Winters around Atlanta are milder than in much of the country, but a trailer that sits for weeks or months still takes a beating. Rain finds its way past tired seals, tires flat-spot and crack, bearings sit with old grease, batteries drain and mice look for a dry place to nest. A couple of hours of prep in late fall saves you from surprises when you hook up again in spring.
Here is a step-by-step checklist for storing a trailer over the winter.
1. Clean It Inside and Out
- Sweep or wash out the deck or interior. Leftover dirt, leaves and mulch hold moisture against the floor.
- Wash the exterior and undercarriage to remove road grime, especially if you hauled on treated roads.
- Remove anything that attracts pests, including food wrappers, seed, feed and pet food.
- Let the interior dry completely before closing it up.
2. Inspect the Roof, Seams and Seals
On an enclosed trailer, water leaks are the main winter risk. Check the roof seams, door seals, vents, lights and any spot where a fastener passes through the skin. Look for cracked sealant, gaps around the ramp door and soft spots in the floor or walls. Reseal small gaps now, before a season of rain turns them into rot. Use a sealant made for trailer and RV roofs, and clean the old sealant away first so the new bead bonds well.
3. Take Care of the Tires
Tires can lose pressure and develop flat spots when a trailer sits. Before storage:
- Inflate tires to the pressure on the trailer's VIN or tire placard.
- Check the sidewalls for cracking, bulges and tread wear.
- Check the date code on each tire. Trailer tires often age out before they wear out.
- Park on a hard, level surface, or set the tires on boards rather than bare dirt.
- Cover the tires if the trailer sits in direct sun.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's tire safety page explains how to read tire information and check pressure and wear.
4. Service the Bearings and Brakes
Wheel bearings are an often-neglected part of a trailer. Late fall is a convenient time to check them: lift each wheel, spin it and listen for grinding, and feel for play by rocking the tire top to bottom. If the trailer has electric brakes, check the brake wiring and magnets for corrosion. If you are not sure, our trailer repair shop handles bearing and hub service and brake work.
5. Protect the Battery and Wiring
- If your trailer has a breakaway battery or a dump trailer battery, charge it fully and keep it on a maintainer, or remove it and store it somewhere dry.
- Clean the plug pins and apply dielectric grease to slow corrosion.
- Secure the plug off the ground so water and pests stay out.
- Test all lights before storage so you know what needs fixing.
6. Lubricate Moving Parts
Grease the coupler, jack, door hinges, latches and ramp springs. On a dump trailer, check the hydraulic fluid and lower the bed fully for storage. A light coat of lubricant on exposed metal parts helps prevent rust over a wet winter.
7. Control Moisture Inside
Closed-up trailers trap humidity. Crack a roof vent if you can do so without letting rain in, or place moisture absorbers inside. Remove items that can mildew, such as moving blankets and cardboard. If the trailer has plumbing, such as a food or grooming build, drain the water tanks and lines and follow the equipment maker's instructions for freezing weather.
8. Park Smart and Secure It
- Park on high, level, firm ground where water does not pool.
- Lower the tongue jack onto a pad or block so it does not sink.
- Chock the wheels.
- Use a coupler lock and a wheel lock to deter theft. Trailers sitting unused for long periods are easy targets.
- Use a breathable cover on open trailers if they will sit outside.
Our trailer parts counter carries coupler locks, bar locks, wheel boots, jacks and replacement tires.
9. Check In During the Winter
Look at the trailer once or twice a month, and after any big storm. Check tire pressure, look for leaks after heavy rain and make sure locks and covers are still in place. If you can, move the trailer a few feet every so often so the tires do not sit on the same spot all season.
Spring Startup Checklist
- Inspect tires and set pressure.
- Check the bearings for play and noise.
- Reinstall and charge batteries.
- Test all lights and brakes with the tow vehicle connected.
- Check the coupler, safety chains and jack.
- Look over the roof, floor and seals again.
Thinking About an Upgrade?
If your old trailer needs more repair than it is worth, spring is a good time to replace it. Browse our enclosed trailers and other inventory online.
Paying over time? We offer traditional trailer financing, no credit check rent to own on new standard trailers with 15% down for buyers in Georgia and 20 other states, and lease-to-own through ClickLease, which starts with a soft credit pull and is available in all 50 states. Call or text and we will walk you through each one.
Come see us at 8834 Tara Blvd, Jonesboro, GA 30236, just south of Atlanta. We are open Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM. Call (770) 603-8511 or text (404) 383-8194 and bring your trailer by if you want a technician to take a look.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare my trailer for winter storage?
Clean it, inspect and reseal the roof and seams, set tire pressure, check bearings and brakes, charge or remove batteries, grease moving parts, control moisture and park it on firm, level ground with locks in place.
Should I cover my trailer for winter?
A breathable cover can help on an open trailer stored outside. On an enclosed trailer, focus on good seals and moisture control instead.
How do I keep my trailer tires from going bad in storage?
Inflate to the placard pressure, park on a hard surface or boards, keep the tires out of direct sun and move the trailer every so often to avoid flat spots.
Do I need to winterize a trailer in Georgia?
Georgia winters are mild, but rain, humidity, pests and long periods of sitting still cause problems. A basic storage checklist protects the trailer. Drain any plumbing before a hard freeze.
Can A&A check my trailer before or after storage?
Yes. Our trailer repair shop in Jonesboro handles bearing and hub service, brakes and wiring troubleshooting.