How to Winterize Your Horse Trailer
Michelle DrumWhen it comes time to break out the riding jackets and horse blankets, it’s also time to winterize your horse trailer. While the task may seem tedious, it’s necessary for protecting your investment and ensuring your trailer is ready to roll when spring arrives.
Don’t know where to start? We’ve teamed up with our friends at Ken Feagin Truck & Trailer to share tips and steps for winterizing your trailer like a pro. Whether it’s your first winter owning a horse trailer or you just need a refresh, we’ll cover everything you need to know about preparing your trailer for the chilly months.
Why winterize your horse trailer?
Winterizing your horse trailer protects it from ice damage, shattered pipes, mold, mildew, rust, and corrosion when temperatures reach freezing. Winterizing a living quarters horse trailer is especially crucial because of the costly damage freezing weather can cause to the plumbing system, water tanks, and living space. Taking time to winterize your horse trailer each year maximizes its lifespan, helps avoid expensive repairs, and ensures your horse returns to a safe, comfortable trailer in the spring.
When should you winterize your horse trailer?
Winterize your horse trailer before temperatures drop to freezing. In most areas, this means completing the process by mid to late fall. It’s always better to winterize early–waiting too long can result in damage to pipes and tanks from the season’s first freeze.
How to winterize your horse trailer in 8 steps
Winterizing doesn’t have to be an overwhelming project. We’ve broken it down into eight steps to follow so you can keep your trailer in top shape all winter long.
1. Clean and inspect the trailer
It might not be the most fun part of the project, but cleaning everything thoroughly is an important first step. The cleaner the trailer is before winter, the better it will handle the harsh conditions. Uncleaned horse waste can cause serious damage if left for months.
To clean your horse trailer, remove all bedding, and then sweep and vacuum the interior. Next, wash the inside with mild detergent that’s safe for horses, and clean your tack room if you have one. Be sure to remove any leftover snacks or horse treats so mice aren’t tempted to make a home in your trailer!
Once the windows are sparkling again, check to make sure the interior is completely dry. No one wants to deal with mold and mildew! Finally, carefully inspect the inside and outside of the trailer, checking for any problems or damage you hadn’t noticed before.
2. Lubricate the moving parts
Moving parts like hinges and locks can freeze, seize up, or dry out in cold temperatures, so we recommend applying lubricant. You can find de-icer spray, lithium grease, or silicone-based lubricants at your local hardware store.
3. Protect your tires
To maximize the lifespan of your trailer tires, clean them, properly inflate them, and inspect the tread and sidewall before storing the trailer. Ensure your lug nuts are tightened, and your wheel bearings are clean and lubricated. Although it’s best to store the trailer indoors, using tire covers can protect your tires from winter weather and UV exposure if you’re keeping it outside.
Learn how to choose and care for horse trailer tires →
4. Make sure everything is sealed properly
You already inspected for any cracks or holes in the trailer roof, walls, or floor. Now, to avoid water leaks and pests that make themselves at home, seal off any gaps in the trailer’s structure. Silicone spray is a great sealant option that can be used on plastic, metal, and wood surfaces.
5. Get the vents ready
With everything sealed off, it’s time to think about ventilation. While ventilation helps prevent moisture buildup (which can lead to mold and mildew), it also opens the door for pests. The good news? You can leave the vents open and install vent covers to keep critters out while allowing airflow. Just don’t forget to close those vents when you’re back on the road in the spring!
6. Check the electrical system
Before disconnecting the trailer’s electricity, turn off any appliances that rely on power. This will prevent them from getting damaged or draining the battery. It’s also a good idea to remove the battery and store it in a cool, dry place for the winter to help preserve its life.
7. Move the trailer to a good storage spot
Storing your trailer indoors is ideal, especially if your area experiences harsh winters. If you’re storing your trailer outdoors, try to park on concrete, asphalt, or gravel instead of grass. If grass is the only option, we recommend putting wooden boards down to protect your trailer from moisture and pests.
8. Put on a high-quality trailer cover
The final task is finding the right cover for your trailer. Many horse trailer covers run small, which can leave important areas like the fenders, tires, and bearings exposed. For full protection, consider using an RV cover instead. Their larger size offers better coverage, ensuring your entire trailer is shielded from the elements.
Once your trailer cover is secured, step back and congratulate yourself on a job well done! Your horse trailer should emerge from the winter weather in excellent condition, ready for your next adventure.
How to winterize a living quarters horse trailer
If your trailer has living quarters or appliances, there are a few additional steps to follow. For trailers with a sink, shower, or toilet, it’s crucial to drain the water and add antifreeze to prevent the water lines from freezing in low temperatures. Your appliances will need a little attention too.
1. Drain the water lines and tanks
Start by draining all the water out of your trailer tanks and faucets, and run your pump (if you have one) for at least ten seconds. Pop the relief valve, then use a one and one-sixteenth socket to loosen and remove the rod for the low point drain in the water heater door. The rod can be stored in the door over winter.
The process varies from trailer to trailer, but low-point drains are typically challenging to access. You’ll need to get down under the trailer, unscrew the caps, and wait for the water to drain before replacing the caps.
You don’t want antifreeze to end up in your water heater tank, so make sure to change the two valves by the heater tank to the opposite of their normal settings. This means closing access to the tank and opening the bypass.
2. Add antifreeze
Now you’re ready to send antifreeze through your water lines. Use RV antifreeze since it’s non-toxic. It depends on the trailer, but expect to use at least two to three gallons of antifreeze. For easy access, you can pour the jugs of antifreeze into a five-gallon bucket.
To find where your pump is located, check your user manual. In some trailers, the pump is under the lower interior stair and will require removing screws. Most newer horse trailers come with a tube connected to the pump, but it leads nowhere. Put that tube down in the bucket of antifreeze and turn the pump on. Turn on your sinks, shower, and toilet until you see the pink antifreeze. Then you can stop the pump, turn everything off, and your water lines are all set for the winter!
3. Prepare the appliances
Once the power is off and the moisture is drained, create some ventilation for each appliance. For example, prop open the refrigerator door to prevent residual moisture from getting trapped and causing mold growth over the winter.
Essential maintenance for the long haul
While the process might feel a bit complicated, thoroughly winterizing your horse trailer each year will help ensure safe and enjoyable travels for you and your equine friend long into the future. By putting time and effort into properly maintaining your trailer, you can make sure it looks great and keeps your horse safe and comfortable year-round.
If you would like to schedule an appointment to winterize your trailer, reach out to the experts on Ken Feagin’s team. And if you’re ready to shop for your first horse trailer or look at upgrades, Ken and his team would love to help you explore your options. You can give them a call or visit them in Campobello, SC.
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