Caravanning offers a delightful way to explore the great outdoors, combining the comforts of home with the freedom of the open road. However, ensuring your caravan is perfectly level when pitched is crucial for a comfortable and stress-free stay. Levelling improves comfort, ensures appliances like fridges function properly, and reduces unnecessary strain on your caravan’s chassis. In this beginner's guide to caravanning, we’ll walk you through a comprehensive guide to levelling your caravan like a seasoned caravanner, complete with tips, tools, and practical advice.
Beginners Guide to Caravanning: Why Levelling Matters
Before jumping into the steps, it’s crucial to understand why proper levelling is essential for your caravan.
Secure Storage
An uneven caravan can cause doors and cupboards to swing open unexpectedly, putting your belongings at risk of shifting or falling. Levelling ensures everything stays in place.
Structural Integrity
Uneven weight distribution can place unnecessary stress on the chassis, potentially leading to long-term damage. Keeping your caravan level helps maintain its structural strength.
Efficient Appliance Operation
Many caravan appliances, particularly fridges, require a level surface to function properly. Without proper levelling, they may struggle to operate efficiently or even fail altogether.
Comfortable Sleeping
No one enjoys sliding to one side of the bed while sleeping. Levelling your caravan ensures a more comfortable and restful night’s sleep.
Proper Water Drainage
Sinks and showers rely on gravity for proper drainage. An unlevel caravan can lead to water pooling or overflowing, causing inconvenience and potential damage.
Tools You Need
Before levelling your caravan, make sure you have the right tools on hand for a smooth and efficient process.
Spirit Level
A small bubble level works well for checking both side-to-side and front-to-back alignment. Caravan-specific levelling devices offer even greater precision.
Levelling Ramps
Durable, non-slip ramps help raise one side of your caravan to achieve a level position. Opt for lightweight wedge designs for easier handling.
Chocks
Once your caravan is level, secure the wheels with rubber or heavy-duty plastic chocks to prevent movement and ensure stability.
Wooden Blocks
For extreme unevenness, wooden blocks provide the necessary additional reach for your stabiliser legs and help to spread the load more evenly. By placing the blocks under the legs, you ensure that the weight is distributed across a larger surface area, which prevents the legs from sinking into soft or uneven ground and provides a more stable foundation.
Winding Tool
A manual winder or a drill attachment will help you adjust the corner steadies efficiently.
Optional Accessories
Stabiliser Pads
These pads distribute weight evenly and prevent corner steadies from sinking into soft ground. They also offer extra height on uneven pitches.
Motor Mover
A motor mover simplifies the levelling process by allowing precise positioning on levelling ramps. Be sure to disengage it after use to prevent unnecessary strain on the tyres.
Step-by-Step Levelling Guide
1. Choose the Best Spot
When you arrive at your campsite:
Look for the flattest pitch available. Many modern campsites provide level ground, but natural or less-maintained sites may require extra effort.
Avoid soft, boggy areas to ensure stability and reduce the risk of getting stuck.
Consider the sun and shade positions, especially for long-term stays, as they affect interior comfort.
2. Level Side-to-Side
Position your caravan roughly where it will stay.
Place a spirit level across the floor or a worktop to check side-to-side alignment.
Place a levelling ramp in front of or behind the wheel on the lower side.
Slowly tow or push the caravan onto the ramp until the spirit level indicates it is balanced. A motor mover can simplify this process.
Double-check the spirit level and make minor adjustments as needed.
Once level, secure the wheels with chocks and park break to prevent movement.
3. Level Front-to-Back
Place the spirit level along the length of the caravan floor or worktop.
Use the jockey wheel to raise or lower the front of the caravan until the bubble is centred on the spirit level.
4. Stabilise with Corner Steadies
Lower the corner steadies using a winding handle or a cordless drill attachment. Important: Corner steadies are intended solely to stabilise the caravan and should not be used to lift or support its weight. Apply only enough pressure to prevent movement and maintain stability.
Use stabiliser pads under the steadies on soft ground to prevent sinking.
Returning the Caravan to a Towable Condition
Before leaving your campsite, it’s essential to safely return your caravan to a towable condition. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth departure:
1. Clear the Area Around the Caravan
Disconnect all services such as electrical cables and plumbing.
Remove any accessories or stored items from underneath the caravan.
Ensure the ground is free of obstacles like stones or debris that could obstruct movement.
2. Raise the Corner Steadies
Using a winding handle or a cordless drill, retract the corner steadies completely. Important: This should not be completed with occupants inside the caravan, as it could tip.
Double-check that all steadies are fully raised to prevent them from catching on the ground while towing.
3. Remove the Wheel Chocks
Take out the chocks from both wheels. Store them securely for your next stop.
4. Adjust the Jockey Wheel
Use the jockey wheel to adjust the front height of the caravan until it aligns with your tow vehicle's hitch.
Once hitched, retract and secure the jockey wheel to prevent it from interfering with towing.
5. Secure the Motor Mover (if used)
Disengage the motor mover.
6. Final Safety Check
Confirm all items inside the caravan are properly secured to avoid damage during transit.
Verify that lights, brakes, and towing connections are functioning correctly before setting off.
By following these steps, you’ll protect your caravan from unnecessary damage and ensure a safe and hassle-free departure.
Avoid Common Levelling Mistakes
Even with the right tools, mistakes can compromise your caravan’s stability and longevity. Here are some common errors to avoid:
Using Corner Steadies to Lift
Corner steadies are designed for support, not lifting. Relying on them to raise your caravan can damage both the steadies and the chassis. Always use levelling ramps or blocks for height adjustments.
Leaving the Motor Mover Engaged
Forgetting to disengage the motor mover after positioning your caravan can cause unnecessary strain on the tyres, leading to uneven wear or damage over time.
Skipping Rechecks
Ground conditions can shift, even after setup. Always double-check your caravan’s level after a few hours and make adjustments if necessary.
Ignoring Stabiliser Pads on Soft Ground
On soft or uneven terrain, failing to use stabiliser pads can cause the corner steadies to sink, leading to instability. Using pads helps distribute weight evenly and prevents this issue.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the art of caravan levelling is an essential skill for every caravanner. It ensures comfort, prevents damage, and keeps your caravan in top condition. With the right tools, practice, and an awareness of common pitfalls, you’ll be levelling like a pro in no time.
Happy caravanning!
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