Forum Discussion

careya123's avatar
careya123
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014

Level RV Every Time I Park?

Should I level the RV every time I park? At the gas station, to pick up a few things at Walmart, to spend an hour at the mall?

I know it's important to be level so the fridge works, but isn't it unlevel for hours and hours while driving? So why doesn't that ruin the fridge?

Confused about leveling,
Carey

27 Replies

  • Real Rule #1.
    Don't make RV'ing more complicated.

    Get on down the road, you will be just fine.
    Stop and smell the roses and no need to 'level' when you do.
  • Rule of thumb is 3 degrees out of level max. What is 3 degrees? If your camper is 8 feet wide, on side would need to be 5 inches lower than the other to reach 3 degrees. Length wise a 32 footer would need to be 20 inches off.
    One half bubble on a level is about 1.5 degrees.
  • I wish the switch to my fridge as as handy as you all make it out to be. It's one of the few things I'm not 100% happy with our camper- the minor challenge of getting to our fridge with the main slide in.
  • If we park noticeably out of level, I shut off the fridge. I keep a plastic clothespin by the fridge, and when I shut it off like that, I clip the clothespin to my shift lever as a reminder to turn the fridge back on.

    From what I remember reading, it doesn't take long for overheating to occur.
  • If you are stopping for more than 4 hours and you must leave the fridge on, level the coach. If you can't get level in a temporary spot without taking wheels off the ground, turn off the fridge. It won't hurt the food if you don't open the door.
  • The bouncing around while driving takes care of the issue plus it would be rare to be at a significant angle for a long period of time.

    If the parking lot is so sloped that it is uncomfortable to simply go in and move about, then it could be an issue but the simple solution is to turn the fridge off until you are ready to go. An hour or two with the door shut shouldn't be a problem.
  • In my opinion, most parking lots are level enough that you don't have to worry. If you are really out of level, then I would just shut off the fridge for the hour or so that you're doing something.

    As for driving, the motions of driving is helping to circulate the refrigerant. Unless you are going up a steep hill up for a very long time, the refrigerant keeps circulating.