Imagine this: You arrive at your campsite and start getting your RV set up. You extend your jacks and your stabilizers and step inside the RV to relax. Despite your best efforts, the RV shakes and sways with every step you take.
Nobody likes a shaky, unstable RV. Besides the unsettling feeling of your RV moving beneath you, that extra motion can also strain your RV and damage your jacks.
Thankfully, if you’re struggling with a shaky RV, an easy solution is available: Andersen buckets. Let’s take a look at these awesome RV accessories, what they are, and how to use them.
What are RV Andersen Buckets?
Put simply, RV leveling buckets go under your RV’s jacks to provide extra stability and make leveling easier. The most popular options are made by Andersen Hitches and are colloquially known as “Andersen buckets,” although Andersen Hitches calls them “trailer jack blocks.”
Andersen RV buckets are made of sturdy plastic in a round bucket shape (hence the name). The buckets are heavy-duty and can easily support the weight of your RV, with a 6,000-pound weight rating!
The leveling buckets feature magnets for easy attachment to your jacks. This means they’re an absolute breeze to set up and use.
Using leveling buckets will significantly reduce movement in your RV when you’re parked. That means no unsettling rocking of your RV when walking around or doing any other activities. If a shaky RV drives you crazy, Anderson buckets just may be the solution.
Why Use RV Leveling Buckets?
RV leveling buckets provide stability by reducing the distance your jacks need to extend. This makes them more rigid, improving stability. Plus, the design of the leveling bucket helps spread out and better distribute the forces between your RV and the ground.
In addition to providing stability, buckets will also protect your jacks from dirt and wear. They work like a protective cover for your jacks, keeping them off the ground and protected from dirt, grease, gravel, and grime.
Leveling buckets can be used in a number of ways besides stabilizing your RV. For example, they can be stacked to create a small seat or table or filled with water and used to douse a fire.
To round up all these great features, Andersen buckets are also protected by a lifetime warranty. If one of your buckets happens to break during regular use, Andersen Hitches will have your back with a replacement.
Trail Jack Block Pros
Here are some pros of using Anderson buckets:
- Easy to use
- Lightweight and sturdy
- Provide extra stability to your RV
- Protect your jacks and extends their lifespan
- Buckets can double as seats, step stools, water buckets, and more
Anderson Bucket Cons
As with anything, here is the flip side to using the Anderson buckets on your RV:
- Expensive compared to other RV leveling solutions, like wooden blocks
- If the bucket is placed unevenly, such as with the lip on a stray rock, it can cause damage to the bucket.
How Do RV Leveling Buckets Work?
One of the best things about RV leveling buckets is how easy they are to use. Once you’ve arrived at your campsite, using your Andersen buckets is a quick four-step process:
- Get your RV in position.
- Attach your RV leveling buckets to your RV’s jacks. Thanks to the included magnets, the buckets should snap right into place.
- Extend the jacks and level your RV as normal using your auto-level or by leveling manually.
- Enjoy a stable, sway-free RV.
It really is that simple. All you have to do is pop them into place and extend your jacks, and you’re good to go.
When you’re ready to get back on the road, simply do the same steps in reverse: retract the jacks and pop off the buckets. Once removed, RV leveling buckets can be stacked and stored anywhere in your RV that you have space.
Tips for Placing Your Leveling Buckets
When placing your RV leveling buckets, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Andersen Hitches brand leveling buckets are designed for jacks with round “feet,” like those most commonly found on fifth-wheel trailers. If you have a different style of jack, the leveling bucket will still work fine. But you’ll have to be a little more careful to position them correctly and make contact with the magnets in the bucket.
- Check the area where your leveling bucket will come to rest. Make sure there are no stones or other debris under the bucket. This can cause the bucket to break.
- Always check your buckets before installing them! Like anything else, over time, they can become worn down. If you see cracks or other noticeable damage, avoid using your RV leveling buckets.
- Leveling buckets can be stacked for extra height if needed, such as if there’s a strong incline where you park. However, keep in mind that this will reduce the weight limit significantly, from 6,000 pounds to 1,500 pounds.
RV Leveling Buckets are a Great Way to Level and Stabilize Your RV
RV leveling buckets, also known as Andersen buckets, are a must-have for owners of travel trailers, fifth wheels, and any RV with jacks. Once you’ve used RV leveling buckets, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!
What do you think? Are you a fan of Anderson buckets?
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Jennifer lives with her husband in a 29′ trailer in Mexico. She is one half of DashboardDrifters.com and the founder of RVSpotDrop, a web service for full-time RVers. Jennifer Jennings has been RVing for 2+ years and writing about the RV and Van Life for 2+ years. Jennifer specializes in topics such as Lifestyle, van life, campgrounds features, destination features, and product lists.
Anderson bucket do not work with LCI Ground Control TT that has the scissors jacks. That system needs to extend more to complete it’s auto leveling sequence. Found this out the hard way, so I have 4 buckets that I can’t use!
Sounds like you Anderson paid you to write this article
There are less expensive options on Amazon that hold more weight, like this one that I purchased. At the time of this comment, they are $10 off making them $39 and it’s solid as a rock! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XDS6DP4?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Anderson does make great products though!