How to level a caravan.

Why it’s important to level out a caravan? 

The major reason why you would want your van level is because most 3-way fridges need to be level to operate, that and most people do not like sleeping downhill. Not only that but if you fill your coffee mug to the brim, setting it down on an uneven service is just one way you’ll be cleaning up spills all day if your caravan isn’t level. If you're not looking for a terrible night's sleep, then carrying the correct caravan levelling equipment is the key.  

What are caravan wheel chocks? 

A caravan wheel chock is a plastic triangle that prevents the trailer or caravan from rolling or rocking. They are designed to act as a failsafe in case the kids are playing with the handbrake, a caravan wheel chock will ensure your home on wheels stay where it is. They are available in many different bright colours so that you don’t forget it’s there when it’s time to head home. Some of the most durable and well-made caravan wheels are manufactured from Outback Explorer, Tred or Camec.  

What is a caravan levelling ramp?  

A caravan or RV levelling ramps are designed to assist with levelling a vehicle in the event that you are on a slight hill or uneven ground. A levelling ramp is a lightweight and simple solution to getting a few tyres to the right height. We only stock the best caravan levelling ramps, including the extremely popular Explore levelling ramps that are weighted to 5 tonnes. They work by using a three-stage levelling system. There are two separate parts that can give you stability on three different heights. Simply reverse or pull onto the levelling ramp to your desired height and then secure with the second stage of the levelling ramp which is the black piece underneath the tyre. Caravan levelling ramps like the ones from Tred are also a great long-term solution for trailers and motorhomes alike.  

What are trailer stabilizer legs? 

There are two distinct types of trailer stabilizer legs. The most popular being the Alko drop down ‘steady’ stabilizer legs, which are well known for their high-quality design. The Alko stabilizer legs are a drop-down version, which work by simply pulling on a handle which will release the locking system, allowing you to drop it to any level. Once you reach the desired level or where you need the caravan to sit, you attach a winder handle to the centre knuckle which will extend the leg out to engage with the ground. This allows for maximum stability, which helps with keeping the caravan level in high winds and when weight is shifted inside by walking or moving. The other type of trailer stabilizer legs works by being a more permanent fixture to the chassis, the main part is welded onto the underside. This is also a wind down design, however due to the different height and ground clearance of certain caravans it’s important to pick the right one. Caravans with low ground clearance should be using a wind down stabilizer leg because they are able to create lift quite easily, even from a tight angle.  

Helpful tips: 

Attaching a spirit 'tee' level to the A-frame will allow you to quickly guide how much you have to either wind up your caravan levelling legs or drive onto a wheel chock. Another helpful levelling tip is using a Trail-a-mate hydraulic jack to easily lift your wheels up enough to then place them back down onto a levelling ramp, which saves you having to rely on someone outside the van shouting instructions. We also recommend having a set of stabilizer jack pads and a jockey wheel receiver if you plan on travelling the coast. The terrain, especially around national parks and beachy areas make finding stable ground to correctly use your levelling legs quite difficult. These levelling accessories give your jockey wheel and levelling legs a solid ground surface to disperse the weight evenly over soft ground. Sand is well known for being a pain to level on, so to prevent levelling legs sinking, the stabilizer jack pads are a game changer on the road.  

Another tip for keeping your RV level is to store most of your bulky, heavy items over the axles of the chassis. It’s always suggested to have your water tanks full when loading your caravan because more often than not most caravan designs will have two water tanks in front of the axles and one in the rear. This means the van will pull forward, so it is a good idea to store your spare tools, chairs and furniture in the corner that does not have a full water tank. This will significantly improve the towing experience and will prevent a lot of sway. If you have any other questions about how to stabilize a caravan or trailer, feel free to get in contact or read any of our other helpful blogs on caravans here: 

Blog topic: #caravan #caravan levelling #trailer stabilisers #wheel chocks #caravan ramps