What an RV Leveling System Does for Your RV

 

Before you hit the road with your camper, don’t forget to remember the most important camping essentials. Don’t forget to bring along spare batteries and flashlights, spare fuses for your RV, cleaning and cooking essentials, holding tank care, water softener essentials, and all the rest of them.

There are a lot, and our purpose in this article isn’t to painstakingly remind you of each and every one of them. You can consult our blog for that instead. What we’re here for today is to remind you of a different, but still critical, accessory, or system, if you will, for camping: an RV leveling system.

Some RVs come with their own leveling systems, whereas others do not. Why some would and others wouldn’t is up for you to debate. What isn’t up for you to debate is the necessity of them. Keeping your RV level, all the time, and not just in camp, is not a matter to be taken lightly.

If you’ve ever gone camping before at all then you are familiar with how not all ground is level. That is a fact to be reckoned with and managed than attempted to correct since nothing can be done to level the ground. Instead, you level your RV. Here are some of the reasons you need to make sure you use an RV leveling system and use it properly.

-       To prevent damage to your RV fridge - If you operate your absorption fridge off-level, you’re going to damage it. You might even destroy it, actually. There’s no way to sugar coat that, and by off-level, we’re only talking a couple of degrees. In short, if you run your RV fridge when it isn’t leveled you’re likely to cause irreparable damage.

This is because when it operates off level, liquid ammonia will pool and accumulate in sections of the evaporation chamber or tubing, which can block circulation and the fridge will stop working. If this goes on for too long, it will ruin the fridge. Basically, keep your RV level.

-       To prevent damage to the frame and structure of your RV - When you are in camp, but off-level, your vehicle’s frame, chassis, and other components are also off level, which will result in a lot of structural stress. Think about how a boat can be damaged by being suspended over the trough between two waves. It’s the same basic thing here; the RV is designed to support its own weight on a level surface, not on a slanted one.

-       To prevent things from rolling around, falling over, or otherwise being misplaced - It might be a minor annoyance to you, but if you open up your cabinets and spill out all the plates, breaking them, you might think otherwise. Keeping your RV level will avoid this unfortunate happenstance.

-       To ensure the comfort of your fellow campers - Finally, keeping everything level will make everything much more comfortable and enjoyable in camp. Ignoring it during the day is one thing, but sleeping on a slanted bed is quite another. Keeping things level will result in more comfort, in addition to protecting your RV’s fridge, frame, and other components.

All of those things will require you to use a leveling system when you go camping unless you are camping on very level ground, to begin with, which is rare in its own right. If your RV already came with a leveling system, then you can use what your RV provides. Otherwise, you’ll need to invest in a separate leveling system, which, if you haven’t gleaned from this article so far, is necessary.

Luckily, we provide RV leveling systems of all natures here at RV Upgrades, so all you need to do is pick out the model that fits your budget, and most importantly, your RV.

One thing we’d like you to know here is the important difference between stabilizer jacks and a leveling system, which uses leveling jacks. Stabilizer jacks are used to prevent side to side and back and forth movement of your RV when you’re setting up camp and then in camp. These increase comfort, but they are not intended to fully support the weight of your RV. Levelers are for that. If you have any questions, make sure you get in touch with us and we’ll clear the matter up.

Actually, give us a call anyway and we’d be more than glad to help you solve the problem of finding the right leveling system for your RV. All of the different levelers on our website have their own strengths and weaknesses and some are more suitable in given situations than others. Given our collective pool of experience with the RV lifestyle, we’ll answer the questions you might not even think to ask.

Call us up at 866-332-7881 if you want to learn more - we’re waiting to hear from you!

You Need These Motorhome Accessories

Here at RV Upgrades, we’ve already covered some of the most important motorhome accessories and other camper supplies that you could need before you head out on the road. Some of them you’re going to see again in this list, and if you look through all of our blog’s entries you’ll start to get a better impression of the types of equipment and you can and cannot go without. You’ll also get a better impression of what RV supplies you need and which ones are extras for making life more comfortable but are not necessarily critical.

This list serves as a complement to those other entries. You’ll want to bring along some of these camper accessories for more than just comfort. Some of them will improve your safety on the road whereas others will protect your RV itself.

These are some more of the most critical RV accessories we could come up with. These are highly recommended, so there’s no chaff on this list. Add these to your list of essentials and if you have any questions. Don’t feel as though you need to answer them on your own. Get in touch with us and we’ll clear up any that remain!

1.    Drinking water hoses - more than one

Fastidious freshwater management when you are in an RV is not just a matter of comfort, it is a matter of safety. You will need to be managing your use of potable water as well as your creation of wastewater and the disposal of it, and you can never use the same hoses interchangeably.

Therefore you need a good supply of clean drinking water hoses, and we suggest you have a few spares on hand. Just in case you ever use the hose for the wrong thing, having a spare in reserve could be a game-changer for a camping trip.

These freshwater hoses, by the way, are not the only important freshwater management supplies that we suggest you take along. Check out our collection of freshwater supplies and get in touch with us if you have any questions.

2.    Sewer hoses

You shouldn’t be too surprised to see this item making its presence known in this list. As we mentioned right here in this article, gray and blackwater (different grades of wastewater) management are just as important as potable water management. In fact, they are even subject to regulations that you need to follow in order to comply with the law.

Now, some portable holding tanks come with sewer hoses built into them, along with connectors that make them easier to drain out at disposal sites, so theoretically you might not absolutely need to bring along a sewer hose on a camping trip. You just need to be very familiar with your wastewater management supplies to be sure.

Also, that doesn’t mean bringing along a spare is a bad idea, as long as it’s compatible with your holding tank. Take a look through our collection of sewer hoses if you decide that a spare is a good idea. Otherwise, you need one if your tank doesn’t have one.

3.    Holding tank treatment (and toilet paper and other toiletries)

There’s more than one type of holding tank treatment in our collection of sanitation supplies, but using some form of holding tank treatment is practically a must. Even if you only consider their value for the comfort they will provide while you are camping they are worth it.

Each holding tank treatment has its own mechanism of action but they all perform basically the same function. They break down the wastes in your holding tank, which makes managing the tank much easier, and easier to clean. The added side effect is that they help cut back on odors that would otherwise quickly make an impact on your camping trip.

Check out our collection, and if you’re looking for any specific recommendations, reach out to a member of our team for some guidance.

4.    Surge protectors

If you hook up your RV to shore power when you are in a campsite, and a lot of people do, there is a good chance you’re going to face the risk of a power surge or dip at some point. Power surges can be damaging to the appliances in your RV as well as to your RV’s electrical infrastructure.

If your RV is ever exposed to a serious spike, it can necessitate costly repairs, not to mention incapacitating your RV’s electrical system for the time being. You can learn more about the need for surge protection in our recent blog post, but for now, take our word for it and keep yourself covered. Check out our collection of surge protectors and other electrical equipment and call us if you want to learn more or have other questions.

5.    Shore power connectors

Unless you want to remain electrically autonomous, the use of shore power is a must. You could theoretically run off of solar power, and some people do, especially away from campgrounds. However, shore power is an economical and relatively easy way to secure power for you and your fellow campers where it is available.

Most shore power supplies for RVs are rated to either 30 to 50 amp service, so you’ll need a shore power connector that is rated accordingly. We offer a lot of different shore power connectors here at RV Upgrades, but pick a high-quality, heavy-duty model with added bonus features, like secure grips or handles for attaching or removing the cable.

6.    Spare fuses

Check out your RV’s fuse box and then perform this simple trick that will save your camping trip one day. Get a replacement (at least one, preferably more) for each of the fuses in the fuse box.

If you blow a fuse to a portion of the circuit inside your RV, then all of the appliances (or anything else) that draws power from that portion of the circuit will be inoperable until the fuse is replaced. It’s one of the quickest and easier electrical fixes anyone can make, but unless you make it, you won’t be able to close the circuit.

Doing this will save you a lot of comfort and peace of mind down the line because if you blow a fuse way out in the country and aren’t near any help, you’ll wish you could just pop a new fuse in.

7.    Jack pads, chocks, or leveling blocks - just in case

This one comes with a slight caveat. Theoretically, some RVs might not have a distinct need for jack pads, chocks, or leveling blocks, but there’s a good chance you should bring some along as a backup.

For example, if you ever need to use a jack on soft ground, then you really should put down jack pads so that you don’t sink into the earth. You might not need them if your RV is self-propelled and not towed, but they’re helpful to have on hand anyway.

Chocks are good to have around if you ever want to add stability to your RV, and as for leveling blocks, some RVs have their own leveling systems and so don’t need them. Still, they can be useful as a backup, as RVs should be kept level all the time.

8.    Pressure regulator

There are a couple of reasons that water pressure regulators for your RV are important, but we’re just going to address what is arguably the most important one here. When you hook up your RV to an external water source, your RV’s plumbing, and any appliances that draw water are at the mercy of the pressure of the source.

If the pressure in the source surges for any reason, it could damage your appliances, even bursting your pipes. If that happens, you’re going to be up against some costly repairs, not to mention a ruined camping trip. The safe thing to do is to hook up a water pressure regulator whenever you take water from an external source.

9.    Fire extinguisher

Whether or not your RV came with a fire extinguisher, you should have a spare. There shouldn’t be too much of a reason to elaborate more fully on this as it is a fundamental matter of safety. Houses and other occupied buildings and places of business are largely required by law to have them. Whether you actually have to or not, you should invest in this security measure that may someday enable you to effectively respond to a fire. You can find them in our collection of RV kitchen accessories.

10.  Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems are extremely valuable to those who operate recreational vehicles. They can improve your gas mileage, extend the life of your tires, and improve your braking and handling. These alone are reasons enough to justify the investment in one.

However, that only scratches the surface of their value. A TPMS can also give you valuable, real-time information on the temperature and pressure of your RV tires. Some of them even do so individually. Having real-time access to this information can be crucial to preventing a blowout, which is an extremely dangerous situation.

You can learn more about why you need a TPMS in our recent blog. Otherwise, check out what we offer in the way of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems here in our store.

11.  A dehumidifier

There is a small chance you don’t need a dehumidifier, especially if you don’t go anywhere in the country that has high levels of humidity. Unfortunately, almost all of the country is routinely plagued by high levels of humidity with the notable exception of the Southwest. Check out our recent blog on signs of high humidity to see if your RV actually does have problems with high moisture levels.

If it does, shop through our collection of dehumidifiers to keep your RV dry inside and stave off problems associated with moisture like mold and mildew.

12.  Hard water treatments

Just like most areas of the country have high humidity a majority of the time, most areas of the country have fairly hard water as well. If you take your RV there and draw from local water sources, you’re going to eventually have a problem with scale.

Excessive exposure to hard water can damage your plumbing and your appliances, which is both annoying and expensive to fix. We recently published a blog on the benefits of water softeners that also gives you some pointers on what to look out for to see if you have problems with hard water.

If so, take a look through our collection of water softeners for your RV; we offer a lot of different types that can help soften your water efficiently.

This is not an exhaustive list, but these are some of the most important motorhome accessories that you should not leave home port without. While you’re going to see other lists containing additional entries like instant pots and other RV kitchen accessories, we’ll leave that up to you and your own experiences, but these are some of the most basic essentials.

If you want to learn more about some of the other critical RV and other motorhome accessories that you should bring along with you on the road, make sure you read our blog. We’ve included links in this article to some of our other relevant blogs, but take a look through and you might surprise yourself with what else you find.

Otherwise, experience is the best teacher, and sometimes you really learn about what you need to bring along just by getting out there, doing, and then reflecting.

You could also get in touch with our customer service department. We don’t just have one of the best selections of camping accessories at great prices. We also have a pool of many years of experience in camping and RVing that we can put to use for you.

Send us a message via the live chat feature on our website or give us a call at 866-332-7881 if you want to get some more insight into what other essential accessories you could need, or why you should bring these. We’re always happy to hear from our customers and we’d love to help you out.