How To Take Care of Your Travel Trailer
Camping is a great pastime and a tradition for many families. Going camping with a travel trailer adds a level of comfort and security to camping, and it also represents a significant investment in your camping adventures. Protect your investment by taking simple steps to care for your travel trailer.
The first thing you should consider is how you’ll store your travel trailer when not in use. Weather and exposure to UV rays can add additional wear and tear to the roof, seams and any exposed canvas. Extra precaution should be taken when winterizing your travel trailer to keep as much snow off of it as possible.
Keeping it stored indoors, like a barn or garage, is best. If that isn’t available, store your travel trailer under a RV-car port, as this will offer good protection for dramatically less cost than a garage. At the very least, cover your travel trailer with heavy, UV-resistant tarps. Make a peaked frame out of 2x4s if you live in snowy regions, to help keep snow from piling up on the roof and adding weight and constant pressure. That pressure alone can cause your seams to fail and lead to leaks in the roof or worse.
If your travel trailer has on-board water storage or waste disposal, be sure to drain these whenever possible. It is very important to drain the waste out at every opportunity. Draining the water will reduce towing weight, and help keep your system free of bacteria, mold and mildew.
Be sure to check the road worthiness of the trailer before you take it onto the road. This includes checking the electrical wiring for the trailer lights. It is a good idea to lube the connector with electrical grease. This keeps dirt and corrosion out. Carry spare bulbs for the lights, too. Many times your vehicle can’t be seen from behind when you’re towing, so make sure that those lights work.
It is also a good idea to check your tire pressures every time as well. A low or flat tire can lead to disaster on the highway. Carry a small air pump with you that runs off the 12-volt connection in your vehicle.
It should go without saying, but after a camping trip, and even during, go through the travel trailer and clean it out. Make sure the dishes are washed and dried. Sweep the floors. Clean the counter tops. Also, clean the outside. If you drove down a dirt road, wash off the dust and/or mud. A clean travel trailer will last longer.
It’s also important to air the travel trailer out. This is especially true if you left the campsite early in the morning, as dew collects everywhere. Canvas awnings, slide outs and expandable sections can all hold moisture that, if not dried out and taken care of, will lead to mildew, molding and an expensive repair bill down the road.
