By the middle of autumn, many seasonal businesses are considering their next steps for winding down and preparing all of their equipment for the rigours of the cold winter months.
If you are putting your Ifor Williams trailers in storage, make sure that they are serviced and properly winterised before putting them away in order to ensure that there is as little downtime as possible in the first flush of spring.
We can help you with this by providing advice and support geared towards your particular trailer, and the best place to start is to answer some frequently asked questions.
Why Do You Need To Winterise Your Trailers?
Much like how cars need to be winterised, trailers need to be prepared for storage or winter use in order to ensure they continue to function at their best and are not pushed beyond their limits by particularly harsh winter conditions.
Leaving your trailer out in the winter exposes all of its weaknesses, which can lead to:
- Damage to the wiring
- Broken seals
- Corroded bodywork
- Mould and mildew buildup
- Loss of tyre pressure
- Cracking in tyre sidewalls
- Damage to parts which need regular lubrication
By winterising your trailer, you minimise the damage that will affect it, ensure that it lasts longer, works better and avoids downtime, whether your trailer will work through the winter or be in storage, whether you are sticking to the roads or driving through fields, or how your trailer is designed.
When Do You Need To Winterise Your Trailer?
Generally, winterising begins once the temperatures start to drop close to freezing, the weather takes a turn for the worse, or you no longer need your trailer for seasonal work.
Once you start to see rain, snow and sleet frequently, it is typically time to begin winterising and planning for winter use and winter storage. Typically, you should be thinking about winterising by November at the latest.
Step by Step Guide To Winterising Your Trailer
Step 1: Clean Your Trailer Thoroughly
Once your trailer is completely done and is ready to be put away, thoroughly clean it from top to bottom.
In particular, focus on the underside, the wheel arches and the mudguards, as these are places where dirt, mud and moisture can easily build up without noticing.
As well as this, take care of any dirt that has built up around the electrical cables, brakes and axles, as this can affect the functionality of your trailer in winter.
Step 2: Fully Inspect Your Trailer
Once you have cleaned your trailer, inspect it fully, paying particular attention to:
- Electrics – Test the lights, ensure that any plugs are clean and look for exposed, frayed or damaged wiring
- Tyres – Look for any obvious damage, check the tread depth for signs of wear, examine any uneven wear patterns and check the sidewalls for cracks.
- Brakes – Specifically, check to ensure that the brake cables are working properly, and ensure the brake shoes are not sticking in place.
- Lubrication Points – Check all moving parts and joints for wear, friction and damage.
If you notice anything particularly concerning, book a servicing to get it fixed and ready for winter.
Step 3: Grease Moving Parts
Without lubrication, the freezing temperatures can cause components to seize up, dry out or even crack entirely.
Use a multipurpose outdoor lubricant and wipe away old grease before applying any fresh lubrication.
Whilst the precise parts that need lubrication vary by model, here are some of the main areas that require greasing:
- Coupling Head – A vital part of the trailer that needs to be lubricated to ensure smooth, secure hitching.
- Jockey Wheel – Lubricating the pivot points helps to keep it moving properly.
- Hinges And Latches – Sticking doors are not only frustrating but potentially dangerous.
- Ramps, Tilt Mechanisms And Winches – Any other moving parts need to be properly lubricated.
Step 4: Disconnect And Take Care Of The Battery
If your trailer has a battery, such as a business-in-a-box, horsebox, workshop or caravan-style accommodation, make sure to fully charge it, disconnect it and use a trickle charger to keep it charged without it damaging itself through discharging.
Step 5a: Move It Into Storage
If you are not using your trailer anymore, put it into storage. Ideally, this should be a garage, workshop or shed, but a breathable waterproof cover or carport will work as long as it is breathable enough.
Make sure to retract the jockey wheel and move the trailer slightly to avoid flat spotting on the tyres.
Step 5b: Keep Safe During Every Winter Journey
Towing during the winter is more demanding than at any other time of the year, so make sure that you inspect the trailer and check to ensure that everything is working properly.
Even a small bout of cold weather can have an effect.