Trailer winter storage

[wchevron]

Going to leave my, new to me, car trailer in a grass lot next to my office. Should I put car jacks under the trailer to keep the wheels out of the grass all winter or maybe put a 2x8 under the tires so they aren't in contact with the ground. Not sure if the tires in the grass all winter would be an issue?

Also, just looked a the spare tire. Says DOT TOHH MP04 2903. Am I correct that this tire is from 29th week of 2003.

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[Labswine]

Yeah, I'd put the 2x8s under the wheels. If nothing else, it'll keep them from sinking into the ground come the spring thaw. Also, put a piece of 2x4 under each corner jack, and something substantial under the tongue jack. Don't forget to run RV Antifreeze through all your lines. Kinda simple...your water pump should have a side pickup with valve. Simply put that line in a gallon of antifreeze and then run through each fixture...kitchen sink, shower, toilet, etc., prolly need at least two gallons to complete the job. CLOSE the inlet/outlet valves of your water heater...don't want antifreeze in there and remove the zinc so the heater drains, and the air will dry the rest out.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I block mine so that no weight is on the tires. I don’t like flat spots. I then make sure it’s covered, including the tires for sun protection.

 

[wchevron]

Yeah, I'd put the 2x8s under the wheels. If nothing else, it'll keep them from sinking into the ground come the spring thaw. Also, put a piece of 2x4 under each corner jack, and something substantial under the tongue jack. Don't forget to run RV Antifreeze through all your lines. Kinda simple...your water pump should have a side pickup with valve. Simply put that line in a gallon of antifreeze and then run through each fixture...kitchen sink, shower, toilet, etc., prolly need at least two gallons to complete the job. CLOSE the inlet/outlet valves of your water heater...don't want antifreeze in there and remove the zinc so the heater drains, and the air will dry the rest out.

For a minute you had me scratching my head. I was thinking, how the hell do I get antifreeze in the brake lines. Then I kept reading. I only have a flat bed car trailer. If I get the tires off the ground, could I cover each of them with a garbage bag for sun protection?

 

[WILDHOBO]

For a minute you had me scratching my head. I was thinking, how the hell do I get antifreeze in the brake lines. Then I kept reading. I only have a flat bed car trailer. If I get the tires off the ground, could I cover each of them with a garbage bag for sun protection?

I’d use canvas or vinyl. Just buy some auto parts store spare tire covers that are big enough.

 

[wchevron]

Good suggestion, thanks.

 

[punk'n]

If you do jack it up to take the wheels off the ground, spin them once in a while to clear the rust off the brakes.

And, yes, it looks like the spare is from the 29th week of 2003.

 

[smlobx]

Depending on how secure your storage lot is I would consider removing at least one wheel completely off the trailer and storing it with the lug nuts some where else so it doesn’t disappear one night…
After you put it up on jacks that is.

 

[Labswine]

I’d use canvas or vinyl. Just buy some auto parts store spare tire covers that are big enough.

I was thinking travel trailer...not just a cargo trailer

 

[sarguy1941]

Sounds like a lot of work to me. For 30+ years I just back my trailer into the side yard. Sometimes I'll park it on 2x6' when ground is soft but never take wheels off or jack it up. Its now in a car port and sitting on dirt. When I want to use it I want to hook up and go.

 

[HankB]

If you Jack it up, you’ll need plywood or blocking under the stands to prevent bases from sinking during freeze/thaw cycles. And if you Jack it up you may want to consider removing the tires, or adding locking lug nuts (depending on location). That said, I stored boats on trailers through Mass winters for many years where I just backed the shrink wrapped boat on trailer into a slot at the boat yard and came back in the spring. But these were semi secure locations.
Covering the tires does make sense to protect them from sun damage, but we’re talking New England, and we aren’t going to be seeing much sun for the next six months. If it makes you feel better go for it, but I’ve never seen a boat or utility trailer here with winter tire covers.

Where it’s a flatbed, deck should be tilted so water from snow melt will run off and prevent ice build up, even if it has a perforated deck. I’d advise against a cover unless you shrink wrap it with a tented ridge to force snow to slide off. A loose cover like a blue tarp is just going to trap water and ice and make a big mess and possibly damage the steel work and any wood from moisture.

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