The Art Of Leveling A Fifth Wheel Camper

how to level 5th wheel camper

If you're new to RV camping, you might be surprised to learn that parking on uneven ground can destroy your refrigerator and lead to many sleepless nights. Level parking spots make for happy campers. So, how do you level a 5th-wheel camper? Well, it's a simple process but a crucial skill to have. You'll need to level your camper from side to side and then from front to back. You can do this manually or, if you're lucky, with an auto-leveling system. Either way, you'll need to use leveling blocks and stabilizing jacks. Once you've mastered this skill, you'll enjoy level campsites and a safely operating refrigerator wherever you go.

Characteristics Values
Level parking spots Happy campers
Check levelness Use exterior bubble levels, carpenter's level, or a leveling app
Level from side-to-side Use stabilizing jacks, blocks, and landing legs
Raise the low side Use leveling blocks
Level from front to back Use fifth wheel leveling jacks
Stabilize Use stabilizing jacks, or a crank handle or power drill adapter

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Check the campsite is level

Checking whether your campsite is level is crucial to ensuring a good night's sleep and preventing damage to your appliances. Here are some tips to help you determine if your campsite is level:

  • Use a bubble level: Check the exterior bubble levels on your RV as a first reference point. You can also place a carpenter's level on a flat surface inside your RV, such as the kitchen table.
  • Utilise a leveling app: Many smartphones have built-in leveling apps that can assist in determining the evenness of the campsite.
  • Try the water bottle method: If you carry a clear plastic water bottle, you can use it as a makeshift level. Simply tip the bottle onto its side and place it on the ground. If the horizontal bubble is in the middle, the surface is level.
  • Go old school: Use a traditional portable 3-foot level to check the levelness of the campsite inside your RV.
  • Practice makes perfect: With time and experience, you'll become more adept at identifying level campsites. Trust your instincts and make adjustments as needed.

Remember, finding a level campsite is crucial for your comfort and the proper functioning of your appliances. Take the time to ensure your campsite is level before setting up camp.

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Level from side-to-side while still hitched

It is easier to level your 5th wheel camper from side to side while it is still attached to the vehicle. You should already know how level the site is, so now you need to position your 5th wheel camper. Get your blocks and your level ready, and get ready to rock and roll to get your camper to even ground.

First, start by driving forward and reversing. Check to see if the weight of your car helped level the ground. If this does not work, grab a set of levelling blocks. If you need to raise one side, put the levelling block on the opposite side to help level the camper. For example, if your camper is higher on the left, that means you need to raise the right side and vice versa. You will need to guess to see how many blocks you will need if using Lynx Levelers or if you use the Andersen model, you just pull forward or back more to get more height.

We carry both models depending on the site we are at.

Based on how your vehicle and camper are positioned, you can either roll back on the blocks or pull forward. To roll back on the levelling blocks, place the blocks behind the wheel. If you need to adjust by pulling forward, they should be in front of the wheel. Try using one block and building up slowly. After each step, check your level.

You can level your camper if you do not have blocks. You can dig in the dirt to go lower or make a mound of dirt to raise the tires. You can use homemade levelling blocks. However, you choose to level your 5th wheel camper, be sure to clean up the site and leave it just as you found it before you go home. What is level for you may not be for others.

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Raise the low side with levelling blocks

Raising the low side of your 5th wheel camper with levelling blocks is a crucial step in ensuring your camper is level. This is important as an uneven camper can cause sleepless nights and, in the long run, can damage your appliances.

To start, you'll want to find a level campsite. This can be done by checking the bubble levels on the exterior of your RV, or by using a carpenter's level on the kitchen table. You can also use a levelling app on your smartphone. Once you've found a suitable campsite, you can begin levelling your camper.

Before detaching your 5th wheel from the tow vehicle, level it from side-to-side by manoeuvring the entire rig. Then, place levelling blocks underneath the tires on the downhill side of the trailer. You can use store-bought levelling blocks, or make your own from wood. These blocks should be placed directly in front of the trailer tires, and you can slowly pull forward and onto them.

Once your camper is parked on the blocks, chock the wheels and unhitch. Now, you can level from front to back by raising or lowering the front levelling jack. If you're camped on a soft surface, place blocks underneath the jacks for additional stabilization.

Levelling your 5th wheel camper will become second nature with practice. It's important to remember to stay hitched up before checking for evenness, and to always chock your wheels to prevent unwanted rolling.

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Use fifth-wheel levelling jacks

Now that your fifth wheel is parked on the blocks, it's time to use the fifth-wheel levelling jacks. Chock the wheels and unhitch the trailer from the tow vehicle. At this point, you should level from front to back, which can be done by raising or lowering the front levelling jack(s).

Once the front-to-back levelling is done, extend the rear stabilising jacks to prevent rocking. Be careful not to crank down too hard, as the goal here is to simply take some weight off the trailer suspension to minimise interior bounce. If you're camped on a soft surface like dirt, place blocks under the jacks for additional stabilisation.

When lowering the stabilising jacks, do so slowly and don't make them too taut at first. Enter the camper and test the stability. If it's still rocking, lower the stabilising jacks some more. Repeat this process until your fifth wheel feels stable.

If you're camping on dirt or gravel, use a stabilising block if you have one. If not, a piece of wood or any other firm surface will do. This will provide additional stability for the jacks. After lowering the rear stabilising jack(s), use the level to ensure the camper is still level. Adjust as needed.

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Stabilise your fifth wheel

Stabilising your fifth wheel is a crucial step in the process of levelling your camper. It is relatively simple but requires the right tools. You can use either a manual or auto-levelling system to stabilise your fifth wheel.

Manual Stabilisation

To manually stabilise your fifth wheel, you will need to use the stabilising jacks located on the sides of your RV. These are designed to stabilise, not lift, your RV, so be sure to use them for their designated purpose. You can use a crank handle to extend the jacks, or purchase an adapter for a power drill to make this process easier. If you are stabilising on soft terrain, you can place levelling blocks underneath the stabilising jacks to prevent them from sinking into the ground.

Auto-Stabilisation

If you are using an auto-levelling system, it will take care of the stabilisation process for you by extending the stabilising jacks. Once the system has finished, check to make sure your RV is fully level, and then you can pull out your slides.

Frequently asked questions

ALWAYS be sure to level the sides first. Keep your camper attached to your truck – you’ll need it to complete this step. To check if one side of your trailer is higher than the other, use a bubble level and place it dead center on the floor of your RV. Alternatively, place your level on a straight piece of trim on the outside of your camper. If it’s not level, that means it’s time to use leveling blocks. Place them on the side of your 5th wheel that’s tilted lower – either in front of the wheels or behind them depending on if you’re pulling forward or backing up. Typically, you’ll need a block for every notch your level shows you are unlevel. Pull onto the blocks, frequently checking your level to see when the sides become even. After you have leveled from side to side, you can chock your wheels and unhitch.

Leveling from front to back doesn’t require nearly the amount of time or energy as leveling from side to side. Begin by checking your level to see how unlevel your camper is. Simply employ the landing jacks by pressing the button located at the front of your RV. Check your level and align your RV in the same direction that it indicates you are uneven. Adjust your RV until it’s level. Once you have done this, you will be ready to stabilize your camper.

Good news: stabilizing your 5th-wheel camper will be even easier than leveling it, thanks to the stabilizing jacks located on the sides of your RV. Use your crank handle to extend the jacks. If you prefer, place leveling blocks underneath your stabilizing jacks. This will prevent them from damaging the concrete or sinking into the ground if you’re leveling on soft terrain.

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