For many outdoor enthusiasts, there’s nothing quite like hitting the open road in a motorhome and experiencing the freedom of the great outdoors. However, there’s one crucial aspect of motorhome camping that can often be overlooked: leveling your vehicle.
A level motorhome is more than just a matter of comfort. It’s an essential safety consideration that ensures your RV is stable and secure, preventing it from tipping over, rocking, or rolling. Furthermore, leveling your motorhome can also help with the proper functioning of your fridge, ensuring your food stays fresh for your entire trip.
Below, we’ll discuss why leveling your motorhome is crucial for outdoor enthusiasts, the benefits of using leveling blocks, and how to properly use them to level your motorhome.
Why Use Leveling Blocks to Level a Motorhome
If you’re wondering why you should use leveling blocks to level your motorhome, the answer is simple: it’s an affordable, lightweight, and easy-to-use leveling solution that can help prevent damage to your RV and ensure a comfortable camping experience. Here are some of the key benefits of using leveling blocks for motorhome leveling:
1. Prevent RV Damage
When your motorhome is not level, it can cause unnecessary wear and tear on your tires, suspension system, and other RV components. Using leveling blocks can prevent this damage and prolong the lifespan of your RV.
2. Improved Stability
A level motorhome is more stable than an unlevel one. Using leveling blocks can help keep your motorhome steady, preventing it from rocking, rolling, or tipping over, even on uneven or sloped terrain.
3. Enhanced Comfort
A level motorhome provides a more comfortable camping experience. It prevents items from sliding around inside your RV, ensures your bed is level, and makes it easier to cook and eat inside your RV.
4. Easy to Use
Leveling blocks are easy to use, even for beginners. They are lightweight, portable, and can be quickly and easily positioned under your RV wheels to achieve a level RV.
5. Affordable
Compared to other leveling solutions, such as hydraulic leveling jacks or RV leveling systems, leveling blocks are much more affordable. They can be purchased at most outdoor supply stores and come in a variety of sizes and materials to suit your needs and budget.
In short, leveling blocks are a simple, affordable, and effective solution for leveling your motorhome. By using them, you can prevent damage to your RV, enhance stability and comfort, and enjoy a worry-free camping experience.
Tools and Materials Needed to Level a Motorhome with Blocks
Before you begin leveling your motorhome with blocks, it’s important to make sure you have the right tools and materials. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Leveling Blocks
First and foremost, you’ll need a set of leveling blocks. These can be made of various materials such as plastic, wood, or metal, and come in different shapes and sizes. Depending on the level of your motorhome, you may need more or fewer blocks.
2. Wheel Chocks
You’ll also need a set of wheel chocks. These are wedge-shaped blocks that are placed behind the wheels to prevent your motorhome from rolling backward or forward during the leveling process.
3. A Level
You’ll need a level to ensure that your motorhome is level in all directions. A bubble level is a simple and inexpensive tool that you can easily attach to the exterior of your RV or use on the floor inside your motorhome.
4. A Tape Measure
A tape measure will help you measure the height of your motorhome and the height of the blocks to achieve a level surface.
5. Safety Gear
Last but not least, you’ll need to wear safety gear such as gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself while working with leveling blocks.
All of these tools and materials can be found at your local outdoor supply store. Also, it’s important to ensure your leveling blocks are rated for the weight of your motorhome and that you have enough of them to level your RV.
How to Level a Motorhome with Blocks
Now that you have all the necessary tools and materials, it’s time to level your motorhome with blocks. Follow these step-by-step instructions to ensure a safe and successful leveling process:
Step 1: Choose a Level Surface
Before leveling your motorhome, it’s important to choose a level surface to park it on. If the surface is not level, it will be much harder to level your motorhome with blocks. If you’re parked on a slope or uneven ground, it’s best to find a different spot to park your RV.
Step 2: Park Your Motorhome
Once you’ve found a level surface, park your motorhome and engage the parking brake. Make sure your RV is aligned with the direction you want to face.
Step 3: Place Wheel Chocks
Place a set of wheel chocks behind and in front of at least one tire to prevent your motorhome from rolling while leveling.
Step 4: Determine the Height Difference
Use a level to determine which side of your motorhome is higher than the other. This will help you determine how many blocks you’ll need and which side to place them on.
Step 5: Add Blocks
Place leveling blocks in front of or behind the tire(s) that are on the lower side of your motorhome. Start by placing one block and then build up as needed until your RV is level. Use a tape measure to ensure that the blocks are the same height on each side.
Step 6: Check for Levelness
Once you’ve added the necessary blocks, use the level to check that your motorhome is level in all directions. Adjust the blocks as needed to achieve a level surface.
Step 7: Test Stability
Finally, test the stability of your motorhome by gently rocking it back and forth. If it’s stable, you’re good to go! If it’s still wobbly, adjust the blocks or add more until it’s stable.
By following these steps, you can level your motorhome with blocks and ensure a safe and comfortable camping experience.
Related: How to Stabilize a Class A, B, and C Motorhome
7 Tips for Using Leveling Blocks to Level a Motorhome
While leveling your motorhome with blocks is a fairly straightforward process, there are a few tips to keep in mind to make the process easier and more effective. Consider the following tips to ensure a successful leveling experience:
1. Use a Leveling App
If you’re new to leveling your motorhome with blocks, consider downloading a leveling app on your smartphone or tablet. These apps use the device’s built-in accelerometer to measure the levelness of your RV and guide you through the leveling process.
2. Start with a Small Lift
When leveling with blocks, it’s important to start with a small lift and gradually build up as needed. Adding too many blocks at once can make your motorhome unstable and increase the risk of damage or injury.
3. Stack the Blocks Properly
When stacking leveling blocks, make sure they are stacked securely and evenly. This will ensure that your motorhome stays level and stable while parked.
4. Avoid Parking on Soft Ground
When possible, avoid parking on soft ground or loose soil. This can cause the leveling blocks to sink or shift, making your motorhome unstable.
5. Check for Clearance
Before driving your motorhome onto the blocks, make sure there is enough clearance for your RV’s tires. Driving onto blocks that are too high can cause damage to your motorhome.
6. Always Use Wheel Chocks
It’s important to always use wheel chocks when leveling your motorhome with blocks. These prevent your RV from rolling and ensure a safe and stable leveling process.
7. Regularly Check the Levelness
Even after you’ve leveled your motorhome with blocks, it’s important to check the levelness regularly. Changes in temperature, humidity, or soil conditions can cause your RV to shift slightly, so it’s important to check and adjust as needed.
4 Alternative Methods for Leveling a Motorhome
While leveling blocks are a popular and effective method for leveling a motorhome, there are other methods you can use to achieve a level parking spot. Consider the following alternative methods:
1. Leveling Jacks
Some motorhomes come equipped with leveling jacks that can be extended to level the RV. These jacks are typically operated by a hydraulic or electric system and can be extended and retracted with the push of a button.
While leveling jacks can be more expensive than leveling blocks, they offer a more precise and automated leveling process.
2. RV Leveling Systems
Another alternative to leveling blocks is a complete RV leveling system. These systems typically use hydraulic or air-ride technology to level your motorhome automatically. Even though these systems can be more expensive, they offer a convenient and time-saving solution for leveling your RV.
3. DIY Solutions
If you don’t have access to leveling blocks or leveling jacks, there are DIY solutions you can use to level your motorhome. For example, you can use wood planks or even large rocks to create a stable and level parking spot for your RV.
4. Manual Jacks
In some cases, manual jacks can be used to level a motorhome. This method involves using a hand-cranked jack to lift the RV and adjust its level. While manual jacks can be time-consuming and physically demanding, they offer an affordable and reliable option for leveling your motorhome.
When choosing an alternative method for leveling your motorhome, consider your budget, your physical abilities, and the level of precision you require.