Do you wonder about how to level a travel trailer on a slope?
If you are looking to park your vehicle for hours, or you need to do some repairs on your vehicle, a slope is not the best place to do it.
For instance, you may be looking to stay for the night, and a slope does not make it comfortable for everyone in the vehicle. Walking around inside the trailer is also tough due to gravity naturally pulling you down.
Additionally, a travel trailer parked on a slope makes it difficult for your gas-powered appliances. The uneven terrain can cause things to shift. Your refrigerator may not function well, as well as other appliances in the vehicle.
Thus, it makes perfect sense to keep your trailer level for such purposes.
Keep reading to learn more about how to level a travel trailer when on a slop – all the tools and techniques you need to make it happen.
Contents
How to Level a Travel Trailer on a Slope – Things You Will Need
So, here is the big question – just how do you level a travel trailer on a slope?
Initially, you need to level it from one side to another. Then, you would have to chock your wheels before you level the vehicle from the front to the back. This can be done with a simple adjustment of the tongue jack.
Easier said than done? Let’s discuss the tools you will need to make all of these possible.
When leveling your travel trailer on a slope, you have to prepare the following:
- Wheel Chocks
- Wood or Plastic Leveling Blocks
- Level (about 2-foot)
Now, let’s discuss the steps you need to take.
1. Level from side to side.
This is the very first and most crucial step you need to take. It is important that you look for a flat area to park the vehicle.
Make sure that you get rid of any debris on the way such as big branches or rocks. These objects can hamper the entire process of leveling your vehicle.
As you locate a flat surface for you to park the camper, you won’t have a much tougher time leveling it. This will also reduce the severity of the slope, which is what you are working towards.
Then, position your camper in a way that the slope is not running from side to side. Aim for a front to back slope as this makes it easier to level.
2. Make the correct measurement.
Using your 2-foot level, conduct an estimate on what it takes for you to raise the lower portion of the camper, so you can keep the entire vehicle in a level position.
If this is something that you’ve never done before, it is actually pretty simple. First, you lay down the level on the rear bumper of your vehicle, from left to right. You will see the bubble will begin to float right up to the highest portion of the trailer.
When this happens, you only have to lift the lower section. This is the bubble’s opposite side. Just make it a point to keep your travel trailer hooked up until you’re done leveling the vehicle from one side to the other.
3. Position the leveling blocks.
After you have decided on the amount of height needed to achieve a level position, it’s time to get your leveling blocks.
Position the blocks right in front of your tires. These are very strong blocks that are reminiscent of those Lego blocks, yet obviously much sturdier and designed for campers.
Hook the blocks up together, which should create a ramp for your vehicle. Then, you can place the blocks on the front of your camper’s wheel that require some lift.
Does your trailer have dual wheels? If so, then you should place those blocks on the front part of both wheels to keep them stable.
In the case of folks who have no leveling blocks, no problem. You can easily use some wood leveling blocks as an alternative. But be careful when choosing just about any type of wood to use.
The most crucial part is in making sure that the wood is wider than your tires. Otherwise, it will not work.
Moreover, there is the likelihood of the wood cracking or breaking because it is much heavier than those plastic ones. When the wood shifts out of place as you drive the trailer, this is also a serious issue.
And most importantly, you can no longer use broken or rotten wood. Thus, you are left with nothing if all you have are this type of leveling block to use.
4. Find the right position.
Next up, you can begin driving your camper right onto your leveling blocks. Only do this when you are certain that the leveling blocks are firmly set into place.
Be slow and careful as you drive forward. You will have to require the help of someone to guide you as to when it is time to stop the vehicle. The goal is to make sure that the tires are perfectly on top of your leveling blocks.
In case a section of the tire is not on those blocks, you will have to continue driving to reposition them. Otherwise, it will not be level and stable.
5. Secure with wheel chocks.
Once you have found a level position for your camper, you can now position your wheel chocks right in place.
This will ensure the stability of your vehicle and that it will not be shifting around as you walk inside the camper. The best way to place these wheel chocks is by putting them under the wheel. Place them securely using your hand and beneath the wheel’s downhill portion.
Some people find that wheel chocks are not quite necessary. However, they are very much helpful when it comes to keeping the camper still and stable, especially on a slope.
When people move around in the vehicle, there is a tendency for it to rick a bit. Then, this can cause things to shift. But with the help of wheel chocks, this is unlikely to happen. So, we strongly advise that you use these tools for such purposes.
Additional Tips on How to Level a Trailer on a Slope
If you think that the steps and techniques above are insufficient for your needs, there is another option to consider. You can also consider leveling your vehicle by using Andersen Levelers. With this tool, you no longer have to make any guesstimates as you try to level it out.
What this means is that driving onto your leveling block is no longer needed. You can even make sure that the leveler is perfectly in position and will not shift.
But just the same, wheel chocks make things more stable and more secure even after using these levelers.
Read More: Can You Pull A Boat Behind A Travel Trailer? Avoid Legal Issues With These Tips!
Leveling on a Steep Slope
Now, this may be a situation that some people find themselves in, particularly if there is absolutely no area to park that is not very steep.
If this is the case, then you will simply have to prepare additional blocks underneath your existing leveling blocks. You would have to put these on the lower side of your travel trailer.
The only drawback to this is that it can be a tough ordeal to accomplish. For example, you need to level the base created. This is also tricky as you will have to create it on a terrain that is rather unlevel.
Hence, there comes an additional step to take to level your travel trailer on a steep slope. Initially, you will have to dig down a few inches. Then, you should be able to keep the ground leveled. A couple of tools would come in handy such as a small level and a shovel. It should not take too long to be able to complete this task.
The primary thing to keep in mind is that you need to begin with a sturdy and solid base. Afterwards, ramping up your travel trailer higher will follow until you keep it leveled on a steep slope.
Bottom Line
It takes a bit of effort when finding out how to level a travel trailer on a slope.
However, with these tips and techniques we have presented, you should be able to carry it out without any problem.
Just make sure you have all the essential tools ready and follow carefully these methods we have shared with you. Then, you can complete the steps without any issue at all.
