While it might not be the first thing that comes to mind when using a caravan, levelling the caravan is extremely important not only for safety but also for efficiency. Surprisingly, many people are unaware of the need to level the caravan. To know more about how to level your caravan or how to use a spirit level for the purpose, read on.

How To Level a Caravan

Levelling a caravan is all about position. You must ensure that the caravan is in a position you are happy with. In case of a fully serviced pitch, should make sure the position of the caravan allows you full access to all the facilities.

Once you are happy with the position, here are a few things you can do to ensure it is level and stable:

Use levelling blocks – you can place blocks or ramps under the wheels of the caravan to level it out. They are available at most caravan accessory stores.

Adjust the jockey wheel – you can lower or raise the jockey wheel at the front of the caravan to level the caravan. All you need is to wind it up or down until the caravan is level.

Check the hitch height – you must ensure the height of the hitch matches the height of the tow bar on your vehicle. If not, adjust the height of the hitch with a hitch riser or drop plate.

Adjust the weight distribution – if your caravan is leaning to one side, you must adjust the weight distribution by shifting the weight to achieve an even distribution. You may have to rearrange the items inside the caravan for this.

Check the suspension – even after all these steps, if your caravan is still not level, it is worthwhile checking the suspension to make sure it is in good condition and not causing the unevenness.

Levelling Up Tool

Remember, levelling a caravan is crucial not only for comfort but also for safety. There are several tools to ensure your caravan is level and stable before setting off on a trip.

However, a spirit level is a go-to tool for all kinds of levelling jobs. While you might be tempted to purchase a cheap spirit level, it is always better to invest a bit more money in it and buy a good quality one. For starters, it would give you an accurate reading and with cross-spirit levels, allow you to check both directions at the same time. Cheap spirit levels are generally less reliable and less accurate.

Some people prefer to use smartphone applications instead of spirit levels. They work with gyroscopes and so needn’t any special device as such. However, the app can stop working or your phone might get discharged at the wrong time making it difficult for you. So, it is better to go for a spirit level.

Where to Place the Spirit Level?

Ideally, you want to place the spirit level on the floor of the caravan. However, don’t put in on the carpet or on any bumps or humps such as floor trims. Also, a kitchen worktop or a windowsill is not an ideal place to put the spirit level. Make sure the spirit level has full contact with the floor and is stable. For levelling front to back, you may place the spirit level on the bottom of the door sill.

While using a spirit level can be helpful when levelling up a caravan to ensure that it is perfectly level, some people will think it’s not strictly necessary to use a spirit level. They feel other methods for achieving a level caravan, such as using levelling blocks or adjusting the jockey wheel until the caravan is level are enough.

That being said, a spirit level can provide a more accurate and precise reading, which can be especially important if you are parking on a slope or uneven ground. It can also help you identify which part of the caravan needs to be lifted or lowered to achieve a level position.

However, when using a spirit level, make sure to place it on a stable surface, such as the floor inside the caravan, and check both the side-to-side and front-to-back levelness. If you are looking for high-quality measuring-marking tools at affordable prices, check out the collection here.