How to Level Your Fifth Wheel in 3 Simple Steps (manual or auto-level)
If you’ve just begun RV camping, you may have discovered the discomforts an unlevel trailer can bring, as well as the frustration that comes with learning how to even it out when you’re a newbie. Thankfully, the process itself is straightforward, but definitely not one you can skip. We can assure you that all the job requires is a few simple steps and the right tools, and then you’ll be on your way to getting your relaxation on.
In This Article
Why Leveling Is CrucialIt may not seem like a big deal, but failing to take the time to properly level your trailer can result in a world of trouble. Crooked walkways, a warped camper frame, and even a stalled refrigerator are just a few examples of the pains of an unlevel trailer. You’d also find it much more difficult to cook or sleep on an incline. With that being said, keep reading for step-by-step instructions on how to properly level your camper. Recommended Tools:
Leveling your fifth wheel will be much simpler for you if you’re lucky enough to have an auto-leveler. However, it’s important to acknowledge that while leveling systems can be useful tools, they aren’t 100% reliable or equipped to level out severely unlevel RVs. This is why you should make sure your rig is within 3 inches of level from side to side BEFORE you employ your auto-leveler. You can accomplish this by using leveling blocks. If you’re unsure of how to use leveling blocks, check out the section of this article titled Leveling Side to Side for instructions. From here, lower the landing gear by pressing the button or panel on the side of your RV, and then use your level to check that your camper is even from front to back. If it’s not quite even, you might still have to manually level out.
Electronic Auto-Leveling Panel
Your auto-leveling system will also take care of the stabilization process for you by extending the stabilizing jacks. After your system employs them, check to make sure you’re fully level, and if everything looks good, feel free to pull out your slides. The system has taken care of the hard parts for you, and now you can spend the rest of your time enjoying your fifth wheel.
Landing Gear Jacks
Manually Leveling Your Fifth Wheel
Leveling your fifth wheel manually requires a couple extra steps and tools to get the job done. Regardless of whether or not you have an auto-leveling system, knowing how to level manually is a valuable skill to have. Below you will find three simple steps to accomplish this task with ease.
Step 1: Leveling Side to Side
Leveling your fifth wheel is a matter of ensuring it’s even both from front to back and side to side, but ALWAYS be sure to level the sides first. For now, keep your camper attached to your truck – you’ll need it to complete this step. To check if one side of your trailer is higher than the other, use a bubble level (or any kind of level you prefer) and place it dead center on the floor of your RV. You can alternatively place your level on a straight piece of trim on the outside of your camper. Sometimes, you will be able to tell your RV is uneven just by looking at it.
Bubble Level (Pictured on the trim of an RV)
If it’s not level, that means it’s time to bust out the leveling blocks. Place them on the side of your fifth wheel that’s tilted lower – either in front of the wheels or behind them depending on if you’re pulling forward or backing up. Typically, you’ll need a block for every notch your level shows you are unlevel. (For example, if you are two notches off, you’ll need two blocks.)
Stack as many leveling blocks as necessary to get your fifth wheel to the correct height.
Pull onto the blocks, frequently checking your level to see when the sides become even. You may need to readjust your truck on the blocks a few times before you’re centered, accounting for the way the vehicle tends to lurch forward/backwards when you put it in park.
Pull onto the blocks.
After you have leveled from side to side, you can chock your wheels and unhitch.
Chock your wheels.
Step 2: Leveling Front to Back
Leveling from front to back doesn’t require nearly the amount of time or energy as leveling from side to side does. Begin by checking your level to see how unlevel your camper is. Simply employ the landing jacks by pressing the button located at the front of your RV.
Landing Gear Switch
Check your level and align your RV in the same direction that it indicates you are uneven. Adjust your RV until it’s level. Once you have done this, you will be ready to stabilize your camper.
Step 3: Stabilizing Your Fifth Wheel
Good news: stabilizing your fifth wheel will be even easier than leveling it, thanks to the stabilizing jacks located on the sides of your RV.
Stabilizing Jacks
Use your crank handle to extend the jacks. If you prefer, place leveling blocks underneath your stabilizing jacks. This will prevent them from damaging the concrete or sinking into the ground if you’re leveling on soft terrain. As an alternative for the crank handle, you can also purchase an adapter for the end of your power drill to make raising your jacks much easier. It’s up to you if you’re willing to put in the extra labor or if you’d like to spend more money to go for the convenient option.
Power drill with adapter socket
It’s important to note that your stabilizers are designed to stabilize – NOT LIFT – your RV, so be sure to use them for their designated purpose when leveling your travel trailer. You’ll know you’ve gone too far if your stabilizers begin to raise your RV. Too much strain on your stabilizers can cause damage to your camper.Now, you can also extend your slides, but it’s crucial to remember that you can only do this part AFTER you've leveled from front to back. Otherwise, you risk running the slide off its tracks, which requires professional assistance to fix. It’s a real hassle that you don’t want to deal with for the sake of your time, money, or RV.However, if you’ve completed all of the above steps, you’ve successfully leveled and stabilized your RV! The more you do it, the easier it will get to recall the steps, and soon you’ll be moving through them like a pro. For now, however, get out a lawn chair, crack open a cold one, and celebrate your stress-free stay! It’s only the beginning of a beautiful, self-sustained getaway.
About Beth B. When I explain my position at etrailer to the folks back at home, I usually preface with, “Writing is about 15% of my job. The other 85% is research, hands-on product testing, and putting myself in the shoes of our customers (whom we call neighbors).” At etrailer, I have the opportunity to explore the products I write about in person every day, a privilege many writers don’t have. On a Tuesday morning, for instance, you may find me outside of a 5th wheel collecting pictures of its scissor jacks for an article. On Wednesday, I might switch gears to measure leaf springs in our warehouse, while Thursday is when I’ll finally get behind the keyboard (that is, in between driving off-site to film how-to videos with the team). If you have a question, it’s my mission to not only provide you with an answer, but to equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to face real-world challenges like a pro.
If your Furrion Vision S Camera System #FOS43TASF is working when connected to the monitor wire but not when connected to the rear of the trailer then you most likely have a power issue. The camera needs 12 volts to properly operate but the blue…
The things that the 18K Demco Hijacker #DM8550034 and the 18K SuperGlide have in common are that they both offer 14" of travel, they are both automatic sliding 5th wheel hitches, have 2-point pivoting hitch heads, are compatible with industry…
I looked up the dimensions of your High Pointe EC942K9E and it's 15 inches deep, 15.7 inches tall, and 29.9 inches wide so the Furrion Over the Range RV Convection Microwave #FMCM15SS would easily fit in place of it and would also work really…
I took a look at the instruction manual for the Furrion Vision S Wireless RV Backup Camera System part #FOS43TASF which is attached below as well and there are a few possible causes of the weak/intermittent signal issues you are experiencing. I have…
When adjusting the height of a pin box such as #LC1191191 it is important to support the pin box when removing the bolts. I recommend 2 or 3 buddies to give you a hand and make sure no one is beneath the pin box while raising or lowering it. With the…
I spoke with JR Products and they said for the RV LED Light Side-Slide Dimmer Switch #37205-12315 the wiring goes as follows: White would go to the light, Black would be the ground, and Red would be the power. However for hooking up to your trailer,…
The center of the king pin of a fift wheel trailer needs to be centered over the rear axle. Since fifth wheel trailers are pretty heavy if you had the pin weight behind the rear axle you'd unload the front axle which would make braking and…
The tube spacers that are included with Curt 5th wheel installation kit #C16200 are only used on certain installations. They are not used on your 1998 Chevy pickup truck so you can toss them in a toolbox or workbench. A lot of the Dodge and Toyota…
Fifth Wheel hitches are not universal fits, so you will want to make sure that your hitch is compatible with your 2015 Ram 3500. Part RVK3000. That is an older Companion hitch that is now obsolete. You can use that on your truck if you have a…
The square spacers go between the rails and the truck bed where the bolts go through that attach to the nuts on the under side of the bed. They should be placed in the lower corrugation in the bed. Sometimes, a hole for the bolt has to be drilled in…
To drop the front of the pin box and thus lower the front of the fifth wheel, you'd need to RAISE the pin box, not lower it. Lowering the pin box would raise the height of the fifth wheel at the front. If you have an available set of holes at the…
"I like the easy of navigation through the site. It only took me a couple of minutes to place my order. Thank You I will shop this sight again in the future."