Why Does an RV Need to Be Level? | RV SnapPad (2024)

By: The Getaway Couple Rae and Jason

Leveling your RV is not a recommendation but a requirement. It not only increases your comfort during your stay but can help you prevent disaster. Proper leveling will increase the lifespan of your RV and protect against additional repair costs. Below are a few major reasons to ensure your RV is leveled properly.

1. Minimize Stress on the Frame and Structure

If your RV is not level, you are adding stress to many areas including door frames, plumbing, cupboards, and even the chassis. An RV was built to be level so you could be causing long term issues and damage if you are using it without it being properly leveled. By having a level RV you are ensuring your doors and cupboards open/close properly, the water in your pipes is flowing accurately and not pooling where it shouldn’t, and your frame is properly supporting the weight of your rig.

You can be adding unnecessary stress to your frame if your RV isn’t level.

2. Fridge Safety

Most RVs have a common electric/propane fridge that needs to be level in order to function properly. If you’ve researched RVing at all, you’ve most likely heard horror stories about RV fridges catching fire. What you don’t know is that some of these disasters could have been prevented if the fridge was always used in a level RV.

RV fridges are susceptible to issues when not level because it can cause the ammonia/water solution o not flow properly and accumulate in low points of the system. This interferes with the boiling/condensing of the fridge and can cause an increase of heat. This issue is most common when stationary since RV fridges are meant to be used while in motion and the jostling of the road keeps any fluid from pooling in the wrong area for too long.

RV fridges are susceptible to issues when not level.

3. Tank Fluid Readings

If your RV is not properly level then your tank sensors will not read correctly. Depending on the slope, your sensors may read as more full or more empty than they really are. This can even affect drainage by not allowing all of your tanks to empty. It’s not a fun surprise when you think you’ve fully emptied your tanks only to arrive home and realize there is still liquid in them! Trust us when we say, you do not want that fluid sitting in there until your next camping trip.

An unlevel RV can cause misreadings on your tank sensors.

4. Slide Outs

Slide outs are designed to be opened and closed while the RV is level. Continuously extending or retracting your slide outs while your RV is not level can create additional wear and tear to your RV and could cost you in the future if any repairs are needed. If your slide outs are open on an unlevel surface for a prolonged period of time, the weight and stress points are not in the proper locations which could cause damage.

An unlevel RV can cause expensive slide damage over time.

5. Overall Comfort

One of the main reasons to level your RV is overall comfort. An unlevel RV can throw off your equilibrium and give an overall feeling of uneasiness. It can also be unsafe to walk inside an unlevel RV as you could lose your balance which could lead to an unfortunate trip or fall.

Not to mention how frustrating it can be when items roll or slip off your countertops and tables. Another major complaint from campers regarding unlevel RVs is how hard it can be to sleep. Depending on which end is higher or lower, sleeping at an incline or decline position (or even sideways) is never comfortable. The last thing you want on your camping trip is poor sleep!

Hopefully, now you realize the benefits of ensuring you have a level RV every time you camp. When you consider the damage or dangers you could be facing taking the time to properly level your RV is a no brainer! If you’re not sure how to level your RV, it’s quite simple and we’ve created a step by step article for you here.

A properly leveled RV is a great start to your camping trip.