Ok, so your RV doesn’t have electric or hydraulic levelers. That’s ok. This article will help you learn to level your RV the quick and easy way. It will also help you pick the perfect RV leveling blocks for your travels. Believe it or not, there is a lot of confusion online about which RV leveling blocks are best. Together we will look at your best options.
First, let’s discover a simple way to manually level your RV.
The goal of this process is to lift a few of your tires up on RV leveling blocks. If you do not have an automatic leveling system this is a good way get your trailer into an even position. Remember, you will always want to keep at least one tire on the ground. The other tires will be adjusted to level your overall unit. If you plan to camp in modern RV parks most spaces have been pre-leveled and you won’t have to do much to get comfortable. State and national parks are a whole different story. These spaces can be uneven and you will want to have RV leveling blocks with you.
Step #1 Turn the engine off and set your parking brake. You don’t need to roll around during this process. Make sure you are about 2 or 3 feet from where you want to end up parked for the night.
Step #2 Step outside and examine the ground. How many blocks do you think you will need? Which side needs to be lifted? It might take a few tries to get it right, so make the time to think through the entire process.
Step #3 Put your RV leveling blocks up against the tires you intend to raise. If you are stacking blocks make sure to put them together like stepping legos. You want to be able to drive up them, ramp style.
Step #4 Start your engine and release the brake. Slowly accelerate up the blocks. You may want to keep a foot on the brake to stop when you reach the center of the RV leveling blocks. If you have someone to help guide you the process will be a whole lot easier.
Step #5 Evaluate your situation. Are you level? Does something need to go up or down? If so, you may need to back down, adjust and try again.
Step #6 Once settled you can set your parking brake with your transmission in park. Turn off the engine. You are set!
Now that you know how to level, it’s time to choose the right RV leveling blocks for you.
Top 2 Picks:
1. Wooden Blocks- Grab a few wooden blocks out of your garage and toss them into your rig. Presto you have a one of a kind leveling system. Many campers choose to forgo RV leveling blocks and just use wood. While this is a simple answer, it’s not ideal. Here’s why: Wooden blocks are water sensitive, prone to splitting and heavy. They are also bulky and difficult to pack away. Most full timers avoid wood blocks, but in a pinch they provide an easy leveling tool. Remember: wooden blocks should be long and wide enough for the tire to easily stand on it. Pressure treated wood is best, since it will hold up over time.
Pros- Cheap
Cons- Heavy and Difficult To Carry. Hard To Drive Up On. Split, Crack and are Bulky.
2. Plastic Lego Style RV Leveling Bricks- Lightweight and easy to pack, RV leveling pads are designed to stow without a lot of hassle. The quality of these plastic RV leveling blocks varies greatly so it’s important to check each type out and read the reviews. Many of the highest reviews come from a product called Utility Blocks. When considering an RV leveling block be sure to look at size, weight, strength and cost. Are the bricks big enough to provide a solid surface and a stable pad for your jacks? Are they thick enough? Are they heavy? Do they stack? Will they stow away with ease? Cost should also be considered when comparing one style of RV leveling block against another. Remember if you have to buy several sets over the life of the RV then you haven’t saved any money.
Pros- Easily stackable and light. These blocks can snap together to create ramps when needed.
Cons- Break, bend and crack. Big variety in quality depending on the brand. Using as a ramp sometimes slips
Even if your rig is equipped with an automatic leveling system you may need a block or two on occasion. RV utility blocks can also be used to secure tires or to shore up a tire in an area with soft ground. Many campers carry a variety of shapes and sizes of blocks in case of emergency. Your storage space will determine how many styles you can carry.
