Since it’s almost December, some of you may have already tucked your trailers away for the coming winter. For those of you that haven’t yet or are not sure what all to do to winterize them, this is for you.
1. Prepare It
Take out all linens, throw pillows, memory foam, curtains, towels and clothing items. You don’t want any fabric items inside that could be attractive to mice or damaged by condensation. Items like clean dishes, silverwear, pots and pans, small countertop appliances, etc., should also be removed. However, I have been known to leave these items inside the trailer over the winter with no ill effects, although I would recommend washing the utensils, dishes and pots and pans come spring! Open all interior cupboards and closet doors. Use a box of Bounce dryer sheets and place a sheet in every drawer, nook and cranny. Feel free to use an abundance of them. I throw them on the bed, over the wheel wells inside, on the cushions, on the table, in every drawer and cupboard, etc., Bounce deters mice. But only Bounce sheets seem to work for this. When you open your trailer come spring, open all the windows and remove all the sheets. It will smell nice and fresh. If you have allergies to strong smells, Bounce may not be an option for you. In that case, just make sure there is nothing appealing in the trailer to mice and you can use moth balls placed on the ground around the trailer. Place them near the tires and the tongue.
2. Ground Moisture
Ground moisture is something you want to avoid if your trailer is sitting outside. Before you park it in it’s spot for the winter, lay down a large tarp on the ground. This will prevent ground moisture from rising and penetrating the undercarriage. Or at least keep it to a minimum.
3. Plumbing
If you use your water systems you will need to winterize them. Check this site for a good reference on just how to do that and what all you’ll need: http://www.couchscampers.com/blog/RV-Tips-on-How-to-Winterize-an-RV-Camper-Travel-Trailer-%26-Fifthwheel-23
4. Tire Care
If possible, one of the best things to do is to get your tires off the ground. If you have a few of the floor model jacks you can accomplish this. Always remember safety first before you try it! If you are unsure, get someone who knows what they are doing to help you. The point of this is to get the tires off the ground to get the weight off them while they are sitting for such a long extented period of time. Even an inch off the ground will help. If you can’t jack the trailer so the tires are off the ground and the trailer is sitting outside, consider using a tire cover to cover them.
6. Cover It
If you don’t have the option of indoor storage such as a barn or carport you will need to cover your trailer. I’m sure many of trailers have sat out uncovered over many winters, but I wouldn’t purposely recommend doing that. Over time the weather will eventually wreak havoc on a trailer that is exposed to harsh elements without any protection. Find either a RV cover or large high quality tarp to cover it with. To help rain not sit in puddles on the roof, consider placing a pool pillow on the roof before adding the tarp. This will give it some height and angles so the rain can run off. If a pool pillow isn’t an option, consider jacking up the tongue so that the roof is at an angle to allow run off. Secure the cover or tarp so it’s snug.
7. Have A Emotional Moment
As you look out the window at your perfect little trailer all covered up for the impending winter, now is the time to go ahead and have a good cry. I know winter feels like it just goes on and on and all you want to do is go camping. It’s OK, I truly understand and all I can say is you are not alone as many of us dread long winters too. However, this is a good time to work on those projects you’ve been meaning to tackle, whether it’s a set of new curtains, cushion covers or whatever else you have in mind. Or go hunting at antique malls for new treasures for your trailer. Staying busy is the key to surviving camping withdrawl symptoms.
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Number 7 doesn’t make me sad Kelle, Ms B has a power supply nearby and her cover has a zipper making it easy to go inside and spend time with her. The cover makes it easier to pretend I’m not in my driveway. hahaha!
Kelle,
If you jack the front up water can stand on the tongue and run and sit right where the tongue joins the trailer. Standing water is a bad thing – don’t ask me how much it cost me to learn that lesson :c(
Blue tarps can stain and rub on the trailer to where it can be hard to get off. I don’t know if the other colored ones will do that.
Camilla,
Good advice. Not sure if you can see in the thumbnail pictures if you pop onto the main page that shows the trailer covered, but we always covered the tongue as well. So never had an issue with water on the tongue fortunately. But I can see how that would be.