Sad Time: Trailer Put Away for Winter

[Kevin A]

It's that sad time of year again when I get our UHaul VT all ready for the coming of winter in the Chicago area. A week ago I thoroughly washed the outside and took out all the traveling stuff left from my last trip in October. This past Saturday I took the cushions inside the house, drained the water heater, fixed the persistent stove burner problem, tested the Wave 3 heater in preparation for spring camping, took in the TV, covered the trailer with a 17' Casita cover, and raised the trailer up on jackstands to take the load off the tires. My wife said it "looked so sad" with it all covered up again. I still need to put the bags over the tires for UV protection, but it's all ready for the first snows! In case you're wondering, I can put it all back together for camping in March or April in about an hour. Wonderful trailer!

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Kevin A

It's that sad time of year again when I get our UHaul VT all ready for the coming of winter in the Chicago area. A week ago I thoroughly washed the outside and took out all the traveling stuff left from my last trip in October. This past Saturday I took the cushions inside the house, drained the water heater, fixed the persistent stove burner problem, tested the Wave 3 heater in preparation for spring camping, took in the TV, covered the trailer with a 17' Casita cover, and raised the trailer up on jackstands to take the load off the tires. My wife said it "looked so sad" with it all covered up again. I still need to put the bags over the tires for UV protection, but it's all ready for the first snows! In case you're wondering, I can put it all back together for camping in March or April in about an hour. Wonderful trailer!

We too!
We are making a special effort to detail our trailer before tucking it away.
We'll get everything just right and clean and shiny, and then drag it out and get it all dirty on the Sebring trip. Still... Can't wait!

[Bobbie Mayer]

I need to do that but haven't figured out winter storage yet. I really kind of want to tow it back to California in January except that I don't want to tow in January.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Bobbie Mayer

I need to do that but haven't figured out winter storage yet. I really kind of want to tow it back to California in January except that I don't want to tow in January.

Going back to CA in January isn't too bad. We've headed south in January the last two years. We watch the weather forecast for Siskiyous and leave when there at least 2 day window. Once over it's all good.
We'll be heading for Death Valley in January, just not sure of the route yet. Last year it was to Sacramento, to Reno, then on down into Death Valley. We experienced some freezing weather, but the roads were generally clear of ice and snow.

[Byron Kinnaman]

I really feel sorry for those that put their trailer away for winter. We purchased our trailer so we could be out during the winter. Now that retirement has arrived we do most of our camping starting in January. Sounds cold? Well it can, but there's also some very nice warm weather in South West at that time of the year.
If you have to put the trailer away, I hope you read travel stories and make plans for when the poor little trailer can come out of hibernation.

[Bobbie Mayer]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

I really feel sorry for those that put their trailer away for winter. We purchased our trailer so we could be out during the winter. Now that retirement has arrived we do most of our camping starting in January. Sounds cold? Well it can, but there's also some very nice warm weather in South West at that time of the year.
If you have to put the trailer away, I hope you read travel stories and make plans for when the poor little trailer can come out of hibernation.

I am most worried about towing through the Siskiyous if weather is bad but as I am pretty flexible on travel dates it might work out. I can always hole up and wait if the pass is icy or snowy.

Bobbie

[Mike Morrison]

We don't like putting our trailer to bed in the winter. So we are thinking about a winter camping trip down the Oregon coast. Perhaps a little storm watching.

[Alf S.]

Hi: Kevin A...I can relate to the "Separation anxiety" issue. Here's a pic. of SAD(seasonally affected disorder).
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Lynn Musgrave]

Originally Posted by Alf S.

Hi: Kevin A...I can relate to the "Separation anxiety" issue. Here's a pic. of SAD(seasonally affected disorder).
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

Say Alf.....with such a nice set up that you have, you could just make yourself one of those fancy inside campgrounds. It could be your own private heaven. Of course that barn looks big enough for at least "1" more camper buddy.

We have been to Durand, Mi. in October and camped in our friends pole barn....had a great time. ok except when we had to walk thru the cold to go take showers and such.They have theirs set up wiyh power and water but no sewer.

Happy Camping

[Sheryl]

I've had my Boler since June and have only spent three (more or less local) nights in it! If the weather cooperates, I will be taking it to Death Valley for a few days the end of this month. So I'm just getting it ready to go on my very first trip--THEN I'll put it up for the winter! Bad timing, I know, but it was the best I could do. I just hope it works out...

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Mike Morrison

We don't like putting our trailer to bed in the winter. So we are thinking about a winter camping trip down the Oregon coast. Perhaps a little storm watching.

If you're lucky you will hit the weather right. Some of the nicest weather on the coast is NOT in the summer. It's really hard to go wrong. Big storms make for great storm watching. Winds make for great kite flying. Calm and sunny make for great walks on the beach.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Sheryl

I've had my Boler since June and have only spent three (more or less local) nights in it! If the weather cooperates, I will be taking it to Death Valley for a few days the end of this month. So I'm just getting it ready to go on my very first trip--THEN I'll put it up for the winter! Bad timing, I know, but it was the best I could do. I just hope it works out...

You'll enjoy Death Valley. Furnace Creek area is where most people go. From there you can drive to several of the neat places to visit. This time of year, it will probably the nicest near Furnace Creek. Second choice is Stove Pipe Wells. Staying at the campground near Scotties Castle might be a bit cold.

One important note. There's two gas stations in the park, one at Furnace Creek and one at Stove Pipe Wells. The one at Stove Pipe Wells is usually about $1.00/gal cheaper than at Furnace Creek. Neither one are cheap.

We'll be there in January.

[Sheryl]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

You'll enjoy Death Valley. Furnace Creek area is where most people go. From there you can drive to several of the neat places to visit. This time of year, it will probably the nicest near Furnace Creek. Second choice is Stove Pipe Wells. Staying at the campground near Scotties Castle might be a bit cold.

One important note. There's two gas stations in the park, one at Furnace Creek and one at Stove Pipe Wells. The one at Stove Pipe Wells is usually about $1.00/gal cheaper than at Furnace Creek. Neither one are cheap.

We'll be there in January.

Oh, Byron, thanks for the price tip! I was at Furnace Creek 10 years ago or so, so I knew I should buy groceries ahead of time, but hadn't thought about gassing up! I'm sure anxious to try out my trailer, and to find out what I'm forgetting to do/take!!

[trilliumdon]

Originally Posted by Kevin A

It's that sad time of year again when I get our UHaul VT all ready for the coming of winter in the Chicago area. A week ago I thoroughly washed the outside and took out all the traveling stuff left from my last trip in October. This past Saturday I took the cushions inside the house....

We're new trailer owners, and I have a question. We replaced the cushions in our 13' Trillium over the summer. So as I'm putting my trailer to bed for the winter, I'm wondering if I should bring them in the house or leave them in the trailer. Just wondering why your bring yours in. Mine seems waterproof, any reason you're taking the time to do it?

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

I really feel sorry for those that put their trailer away for winter.

Me too.
I feel guilty when I have the means to use it all winter, and it sits in the yard unused.

[rgrugg]

We have put our Egg Camper to bed for the winter but we'll be waking up our Kodiak in a few days to get ready for our AZ snowbird winter. The Kodiak goes to bed for the summer.

[Kevin A]

Originally Posted by trilliumdon

We're new trailer owners, and I have a question. We replaced the cushions in our 13' Trillium over the summer. So as I'm putting my trailer to bed for the winter, I'm wondering if I should bring them in the house or leave them in the trailer. Just wondering why your bring yours in. Mine seems waterproof, any reason you're taking the time to do it?

I take them inside for a couple reasons: I don't want any wandering critters to munch away on them (We've never had any mice, but who knows?) and I don't want them to pick up any damp smells. They are a sisal fiber and not easy to clean.

[Radar1]

I had to winterize ours last night in case it drops below freezing while we're away next week, but then we'll head to FL for a couple days in Dec. Then it's back to GA to winterize again until the Scamp Camp in FL in Feb.
I have it down to a fairly easy process of blowing the water out of the lines with the compressor, and then adding about 2 qts of antifreeze through an intake port I added.

[Jim Hovind]

Blew out the water lines last weekend, goes away in the pole barn tomorrow. If it is nice next weekend I'm tempted to go one more time this fall using jugs of water and camp ground rest rooms.

[Noreen Bradshaw]

Hi Don. I moved up to a 16' Trill last spring after having a 13 footer for many years. I too, wonder what is the reason for removing the cushions for the winter. In all the years I had the little camper, I never took the cushions out and never had a problem with moisture, mildew or mustiness. Hope someone gives us an answer.