If you’re new to RV ownership you might not know how to correctly park your camper. Unlike a car, which can be pulled in and out of a spot, an RV often needs to be leveled and stabilized. For tips on how to do this, you can read our handy guide below!

Parking 

Unfortunately, parking an RV isn’t always easy. This is especially true on campsites where the spaces may not be paved, or have various objects in the way. Before you head out to one of these spots we encourage you to double check the size of the parking spaces and roads to be sure your RV will fit. Once you’ve made it to your parking spot make note of where the various hookups are placed, nearby objects that may be in the way, and your distance from the road. 

If you can, we advise using a spotter to easily glide into your parking spot. However, you can also make use of small traffic cones to help guide you as you pull in. If you’re reversing into your parking spot you’ll want to keep your hands at the bottom of the wheel to avoid over-correcting small maneuvering mistakes.

Leveling 

Once you’ve made it into your space you’ll want to grab your wheel ramps, blocks, and chocks, as well as your bubble level. To begin leveling your vehicle pull out all slide-outs and place your level on the floor, taking measurements from front to back and side to side. Once you know where the RV is sitting unevenly you’ll need to mark the front and back of each wheel on the affected sides.

Pull out of your parking space just enough to place down your wheel ramps and blocks in the previously marked areas. Once this is done you can pull back into your parking spot keeping your wheels aligned the entire time. The wheels should ride up onto the blocks and you can check that your RV is correctly level with your bubble level. 

Stabilizing 

Many RVs come with jacks attached to the frame. These can be pulled down with a crank or by pushing a button. If your model does not have this equipment you will need to bring your own jacks. Before lifting your jacks into place you may want to place a board beneath each one if your parking spot is sandy, muddy, or you expect rain. This will give the jacks a solid footing through any conditions. 

We hope this guide has been helpful in teaching you how to correctly park your RV. If you’re looking for RVs for sale, stop by Herold Trailer Sales in Indianola, Iowa, to see what we’ve in stock. We proudly serve all those in Des Moines, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska.