6 Best Chocks For Skoolie Parking On Inclines That Nomads Swear By

There’s a unique kind of stillness you feel when you finally level your skoolie on a beautiful, but uneven, patch of land. But before that peace comes a moment of truth: letting your foot off the brake and trusting that 15,000 pounds of steel, wood, and memories won’t start rolling backward. In that moment, your wheel chocks are the only thing standing between a perfect campsite and a catastrophic failure. For a vehicle as heavy as a converted school bus, those little wedges of rubber or plastic aren’t just accessories; they are non-negotiable safety equipment.

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Why Heavy-Duty Chocks Are Non-Negotiable

Let’s be blunt: the cheap, hollow plastic chocks you see in big-box stores are not for skoolies. They’re designed for lightweight travel trailers, not for holding a ten-ton home on a 5% grade. The physics are unforgiving. The force exerted by your bus on an incline is immense, and a flimsy chock will crack, slip, or simply get crushed under the load.

Think of your chocks as an extension of your braking system. Your parking brake holds the drivetrain, but it does nothing to stop the tires themselves from rolling, especially if the ground is loose or wet. Heavy-duty chocks, typically made of solid rubber or reinforced polymer, provide the raw friction needed to anchor your rig to the ground. This isn’t an area to save money. The difference between a $20 set and a $60 set is insignificant compared to the cost of your bus rolling into a ditch, or worse.

BAL X-Chock: Ultimate Tandem Axle Security

If your skoolie has tandem rear axles, the BAL X-Chock is a game-changer. It doesn’t work like a traditional chock that sits on the ground. Instead, it fits between the two tires and expands, applying opposing force to both. This effectively locks the tires together, preventing them from rolling in either direction.

The stability this adds is incredible. Not only does it secure the bus, but it also dramatically reduces the side-to-side rocking and forward-and-back motion you feel when walking around inside. It makes your parked home feel solid, like it’s on a foundation. However, it’s crucial to understand that X-Chocks are a supplement, not a replacement for ground chocks. Always use them in conjunction with traditional chocks placed on the ground for maximum security.

MaxxHaul 70472: Solid Rubber for Max Grip

When you just need a chock that works, every single time, solid rubber is the answer. The MaxxHaul 70472 is a perfect example of this simple, effective design. It’s essentially a heavy, dense brick of recycled rubber with a ribbed surface. There are no moving parts to fail and no hollow core to crush.

Its weight is its biggest asset. Unlike lightweight plastic chocks that can get kicked around or slip on gravel, these stay put. The rubber material provides excellent grip on nearly any surface—asphalt, dirt, grass, you name it. They are bulky and heavier than other options, which is a consideration for storage, but that heft is precisely what makes them so trustworthy when you’re parked on a sketchy slope.

Camco Super Wheel Chock: A Proven RV Classic

The bright yellow Camco chock is a familiar sight in any campground, and for good reason. It’s a significant step up from the most basic, flimsy models. Made from a durable, UV-stabilized polymer, it’s lightweight yet surprisingly strong, with a well-designed ribbed structure that provides decent grip.

For a skoolie, these are best viewed as a solid secondary option or for use on very slight inclines. While they are rated for the job, they don’t inspire the same absolute confidence as a solid rubber block when dealing with a steep grade and a 25,000-pound bus. They are, however, an excellent choice to place on the "uphill" side of the tires for extra security or to use on your towed vehicle.

ROBLOCK Chocks: High-Visibility Safety Pick

One of the most common mistakes nomads make is forgetting their chocks and driving over them. The ROBLOCK chocks tackle this problem head-on with their bright, high-visibility orange color. You simply can’t miss them during your pre-departure walk-around.

Beyond the color, these are seriously capable chocks. They are built from solid rubber, featuring an aggressive tread pattern that bites into the ground. They often come with a connecting rope, which makes them easy to carry as a pair and pull out from under the tire. For skoolie owners who value clear safety procedures and visual confirmation, the ROBLOCK is a top contender that blends industrial performance with user-friendly design.

Buyers Products WC24483: Industrial Strength

If you want the kind of chock that tow truck drivers and semi-truck operators use, this is it. Buyers Products specializes in commercial-grade equipment, and their laminated rubber chocks are built for the absolute heaviest applications. They are constructed from stacked pads of recycled rubber, laminated together with heavy-duty adhesive, and reinforced with steel.

This design is incredibly durable and provides an unparalleled grip on paved surfaces. It’s overkill for most RVs, but for a fully loaded 40-foot school bus, it’s just right. This is the chock for the full-timer who never wants to second-guess their safety. The confidence that comes from placing these industrial-strength blocks behind your wheels on a steep mountain pass is worth every penny.

Fasmov Solid Rubber: The Dependable Budget Buy

Proving that you don’t have to break the bank for safety, Fasmov offers solid rubber chocks that deliver excellent performance at a fantastic price. They share the same core benefits as more expensive rubber chocks: substantial weight, great grip, and simple, durable construction. They are the definition of a no-frills, high-function piece of gear.

While they may lack the brand recognition or specific features like connecting ropes on some other models, they excel at their primary job: keeping your bus from moving. For new builders on a tight budget or anyone looking for a second set of reliable chocks, the Fasmov is a smart, practical choice. It’s a workhorse that provides peace of mind without a premium price tag.

Chock Placement and Use on Steep Grades

Owning the best chocks is only half the battle; using them correctly is what truly matters. The process is critical for safety and for protecting your vehicle’s transmission and parking brake. When you find your spot on an incline, the procedure should always be the same.

First, pull into the spot and hold the bus in place with your service brakes (the foot pedal). Keep your foot on the brake, shift to neutral, and then firmly engage your air-powered parking brake. Only then should you get out and place your chocks. They must be placed on the downhill side of your tires, wedged in as tightly as possible against the tread. For maximum security on a steep grade, chock both the front and back tires on the downhill side.

Once the chocks are securely in place, get back in the driver’s seat. With your foot still on the service brake, you can now shift into park (if you have an automatic transmission). Then, slowly and gently release the service brake. You will feel the bus settle back a few millimeters until its weight is resting securely on the chocks. This action takes the strain off your parking pawl and brake system, letting the chocks do the heavy lifting. Reversing this process when you leave is just as important.

Your chocks are your first and last line of defense against gravity. They are a small investment in the grand scheme of a bus conversion, but their role is monumental. Choose a set that matches the weight of your rig and the reality of the places you want to go, learn to use them correctly, and you’ll be able to sleep soundly, no matter how steep the view is outside your window.