How to Level your Travel Trailer

After a long day of traveling, you’ll probably just want to streamline your travel trailer setup process so you can hit the hay. But all good RV owners know you can’t just park it anywhere and walk away. There are hookups that need to happen, and if you don’t want a restless sleep, you’ll also want to level your trailer. Sure, this isn’t the most necessary step and you could live without it, but you’ll feel like your trailer is trying to toss you to one side and it may feel a little insecure. So take a moment to level your travel trailer with a few simple steps. Howdy Ranch RV has provided them here to help you get started. If you’re still looking for the perfect travel trailer, then stop by our location in Mathis, Texas. We proudly serve the areas of San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Laredo, Victoria, McAllen, and Rockport, Texas.

Choose a Location

Don’t make this harder than it has to be. Find a spot that’s already fairly level so there’s minimal adjustment involved. This also means keeping an eye on the type of ground you plan to set up camp. We suggest avoiding loose dirt and gravel, as your trailer may continue to settle after you’ve leveled it and throw off the alignment.

Level from Side to Side

When you’ve found the right camping location, begin the process by leveling your trailer from side to side. Start about a foot in front of your final parking spot. Measure the level at the hitch yoke, placing the level perpendicular to the trailer. Adjust the trailer as needed using leveling blocks directly behind the tires. Once you believe you’ve set yourself up for an even side to side distribution, back up your trailer onto these blocks. Note: these blocks need to be wider than the tires for best stability. Repeat this process as needed until you’re as close to level as possible.

Secure and Unhitch

When you’re done pulling your travel trailer on and off the blocks, place chocks in front and behind every tire, whether they’re wood or plastic (make sure wood blocks are free of nails and other sharp debris). Unhitch the trailer and drive the tow vehicle out of the way.

Level from Front to Back

Now that your travel trailer is level from side to side, you’ll want to level it from front to back. Use the hitch jack to raise and lower the hitch, and the trailer, until it’s completely even. We suggest using the countertops as a way to gauge the alignment of the trailer.

Stabilize

When you’re absolutely sure your travel trailer is completely level on all sides, then the only remaining step is to stabilize the trailer. Most travel trailers are built with stabilizer jacks at each corner. Engage these jacks until they’re firmly on the ground. Don’t overdo it though, as this may throw off the alignment of the trailer. And don’t use the stabilizer jacks to level the trailer. Not only is this much more difficult to do when you’re trying to coordinate four level points at once, but they’re not built to handle this kind of pressure.

This process should leave you with a level, stable travel trailer, ready to give you every opportunity for a great camping experience. If you’re still looking for the perfect travel trailer, or want to look at our entire RV selection, then stop by Howdy Ranch in Mathis, Texas, near San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Laredo, Victoria, McAllen, and Rockport.