cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

How do you level a motorhome front to back?

coolmom42
Explorer II
Explorer II
How do you level a class C from front to back, if you don't have automatic levelers? This would be necessary at a lot of sites.

(I understand side-to-side levelling with blocks under the tires as needed.)
Single empty-nester in Middle TN, sometimes with a friend or grandchild on board
30 REPLIES 30

Dusty_R
Explorer
Explorer
I glue a round bubble level to the doghouse where it is easy to see from the drivers seat.

EMD360
Explorer
Explorer
ron.dittmer wrote:

You can determine if your trim represents the floor by placing a level on the floor, then place it against the trim. If the bubble is in the same place, then the two match. That is easy enough to determine the accuracy of your reference point.


I'm going to try that. I'm just curious if my logic was a reasonable option.
You are right. "Good enough is the enemy of best."
2018 Minnie Winnie 25b New to us 3/2021
Former Rental Owners Club #137
2003 Itasca Spirit 22e 2009-2021

ron_dittmer
Explorer II
Explorer II
Everyone has their own idea of "Good Enough". As for me, I like having all the levels accurately represent the floor. At least then I know how sloppy I am during the leveling process out in the field.

You can determine if your trim represents the floor by placing a level on the floor, then place it against the trim. If the bubble is in the same place, then the two match. That is easy enough to determine the accuracy of your reference point.

EMD360
Explorer
Explorer
I didn't level the coach perfectly. I stuck the levels on even with the door and dash trim. When I use them to help level, I use a bubble level in the refrigerator to make the final judgement. Half a bubble out of level is acceptable. I can't really tell the difference inside between that and completely level bubble in the middle. The graduated levels probably are not all that accurate anyway. We keep as level as we can to extend the life of our refrigerator and to make the water drain well.
Was there something wrong with my cab trim logic? I may have overlooked something about leveling. I am obviously not a perfectionist. ๐Ÿ™‚
2018 Minnie Winnie 25b New to us 3/2021
Former Rental Owners Club #137
2003 Itasca Spirit 22e 2009-2021

ron_dittmer
Explorer II
Explorer II
When installing those little stick-on levels, make sure to first level the floor of the motor home in all directions using a calibrated level. A calibrated level will measure the exact same when rotated 180 degrees. With the RV house floor level, stick on your little levels "level".

As I mentioned before, I place a level front-to-back and side-to-side by the driver. I also have one placed outside in back and just forward of each rear tire. It helps to see right at the rear tires, how many blocks to stack up. I really should also stick a level by each front tire.

wbwood
Explorer
Explorer
We use a small carpenters level on the counter top. Once you've leveled an RV several times, you can almost guess exactly what is needed and where. We have 3 bags of Lynx levelers. If it takes more than that to level the RV, then we need to adjust where we are parked or need another campsite.
Brian
2013 Thor Chateau 31L

tenbear
Explorer
Explorer
They may be calibrated in inches, but this is dependent on wheel to wheel spacing. Front wheels are not as far apart as the rear wheels and the front to back wheel spacing varies from rig to rig. You have to learn what he numbers mean on your rig.
Class C, 2004/5 Four Winds Dutchman Express 28A, Chevy chassis
2010 Subaru Impreza Sedan
Camped in 45 states, 7 Provinces and 1 Territory

chrisandoctavia
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks - I actually have a set of these Hopkins Levels as shown above that I bought recently - but the one on the door just came off (need to find some better adhesive)

EMD360
Explorer
Explorer
I bought a set of these levels--

and mounted them inside. They might be the Hoppy levels the others mentioned.
The graduated marks are for inches out of level. Now we can tell if the campsite is level without leaving the RV. Also lets us know how many inches of blocks approximately for each side or front to back.
We always support both rear tires too. We use a combination of tri-levels, the ramp type of blocks and the plastic squares.
Asphalt can be difficult to level on if the blocks get pushed out of place by the tires. But for the most part these levels have simplified the process for us.
By the way, I realized the RV does not have to be level to apply these. Just apply level with the interior door and dash trim.
2018 Minnie Winnie 25b New to us 3/2021
Former Rental Owners Club #137
2003 Itasca Spirit 22e 2009-2021

tenbear
Explorer
Explorer
X2 on the Hoppy levels. After you have used them a while, you can figure out what blocks you need and drive up on them. Personally, I like 2 x 6s in 3 different lengths, tapered on the ends.
Class C, 2004/5 Four Winds Dutchman Express 28A, Chevy chassis
2010 Subaru Impreza Sedan
Camped in 45 states, 7 Provinces and 1 Territory

ron_dittmer
Explorer II
Explorer II
With our 24 foot long rig, about half the time I am able to level the motor home good enough without the use of blocks because the camp sites we often stay in are uneven. Parking pads with pot holes and ruts actually help. I stuck a Hoppy level on the driver door and dash (one left/right, one front/rear) by me the driver. I'll maneuver the rig a little this way and that way, watching the two levels. Hoppy is a brand, but there are numerous brands & styles of those small levels. I found mine at Walmart in the RV section of the automotive department.

For when it's just too far off, out come the Lynx Leveler blocks. I like them for being compact and light weight, both hot commodities with motor homes.

chrisandoctavia
Explorer
Explorer
I have a set of 4 Anderson levelers exactly like the ones shown in an earlier post

These raise the Wheel up by a max of 4 inches, but I found that last time we camped it still didn't make the RV level (it was still quite a bit out according to our circular spirit level)

The fridge still worked OK - but has anyone else found this - using one of these types of levelers to raise the wheel to the max - but still not being level

If you foudn this - did you take any additional action?

Chris

TyroneandGladys
Explorer
Explorer
Sometimes just moving aback or pulling forward will work if not Anderson Levelers.
Love the Anderson's no guessing how many blocks/boards.
Tyrone & Gladys
27' 1986 Coachmen

Harvey51
Explorer
Explorer
Our 20 foot class C has a bit of an advantage. The wheels aren't as far apart and usually I can find a location in the site that is level.

If three wheels are low, I dig a wee hole with the axe for the one that isn't low.

I have been using pieces of 2x6 that are long enough to do both wheels of a dual pair at once. This season I am going with shorter pieces for each wheel. And they are tapered on one end.
2004 E350 Adventurer (Canadian) 20 footer - Alberta, Canada
No TV + 100W solar = no generator needed