Leveling Your Travel Trailer

It's no big secret that the ground at a campsite is uneven. That's partly why you chose to take a travel trailer instead of a tent! But this unlevel ground can still affect your trailer. It can make your experience inside feel "off," resulting in water pooling, and other annoyances. That's where the leveling process comes in handy. 

We created the following beginner's guide to leveling your travel trailer below. If you have any questions, stop by 1st Choice Trailers. Our friendly staff is happy to answer any questions you have. We proudly serve those in Goddard and Wichita, Kansas.

Pick Your Spot

You can make the entire process much easier on yourself simply by selecting a strategic spot. The more slanted your campsite is, the more effort you're going to need to put in to get your trailer level. 

Try to find somewhere that is as flat and even as possible. You'll also want to seek out somewhere that has sturdy, firm ground. If you try to set up on gravel or sand, the ground may shift underneath the pressure of your travel trailer and undo all your hard work! It may take some extra time to find the right spot. You may even need to park a bit farther away from the bathrooms or other convenient parts of the campsite, but it'll be worth it.

Side to Side

This first step starts with your trailer still connected to your tow vehicle. You'll want to figure out if you need to raise the left or right side of your travel trailer. If you have a carpenter's level, that will work best. A smartphone app can work if you've got nothing else.

Place leveling blocks or boards underneath the side you want to rise. Back up your trailer onto them. Use the level to see if that height adjustment was enough. Your first few times traveling will likely require making several attempts to get everything even, but you'll be a pro in no time.

Secure Your Travel Trailer

After everything is set from side to side, you'll want to ensure it stays that way. Put chocks or blocks in front and behind your wheels. Then disconnect your tow vehicle and move it out of the way.

Front to Back

Now you want to make sure the front end is level with the back end. Use your level again to see which end you'll need to raise. Then use your handy jack to make the adjustments. Check with your level to ensure that did the job. After everything is all situated, you can lock your hitch.

Stabilize

Everything is level and now you want to keep it that way! When you and your travelers walk around inside, it could undo all of your progress and result in a slanted travel trailer. You'll find stabilizers at each corner of your trailer, which function as jacks to secure your RV. These can either be raised and lowered automatically or with a tool. It just depends on how your specific model works. Make sure they get firmly planted into the ground. You want them secure enough that they won't fall out. But don't use so much pressure that they get damaged. After this step, you are ready to enjoy a wonderful leveled travel trailer experience!

We hope you found this guide helpful! For all your RV needs, visit 1st Choice Trailers. Our dealership is based in Goddard, Kansas, and we also serve those in Wichita. Our friendly staff can help answer questions, give advice, even suggest new products and models when you are ready to upgrade.