A Guide to Leveling Your Airstream Travel Trailer
Every Airstream owner should know how to level their trailer. Sure, you can park your Airstream trailer as-is at a campsite. It’s not going to cause damage, but it will cause discomfort. Water pools away from drains rather than going down them. Fridges don’t work quite right. When you lie down on your bed, you may slide over to one side. An unlevel trailer feels off!
Fortunately, there is an easy fix! All you need to do is level your Airstream travel trailer when you arrive at the campsite. We created a step-by-step guide below. If you need any supplies or repairs before your trip, come to Airstream of New Mexico. We proudly serve those near Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Pick Your Location
The leveling process begins with settling on a spot to secure your Airstream trailer. The more flat of land you start with, the easier the process is going to be. It may take some time driving around the campsite or may require you to park farther from the bathroom. But these inconveniences are worth the trade-off since you’ll be able to enjoy a much easier and faster time leveling your Airstream travel trailer.
Level the Left and Right Side
Once you find your ideal location, park your Airstream travel trailer about a foot and a half from where you want it to end up. Take a level and determine whether you need to elevate the right side or the left side. Ideally, you will own and use a carpenter’s level (for most accurate readings). But, a smartphone app can do in a pinch.
Next, place RV leveling boards or blocks behind the wheels of the side you want to raise. Be hesitant about using wood leveling blocks in this process. You could bend the tires’ steel belts if your tires don’t rest perfectly flat on them, which can cause a blowout on the road later. If you choose to still use wood blocks, make sure they are sturdy enough to handle the weight of your Airstream trailer and that they are wider than your tires.
After your blocks are in place, slowly back your Airstream travel trailer up onto them. Once it is situated, use your level to make sure you raised the side enough (but not too much). When you first start embarking on Airstream adventures, it’ll probably take a few times of adding or removing blocks and attempting again. But the more vacations you take, the better at this process you will get!
Stabilize
Your next step is to immobilize the wheels. This prevents your Airstream trailer from rolling down the slope and undoing all the work you just did. Use wheel chocks, bricks, or boards placed in front and behind the wheels to keep them in place. You’ll want to position them right against the wheels to get the most stability.
Remove the Trailer
Now it’s time to disconnect the Airstream travel trailer. You’ll need to remove the trailer, tow chains, and wiring harness. The default is to do this process manually, which does take time. A faster approach is to use an electric hitch jack. Once your trailer is removed, you can park your tow vehicle out of the way.
Level from Front to Back
Your Airstream trailer is level from left to right. Now it needs to be level from front to back, which involves using your jack. Use your level to figure out whether you need to raise or lower your jack. Adjust your trailer accordingly then double check with your level. You may need to adjust one or two more times before it’s perfect.
Secure Your Trailer
The last step is to make sure your perfectly level trailer stays that way. Otherwise, walking around inside the trailer can shift it about and undo your efforts. Your Airstream trailer has items at each corner known as stabilizers. They go into the ground to keep your trailer from shifting. You’ll want to use them, but be careful about raising them too high. If your trailer gets off the ground, it can be damaging to the trailer and the jacks.
Once your trailer is level, all that is left is to enjoy your trip! If you need any parts or servicing before your big adventure, bring your Airstream travel trailer to Airstream of New Mexico. We proudly serve those in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Gallup, and Alamogordo, New Mexico.