Finding a level campsite for the caravan is anyone's dream but quite often the RV will need adjusting. Levelling the caravan is one of the most important tasks you need to get right when you arrive on site. This helps your appliances work correctly (such as fridges), your sink and shower drain completely and so that you don't have items rolling about. To get your caravan level, you'll need to level across the van (left to right) and then front to back.
What equipment do I need to level my caravan?
There are a few pieces of equipment that you’ll need before you get started….
To know when you are on even footing, you will need a spirit level. You can use either a cross-check leveller (otherwise known as a T-spirit level or two-way level) on the drawbar or a full-sized builder’s spirit level. It’s always been a point of contention as to where you should place a spirit level inside your caravan, however, on your kitchen sink is a great place to start so you know that the water will drain properly. As each caravan is different, you will learn over time where the best place is.
To make the caravan level, you’ll also need levelling ramps and a wheel chock. Once you’ve got all your equipment, there are only five total steps to level both front and back as well as left and right.
How to level a caravan left to right/side to side
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Finding out which way you need to level
With the spirit levels in place, you will notice that the bubble is off to one side – this is the side that is higher which means you will need to lift the other side.
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Place your levelling ramp
When you've established which side needs to be lifted, place a levelling ramp in front of the tyres on that side of the vehicle. Put the ramp in the very centre of the wheel, making sure it is firmly planted on the ground, and simply drive up onto the ramp until your spirit level bubble is centred.
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Lock in with wheel chocks
Place a wheel chock on your levelling ramp, snug against your tyre and allow your caravan to roll back into the chock to test that it is securely in locked in place.
How to level a caravan front to back
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Finding out which way you need to level
Just like levelling left to right, your spirit level will tell you which way you need to adjust your caravan.
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Adjust your jockey wheel
If your spirit level reads that the back of your caravan is lower than the front, you will need to wind your jockey wheel down to lower the front. If the back is higher, you can wind your jockey wheel up to bring the front of the caravan higher.
Caravan Levelling Do’s and Don’ts
When you’re levelling your caravan, there are a few things to keep in mind that should be avoided. Firstly, do not use stabiliser legs to lift the weight of your caravan – they are not jacks and therefore not designed or rated to hold the weight. Additionally, it is not recommended that you reverse onto levelling ramps, unless the ramp is downhill of the wheel so that you are rolling onto it. One thing you should definitely be doing is finding the right ramps and chocks.