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Last Updated on September 5, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Why Level A Travel Trailer?
Leveling a travel trailer is something almost every RVer struggles with. On campsites or national parks, you are bound to find parking spots that aren’t flat enough for correct travel trailer camping.
- Ensures comfort during sleeping and cooking; avoids imbalance.
- Appliances perform optimally on level ground; extends lifespan.
- Leveling prevents strain on doors, windows, and slide-outs.
- Level trailer reduces tipping risk, especially in windy conditions.
- Gravity-dependent plumbing benefits from a level trailer.
- Leveling simplifies outdoor equipment setup and ensures safety.
When this happens, you must get help from your hydraulic or automatic leveling system, or your RV should have one as a feature.
Unfortunately, this is not a feature that every RV or everyone can afford, and the sole option is to level the RV manually using leveling blocks.
While hydraulic leveling systems can be a great help, given that they work by just pushing a button, they tend to have a significant disadvantage of being quite expensive.
Additionally, you have to consider just how much they weigh. Think about this for a second: if you had an RV, maybe a Class C with almost no space and insufficient capacity for carrying weight, you would not want additional lbs in the RV.
Now, how much more is a travel trailer where you are limited by how much weight your truck or towing vehicle can safely handle?
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When a travel trailer is not leveled correctly, it can create discomfort throughout the entire camping trip. It could also cause appliances such as the refrigerator to malfunction.
It can also cause the travel trailer to misread your water tank levels. Children can also have a difficult time living in a travel trailer that is not balanced. Sleeping in a travel trailer that is not leveled is virtually impossible.
Does the RV fridge need to be level?
Yes, an RV fridge does need to be level for efficient and safe operation. This is because the cooling system in an RV fridge operates on the principle of absorption, which requires gravity to circulate the refrigerant. If the refrigerator is not level, it can cause the refrigerant to pool in one area, preventing it from adequately spreading.
Over time, this can lead to damage or even failure of the cooling system. Therefore, ensuring that your RV is parked on a level surface or using leveling blocks if needed is essential. The question ‘Does RV fridge need to be level?’ is vital for the longevity and effective functioning of your RV’s refrigerator.
What are the reasons to level a travel trailer?
You have to level your travel trailer for numerous reasons, either by finding a flat surface or getting a leveling block for the travel trailer. Below are five significant issues that a leveled travel trailer can fix.
Should tires be off-ground when leveling?
When leveling a vehicle, the question often arises: Should tires be off the ground when leveling? While some argue that having tires off the ground can ensure a more accurate level, it is generally recommended that tires remain on the ground during the leveling process. This is primarily due to safety concerns, as lifting tires off the ground can lead to instability and potential accidents.
However, if a situation necessitates lifting the tires, professionals should use secure jacks or lifts designed for this purpose. In summary, while there may be exceptions, the standard practice is to keep tires on the ground when leveling for maximum safety and stability.
A leveled travel trailer allows you to get a good night’s sleep.
Leveling your travel trailer is essential as it lets you get a great night’s rest. 
When the travel trailer is not correctly balanced,d it could cause quite a bit of annoyance when trying to sleep. Even things such as closing or opening the doors can become quite problematic.
Trying to sleep on a slanting or uneven mattress will continue to disturb you throughout the night. Resting for an extended period on slanted surfaces can be challenging, especially if you have another person on the bed.
You could end up rolling over to their side, disturbing them, and not getting any sleep. Think about having a cup of your favorite beverage suddenly roll off. That would be quite an annoying start to what was a great day.
The appliances in your travel trailer could break or malfunction.
Not only is it frustrating dealing with a travel trailer that hasn’t been adequately leveled, but it could also cause your appliances to become faulty, reducing their lifespan.
An unlevel RV fridge can cause the liquid ammonia to accumulate, subsequently causing the cooling factor to reduce. You do not want this to happen while you are on holiday.
Your kids will have a hard time.
If the main reason for having a travel trailer is to get the kids involved in RVing, having an unlevel travel trailer can cause serious issues. This is particularly true if you have young kids, as you do not want them to roll or fall on the sides of the travel trailer.
Cooking becomes an arduous task.
Trying to cook in a travel trailer that is not level would only result in you packing everything up sooner than you thought. It can be pretty challenging to prepare meals inside a slanted travel trailer. This is because the cooking surfaces become uneven, and you must hold things in place until you are done cooking.
Water levels could be misread.
Depending on the travel trailer, it is possible that an unlevel travel trailer could cause the sensors responsible for providing water levels to become incorrect. While this might not be as drastic as the other reasons, it can prove dangerous as you might not know your readings when it is time to go camping or a long trip.
How can you level your travel trailer?
It does not matter what type of RV you have; it is still essential that it is level while you are camping. You might not need to purchase leveling jacks for national parks and campsites.
For the most part, the parks are level; however, it is better to be safe than sorry. It would be best to remember that not every parking spot is the same in a campground. There might be times when the RV next to you seemingly has a level spot, whereas yours just next door requires quite a bit of leveling.
Just a tiny slope can disturb the travel trailer’s leveling. Some people use levelers, and while they can be a great tool, what you do is really up to you.
Using leveling blocks
Using leveling blocks typically depends on your travel trailer and the campground conditions. You must measure just how tall your travel trailer is before you stack blocks underneath it.
If the parking spot is soft, you would require more blocks as it is likely that the pads would be pushed deeper into the earth. Leveling blocks can be purchased in a pack of 10 as a minimum. It is like that you would have to use the blocks on a maximum of three axles, ensuring one is always accessible.
Combining numerous blocks to create levels for a single tire is possible depending on the tire’s position. You will unlikely require all ten blocks; however, it is always best to have them for emergencies. The leveling blocks can be interlocked and stocked to suit your needs until the travel trailer is completely leveled.
The leveling blocks have been created to be quite sturdy, and they can seamlessly handle the weight of a travel trailer so long as the blocks are purchased from trusted and reputable brands. The entire pack is likely to weigh just 10 lbs. One thing to remember is that your block stack should not be more than 4 inches in height.
Different Leveller types for travel trailers
You can get manual levelers such as screwdrivers, ramps, or blocks. A screwdriver can handle a maximum weight of 2000 lbs, making it the most suitable leveler for a popup camper or a travel trailer.
The blocks suit those with a heavy RV, perhaps weighing over 20,000 lb. Levelers made from blocks can hold a maximum weight of 40,000 lbs.
How much does it cost to install leveling jacks on an RV?
The cost of installing leveling jacks on an RV can vary significantly based on several factors, such as the type of RV, the brand of the leveling jack, and the labor costs. On average, however, you can expect to pay between $1,000 to $3,000 for a complete installation. Manual leveling jacks are generally more affordable than automatic ones.
Remember that while you can attempt to install, leveling jacks yourself, hiring a professional is advisable to ensure the job is done correctly and safely. This is how much it costs to install leveling jacks on an RV.
Where is the best place to put the level on a travel trailer?
The best place to put the level on a travel trailer would be on the trailer’s tongue
or hitch. This area is typically the highest level of the trailer and will provide the most accurate reading. It’s essential to ensure that the trailer is level before use for comfort and to ensure that appliances such as the refrigerator are functioning correctly.
Another good spot is on the floor inside the door. These two locations are usually the most reliable for determining your travel trailer’s level. However, remember to always place the level in the same spot for reading consistency.
Conclusion
Leveling a travel trailer is a critical procedure no RV owner should overlook. The question here is: Why should you level a travel trailer? The primary reason is to ensure the functioning of the various systems and appliances within the trailer.
For instance, most travel trailer refrigerators are absorption-based and rely on gravity for proper operation. Therefore, if the trailer is not level, it can lead to poor cooling or even irreversible damage to the refrigerator.
Secondly, leveling your travel trailer enhances your comfort and overall experience. A tilted floor can cause inconvenience in your day-to-day activities, such as cooking, sleeping, or even just moving around within the trailer. Consequently, it may lead to discomfort, unease, and potential accidents.
Lastly, a non-leveled trailer puts undue stress on its structure, which may lead to long-term issues such as cracking, warping, or other structural damage. Hence, leveling your travel trailer not only ensures optimal performance of appliances and enhances your comfort but also elongates the lifespan of your trailer. Leveling a travel trailer is essential in maintaining your vehicle’s integrity and functionality.
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