Andersen makes a whole kit of plastic parts for setting up a parked trailer: the curved Camper Leveler, the Tuff Chock, magnetic Trailer Jack Blocks, the rectangular EZ Block, Stax stacking blocks, TUFF Pads and the Rapid Jack. They do different jobs, and their ratings are very different. A block rated for a tire is not a block rated for a jack. This guide explains which part does what, using Andersen's published specs, and how to use the Camper Leveler.
Three jobs, in order
Setting up a trailer happens in a fixed order. First stop it rolling, then level it side to side with something under the tires, then steady it with the jacks. Andersen's parts line up with those jobs:
- Level under the tires: Camper Leveler, Stax.
- Stop rolling: Tuff Chock (it comes with each Camper Leveler).
- Support the jacks: Trailer Jack Blocks, EZ Block, TUFF Pads.
- Change a tire: Rapid Jack, Single Axle Rapid Jack, Quick Tire Change Kits.
Andersen says all its plastic accessories are made from a high-density polyethylene that resists dirt, grease and oil and is stabilized against UV, and that they carry a lifetime warranty. Its safety note applies to every one: use each accessory only for its intended purpose and within its stated capacity.
Andersen's numbers side by side
| Part | Job | Andersen spec |
|---|---|---|
| Camper Leveler 3604 | Level under a tire | Trailers up to 30,000 lb, tires up to 32 in diameter; any lift from 1/2 to 4 in; 6 in wide; includes a Tuff Chock |
| Camper Leveler 2-pack 3604.2REVB | Level under a tire | Two levelers, each with a Tuff Chock, plus a carry bag |
| Stax 3636 | Stacking blocks under tires | 120K weight rating; 10 blocks and a locking handle; for Class A to C motorhomes, fifth wheels and travel trailers |
| Tuff Chock 3605 | Wheel chock | 1/4 in thick walls; shaped to work with the curve of the Rapid Jack |
| Trailer Jack Block 4 in, 3684 | Under a jack foot or post jack | Up to 30,000 lb single, 20,000 lb double-stacked |
| Trailer Jack Block 8 in, 3608 (single) | Under a jack foot or post jack | Up to 8,000 lb single, 1,500 lb double-stacked |
| EZ Block 3621 | Under scissor, pad and post jacks | Up to 2,000 lb, even double-stacked; 8 in tall (14 in stacked) |
| TUFF Pads 3606 | Pads under jacks | 4 per kit, rated 120,000 lb, 8.125 x 8.125 x 0.75 in |
| Rapid Jack 3620 | Tire changes, post block, wheel block | Trailers up to 30,000 lb; lifts up to 5-3/4 in |
The ratings are per part, as Andersen states them. Never load a block past its own figure: stay within the lowest rating among the block, the jack and your trailer's weight, and allow for soft ground.
How to use the Camper Leveler
The Camper Leveler is a curved ramp. You drive the low-side tire onto it and stop when the trailer is level, then push the Tuff Chock in to hold the tire where it stopped. Because the curve rises gradually, Andersen says you can level at any increment between 1/2 in and 4 in instead of in fixed block steps. The steps below are the usual way to use a curved leveler; follow any instructions packed with yours.
- Park roughly where you want to stay and check side-to-side level with a bubble level.
- Set the leveler in front of or behind the tire on the low side, against the tread.
- Drive slowly onto the curve, with a spotter if you have one, and stop when the trailer reads level.
- Push the Tuff Chock snugly into the gap so the tire cannot roll back down.
- Chock the other side, unhitch, and level front to back with the tongue jack or landing gear.
On a tandem axle, the leveler has to fit between the tires. Andersen's FAQ says the Camper Leveler is 6 in wide and that if your tires are too close together, you can trim the levelers to fit using its trimming diagram. If Andersen asks you for measurements to check fit, it wants the distance from the top of the tire to the center of the wheel, and from the center of one wheel to the center of the other.
Need more than 4 in? Stax stacking blocks build height in steps. Andersen lists them for motorhomes as well as towables, which matters because motorhomes cannot unhitch and use a jack to finish leveling.
Jack blocks: which one goes under which jack
Jack blocks sit under the tongue jack, stabilizers or landing gear so the jack does not have to extend as far. Andersen says that reduces wear and stress on the jack, and the wide base helps on soft ground.
Trailer Jack Block (round)
The round Trailer Jack Block has built-in magnets that stick to the jack foot, so it stays centered as you lower. Andersen lists a 12 in base, a 10 in top with a 9-1/8 in recessed pad, and a 2-1/2 in recessed hole for post jacks. It comes 4 in or 8 in tall, and Andersen says to stack no more than two. Check the rating for the height you use: Andersen rates the 4 in block much higher than the 8 in block, and stacking lowers both. We stock the 4 in single, the 8 in single and the 3690 variety 6-pack of four 8 in and two 4 in blocks.
EZ Block (rectangular)
The EZ Block is Andersen's block for scissor stabilizers and pad jacks, with a 12 x 8.5 in base and an 8 x 4.5 in top, plus a 2-1/2 in post hole. Its rating is 2,000 lb, single or stacked, so it is a stabilizer block, not a block for a tongue jack carrying real weight.
TUFF Pads
TUFF Pads are flat 8.125 in square pads, 0.75 in thick, four to a kit. They spread a jack foot's load on soft ground without adding much height.
Comparing with Camco? Our Camco jack pad sizing answer and Camco chocks, wheel stops and jack pads guide cover those parts. For sizing the tongue jack itself, see what size trailer jack you need.
Changing a trailer tire with the Rapid Jack
The Rapid Jack is a 3-in-1 tool: it changes tires, doubles as a post block and works as a wheel block. On a multi-axle trailer, you drive the good tire up onto it, which lifts the flat off the ground. Andersen rates it for trailers up to 30,000 lb and lists a lift of up to 5-3/4 in. It is not a leveler: Andersen's FAQ says its lifting action is too aggressive for precise leveling and that it may not fit between dual-axle wheels for that job.
For a single axle there is the Single Axle Rapid Jack (SARJ), which Andersen describes as a tire jack, wheel holder and jack block. Andersen also packs tire changing into duffel kits: the 3626 Quick Tire Change Kit with Rapid Jack and the 3625 kit with Mini Jack, both a duffel bag with tools. Andersen pitches them for multi-axle and torsion-axle trailers.
Whatever lifts the trailer, chock the wheels that stay on the ground, work on firm, level ground, and never get under a trailer held only by a tire-change ramp.
What to buy for your rig
- Single-axle travel trailer: a Camper Leveler for the low side, EZ Blocks or TUFF Pads under the stabilizers, and a 4 in jack block under the tongue jack.
- Tandem-axle travel trailer: the 2-pack of levelers (check they fit between your tires), jack blocks under the tongue jack, and a Rapid Jack for flats.
- Fifth wheel: jack blocks under the landing gear and stabilizers; the 3690 variety pack gives you both heights.
- Motorhome: Stax under the tires, since there is no tongue jack to finish leveling.
Every part is in the Andersen Hitches collection.
FAQ
How high does the Camper Leveler lift?
Andersen says from 1/2 in to 4 in, at any increment in between.
Will the Camper Leveler fit between my tandem tires?
It is 6 in wide. If the gap is too tight, Andersen says the leveler can be trimmed to fit using its trimming diagram.
Can I stack jack blocks?
Yes, but no more than two, per Andersen, and the stacked rating is lower than the single rating.
Can I use the EZ Block under my tongue jack?
Only if the load is within its 2,000 lb rating. For heavier tongue loads, use the round Trailer Jack Block at the rating for its height.
Can the Rapid Jack level my camper?
Andersen says no. It is built for tire changes, not precise leveling.