There are joys and hardships to consider before you travel with your trailer during the winter months. It is vitally important to be prepared for all kinds of weather.
Before embarking on your vacation, you should create a checklist of items that need to be checked and completed.
For instance: Have your Tow Vehicle and Trailer fully serviced and roadworthy before you leave home. Don’t just assume that everything has worked well up to this point and therefore it will be fine. Be smart, and do not take anything for granted!
Checklist for your Trailer and Tow Vehicle
- Brakes
- Oil change
- Transmission serviced
- Good quality winter tires
- Heating/air conditioning
- Plumbing
- Windshield washer fluid
- RV Battery fully charged
- Tanks filled with propane and gasoline
- Water in the Fresh Water Holding Tank
- Ensure that the Black and Gray Holding Tanks are clean and empty
Upon the service completion of your vehicles, you are now ready to pack the Trailer with clothes, food and other necessary items that will be needed for your trip.
Loading your Trailer
1. Distribute the weight evenly
2. Do not over pack because of weight restrictions, or you could lose control of the Towing Vehicle
Spend some time to plan your route of travel in order to avoid passes, steep hills and mountainous terrain. Take short breaks along the way by getting out of your vehicle to walk around and give your brain and eyes a rest. Lower your speed and keep your distance from other vehicles as you may have to hit the brakes.
There is a possibility that you could encounter winter conditions, like: snow, ice, sleet, hoarfrost or heavy rain. Please slow down and be safe!
There is the possibility that your water lines could gel up and even freeze. If this were to happen, your best option to keep the lines from bursting is to let them warm up slowly. Do not turn the taps or water pump on for the water to flow. The ice will melt slowly as it warms up. This will take patience and self- control on your part. Carry a good supply of water bottles as this will provide you with fresh water for drinking and cooking.
Once you have stopped and parked your trailer for the night, turn the furnace on and let the heat melt and warm things up. By morning the ice or sludge should have disappeared and hopefully none of the lines will have burst.
Now you can enjoy your vacation!
