Mastering Caravan Levelling: A Comprehensive Guide to Safe and Effective RV Levelling

Caravan levelling is one of the most crucial aspects of RV ownership. And while it isn’t a terribly difficult, or particularly time-consuming task, it comes with a host of annoying, and potentially costly consequences if it isn’t done correctly.

Neglecting to properly level your caravan can lead to cabinet doors refusing to stay closed, or cause your fridge or plumbing to malfunction: all reasons to take levelling seriously. Assuming, however, that your rig isn’t equipped with an automatic levelling system, resorting to makeshift levelling methods can be dangerous. You need gear that’s designed specifically for safe, manual RV and camper levelling; and not surprisingly, there’s a full range of Australian-made kit available to make the job as simple as possible.

You’ll Have Smooth Caravanning with Levelling Ramps 

rv-levelling-block
source: facebook.com/Autobox.au

Whether you’re taking a few months to do the big lap, or just spending a weekend at the beach, owning your own RV is one of the most exciting ways imaginable to see Australia. You have to be prepared to level your rig when you reach your destination though, and heavy-duty, Australian-made wheel levelers for caravans are what you need to help make the job easier. Heavy duty, stepped levelling kits made up of interlocking ramps and wheel chocks are the safe, affordable way to level off your rig when you’re travelling; and Explore’s innovative CVL-series of 2-section / 3-step ramps are among the best for both single and dual axle caravans and RVs. They make it possible for you to spend more of your time enjoying the countryside than smoothing out uneven surfaces.

With a length of 567mm, a width of 257mm, and weighing only 1.9kg each, Explore’s durable interlocking caravan levelling ramps are made of lightweight, UV-resistant polyethylene and are built around a core of features that include:

  • 3-step caravan leveller heights of 40mm, 70mm, and 100mm;
  • A 5-tonne per-axle rating on either single or tandem axles rigs; and,
  • A safe, heavy-duty tyre gripping surface.

The unique design of CVL-series caravan levellers allows for the rear section of the ramps to be removed for use with a range of axle configurations. That means you don’t have to purchase different-length ramps if you need to level a vehicle other than your RV or caravan. And together with their integrated caravan wheel chocks, CVL’s are the safe, no-slip alternative to dangerously improvised levelling solutions with jacks and planks.

Using Your Levelling Ramps to Get the Right Side to Side Positioning

No matter if you prefer the versatility of CVL-series caravan ramps, single-wheel caravan chock ramps, or are content just to use caravan levelling blocks, each of these levelling solutions is intended to achieve the same result: to ensure that your caravan is parked on a level surface. The fact, however, is that levelling your rig is more than just a holiday-on-a-hillside activity.

RV parks, campsite parking lots, and even your own driveway can cause problems when you need to level your rig. Fortunately though, regardless of the type of caravan wheel leveller you use, the levelling process is still the same, and it begins with ensuring your rig is correctly levelled from side to side.

  • Verify your rig’s position. With a bubble level or smartphone with a level app on your caravan’s drawbar or your RV’s bumper, you need to determine which side needs to be raised.
  • Move your rig into position. Maneuver your caravan into a position where you intend to park it, place your caravan levelling blocks or ramps beside the wheels that need to be raised, and then pull the rig slightly forward.
  • Position your levellers. Place your caravan wheel ramps exactly where your wheels were. If using CVL-series ramps on tandem axles, simply separate the sections, and if using blocks, build up an incline to simulate a ramp.
  • Reposition your rig. Back your RV or caravan onto the levellers and check to see if it’s level. If not, simply move the rig backward or forward as much as needed to add or remove the right amount of height.
  • Chock your wheels. If you’re satisfied with your RV or caravan’s position, chock the wheels to prevent rolling, and if necessary, unhook your caravan from the tow vehicle.

Don’t Forget Your Front to Back Positioning 

block-for-leveling
source: facebook.com/Autobox.au

Once you have your rig levelled from side to side, levelling it from front to back is easy.

  • Verify your rig’s position. With the bubble level or smartphone again on the caravan’s drawbar, you need to verify whether your caravan’s front needs to be adjusted.
  • Raising or lowering. Using your caravan’s jockey wheel, raise or lower the front of your rig to where the bubble level indicates that it’s levelled out.
  • Secure your position. Lower your caravan’s stabilizing jacks into their firming positions using stabilizing blocks or jack pads on the ground to prevent them from sinking into the ground or asphalt.

The fact is, with the right caravan ramp or block kit, levelling your rig is an incredibly straightforward job, even if you have to do it alone. Safety, however, is the most important aspect of getting your vehicle levelled, and there are precautions you should take in order to ensure that your ramps, levelling blocks, and caravan jacks are all doing their best to keep your caravan or RV as stable as possible.

Always Double-Check Your Levelling and Ramping Setups

Make no mistake: although you can count on your caravan levelling system to do its best to make sure your rig is level, you still want to minimize the potential for any other problems to occur during your set-up. And while it’s impossible to predict every eventually, the most likely difficulties are easily avoidable with minimal vigilance.

  • Observe the state of the ground around you. The last place you want to set up your caravan or RV is on ground that’s soft, silty, or likely to liquefy in case it rains. Your ramps, blocks, or jacks could slide out of position, the consequences of which are completely unpredictable.
  • Keep one wheel on the ground. No matter how many axles your rig has or how you’re doing your caravan levelling ramp set-up, one wheel should always be allowed to stay on the ground for stability.
  • Don’t neglect your wheel chocks. As tempting as it may be to neglect your caravan chocks, they’re absolutely essential to preventing your rig from moving; and not only should they be rated for your rig’s weight, they should always be used in pairs, and on the outsides of the wheels when used on tandem axles.

Ultimately, no matter how effective your levelling kit is, you still have to be mindful of what’s happening where the rig meets the ground. It only takes a few minutes to double-check everything before and after you do your setup, and it’s a commitment to safe caravanning that you can’t go wrong with.

The Final Word

At the end of the day, becoming comfortable with levelling your rig is as much a part of caravanning as understanding your plumbing and electrical systems. It’s knowledge that’s as critical as it is necessary, and having the right equipment to do it is what makes it easy.

With high-quality Australian-made wheel levelers for caravans, you don’t have to worry about investing in costly automatic levelling equipment, or wasting time on improvised levelling solutions. They’re small items, but they make a big difference.