Where to Place the Level on a Travel Trailer: A Simple Guide + FAQs

Where to Place the Level on a Travel Trailer

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Making sure your travel trailer is level once you’ve pulled into camp can either be a quick and easy process or a long and tiresome hassle.

Which one it is mostly depends on whether you already have levels properly installed on your travel trailer or not.

If you don’t have levels properly installed on your trailer, it can take forever adjusting, testing, adjusting, testing again, and adjusting some more before you finally find level ground. 

In the guide below, we’ll show you where to place the levels on a travel trailer so that you can not only stabilize your trailer now but every time you camp thereafter, quickly and easily. 

RV Level vs. Carpenter’s Level

Where to Place the Level on a Travel Trailer

Before you get started, you’ll need to know what you’re working with.

When it comes to leveling a trailer, you have two options: 

  • RV level(s)
  • Carpenter’s level

A carpenter’s level, or bubble level, is a tool you’ve likely seen before. It’s a small tube filled with green liquid and a bubble that shifts around at the top.

Carpenter's Level

It’s designed for construction and installation, but if your RV is older and you don’t have RV levels installed (or you haven’t installed them yet) this is a suitable option.

Similarly, an RV level is like a carpenter’s level but usually with a slightly different design, sometimes curved and with a few centimeters/inches displayed left and right on a panel right above the level.

Some travel trailers come pre-installed with levels in each of the key locations across the lower portion of the trailer.

However, even if yours doesn’t you can always buy and install them yourself (like this one from Sun Company):

RV Level

In either case, it’s important to note that you first need to level your travel trailer before installing those RV levels, so you’ll need to do it once without the levels if they’re not already pre-installed.

If you install the RV levels when your trailer isn’t level they’ll give you an incorrect reading the next time you pull into camp. 

That brings us to the next step: where to place those levels on your travel trailer to stabilize it. 

Where to Place a Level on a Travel Trailer

As mentioned, you can’t just place your RV levels anywhere you want. 

There are a few strategic locations you’ll need to place them to ensure you’re able to get an accurate reading when testing if your trailer is stabilized. 

Below is the best and most accurate method long-term, as once you have them installed you’ll no longer need to mess with levels when you pull into camp.

Simply check your levels and make your adjustments from there, with the RV itself essentially acting as the level. 

However, if you want a more quick and easy method we’ll cover that within the steps too. 

Here’s how to do it: 

1. Place the first level above the tongue / drop leg of the travel trailer

The trailer tongue is the most ideal single location if you only have a single level.

With that, you can tell you if the trailer is tipped too far to the left or right. That’s a much more likely case vs. too far forward or back. 

2. Place the second and third level above or between each axle

If you have a single-axle trailer, place the next two levels on each side right above each axle. 

For a double-axle trailer, place those levels between the two axles.

If you only have one carpenter’s level or you want a simple solution, place the level above the tongue jack. Once that’s set, do another above or between each axle after that and test again.

3. Use leveling blocks to balance weight

Once you have a clean reading, it’s time to level your trailer using leveling blocks. If you don’t have leveling blocks, use whatever else you have on hand.

After placing a block, test again until the reading says the trailer is even.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do RV levels cost?

RV levels typically cost around $20-30 (often in 2-packs), while carpenters levels are usually $10-20.

What is the best way to level a travel trailer? 

Use an RV level or carpenter’s level to level your RV by placing the level(s) above the tongue and axle (or between the axles if you have a two-axle trailer). 

Should a travel trailer be level when towing?

No, a travel trailer won’t be perfectly level while towing. Instead, once your trailer is fully hitched make sure that your tow vehicle and trailer frame are parallel with one another for proper towing. 

Level Your Travel Trailer Properly

Making sure that your trailer is properly leveled once you’ve pulled into camp is key.

Not only will you have a more generally pleasant experience but it will help avoid unnecessary repairs due to uneven weight distribution. Leveling your camper front to back and side to side will ensure that all of your tanks, sinks, and refrigerator drain appropriately. Additionally, properly leveling your camper will ensure that your slides and doors all work properly!

We hope these tips and steps helped you get things leveled quickly and easily.

Happy travels!

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