can also be annoying to sleep in an RV that is not level.

If the RV is not level, your refrigerator may not work. Propane refrigerators will not work when they are not level, and running them when they are not level can destroy the refrigerator. The ammonia/water solution in the refrigerator can fail to flow properly and accumulate in low points in the system. This can cause an increase in heat, which can lead to a fire.

In addition, if the RV is not level, your tank sensors will not read correctly. Depending on the slope, your sensors may read as more full or more empty than they really are. This can affect drainage, with waste water not going where it is supposed to.

To sum up, a level RV is a more comfortable and safer place to be. It ensures that your appliances work correctly, and can help prevent damage to the exterior of your coach.

The impact on slide-outs

Slide-outs are a great way to expand your living space in a camper. However, they require careful handling and maintenance to ensure they function smoothly and avoid any issues. One crucial aspect of maintaining slide-outs is ensuring that your camper is level before extending or retracting them.

If your camper is not level, it can put extra strain on the slide-out mechanisms and systems. This can lead to increased wear and tear on the motors, gears, and other components. Operating slide-outs on an unlevel surface can also cause the mechanisms to go out of alignment, leading to potential damage. Additionally, if your camper is not level, you may encounter issues with the seals, which can result in leaks.

To avoid these problems, it is essential to take the time to level your camper before using the slide-outs. This may require using levelling blocks, wooden boards, or specialised levelling equipment. By ensuring your camper is level, you can help prevent damage to the slide-out mechanisms and maintain the integrity of the seals, ensuring a comfortable and dry living space.

Furthermore, operating slide-outs on an unlevel surface can also affect the proper functioning of other appliances in your camper. For example, a refrigerator in an RV needs to be level to work correctly. If it is more than three degrees off-kilter, it can cause serious and permanent damage to the refrigerator. Therefore, levelling your camper is not just important for the maintenance of slide-outs but also for the proper functioning of other essential appliances.

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