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If you’re like me, it’s impossible to get a good night’s sleep when the head of the bed is lower than the foot of the bed. Switching end for end might not be much better — especially if your pillow just falls onto the floor.
To make matters worse, when you wake up the next morning, you might find that everything in the refrigerator is a bit warm. Why? Because gas refrigerators need to be level in order to function properly.
Getting your RV level can be accomplished in a number of ways. Some take a bit of effort, and others are as simple as pushing a button.
Here’s what you need to know to keep your RV trailer or motorhome level and stabilized…
2 Ways To Level An RV
There are 2 common ways to ensure that your RV is level when parked:
#1 – The cheapest way to get your RV level is to place a stack of 2x10s under as many tires as it takes to get the bubble on the level centered.
An inexpensive surface level will let you know when things are level in your RV. (This refrigerator level is my favorite.)
Of course there’s the question of storing all of those lengths of wood. And more importantly, will the stack hold together as you try to run up on it with your tires? This method is not only an inconvenience — but also a possible safety hazard.
#2 – The next step up in getting your RV level would be a set of RV leveling blocks. (Lynx Levelers are my favorite.)
These interlocking plastic blocks are designed to handle the weight of the largest motorhome around.
You just snap them together and form a ramp that will stay stable while you drive or pull your RV onto them.
When you’re ready to leave, they unsnap and can be easily stored in a handy carrying case.
3 Ways To Stabilize An RV
So now you’ve got the RV level, but what if it still rocks back and forth as you walk around? You’ll also need an RV stabilizer.
These are the 3 most common ways to stabilize your RV:
#1 – The most basic way to stabilize your RV is to use stabilizing jack stands. They will make things nice and solid for you.
Again, there’s the issue of storing the RV jack stands. Plus, you have to crawl under the RV to position each of the stands. So this isn’t the most user-friendly method of stabilizing your RV.
#2 – Moving up to a better set-up, you could install a set of permanently mounted stabilizing jacks.
RV scissor jacks bolt or weld to your RV’s frame. That way, you just go around to each corner and hand-crank each jack into place. A set of bubble levels mounted on the RV’s exterior walls will indicate when you’ve found level.
Of course, with this method there is a bit of manual labor involved — cranking the jacks by hand and all.
#3 – The next step up is a set of electric jack stands.
With electric jack stands, it’s simply a matter of pushing a button to get your RV trailer sitting straight with the world!
You might as well invest in an electric tongue jack too. Why not make it a complete package?
RV Motorhome Parking & Leveling Tips
How about parking your RV trailer when you get home? Do you park it in close quarters? Is it hard to maneuver around obstacles?
An electrically operated power mover will let you ease your RV around corners — avoiding trees and setting your trailer exactly where you want it. Again, all at the press of a button!
This takes care of your RV travel trailers and fifth wheels, but what about motorhomes?
Consider this hydraulic leveling system. With the push of a button or two, you can raise one corner, one side, or the whole motorhome — all by hydraulic rams mounted front and back. They can even lift the motorhome off the ground to make changing a flat tire a snap.
With all this convenience, one thing’s for sure…
You’ll be able to sleep well at night knowing that your pillow will stay put where it belongs — at the head of the bed!
What About RV Leveling Systems?
Before you try an RV leveling system for the first time, read about my experiences with each of these:
- LevelMatePRO: A Bluetooth RV Leveling System
- RV Level 4: A Simple RV Leveling System
- RV Leveling Systems – What You Need To Know
I’ve been involved in RVing for over 50 years — including camping, building, repairing, and even selling RVs and motorhomes. I’ve owned, used, and repaired almost every class and style of RV ever made. I do all of my own repair work. My other interests include cooking, living with an aging dog, and dealing with diabetic issues. If you can combine a grease monkey with a computer geek, throw in a touch of information nut and organization freak, combined with a little bit of storyteller… you’ve got a good idea of who I am. To date, I’ve shared my RV knowledge in over 300 articles here at The Fun Times Guide! Many of them have over 25K shares.
just bought first travel trailer from someone, its a 1997 Terry. So far it seems to me like its in pretty decent shape (not that I know much of anything about RVs)!! one thing I have noticed though is that the jacks that r attached to the trailer are pretty beat up. They seem like they are really bent out of shape. I was just wondering if you could suggest a good way to fix this that is fairly inexpensive and not to difficult to install.
Also, what kind of advice do you have for winter….It will be stored outside and on the grass. Is there anything you recommend so I don’t ruin it before I even get to use it? I live in ND, so the winters, as you probably know……….are definitely winters!!!
Love all the posts I’ve read so far. very helpful and you describe things clearly!
Jessi, If the jacks are all bent up there is little you can do but replace them. They aren’t terribly expensive and generally are held in place with a couple short welds to the frame. As for winter, be sure to drain the water system and pump RV antifreeze through the water lines. Another choice is to use an air compressor and with a fitting that can be bought at any RV dealer for a couple bucks, blow out the water lines. Be sure to remove the drain plug for the water heater to drain it. I recommend covering the whole RV with a tarp for the winter, and being in the snow belt be sure to remove any accumulation of snow. Winter will destroy your RV unless you keep up with it.
very helpful info!!! thank u so much Curtis! it looks like the jacks that are currently on there are being held on with a bolt or 2. would u suggest just welding the new ones on instead of using the bolts?
also, should I put anything under it or do anything special beings it will be parked in the grass for long periods of time?
Jessi, If you laid down some heavy plastic under the trailer it would help keep moisture from collecting on the frame and slow down rust. The plastic will kill the grass and weeds, and that in turn will give you a dryer parking spot.
Jessi, I would go the bolt route. It will allow you to easily replace if you should damage one later. Welding is a cheap trick some manufacturers use just to speed up installation and cut cost.
We have purchased a 20 yr old Class A and have continued to improve the RV so that we can have confidence our trips will not be interrupted by RV ‘old age’. After a complete inspection and some repairs by our local RV shop, we discussed getting new tires and putting them on ourselves. We were told the stabilizing hydraulic jacks were never meant to lift our 36′ motor home off of the ground to change tires. I don’t know if it just because our RV is older or the make & model of the hydraulic jacks. My husband changed out the hoses for the jacks as they were showing wear. I would really hate to replace an hydraulic jack system because we used them improperly.
Beyond the hoses that go to the cylinders you also have rubber seals inside the hydraulic cylinders which I am confident you have not replaced. That said 20 year-old rubber seals are not likely to withstand the weight of lifting the whole motorhome off the ground. Most hydraulic jack systems Will lift A wheel off the ground occasionally But you are correct hydraulic stabilizing systems were not designed to do that.
Thank you for your immediate response. Great information. It’s good to know about the seals in the cylinders. We have purchased a 20 ton jack and 12 ton jack stands for working on the RV. I will be calling Good Sam’s for a flat! After about a year of travel with this new-to-us RV, we anticipate buying a newer one to go full time.