How to level an RV
A level rig sleeps better, drains right and keeps the fridge cooling. Here's how a working RV tech does it, for trailers and motorhomes, including the mistakes that bend jacks.
What you'll need
- Leveling blocks and wheel chocks
- A pad or block for the tongue jack and any leveling jacks
- A level or a leveling app. Check it in the same spot and pointing the same way each time
Stabilizers are not lifts. They only stop the bounce. Using them to raise the trailer bends them and can twist the frame.
Travel trailers and fifth wheels
On a fifth wheel, use the landing gear where this says tongue jack, and release the kingpin instead of the coupler.
- Level side to side while you're still hitched. Pull onto the blocks slowly with someone watching.
- Chock the wheels. Chock before you unhitch, every time. A trailer can roll on even a slight slope once it comes off the truck.
- Disconnect the chains, breakaway cable and 7-pin. Unhook the breakaway cable before you pull away. Leaving it clipped sets the trailer brakes and drains the breakaway battery.
- Lower the tongue jack onto a pad, raise the coupler off the ball, and pull away. A pad keeps the foot from sinking into dirt or hot asphalt. Raise the coupler just enough to clear the ball.
- Level front to back with the tongue jack. If the fridge isn't level it can't cool right, and some older units get damaged.
- Lower the stabilizers until they're snug. Snug is all they need. Don't lift the trailer with them.
Motorhomes
- Level with blocks under the low wheels, or with your leveling jacks. Pull onto blocks slowly with someone watching.
- Put pads under the jacks on soft ground. On dirt, grass or hot asphalt, jacks can sink without them.
- Chock the wheels. Don't count on the parking brake alone.
- Put the slides out only after the coach is level. Look outside first for posts, trees and the picnic table.
Before you drive off: raise every jack and walk around the rig. If a motorhome's jacks-down light is still on, don't move: dragging a jack can rip it off the frame. Count your chocks and blocks before you put them away.
Level in seconds with your phone
CampSavvy's leveler is free. Set your phone on the floor and it tells you which side to raise, how many inches and how many blocks. For motorhomes it shows every wheel.
Every RV is different. If your manual says something different, follow your manual.