How To Prepare Your Trailer For Winter

Winter is about to come blasting in, so if you live in a colder climate now's the time to get your trailer ready for winter. If you are fortunate enough to store your trailer indoors for the winter, there isn't much you need to do, except to make sure all water lines are winterized with RV antifreeze. But for those of you who park your trailers outside, here's a good list of things to do before Old Man Winter comes roaring in:

1. Winterize the living quarters. If you have a trailer with living quarters, or a trailer with a fresh water tank, sink, shower or other water lines, be sure and winterize them. All lines should be drained and then refilled with RV antifreeze. Make sure you ONLY use potable RV antifreeze if your water is used for human or horse consumption. Regular antifreeze is HIGHLY toxic and should not be used.
2. Remove all freezable liquids from your trailer. When liquids freeze, they can burst the container they are in, so it's a good idea to remove all liquids including fly sprays, bug sprays, dish washing detergent, shampoo, etc., from your trailer or you could end up with a big mess in the spring.
3. Wash and wax your trailer. A good wax job will help protect your trailer's exterior from the elements, and it will help keep bug and plant stains from setting in and corroding your paint.
4. Put covers on your tires. Ultraviolet light from the sun is one of the most damaging things for your tires. Most trailer tires wear out on the sidewalls long before the tread wears out. Sunlight can cause the tires to deteriorate and dry rot. Tire covers are fairly inexpensive, and they help extend the life of your tires.
5. Make sure all windows and doors are sealed. Leaking windows and doors can cause a lot of problems—from mold and mildew to rust and dry rot. Check all doors and windows to make sure the caulk seals around them are good and tight.
6. Deep clean the horse area. If possible, pressure wash the horse compartment of your trailer. Wash down the floor with an antiseptic/anti-bacterial high-strength cleaner to remove urine and manure that can eat away at your floor. Remove your floor mats and let the floor dry completely before replacing them.
7. Remove and store your batteries. Most trailer/RV batteries will completely discharge in 30 to 40 days, and this can either kill your battery or greatly reduce its lifetime. Store your batteries in a cool, dry place and recharge them to a full charge once a month.
8. Make sure your tires are fully inflated. Letting tires go under-inflated for long periods can greatly weaken the sidewalls, which can lead to blow-outs. It's a good idea to check your tire pressure at least once a month during the winter.
9. Take your tack out of the trailer and store it in a dry, protected area. Many people leave their saddles, pads, bridles and other tack in their trailers all winter long. Unfortunately, while that may be convenient, it's not good for your tack. You can end up with lots of mold and mildew, dried and cracked leather, and corroded bits. Storing your tack in a dry, protected area will help keep it in good shape.
10. Park your trailer on a flat, level site. If your trailer is set on a slope or a slant, this alters the flow of water from rain and melting snow and allows it to seep in through windows, metal seams and other areas.
11. Cover your roof air conditioner. This will keep insects and rodents from getting inside your air conditioner and causing major damage. It also keeps rain and snow out.

By taking some time now to get your trailer ready for winter, you can greatly extend its longevity, keep it looking nice, and protect it from damage. Come spring, it will be much easier to get ready for the riding season.