Storing the trailer for the winter

[marcv]

Hi,
This weekend will be my last camping trip of this season, after that I will prepare my trailer to store it for the winter. My previous travel trailer was an A-liner type that I used to store in my garage, now it is a different story...
The trailer will be stored on those RV storage places.
I will winterize the trailer and put a cover on it.

Some people tell me that I need to lift the trailer as the tires can go bad, is that true?
Do I need to put the stabilizers down?
Any TIP to protect the trailer from bugs or other critters that can get inside?
Any other thing that I need to do?

Thank you!

[danes-on-tour]

Originally Posted by marcv

Hi,
This weekend will be my last camping trip of this season, after that I will prepare my trailer to store it for the winter. My previous travel trailer was an A-liner type that I used to store in my garage, now it is a different story...
The trailer will be stored on those RV storage places.
I will winterize the trailer and put a cover on it.

Some people tell me that I need to lift the trailer as the tires can go bad, is that true?
Do I need to put the stabilizers down?
Any TIP to protect the trailer from bugs or other critters that can get inside?
Any other thing that I need to do?

Thank you!

Hi marcy

If you park on asphalt we are told that you will do well to put a "spacer" between you tires and the asphalt. The perfect solution is a piece of wood and a honeycombed piece of plastic. This way you keep the moisture away from your tires.

We don't put our stabilizers down. Ours is hydraulic and i wouldn't like to apply hydraulic pressure for any prolonged time. If I had mechanical stabilizers i would probably engage them.

Critters - never had a problem with them (touch wood).

Other things:

I will clean my gray and black tanks thoroughly - and I mean thoroughly.

If in an area where you will get sub-zero temperatures I will make sure that all water is out of my water system - including my water heater.

Clean out your fridge/freezer and leave the doors open.

I don't have the luxury of recharging my batteries while I am gone so I just disconnect them. So far it has worked well for me.

I am sure I have forgotten something but that's all i can remember for now

[NLOVNIT]

Some people tell me that I need to lift the trailer as the tires can go bad, is that true?

No, they don't go bad. Just run the wheels up on wood boards, like Henrik stated, as a barrier from the ground. Wheel covers are a good idea, too, to keep any UV rays off them.

Do I need to put the stabilizers down?

We do, but just enough to take the majority of the weight off the tires. Our jacks aren't hydraulic.

Any TIP to protect the trailer from bugs or other critters that can get inside?

I scatter dryer sheets throughout all the drawers, bins, cabinets....etc, inside & out. I read a post on iRV2 that this works. I don't know if there's any scientific proof it works, but I have never had an issue with critters since I've been doing this.

Any other thing that I need to do?

Shut off your batteries at the main disconnect switch & take them home with you. That way you don't have to worry about freezing. On the cover, be sure you pad every (& I mean EVERY) possible projection point to keep from poking through. See my photos from after our first winter with a cover. I also put a small bin of charcoal briquettes, one in the bedroom & one on the dinette table, to help with any moisture control, as well as small Tupperware bins of them inside the fridge. This way I can keep the fridge doors shut & the charcoal keeps the inside dry & fresh.

Lori-

[TXiceman]

Store the RV for the winter?????

This is a foreign concept, but we have heard of such a thing on the internet.

Sure glad we do not have that to deal with that.

We go camping year around.

ken

[NLOVNIT]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

We go camping year around.

Someday, Dave & I will count ourselves in that group. Until then, we winterize & live vicariously through those here like you.

Lori-

[jwomack]

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

I also put a small bin of charcoal briquettes, one in the bedroom & one on the dinette table, to help with any moisture control, as well as small Tupperware bins of them inside the fridge. This way I can keep the fridge doors shut & the charcoal keeps the inside dry & fresh.

Lori-

On our last move, we had to store for a couple of months. The movers had us put a sock filled with coffee in the fridges rather than charcoal. Worked well (and smelled better) without the mess of charcoal.