When you’re setting up your RV at your campsite, you’ll want to make sure your RV is level and doesn’t move. So, below is my list of basic equipment you’ll need to level your RV. Please refer to your RV dealership and your RV’s manual for required equipment and steps to properly level your RV. Note, I have a travel trailer, so I’ll be discussing equipment I use for my travel trailer.
As I mentioned previously, the focus of this blog is to help first-time RV buyers. One way I do this is by writing reviews about products that I actually use and like, I generally don’t spend any time on products I’ve had a bad experience with. Sometimes I have to buy several brands of a particular product until I find one I like, which is time consuming and expensive, so hopefully I help save you valuable time and money by sharing with you products that work well for me and my family.
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Why do I level my RV?
I believe leveling my trailer helps me get a better night’s sleep, may help my appliances to operate properly, may help slides (if you have slides) to function properly and may help me obtain more accurate tank (water, gray and black tanks) readings.
Level
I use a contractor’s level to confirm my trailer is level from side to side and front to back. See links below to some inexpensive levels. You can also buy at Home Depot or Lowes.
Kapro 227-08 Toolbox Level, 9-Inch – https://amzn.to/3dGuWmf
IRWIN Tools 50 Magnetic Torpedo Level, 9-Inch (1794159) – https://amzn.to/3pIB685
I typically place the level on travel trailer bumper to confirm the trailer is level from side to side. Then, I place the level on my steps into the trailer to confirm trailer is level from front to back.
Leveling Blocks
I chose the leveling blocks below to help me level my travel trailer from side to side by placing them under my wheels. There are many types of leveling equipment. When I was doing research on leveling blocks, the stackable (Lego like) blocks seemed to be the most used and reliable. So, I purchased the leveling blocks and have used them for over a year to level my trailer. I’ve also used them for my stabilizing jacks and tongue jack, see pictures above (stabilizing jacks) and below (tongue jack). They can help with preventing jacks from sinking, as well as getting to the best height. They’ve worked out great and I have not had any issues with them.
Tip, I use the leveling blocks for the tongue jack (see picture above) so I don’t have to worry about the jack lifting the tongue over the trailer ball when I’m hooking up my travel trailer to my SUV. Sometimes the tongue jack stand sinks into the ground and/or the tow vehicle suspension automatically raises the back end of the tow vehicle, which may cause the trailer ball to be higher than the trailer tongue. If these scenarios happened, I would not be able to hook up the trailer to the tow vehicle. Below are the leveling blocks I’ve owned and used for over a year and have not had any issues with.
Camco FasTen 2×2 RV Leveling Block For Single Tires – https://amzn.to/3srwc13
Wheel Chocks
After I’ve leveled my trailer from side to side, then I place the wheel chocks in front and back of one wheel on each side if possible. If one side has leveling blocks under the wheels, then I place both sets of chocks on side of the trailer as depicted in the picture below. I do this before I detach the trailer from the tow vehicle and level from front to back so the trailer is less likely to move.
The wheel chock is suppose to keep the trailer tires from rolling. I did research and I found that some people had issues with the cheaper hollow wheel chocks because the trailer crushed them. So, I found what I feel are very hefty and substantial wheel chocks, see link below. I’ve been using them for over a year on different surfaces, like sand, rocks, gravel, grass and dirt. I have not had any issues with these chocks.
Valup Wheel Chocks – https://amzn.to/3pR5HjI
X-Chock Wheel Stabilizers
When I have leveling blocks under wheels on one side of the trailer, I can’t use traditional chocks. So, I install the X-Chock Wheel Stabilizers to secure the wheels that don’t have chocks. And, I further secure the wheels that do have chocks by installing the X-Chocks. Note, the X-Chocks only work if the distance between the wheels is not too great. Some trailers have wide stance axles, so the X-Chocks may not work for this setup. See my X-Chock pictures below.
X-Chock Wheel Stabilizer – https://amzn.to/3dzET58
Cordless Power Drill & Socket Drill Adapter
I use a cordless power drill and socket drill adapter to speed up the opening of the stabilizing jacks on the four corners of the trailer and the X-Chocks for the wheels. Below are the cordless power drill and adapter I purchased and they’ve worked great. They really shorten the time and lessen the fatigue of setting up your trailer at the campsite. It’s nice that Meterk provides two rechargeable batteries.
Meterk 20V Cordless Electric Drill Driver – https://amzn.to/3dEUe4d
Camco RV Leveling Scissor Jack Socket Drill Adapter – https://amzn.to/3aIHeJ3
Lubricant
Another thing I recommend you buy is a silicone lube for your electric tongue jack, leveling scissor jacks, entry steps, etc. The service staff at the RV dealership recommended the silicone lube below and it works great to keep my these types of equipment running smoothly and quietly. And, the lube really helps my trailer door, storage compartment doors and the outdoor shower door locks operate smoothly. I also use it on my windows that slide open sideways for smoothness. Be sure to check with your RV dealership and your RV manual regarding recommended lubrications and instructions. Below is the lubricant that my RV dealership recommended to me.
3-IN-ONE RVcare Slide-Out Silicone Lube with SMART STRAW SPRAYS 2 WAYS, 11 OZ – https://amzn.to/3bqpxwU
I hope you enjoyed my article basic equipment you’ll need to level your RV and that you learned something new. Happy camping!