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How to Level and Stabilize Your Fifth Wheel

Sep. 22 2023 Ownership Tips By Chesapeake RV Solutions

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Fifth wheels are absolutely massive RVs, making them a bit difficult to correctly park, level, and stabilize. While many modern models will come with helpful automatic equipment to get this job done, a majority of fifth wheels on the market are still missing this key equipment. To ensure you know how to correctly level and stabilize your rig before you relax inside, read our guide below. 

Level 

Before you can stabilize your fifth wheel, you’ll first need to make sure it’s level. However, to level your rig without any automatic equipment you’ll need to have a bubble level, wheel blocks, and leveling ramps on hand. 

To begin, place your bubble level on the floor both vertically and horizontally to see if your rig is leaning backward, forward, or to one side. Afterward, go out and mark which tires are sitting unevenly and put down your leveling ramps and blocks. Using your tow vehicle, pull your fifth wheel up onto the blocks so that the rest of your rig is sitting evenly on the ground. 

Stabilize 

With your fifth wheel now level, it’s time to go ahead and stabilize your rig. To complete this task you’ll need a few jacks—the number of which will depend on both the size of your fifth wheel and the weight limit of each jack— as well as some boards or stones to place underneath in case you need to park on mud, sand, or loose terrain. 

To begin, place your jacks around your fifth wheel and ensure that, once lifted, they’ll be pushing against the solid metal of the model’s frame. Once in place, begin to crank up each jack till they’re all holding up a section of the fifth wheel, and your model is safely off the ground. As you adjust your jacks, be careful not to over-crank one side and tip your fifth wheel over. Before you finish up be sure to once again place down your bubble level to ensure your rig is still level. 

Having trouble finding some of the necessary tools to get your fifth wheel parked, leveled, and stabilized? Then you’ll want to be sure to visit us here at Chesapeake RV Solutions to find everything you need! Our location here in Chesapeake, VA offers an absolutely massive stock of RV parts, accessories, and tools for you to choose from, and we proudly serve the local communities of Virginia Beach and Suffolk, VA.