How To Level A Caravan On Site: Step-By-Step Guide

Hi, I’m Chris. About Me

So this post is for caravanning beginners who are looking to learn how to set up a caravan.

It’s going to cover not only how to level a caravan but also the reasons why you need to level your caravan. First off, before I start going into the detail, let’s just cover the highlights:

How To Level A Caravan

  1. Get the Caravan into a Good Position

    Before you start to level the caravan, you want to make sure the van is in a position that you will be happy with for your stay. If its a fully serviced pitch, you want to make sure the position of the caravan means you can make full use of all the facilities.

  2. Level the Caravan Axle (Right to Left)

    First, you will need to level the caravan axle, this will probably involve using a ramp on one side. Though other options are available.

  3. Level the Caravan Front to Back

    Now using the jockey wheel, you can level the caravan front to back. Once complete, its time to lower the corner steadies to hold the caravan into position.

So now we have covered the highlights let’s go into a bit more detail on how to level a caravan and the various steps involved.

You can also use the Table of Contents below to jump to any particular section on how to level a caravan.

Disclaimer: Hey! By the way… any links on this page that lead to products on Amazon or Caravan Guard are affiliate links, and I earn a commission if you make a purchase, with no additional cost to you 🙂

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1. Get The Caravan Into A Good Position

So as stated above, this obviously depends on what sort of site you are visiting. It may be a grass-only site where the owners haven’t set out specific pitches.

If that’s the case, make sure you are far enough away from any caravans or tents nearby for fire regulations, which usually require a 6m gap.

Also, if you want to set up an awning, make sure there is enough distance between units once that’s been put up.

Fully Serviced Pitch
First, find a good position that you’re happy with before you level the caravan.

At Horton Common, we provide hard-standing, fully serviced pitches, with a number for each pitch.

Therefore the position of the caravan is set to provide each of our visitors with a good view and access to a 16A electrical hook-up, fresh mains water and our caravan wastewater disposal system.

The pitches, however, are not perfectly level. In fact, the slight slope is why the wastewater drainage system works so well. Therefore you will need to level your caravan when you arrive.

2. Level The Caravan Axle (Right to Left)

Now that you have the caravan in a good position, you need to focus on levelling the axle. This is also known as levelling the caravan right to left.

But before you do that, we better talk about tools to help you level up and where to place them.

Levelling Up Tools

So obviously, as you probably guessed, a spirit level is the go-to tool here. Now you can purchase a very cheap short spirit level for just a few pounds. However, you might consider other options.

For instance, a long spirit level may provide a better reading. There are also cross-spirit levels, so you can check both directions at the same time.

A typical example of a cross spirit level commonly used to level a caravan: Image – Amazon.co.uk

I probably wouldn’t advise purchasing the cheapest spirit level you can find.

As strange as this sounds, some spirit levels don’t actually show level properly. I’ve had some very cheap ones in the past, which give inaccurate results.

Furthermore, the plastic was so brittle it got damaged pretty easily.

Now, you can get applications for your smartphone which will tell you where level is. They will even shout it out to you! They work using the gyroscope, which is within most smartphones.

You could use this option, however, always think of the downsides. For instance, if the app stops working or you need to charge your phone.

Therefore I think its always a good idea to have the low-tech option available as well. However, if you are on your own levelling a caravan, having that audible feedback can be handy.

Smartphone Spirit Level App
You can even use your smartphone to level your caravan!

Where Should You Place The Spirit Level?

There is no simple one fits all answer to this question, as it depends on the caravan in question. Ideally, you want to place it on the floor of the caravan.

But don’t place it on the carpet or on any lumps and bumps, such as floor trims.

You want it to have full contact with the floor and be stable. When you come to level front to back, you can place the spirit level on the bottom of the door sill.

Caravan Kitchen Worktop
Placing the spirit level on the kitchen worktop may not be the best idea.

What about putting the spirit level on top of the kitchen worktop? This would seem an obvious option, as it’s nice and flat, and at a height which is easier to see.

However, sometimes the kitchen worktop is not actually perfectly level with the floor of the caravan. Therefore, don’t presume that it is.

Once you have finished levelling the caravan for the first time, you can put the spirit level on the worktop again to check.

If it also produces a level result in left-right and back-front, you can use the kitchen worktop to level the caravan in the future.

Using Ramps To Level The Caravan Right To Left

One of the simplest options to level a caravan axle is to purchase plastic levelling ramps. There are various different options on the market.

So as normal, read some reviews to see which are the easiest to use and most durable.

Also, ideally, you don’t want to reverse onto the ramps due to the over-run brake system fitted to caravans.

You would position the ramp in front of the wheel and pull the caravan up onto the ramp. Or you could use a motormover.

One of the most popular set of ramps I see our guests using to level their caravan is from Milenco: Image – Amazon.co.uk

Wheel Jacks For Levelling

Instead of using a ramp, there are wheel jacks available that fit around the wheel. As you turn the handle, the wheel will slowly lift up. Again, read reviews before making a purchase.

The downsides to these systems are corrosion on the threads can make the jack difficult to use. Also, the build quality of some of these types of products is not the best.

Milenco Caravan Leveller
The Milenco Caravan Leveller is another potential option to help you level your caravan: Image – Amazon.co.uk

Lock’n’Level Inflatable Bag

There is also the Lock’n’Level inflatable bag system, again also with pros and cons.

If you have an AL-KO wheel lock, getting your caravan level and inline to fit the wheel lock can be a bit of a chicken-and-egg scenario. You often have to use a caravan jack.

However, with a Lock’n’Level inflatable bag system, that’s not the case. You drive the caravan onto the bag either using the car or motormover, fit the AL-KO lock and then inflate the bag until level.

The video below provides some good tips on using this product:

Lock’n’Level is not the cheapest option when it comes to levelling your caravan. However, the ease of use is appealing: Lock’n’Level – Amazon.co.uk

3. Level The Caravan Front To Back

Now that the caravan is level across its axle, that’s half the job done. You now need to level the caravan from front to back. You can do this by using the caravan jockey wheel.

First, place the spirit level on the bottom of the door sill, or a suitable location of your choice.

Now lift whichever edge of the spirit level gets the bubble into the centre. That will then tell you if you need to go down or up with the jockey wheel.

Caravan Jockey Wheel
You can now use the Jockey Wheel to level the caravan front to back.

Lowering The Corner Steadies

Once you have the bubble in the centre, you now have a caravan that’s level right to left and front to back! Now, before you jump inside the caravan, a final important step needs to be completed.

You will need to lower each of the four corner steadies to the ground to make the caravan stable.

You’ll probably also want to place blocks of wood/bricks underneath the corner steadies feet to stop them from sinking.

Lowering the corner steadies can be done manually with the included tool, or you can use a battery drill with an attachment.

However, don’t over-tighten the steadies, just make sure they have good, firm contact with the ground. If they feel stiff and difficult to operate, it may be time to think about corner steady servicing.

Caravan Corner Steadies
Finally, lower the corner steadies to make the caravan stable after levelling.

Important! Never Use Corner Steadies To Level A Caravan!

It may seem tempting to try and use the corner steadies to level the caravan. However, doing so could lead to regrets. Often the corner steadies are fitted to the floor of the caravan and not to the chassis.

Therefore trying the lift the caravan with the corner steadies to level the unit could bend the floor itself, leading to serious damage. It can create flex in the caravan body, which later leads to water leaks!

Automated Caravan Levelling Systems?

So, over the last couple of decades, caravan motor movers have completely changed how many people position their caravan.

Therefore, it stands to reason that how you level a caravan will also get some attention in terms of caravan modifications.

And it has, there are several automated caravan levelling systems on the market now.

Using hydraulic or air systems, a ram lifts one side and using an onboard gyroscope, they can level your caravan with a push of a button.

The most advanced kits also feature motorised corner steadies. So once the caravan has been levelled, the corner steadies are also automatically lowered into position.

Caravan Self Levelling
Automated caravan self-levelling systems.

Automated levelling systems are very clever and can do the job within a minute! However, they are also pretty expensive. Currently, you will be looking to spend close to £3,000 to have a kit fitted.

The cost of the systems depends on the weight of the caravan. However, there are those with limited mobility where such a levelling system may mean they can keep caravanning.

But Why Is It Important To Level A Caravan?

So let’s dismiss the extremes of sliding out of bed because your caravan is not level. The main two reasons to level a caravan are for your shower and your fridge to work properly.

For your caravan fridge compressor to work efficiently and, in some cases at all, it needs to be level.

Secondly, if your caravan is not level and you have a shower, you may get a nasty surprise. Instead of the water running down the drain, it may just run onto the floor of your caravan!

You need a level caravan for your shower to drain properly

Conclusions On How To Level A Caravan

So, first and foremost, get yourself a spirit level you can trust. In fact, it’s often a good idea to have a couple of them around the caravan.

As they are easy to lose and then not available when you need one. Phone apps for levelling can also be a backup plan or the first port of call.

Once you have levelled a caravan a couple of times, you develop your own chosen means, and it becomes quicker to do. I’ve also written a post on how to level a motorhome or campervan.

Anyway, I hope you found the above useful and you consider coming to visit us at Horton Common at some point. Cheers!


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