Last Updated: 14th April 2026
Originally Posted: 30th March 2021
It's not often you find a campsite where you can play bowls. Not only are there far too many tents, campers, and caravans in the way, but the ground they occupy is never smooth or flat enough for a proper game.
Lumps, bumps, slopes and hills can leave your campervan parked at some pretty wild angles. Usually, this is part of the fun of camping, but it can be a bit of a headache when you find yourself sleeping at a strange tilt.
On top of this, some camping products, like fridges, work best on level ground – or as close to level as you can get.
Why Levelling Matters More Than You Think
Getting your van level is about far more than stopping things from rolling off the table. It directly impacts your comfort and your overall experience on the road.
For example, in JK’s Guide to Better Sleep in Your Campervan, one of the top tips is to park as flat as possible; even a slight angle can disrupt your sleep and affect onboard equipment like fridges.
When you combine proper levelling with the right sleep setup, you’re not just camping, you’re creating a genuinely comfortable home on wheels.
Levelling in the Real World: Not Every Pitch is Perfect
While campsites can offer relatively even ground, the reality is that many of the best spots aren’t perfectly level.
That’s especially true if you’re exploring more remote locations. In our blog Wild Camping in the UK: How To and Where To Go, it’s clear that going off-grid often means dealing with rougher, uneven terrain, part of the appeal, but also part of the challenge.
Whether you’re in the Scottish Highlands or at a quiet, almost-wild campsite, levelling tools like chocks and ramps become essential kit for staying comfortable wherever you end up.
The more adventurous your trip, the more likely you are to encounter uneven pitches.
Take cycling trips, for example. As highlighted in our blog Bikes and Campers: The Perfect UK Getaway, combining your campervan with biking opens up everything from forest trails to mountainous terrain, but those scenic stopovers don’t always come with level ground.
After a long day riding through places like Snowdonia or the Cotswolds, the last thing you want is to be sleeping at an awkward angle. Having a reliable levelling setup ensures you can fully relax and recover for the next day’s adventure.
Thankfully, there's a whole range of tools to help you level out even the wonkiest of camping spots! Many of these are especially useful for wild camping, where you're rarely setting up on a perfectly prepared pitch.
Levelling Chocks
Levelling chocks are an affordable, easy-to-use solution for parking on uneven ground. These tough, brightly coloured plastic wedges allow you to drive up onto them to level out your vehicle.
If one wheel has ended up in a divot, or you're parked on a slope with one side of your camper sitting lower than the other, you can place the blocks on the ground, drive up the ramp until it levels out, and then park up as you usually would.
It's important to remember that levelling chocks should be used with care. They're designed only for levelling, not for lifting the vehicle for maintenance or other work, and you'll need to safely check that the tyres are securely placed in the middle of each chock to prevent any chance of the vehicle slipping off.
You can easily practice at home before setting off on your camping adventure, and you'll get the hang of it in no time!
Spirit Levels
A quick and easy way to see just how off-centre your camper is, spirit levels for campers show tilt in both dimensions (forward, backwards, left and right), giving you a full picture rather than just one direction at a time.
This is great for ensuring you're parked level enough so that your water tanks, fridge, gas bottles, and more aren't impacted by uneven ground.
They're just as easy to use as a regular spirit level you'd grab for some DIY - and far more accurate than simply winging it!
Grip Mats
They're not technically a product for levelling, but when it comes to camping, uneven ground and mud go together like wasps and BBQs.
Instead of risking getting stuck in mud, gravel, or sand - and ending up having to push your camper to safer ground (inevitably getting yourself filthy in the process) - stow a couple of anti-slip mats in your camper.
If you find your wheels spinning with no traction, you can slide these mats underneath and give your tyres something to grip so you can free yourself.
Ready to Put It Into Practice?
Parking up can be trickier during the off-season, as the typical weather conditions can make the ground even more uneven. However, these minor challenges are all part of the adventure and are easily managed with the right preparation. Plus, the perks of camping in the quieter months make it well worth the effort! Read our handy guide to delve into The joys of off-season camping.
And once your camper is set up perfectly, why not take it out on the road and put those skills to use?
From laid-back weekend meets to full-on festivals, there are loads of opportunities to enjoy your van with like-minded enthusiasts. Check out the latest listings on the Just Kampers Shows & Events page and start planning your next adventure.