Winterizing a Travel Trailer

Winter is right around the corner, which means your travel trailer camping is likely going to slow down a bit. Unfortunately, the cold can do some serious damage if you don’t properly prepare your towable RV. We here at Minneapolis Trailer want to help you protect your property, so we’ve put together some tips for winterizing a travel trailer, below. To learn more, or to see the travel trailers we have for sale, contact our store in Rogers, Minnesota, today!

Interior

It’s a good idea not to let your gear and supplies sit in your travel trailer over the winter, so take some time and remove anything that might not keep or that you can use in your home. This can include, but isn’t limited to:

• Blankets.
• Games.
• Clothing.
• Perishable food items.

Appliances

It’s especially important to ensure your appliances and fixtures are ready for long periods of cold and no usage. Clean the fridge and freezer out and wipe down all surfaces inside them, clean the microwave, oven, and range if you have them, etc. Once that’s all done, shut down power and defrost the fridge and freezer by opening the doors and leaving towels on the ground outside them. Check in on them every few hours to avoid letting damp towels sit for longer than needed.

Exterior

Naturally, the outside of the trailer is going to need just as much attention. Start with a thorough wash to keep dirts and debris from damaging your travel trailer over the winter. Use a gentle detergent or car soap and soft brushes to avoid damaging paint and finish and wash and rinse in small patches. This keeps soap scum from drying on and undoing all your work. Round it out by either covering your trailer or storing it indoors, like in a barn, garage, or storage facility.

While you clean, give your trailer a good visual inspection to see if there’s any obvious damage or signs of excessive wear. You’ll want to get any problems looked at before storing your rig away, since they can worsen over time.

Tires

Your tires are especially vulnerable in cold weather, particularly if you let the travel trailer’s weight rest on one spot all winter. If you can’t get your tires off the ground entirely, make sure to rotate the tires by about a quarter rotation every couple of weeks or so. Use wheel chocks to ensure it doesn’t go anywhere without you, and try to keep it parked on pavement rather than dirt. Natural surfaces are more susceptible to freezing, and cold enough temperatures can dry out and crack your tires.

We hope these tips help keep your travel trailer in good shape during the off season! For more information, or if you’re on the market for a new travel trailer, contact us at Minneapolis Trailer. We proudly serve the people of the Twin Cities in Minnesota—let us serve you today!