Before you begin
Gather the equipment recommended in your owner’s manual, work in a safe and well-lit area, and check campground rules before using shared utilities or facilities.
Step-by-step instructions
1 Step 1
Choose firm ground and inspect for holes, loose gravel and soft soil. Avoid attempting to level on an unsafe slope.
2 Step 2
Park where tires remain fully supported and there is room for steps and slides. Set the parking brake.
3 Step 3
Use a bubble level or the RV’s approved leveling display to identify the low side and end.
4 Step 4
For towable RVs, level side to side with properly rated leveling blocks under the tires before unhitching; chock the wheels.
5 Step 5
After unhitching a trailer, use the tongue jack or landing gear to level front to back according to the manual.
6 Step 6
For motorhomes with automatic jacks, follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and verify stable footing; use rated jack pads where required.
7 Step 7
Lower stabilizers only to reduce movement, not to lift or level a trailer unless the manufacturer expressly permits it.
8 Step 8
Recheck the level and door operation; confirm the refrigerator’s installation and operating requirements.
Detailed Canadian RV guide
The following practical details expand on the quick steps above. Equipment differs between motorhomes, fifth wheels, travel trailers and truck campers; use the instructions for your particular RV and components whenever they differ.
Why level matters
A level RV makes cooking, sleeping, shower drainage and door operation more comfortable. Some absorption refrigerators have operating-angle limits, so check the appliance manual rather than relying on a universal number. Excessive twisting can also make slides and entry doors difficult to operate.
Aim for a stable site first. Leveling devices are designed to correct reasonable site irregularities, not to make a dangerously steep or soft parking spot safe.
Tools and surface assessment
Carry a small bubble level or reliable built-in level display, rated leveling blocks, wheel chocks and suitable jack pads. Inspect the ground for mud, fill, loose gravel and buried utilities. Check that every tire will remain fully supported.
Do not stack improvised lumber in an unstable tower. Keep hands and feet clear of tires when positioning blocks and use a spotter who stays away from the travel path.
Travel trailers and fifth wheels
With the trailer still attached, determine which side is low and move onto properly arranged leveling blocks if required. Chock the wheels securely before uncoupling. Then use the tongue jack or landing gear to adjust front-to-back level, following the hitch manufacturer’s sequence.
Lower stabilizers only after leveling. Overextending a stabilizer to lift a corner can damage the frame or the stabilizer itself. Fifth wheels may have auto-level systems with specific procedures and clearance requirements.
Motorhomes and automatic leveling
Park, set the brake and meet any transmission, ignition and engine requirements in the leveling system manual. Check that pads will not sink into asphalt or soil. Some systems require slides retracted while leveling; others specify a different order.
If an automatic system produces an error, stop and consult the manual rather than repeatedly cycling the jacks. Before driving, confirm all jacks are fully retracted and no warning remains.
Troubleshooting a persistent tilt
If the level changes after an hour, check for settling under a jack pad or tire. Repositioning onto firmer ground is safer than adding makeshift supports beneath an already-loaded jack.
A level reading can differ between the kitchen counter and the chassis. Use the manufacturer’s reference location and verify that doors, drains and appliances work normally.
Leveling on Canadian sites
Gravel and sloped sites are common, so carry leveling blocks and chocks. Level side to side first, then front to back, and check that absorption fridges are level.
Continue learning
All RV Basics guides →Complete How-To Library →RV Repair Guides →