In what position should the levelling legs be left when the RV goes into long-term winter storage?
In long-term storage the jacks are left fully retracted: the covered surface collects no dirt or damp and corrosion risk falls. Chocks are left fitted.
For long-term storage the safe choice is to leave the jacks in the fully retracted position. In the retracted position the moving surfaces of the mechanism stay inside the body; because dirt, damp and road salt do not touch them directly, the risk of corrosion falls. If you want the vehicle to be lightly supported, the jacks are lowered only far enough to touch the ground; the wheels are never lifted off the ground and the chocks are left fitted.
Why the retracted position is preferred
A stroke left outside is exposed for months to rain, dust and the freeze-thaw cycle. On a telescopic jack the exposed surface is at the same time the surface the seal runs on; the rust and deposit that form there strain the wiper at the first movement and carry dirt inside.
- Corrosion: If dried mud and salt sit there for months they pit the surface; the following season the jack runs noisily and stiffly.
- Static load: If the vehicle is left standing on the jacks, the mechanism and the chassis attachment point carry load without interruption.
- Ground settling: On soft ground the vehicle settles within months; the load distribution is upset and the body twists.
- Risk of impact: Another vehicle manoeuvring in the storage yard can strike a jack that has been left out.
Step by step before storage
- Clean and dry the jacks and the contact surfaces under them; mud and salt cause corrosion over time.
- Bring the jacks to the fully retracted position with Retract Jacks and verify all four by eye.
- If possible, park the vehicle on hard, well-drained ground; on soft ground the vehicle settles within months.
- Leave the chocks fitted. The jacks do not serve as a parking brake or as chocks.
- Protect the leisure battery: a lead-acid/AGM battery left idle for a long time sulphates. Either charge it periodically or connect a suitable maintenance charger.
- At the start of the season, test the jacks in Manual mode with short movements and, if needed, verify the reference with Tare.
Which position under which condition
| Storage condition | Jack position | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Open yard, hard ground | Fully retracted | The surfaces stay covered, corrosion is kept to a minimum |
| Open yard, soil or gravel | Fully retracted, vehicle put on hard plates | Ground settling is not made up for by jack stroke |
| Closed garage, short term | Retracted or just touching | If the damp is low both positions are acceptable |
| Exposed to wind, unsettled ground | Lowered just enough to touch | Reduces rocking, gives support without carrying load |
Where this rule is not enough
Leaving the vehicle under load on the jacks for a long time is not preferred: the mechanism stays under constant static load and ground settling upsets the load distribution. If your aim is something like resting the suspension, lifting the wheels off the ground for that purpose is not the right method - the vehicle can slide off the jacks. If you are worried about the tyres flat-spotting, the answer is not the jacks but the correct tyre pressure and, where possible, moving the vehicle a few metres from time to time. Take your caravan manufacturer's storage recommendations and the user manual supplied with the product as the reference.
What to do at the start of the season
Do not go straight into automatic mode on the first outing. Lower and retract each jack one by one with short movements and listen to the sound and the smoothness of the movement; if there is any stiffness, apply the periodic maintenance and greasing steps. Then, on flat ground, verify the reference with Tare. If the first stop of the season falls on icy or snowy ground, review the rules for levelling in winter conditions as well.
The full topic: How to choose levelling jack capacity