Your Guide to Parking an RV
Owning an RV can make a good vacation a great one! However, there can be a bit of a learning curve for new owners trying to park their RV. But don’t let this get in the way of your good time. We’ve compiled an informative guide that should have you parking your RV like a pro in no time.
Prepare
There’s a few things you’ll need to do before parking your RV to ensure you don’t damage it. First, you’ll want to scope out the campsite before making reservations. This includes checking that roads leading into the grounds will be navigable and that the spot you are reserving has the correct dimensions. You can call the front office or check their website to find most of these details.
Once you’ve arrived and are ready to pull in you’ll want to give the spot a quick inspection to ensure that everything is in order. Be sure to check the location of various hookups and keep an eye out for objects you may need to maneuver around. If you can, we advise having one of your passengers, or even a nearby worker, act as a spotter. It makes parking much easier and will help avoid any accidents.
Pulling In Your RV
If you’re using a spotter it’s important that you can hear each other clearly. Keep the radio off and the windows rolled down. You can even use a cheap pair of walkie talkies, or call each other using the speaker phone. If you don't have a spotter we advise buying a few small plastic cones to help guide you into your spot. If you’re towing your RV keep a close eye on which way your rig is turning as you steer. Often drivers will steer too much when they need to make small corrections. To avoid this we suggest keeping your hands on the bottom of the wheel till your RV is safely parked.
How to Level Your RV
Now that your RV is safely situated in its spot you’ll want to level it so it isn’t affected by high winds or general movement going on inside. To level your RV place a bubble level down on the floor and check its measurements from front to back and side to side. Now that you know where your RV is unleveled, go out to the affected side and make a mark on the dirt. There should be a mark noting the front and back of the tire so you’ll know where to place your leveling boards and ramps. Once you’re done with the markings, move your RV backward or forward so you can place down your blocks and ramps. Once they’re in place simply move your RV up onto the blocks and check your bubble level again to be sure that everything is leveled.
How to Stabilize Your RV
To keep your RV from rocking back and forth you’ll want to stabilize it. Most RVs come with jacks that will lower to the ground by pushing a button or turning a crank. You can place your own jacks down if your rig doesn’t have this equipment, or you’d like the extra support. Lift the jack (or lower it if it’s attached to your RV) till it’s gently pressing against the ground and the underside of the RV. Check that it’s not pushing against the either surface at an angle, and won’t sink into the ground for any reason. Then, give the jack a few good cranks to stabilize your RV. Before you finish check that your RV is still level with your bubble level.
We hope this guide has been helpful in teaching you the ins and out of parking an RV! If you’re still looking for the perfect model for you we hope you’ll stop by our dealership in New London, Ohio. We proudly serve the city of Cleveland and employ extremely knowledgeable staff that will be able to answer any of your RV questions.