Now that fall is upon us, it’s time to start thinking about getting your travel trailer ready for winter! The last thing you need is to open your travel trailer in the spring, just to discover damage either from water or a pest infestation. Rodents such as mice, can cause a considerable amount of damage in a very short time.
Here are our top 8 tips to help you prevent damage and avoid potential problems for your trailer over the winter months.
1. Drain your travel trailer
Drain all the water from your trailer’s plumbing system (tanks, pipes & valves). When the temperature falls below zero and there is water left in your system, it will expand and freeze. This could possibly crack or damage components. After you drain your trailer’s system, fill the plumbing with antifreeze.
2. Clean it out
Food items should be removed from your travel trailer to avoid wildlife naturally seeking out warm, quiet places to hide in the winter. Pests can wreck your travel trailer from the inside out. You should also remove toilet paper, paper towels, papers, rags, sheets, towels, beach blankets and bedding. Critters love to use these materials to build nests. Another way to deter pests is to pack mothballs and place them strategically around your travel trailer. This will help stop pest infestation before it starts.
3. Create airflow
To avoid the smell of mildew or stop mold from developing, leave enclosed spaces open to allow airflow. For example cupboards, dressers, cabinets and fridges should be left open. This will help prevent moisture from collecting. It is also crucial to close off any entrances where water may be able to enter.
4. Seal it up
Ensure your travel trailer’s window seals are in good condition. If not, replace them before you store the trailer for the winter. You’ll also want to seal up any cracks or holes in your RV with caulking or other types of repair methods.
5. Remove snow
If you experience heavy snowfall, the weight of snow on the roof of your travel trailer should be removed safely to prevent your roof from collapsing or any further damage. You should check on the trailer roof regularly throughout the winter.
6. Prevent battery corrosion
Batteries should be removed and stored in a warm location to prevent the risk of corrosion.
7. Prep your tires
Travel trailer tires do not need to be removed but preparation must be done. Tires should be protected from the sun. UV light can cause damage to the tires as the rubber begins to crack. Ensuring your tires are inflated to the maximum recommended pressure will help prevent weakening of the tires over the winter as well.
8. Report issues as soon as possible
If you discover water damage in the spring, try to locate the source, take photos and report the damages to your insurance company immediately. Consistently inspecting your travel trailer for leaks and faulty seals over the winter months can save you a great deal of inconvenience.
To conclude, damages occurring over a period of time that are not accidental or sudden (for example issues caused by wear & tear or poor maintenance) are not covered by your insurance. So, every fall when winterizing your travel trailer, you should contact your insurance broker to review your insured perils and coverages. It’s important to follow the manufacturer recommendations to prevent unforeseen losses. You should always check with your travel trailer manufacturer in how to properly winterize the trailer. For peace of mind, you should always have your trailer inspected by an authorized dealer or maintenance company that specializes in RV and Travel Trailers.
If you have questions about travel trailer insurance, the team at Higgins Insurance is here to help. Please call 1-866-273-2911 to speak broker or email info@higginsinsurance.ca
Resources
Curtis McIntyre
Angie Secord
Melanie Raffa, Aviva Insurance
Bob Keays, Higgins Insurance