Spring is an important time for many seasonal businesses, and countless pieces of agricultural and equestrian equipment and trailers will be taken out of hibernation and tested, ready for a return to work.
However, spring is also a vital month for classic car enthusiasts, as spring is the point where a beautiful vintage machine can finally escape hibernation, be loaded into a suitable trailer and taken to a meetup, a track day or a beautifully winding country road.
We can help you choose the perfect trailer for your pride and joy; as an official supplier of Ifor Williams trailers, we have the expertise to advise you on which trailer will best take care of your car whilst towing it from place to place.
As well as storing the car itself, larger trailers such as our Transporta range will also be able to pack vital pieces of equipment to ensure that your car is ready to drive as soon as you arrive at your destination.
To find out more about what to pack, it is important to know how winter affects classic cars and what you need to check as soon as they come out of storage.
Why Do Classic Cars Hibernate In Winter?
Cars tend to be hard-wearing, but older cars benefit from a period of hibernation during the coldest parts of the year for the same reasons ploughs, agricultural trailers and other seasonal equipment benefit from long-term storage.
Classic cars tend to be difficult to drive on icy roads; the salt used to grit roads can cause considerable damage to a car’s finish and underside, which can be more expensive to fix than an equivalent new car, and there are often fewer opportunities to truly enjoy a sports car at its best.
Storing a car properly over the winter months protects it, but any car that is left dormant for months at a time may not work as soon as the weather improves.
What Do You Need To Bring Your Classic Car Out Of Hibernation?
If you operate a business focused on your classic cars, such as a track day experience provider or providing repair services for classic car meetups, or even if you regularly travel to events, it may be worth investing in an Ifor Williams Workshop-in-a-Box trailer to ensure you have all of your tools to hand.
However, it is possible to set up a personal toolkit that will fit in your trailer or the back of your towing vehicle that has everything you need to bring your classic car back and test it whilst on the road.
Air Compressor
The first step to ensuring your car is ready for the road is checking the tyres, as the change of seasons can affect the pressure of the air within them. If they need pumping up, the easiest and best option is a portable air compressor running off a small generator.
Trickle Charger
A trickle charger is a slow battery charger designed to bring a flat battery back to life or prevent a battery from losing considerable amounts of charge in the first place.
A multimeter to check the battery’s voltage and a set of jump leads are also good to have in your trailer or towing vehicle.
Spare Car Fluids
As well as fuel, having oil, coolant and brake fluid to hand allows you to replenish any lost fluids that have either leaked out or have gradually disappeared over time.
Ideally, fluids should be replenished and changed before the car is put into hibernation, but the second-best time to do so is before you turn on the ignition for the first time after hibernation.
Basic Tools
Whilst a workshop is more ideal for fixing any issues you may have, there is more than enough room for a toolbox filled with spanners, wrenches and basic power tools to get you going.
What Else Should You Do Before Your First Classic Car Drive Of The Year?
As well as having basic tools to hand to fix any issues, it is best to have your trailer to hand for your first few drives in your classic car, to ensure that you have the tools to repair anything you can fix by yourself.
As well as this, here are some top tips to make your first classic drive memorable for all the right reasons:
- Do a visual inspection to make sure nothing obviously looks wrong.
- Clean your car thoroughly to remove any dirt and grime build-up.
- Plan your first drive on a fun stretch of road, but close enough to home if you have any issues. If you are travelling further, make sure you have a place to park your towing vehicle and trailer securely.
- Have fun and enjoy networking with other classic car enthusiasts.