Do you level up your motorhome when you are on site? Not everyone does, apparently, but I do, within sensible limits.

The reason is simple – at home, I don’t walk uphill to a different room, so why should I in my motorhome? Added to that, if the vehicle isn’t level, it could affect the fridge performance, and the shower tray might not drain properly. As a result, knowing how to level a motorhome can make a big difference.

From my observations at campsites, I think most people do level their ’van, and there are different methods available to do this.

Options for level pitching

First of all, you need to assess the pitch – if it isn’t level front to back, you might be able to put the front of the motorhome to the high end and get somewhere close to level, because most leisure vehicles have a slightly nose-down stance.

The second option is to use a pair of the best motorhome levelling ramps, such as those produced by Fiamma or Milenco.

Personally, I usually drive onto the pitch and assess for level with the aid of a small, circular spirit level placed on the kitchen worktop.

Then I can deploy the ramps to the lowest wheels and drive up to level – simples!

The ultimate method for levelling is a fully automatic system, which can raise up the entire motorhome and automatically level it, made by brands such as M-Level.

There are several systems available; most use hydraulic rams fitted near each corner of the vehicle, with a central hydraulic pump to operate them, while some function with electric motors to wind down the screw jacks.

A secondary advantage of these automatic systems is that the levelled vehicle will stand very firmly, with virtually no rock and roll as you move around inside.

There are a few downsides to these automatic systems. First is the cost – most seem to start at £5000 upwards. Second is you’re going to have to think about your motorhome weights, as many come in at 40kg or more, a significant chunk of your payload, especially in a 3500kg ’van.

Finally, there’s reliability. All mechanical and electronic equipment can have problems, but what happens if you’re preparing to leave a site and your auto system refuses to play nice?

You might have a ferry to catch or some other appointment, but if your ’van is stuck on jacks and the system won’t work, what do you do?

Most of the hydraulic systems I’ve looked at include a manual hydraulic pump, which should allow you to retract the jacks with a bit of elbow grease. The 12V-powered electrical units are a bit trickier – I don’t know if there is a manual mode to retract them if a fault occurs. I guess you would have to call your breakdown service, which could remove any of the jacks that were jammed.

Before you think about using your levelling aid, you’re going to want to ensure you safely and legally arrive at your chosen site – this s where knowing “what driving licence do I need to drive a motorhome?” plays a crucial part.

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