Utility Trailer Questions

[sjlee]

I recently purchased a used 4'x6' utility trailer with 2' removable walls.

This is my first utility trailer, so I'm not really familiar with maintenance of it. The guy who sold it to me said to check the tire pressure before I plan on using it and to keep the wheel bearings greased (once a year). He also said that the things that hurt a trailer the most are snow, rain and sun. Unfortunately, I don't have room in the garage for the trailer, so it sits on the driveway.

Here are my questions:

1. I'm using two 8'x10' tarps to cover the trailer when not in use. It does a good job covering most of the trailer including the wheels. Is that good enough when winter comes? Should I invest in a set of covers for the wheels? Should I put the trailer on blocks during the winter?

2. Since the walls are removable, should I remove them in the winter and store them in the garage or shed?

3. The trailer currently doesn't have any tie-down rings, so I purchased four of them. Should I just install them into the floor of the trailer (which is plywood) in the corners? If so, how far from the corners? I plan on using them when towing things like my motorcycle, snowblower or anything else that might move around. I was thinking about installing them into the walls so that the floor remained flush, but wasn't sure if that was a good idea or not.

4. The previous owner cut plastic tubing and attached them to the trailer over the corners and edges to keep the tarp from catching and tearing. I've found that they do help, but need to be restapled to the trailer (they come loose). Is there any reason why I couldn't just round the corners of the trailer (either cut or sand them)?

5. Any recommendations on other things I should get? I've already ordered a coupler/receiver locks set (Master Lock). I'm also keeping my eye out for a sale on a spare tire.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[andyschneider]

Well, I must be an old-school sort of guy. I bought a 5x9' utility trailer 12 years ago - it's a light-duty version of a contractors trailer - has the drop-down rear ramp to drive a tractor up on, and I put on some wooden stake-style sides. I use this trailer year-round to pick up things at HD/Lowes/etc, and go to the dump on a semi-regular basis. I hose it off in the winter, check the bearings once a year (and only regrease if they start loosening a bit, and have replaced the tires once in 12 years. It sits outside ready to use. Only thing I need to do to it after 12 years is put down a new pressure-treated floor - and I figured that 12 years off of the original wooden floor wasn't too bad.

So, I can't relate to wanting to keep it covered in the rain/snow or some of the other things you mention. It gets used and it lives outside. Personally, if you rinse it off regularly, keep up with scrapes on any painted metal surfaces to reduce rust, it'll last a good long time. I know that mine gets scraped and abused as I use it, and it bounces down dirt roads on a regular basis. But it keeps coming back for more. Heck, even the new line of trailers they have a Tractor Supply near me all sit outside, so the life of a trailer isn't one of pampering - at least that's just my view.

andy

[sjlee]

Andy,

Thanks for the response.

Is your trailer underneath an overhang or is it constantly exposed to the sun? Mine will sit all-year-round on the driveway. There are no trees to block the sun.

What about the wiring on your trailer? Without any cover, I would imagine that the connector would have corroded by now.

There is already a little rust starting on my trailer (it's used)... leaf springs, axel and where the trailer tilts (mine has a tilt feature). I know I can't keep it looking new forever, but I also don't want to expedite the corrosion process. In addition, I'm pretty sure that the wooden sides are not treated lumber, so I'm not sure how they would handle being exposed to the elements on a daily basis.

[andyschneider]

Originally posted by sjlee
Andy,

Thanks for the response.

Is your trailer underneath an overhang or is it constantly exposed to the sun? Mine will sit all-year-round on the driveway. There are no trees to block the sun.

What about the wiring on your trailer? Without any cover, I would imagine that the connector would have corroded by now.

There is already a little rust starting on my trailer (it's used)... leaf springs, axel and where the trailer tilts (mine has a tilt feature). I know I can't keep it looking new forever, but I also don't want to expedite the corrosion process. In addition, I'm pretty sure that the wooden sides are not treated lumber, so I'm not sure how they would handle being exposed to the elements on a daily basis.

My trailer sits out in the elements, partually under a pine tree (so you know the issue with the drippings I face). does it get more wear this way vs. being inside? Yep, but it is what it is. I do cover the connectors on the 4-pin harness so they don't oxidize. I do get surface rust on some of the spring/axle components - and a bit on the wheel hubs - but it's no different than with a car, so it's just sort of the way it is. In terms of the side lumber, just treat them with some good wood sealer every year or two and you should be all set. The real wear on the wood is if you have the wood base - water tends to sit and get kicked up as you drive - that's where my wear is after 10+ years.

andy

[sjlee]

Originally posted by andyschneider

My trailer sits out in the elements, partually under a pine tree (so you know the issue with the drippings I face). does it get more wear this way vs. being inside? Yep, but it is what it is. I do cover the connectors on the 4-pin harness so they don't oxidize. I do get surface rust on some of the spring/axle components - and a bit on the wheel hubs - but it's no different than with a car, so it's just sort of the way it is. In terms of the side lumber, just treat them with some good wood sealer every year or two and you should be all set. The real wear on the wood is if you have the wood base - water tends to sit and get kicked up as you drive - that's where my wear is after 10+ years.

andy

You're probably right about me being too worried about the trailer. Like I said before, this is my first trailer... and I've never had any experience with one before. When I bought the trailer, the guy who sold it to me (who wasn't the original owner... it was the dealer who sold it to the original owner) told me to keep it covered to protect it.

I'm actually considering removing the sides when I'm not using them... particularly in winter. Do you think using a wood sealer is necessary then? How about the wood floor/base... do you think it makes sense to use wood sealer on that as well?

I leave the trailer tilted when not using it, so that if it does get water on it, it will drain off.

[andyschneider]

Originally posted by sjlee


You're probably right about me being too worried about the trailer. Like I said before, this is my first trailer... and I've never had any experience with one before. When I bought the trailer, the guy who sold it to me (who wasn't the original owner... it was the dealer who sold it to the original owner) told me to keep it covered to protect it.

I'm actually considering removing the sides when I'm not using them... particularly in winter. Do you think using a wood sealer is necessary then? How about the wood floor/base... do you think it makes sense to use wood sealer on that as well?

I leave the trailer tilted when not using it, so that if it does get water on it, it will drain off.

It never hurts to protect the wood, as the sun and rain both take a toll. Just a spray thompson's water seal or something is all you need to do. Even tilted the floor gets water that sits on it (and you get the bottom splash if you trailer in the rain) - just good practice. Problem with my trailer is to cover it with the sides would be a huge tarp, and we get a lot of wind around here so it'd be flapping (or gone) all the time. bottom line is you do what you're comfortable with - anythign you store inside likely won't wear as fast - it all is "relatively" how fast. :-)

enjoy the trailer, and don't sweat the exposure issues - it's built to be outdoors anyway. Just keep an eye on tire pressures if you let it sit due to heating/cooling.

andy

[sjlee]

Originally posted by andyschneider

It never hurts to protect the wood, as the sun and rain both take a toll. Just a spray thompson's water seal or something is all you need to do. Even tilted the floor gets water that sits on it (and you get the bottom splash if you trailer in the rain) - just good practice. Problem with my trailer is to cover it with the sides would be a huge tarp, and we get a lot of wind around here so it'd be flapping (or gone) all the time. bottom line is you do what you're comfortable with - anythign you store inside likely won't wear as fast - it all is "relatively" how fast. :-)

enjoy the trailer, and don't sweat the exposure issues - it's built to be outdoors anyway. Just keep an eye on tire pressures if you let it sit due to heating/cooling.

andy

Do you think there's an issue with using water seal on the bottom of the base/floor wood since I won't be able to seal it entirely (since the frame is blocking part of the wood)? My concern would be that water would get into the wood, but the sealant would trap it in... causing it to rot/rust quicker.

[andyschneider]

Originally posted by sjlee


Do you think there's an issue with using water seal on the bottom of the base/floor wood since I won't be able to seal it entirely (since the frame is blocking part of the wood)? My concern would be that water would get into the wood, but the sealant would trap it in... causing it to rot/rust quicker.

I wouldn't sweat it too much - it mostly repels the water, and it's not a complete watertight seal anyway. Actually, on my trailer, they just spraypainted the whole underside - wood and metal cross members - to add protection. And this was with non-weathertreated southern yellow pine - and holding up for about 13 years was pretty good, imho. I'm replacing it with pressure-treated 2x6's this summer.

I think you're dwelling on this way too much. Add some protection and use the trailer!!!

andy