When you’re out on the open road in your RV, it’s essential to have a stable and level living space. Proper stabilization ensures a more comfortable experience inside the vehicle, prevents unwanted movements, and helps maintain the integrity of your RV. In this blog, we will guide you through three easy steps to stabilize your RV effectively and enjoy a smoother journey.
The first and most crucial step in stabilizing your RV is finding level ground. A level surface provides a solid foundation, minimizing the risk of your RV swaying or rocking. If the ground isn’t naturally level, you can level it yourself using leveling blocks. Here’s how to use leveling blocks:
Park your RV in a relatively flat area.
Place the leveling blocks in front of or behind the wheels that need to be raised.
Slowly drive your RV onto the leveling blocks until it reaches a level position.
Check the levelness with a bubble level or an onboard leveling system.
Remember to chock the wheels on the opposite side of the leveling blocks to ensure stability. By finding level ground or using leveling blocks, you’ll create a solid base for further stabilization steps.
Set Your Tongue Jack or Front Jacks To stabilize the front end of your RV, you’ll need to use the tongue jack or front jacks, depending on your RV’s configuration. Follow these steps to properly set them up:
Locate the tongue jack or front jacks on your RV. They are typically positioned near the hitch or at the front end of the vehicle.
Extend the jack(s) until they make firm contact with the ground. You may need to crank them down manually or use an electric or hydraulic system, depending on your RV’s setup.
Apply steady pressure to lift the front end slightly, ensuring the tires are still in contact with the ground.
Once the RV feels stable and secure, stop extending the jack(s) and double-check the levelness.
By setting your tongue jack or front jacks correctly, you distribute the weight evenly and minimize any unwanted movement in the front part of your RV.
Step 3: Stabilizer Jacks
The final step is to utilize stabilizer jacks, which are typically located at the corners or sides of your RV. These jacks help further stabilize the vehicle and reduce any side-to-side motion. The usage may vary depending on whether your RV has an auto-leveling system: For RVs with an auto-leveling system:
Activate the auto-leveling system following the manufacturer’s instructions.
The system will automatically extend the necessary jacks to level and stabilize the RV.
For RVs without an auto-leveling system:
Locate the stabilizer jacks near each corner or side of your RV.
Use a manual crank or an electric drill with the appropriate socket to extend each stabilizer jack until it makes firm contact with the ground.
Avoid overextending the jacks, as it may lead to unnecessary strain.
Once all stabilizer jacks are extended, double-check the levelness and make any adjustments as needed.
By utilizing stabilizer jacks, you’ll effectively reduce the RV’s sway and increase stability during your journey, ensuring a more comfortable experience. Stabilizing your RV is a crucial aspect of enjoying a comfortable and safe experience on the road. By following these three easy steps—finding level ground or using leveling blocks, setting your tongue jack or front jacks, and using stabilizer jacks—you’ll minimize unwanted movements and ensure a comfortable camping trip
The easiest way to do this is to place the level on the tongue of the trailer. This will let you know if one side is higher than the other, which will inform which side you want to raise. Now that you know which side is too low, put boards or leveling blocks behind the wheels you need to raise.
The easiest way to do this is to place the level on the tongue of the trailer. This will let you know if one side is higher than the other, which will inform which side you want to raise. Now that you know which side is too low, put boards or leveling blocks behind the wheels you need to raise.
Speaking of cheap and easy, you can make it drastically safer to climb your RV steps at night with tape. This outdoor glow-in-the-dark tape lights the way for you.
Door and Window Locks: Consider adding additional latches or bars to your RV doors and windows. These can be simple and inexpensive devices that provide an extra layer of security by preventing doors and windows from being easily forced open.
Some of the best leveling blocks for RVs include the Camco Heavy Duty Leveling Blocks, Andersen Camper Leveler, Tri-Lynx Levelers, Beech Lane Camper Leveler, and Hopkins Towing Solutions Leveling Blocks. These leveling blocks are all highly rated by experienced RVers for their durability, ease of use, and reliability.
Using your bubble level, check the grade of the RV from front to back.Adjust the tongue jack as needed until the length of your coach is level. Then you can set your stabilizer jacks around the rest of the RV to keep your trailer stable while you're parked.
#1 - Out of balance tires: Generally speaking, with out of balance tires, the faster you go, the worse it shakes. Out of balance tires ruin bearings, joints and shake screws and bolts loose, as well as fatigue metal faster than anything else you could do.
In fact, free movement around a moving RV is considered to be so dangerous that many states have seat belt laws that stipulate that all passengers must remain seated and strapped in at all times. However, there are others with more lax laws that do permit moving around inside a moving RV.
These devices are designed to prevent thieves from towing or driving away with your camper. Invest in a sturdy and reliable wheel lock that fits your camper's tire size. Combine a wheel lock with a tongue lock for added security.
Use a high-quality motorhome security system, including alarms, tracking devices, and immobilisers like a Bear Lock. Install physical deterrents such as steering wheel locks wheel clamps, and secure window and door locks.
Different ways to secure an RV include anchor kits, ground anchors or sandbags. If your RV doesn't have stabilizing jacks that might be used for anchoring, there are other options available for purchase. Tie down travel trailers. Remember to remove all awnings and store them in the RV or another safe place.
Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking
Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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