RV Learning

How to Level a Bowlus | Easy Leveling Without Self-Leveling Jacks

Name: How to Level a Bowlus | Easy Leveling Without Self-Leveling Jacks
Uploaded: 2025-06-04T16:42:00+00:00
Channel: Bowlus
Description: Learn how to level your Bowlus travel trailer quickly, safely, and correctly.

Learn how to level your Bowlus travel trailer quickly, safely, and correctly.

Founder and CEO, Geneva Long, walks through how to level a Bowlus, why self-leveling systems are not necessary, and the simple tools and techniques that make leveling a Bowlus quick and easy.

Many heavy bulky RVs need self-leveling features, but those systems add weight, limit which vehicles can tow the RV, and make it harder to maneuver. The Bowlus takes a different approach. Because it is so lightweight, most owners barely need to level at all, since the Bowlus can be moved by hand or with AeroMove to find a level spot on the campsite.

What you will see in this video

How the jockey wheel on the front of the Bowlus levels the trailer front to back, simply by cranking up or down
Why most Bowlus owners barely have to level thanks to the trailer’s light weight and the ability to move it by hand
How AeroMove makes positioning your Bowlus into a level spot even easier
Why Geneva recommends the Andersen Hitch leveling system for side to side leveling on uneven ground
How a phone leveling app placed on the hitch is all you need to confirm level
Why self leveling jacks are usually a workaround for heavy RV design rather than a luxury feature

The Bowlus approach Light enough to move into a level spot by hand, simple enough to level with a jockey wheel and a leveling ramp, and engineered to keep weight low so you do not need bulky automated systems. Leveling a Bowlus is one of those moments where the design philosophy quietly pays off.

FAQs

On many heavy, bulky RVs, complex self-leveling features are a necessity. However, these systems add significant weight, making the RV harder to tow and limiting your choice of tow vehicles. Because the Bowlus is engineered to be lightweight and agile, we prioritize a simple, mechanical approach that is both reliable and easy to operate.

Front-to-back leveling is handled by the jockey wheel located on the front of your Bowlus. By using the integrated crank to move the jockey wheel up or down, you can precisely adjust the pitch of the trailer until it is perfectly level.

Because the Bowlus is so lightweight, you can often avoid the need for leveling blocks simply by repositioning the unit by hand or using AeroMove to find a level patch of ground within your campsite. However, if you are limited by the terrain, we recommend the Andersen Leveling System. This “moon-like” wedge is placed under the tire on the low side; as you back the Bowlus onto the wedge (either with your tow vehicle or AeroMove), the trailer rises until the desired level is achieved.

We recommend using a leveling app on your smartphone. Simply place your phone on the front of the hitch to get an accurate reading, then adjust the jockey wheel and leveling wedges accordingly.

The stabilization jacks are designed specifically to stabilize the unit once it is already level. It is critical to note that these should never be used to crank the Bowlus up or down to level it; their job is to prevent the unit from rocking once you are inside.

Every Bowlus comes with a dedicated stabilization crank. You hand-crank the four jacks (one at each corner) down until they make firm contact with the ground. To speed up the process, you can use a small power drill with a specific bit, provided you operate it at a controlled speed.

Mechanical systems are a “no-fail” solution. Without the complexity of electronic motors and sensors, the system remains light, easy to maintain, and does not drain your lithium battery reserves, ensuring your setup is robust regardless of how remote your location is.

Video Transcript

Hi, I’m Geneva Long, CEO of Bowlus, and today we’re going to be talking all about leveling your Bowlus and why it’s so easy. Now, on many RVs, you might see self-leveling features. These might be necessary on really heavy, bulky RVs, but of course, they add even more weight to your RV, making it so that it’s hard to tow. You have a limited supply of tow vehicles that can tow that RV, and it’s really hard to maneuver.

So, let’s talk about how to level your Bowlus. First, on the front of your Bowlus is a jockey wheel, and that brings the front of the Bowlus up or down. By moving that jockey wheel up and down via the crank on the front, you can level it front to back.

Now let’s talk about leveling it side to side. Now, Bowlus is really easy because it’s so lightweight. I barely ever have to level my Bowlus because I simply place it in the campsite on a level piece of land, and I can move it around easily by hand and get it right into the perfect place—and even more so if I also add AeroMove as an option.

But that said, let’s talk about how to level in case you are limited in where you can set up your Bowlus. I really like to recommend the Andersen Hitch leveling system. And what that is, is just a moon-like Andersen Hitch that you can back up onto. Now, you can do this with AeroMove too, and the more that you back up onto it, the more that that side will be higher.

So, think of that as the way to level port to starboard, and the jockey wheel on the front as the way to level front to back. I like to use an app on my phone, the leveling app, and that can just be placed right on the front of the hitch. You can level that very easily and know that your Bowlus is level. Let us know if you have any other questions in the comments!

Geneva Long

Founder & CEO

Geneva Long has redefined the RV landscape since 2011, establishing the ultra-luxury travel trailer category. Drawing from her passion for adventure, she leads with a vision for user-centric design. Geneva ensures that every Bowlus delivers supreme comfort and innovative performance, built with a level of craftsmanship designed to last for generations.