Winter Weather Trailer Use Tips
Winter time is challenging for trailer owners, with the moisture in the air leading to rust and corrosion, and wet and slippery roads making moving trailers a challenge. Trailer Valet is here with some tips for trailer owners to be ready for any winter weather eventuality.
Anyone who has left their trailer out in the winter for any significant length of time has seen how quickly rust and corrosion set it. Rust is not only an eyesore, but also compromises and weakens the metal. Trailer owners may not even realize how affected their hitch has become until they get on the road.
The best way you can combat surface rust on your trailer hitch is to get one resistant to corrosion in the first place. Trailer owners would do well to check out accessories with specialized coating, like the kind on the Trailer Valet Blackout series of ball mounts and couplers. Trailer Valet’s signature black powder coating provides up to 700 hours of corrosion resistance, ideal for trailer owners who want to brave the elements..
If there is already rust on the receiver hitch, a non-solvent based product can provide additional protection. A simple cover can also stop water or dirt from entering the receiver opening. Hitch balls can be protected with the application of ball grease. When not in use, a bag or a ball cover should keep out most of the moisture.
Hitching up a trailer on a road with powdered snow, where traction is a lot lower, presents an extra layer of difficulty. But rather than moving the towing vehicle to the trailer, the Trailer Valet RVR3 allows users to move the trailer to the vehicle. The RVR3 is fully remote controlled from up to 40 feet away, without the need for any manual work - simply attach the trailer hitch and position it as desired. Better still, the wide treads on the RVR3 grip the road more securely than a regular wheeled dolly, giving more fine control over the trailer movement.
Fill your tires to the required PSI for cold weather which can be found on the tire's sidewall. Tire pressure is often depleted by changing temperatures, and if the trailer is under-inflated, the weight capacity might be reduced, putting strain on the metal. To avoid tire leaks, make sure your valve systems are clean, sealed, and clear of debris. Also keep the trailer and tires out of direct sunlight as much as possible, to avoid damage from big temperature swings.
With the salt and snow on the roads in the winter, it's very easy for your trailer to get dirty. For ice management and road stability, road crews are now employing calcium chloride, which is a premium salt combination. While this compound is fantastic for improving traction on the road for all cars, it is very corrosive and destructive to sections of your trailer. Make sure you wash your trailer as often as possible during the winter so it doesn’t rust.
In favorable weather, speed restrictions indicate to you how safe it is to travel at a specific pace. Conditions are not ideal when it is snowing or cold enough to freeze everything. Keep an eye on your speed, especially on unfamiliar routes and allow folks to go around you if they become irritated.
Stopping will take longer if you're towing a big trailer. Keep at least 10 car lengths between your truck and the vehicle in front of you instead of the typical gap between you and the vehicle in front of you. You'll have more time to brake without jackknifing your trailer if the car in front of you brakes aggressively.
You should avoid passing in bad weather unless someone in front of you is traveling extremely slowly, such as a tractor trailer up a steep mountain. If you must pass, ensure that you do it safely and without obstructing traffic in the passing lane. It's preferable to drive slowly and arrive safely at your destination than to be late or with a dented truck and trailer.
Overloading a vehicle and trailer is a common occurrence. Make sure you're aware of your truck's towing capacity and the trailer's towing capacity. In any situation, an overweight vehicle and trailer is terrible news, but it's especially bad while ascending because you will overwhelm your vehicle and the trailer will start pulling you back which is a huge safety hazard. If you're going to the mountains, be sure you're not pulling more than your vehicle is capable of, and that your cargo isn't over the weight limit.
The winter season can be challenging for RV owners and people who love to camp but overcoming the challenge of the cold weather and the snow will be worth your time and effort. There are many amazing places you can visit during the winter that have beautiful scenery you can enjoy. Whether you are boondocking in a peaceful forest or camping near a ski center.
Prevent Rust On Your Trailer Hitch
Anyone who has left their trailer out in the winter for any significant length of time has seen how quickly rust and corrosion set it. Rust is not only an eyesore, but also compromises and weakens the metal. Trailer owners may not even realize how affected their hitch has become until they get on the road.
The best way you can combat surface rust on your trailer hitch is to get one resistant to corrosion in the first place. Trailer owners would do well to check out accessories with specialized coating, like the kind on the Trailer Valet Blackout series of ball mounts and couplers. Trailer Valet’s signature black powder coating provides up to 700 hours of corrosion resistance, ideal for trailer owners who want to brave the elements..
If there is already rust on the receiver hitch, a non-solvent based product can provide additional protection. A simple cover can also stop water or dirt from entering the receiver opening. Hitch balls can be protected with the application of ball grease. When not in use, a bag or a ball cover should keep out most of the moisture.
Hitching Help
Hitching up a trailer on a road with powdered snow, where traction is a lot lower, presents an extra layer of difficulty. But rather than moving the towing vehicle to the trailer, the Trailer Valet RVR3 allows users to move the trailer to the vehicle. The RVR3 is fully remote controlled from up to 40 feet away, without the need for any manual work - simply attach the trailer hitch and position it as desired. Better still, the wide treads on the RVR3 grip the road more securely than a regular wheeled dolly, giving more fine control over the trailer movement.
Tire Maintenance
Fill your tires to the required PSI for cold weather which can be found on the tire's sidewall. Tire pressure is often depleted by changing temperatures, and if the trailer is under-inflated, the weight capacity might be reduced, putting strain on the metal. To avoid tire leaks, make sure your valve systems are clean, sealed, and clear of debris. Also keep the trailer and tires out of direct sunlight as much as possible, to avoid damage from big temperature swings.
Get It Clean
With the salt and snow on the roads in the winter, it's very easy for your trailer to get dirty. For ice management and road stability, road crews are now employing calcium chloride, which is a premium salt combination. While this compound is fantastic for improving traction on the road for all cars, it is very corrosive and destructive to sections of your trailer. Make sure you wash your trailer as often as possible during the winter so it doesn’t rust.
Towing Safety
Keep to the speed limit
In favorable weather, speed restrictions indicate to you how safe it is to travel at a specific pace. Conditions are not ideal when it is snowing or cold enough to freeze everything. Keep an eye on your speed, especially on unfamiliar routes and allow folks to go around you if they become irritated.
Maintain Safe Distance
Stopping will take longer if you're towing a big trailer. Keep at least 10 car lengths between your truck and the vehicle in front of you instead of the typical gap between you and the vehicle in front of you. You'll have more time to brake without jackknifing your trailer if the car in front of you brakes aggressively.
Passing Vehicles
You should avoid passing in bad weather unless someone in front of you is traveling extremely slowly, such as a tractor trailer up a steep mountain. If you must pass, ensure that you do it safely and without obstructing traffic in the passing lane. It's preferable to drive slowly and arrive safely at your destination than to be late or with a dented truck and trailer.
Climbing
Overloading a vehicle and trailer is a common occurrence. Make sure you're aware of your truck's towing capacity and the trailer's towing capacity. In any situation, an overweight vehicle and trailer is terrible news, but it's especially bad while ascending because you will overwhelm your vehicle and the trailer will start pulling you back which is a huge safety hazard. If you're going to the mountains, be sure you're not pulling more than your vehicle is capable of, and that your cargo isn't over the weight limit.
The winter season can be challenging for RV owners and people who love to camp but overcoming the challenge of the cold weather and the snow will be worth your time and effort. There are many amazing places you can visit during the winter that have beautiful scenery you can enjoy. Whether you are boondocking in a peaceful forest or camping near a ski center.
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