Winterizing
I am wondering, since I am getting ready to winterize my Hi-Lo for the very first time. :) When I put my unit on 2X6 blocks under the tires for the winter, is it a good idea to lower the leveling jacks to stabilize the unit since it will be sitting at the storage unit from October until I bring it out in the spring in April to help keep the weight off the tires? I know when I winterized my 18' Road Runner (like pulling a bill board behind my truck) I did not put the jacks down nor did I cover it with a cover like I am going to do with my unit. This lovely 17T is going to be with me well into retirement that can happen as early as the next 4 years. (Yeah!!). I winterized my Road Runner since I bought it new in 2009 and traded it in on the 17T. I am just so full of excitement because I was able to use it this season before I had to go back to work in September. I know many questions from a new owner. But yet, now knowing what I missed out on by not buying a Hi-Lo to begin with. Thank goodness you folks are here to help!!
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Ratmouser, I've got essentially the same trailer as you and I don't try to get the weight off the wheels during storage. The stabilizing jacks are not there to "lift" the trailer, they are just there to keep it from "rocking". I would not apply too much force to the screwjacks when they are used. You could distort the frame.
It would be probably better to jack the trailer up and then put it on jackstands supporting the frame next to the axle, if you wanted to take the weight off the wheels. As I said, I don't do this, but I DO inflate the tires to the max cold pressure and then check them about once a month. I've not had any problems using this procedure. - Jack |
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- Mike Allen Park, MI |
There's not much danger of the trailer "rocking" if you're not in it. About the only reason to take the weight off the tires is to prevent "flat-spotting". Covering the tires to protect from UV damage is a very good idea.
If the temp is really cold, flat-spotting could cause a "lumpy ride" until the tires warmed up and got more flexible. Since you're not going to tow the trailer in really cold weather, this should not be a problem. Putting the trailer under a cover (if fabric, make sure it is breathable) is always a good idea when the trailer is parked for a prolonged period. - Jack |
I assume you will be taking the battery out and maintaining it at home.
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covering the RV for winter
Be sure to use bubble wrap to pad sharp objects. Pad the awning ends and any protrusions such as vents,AC. Some have used pool noodles. The cover will rub against sharp objects and make a wear spot or rip.
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Thanks
Thanks for the good info. Learned a couple of good ideas in the thread.
Later Tim |
Interestingly enough, the latest issue of Trailer Life Magazine had a letter from a trailer owner that was wondering if the stabilizing jacks should be used to get the tires off the ground during storage.
The magazine writer gave a two part answer: 1- Stabilizing jacks are not meant to be used to raise the chassis; they are to stabilize it. (As somebody here pointed out, if the tires lose pressure during storage the jacks will end up taking up the load) 2- Tires do not have to be off the ground during storage. They can stay on the ground but they should be on a surface that does not transfer moisture to the tire contact patch. They suggested rolling the tires onto metal (baking sheets), plastic (cutting boards), etc. Raul |
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Good info here! |
Another option
is to become what southerners refer to as Snowbirds. Basically that is where northerners (Yankees) move south for the winter. Now I would encourage y'all to do just that ... bring your HiLo with you and stimulate our economy, have some bar-b-que, enjoy our hospitality and generally milder weather.
No offense intended, I once lived in snow country myself. Was even on the high school ski team. |
Batteries?
Since our Hi-Lo has a solar panel, I leave the batteries in all winter. The charge has been enough to keep them full. But I have a question: if you remove the batteries, how do you lift/lower the trailer without power?
Also for wintering, I blow out all the water lines and the hot water heater. 50psi is max. |
As far as raising and lowering without battery- I leave the battery cables accessible to the front of the battery box opening which I can get to with the trailer down (per jack's suggestion last fall-thanks , again, Jack) then I just attach jumper cables to those cables and hook up to my truck's battery if I need to raise the unit.
AS far as snow----- I don't know if I would want to pull my tires onto plastic or metal cookie sheets as with freezing and thawing of snow there would be a tendency to have the tires frozen in water a good part of the winter-----I;d rather go with 2-4" of wood off the ground or even the plastic leveler blocks to make sure water is less likely to pool. Finally- I brushed the snow off last winter but i posed this question in the "snow load" thread----"why would a hi-lo be any more likely to be damaged by snow loads than a regular trailer?" My guess it they aren't and, in fact, present an advantage in that it is easier to brush the snow off given the lower profile. I clear the snow from my sloped roof on my house after heavy snows so clearing a flat roofed trailer to me makes sense. Rick |
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- Mike |
Deaf ears ...
Both my grandmother (RIP) and my in-laws (now pushing 90's) did just that - SNOWBIRDING -for many years.
As for me, I'm a stick in the mud/ stay at home kind of guy. Unless New England offers tremendous incentives (Cheap camping, low sales tax, reduced booze and gasoline prices, etc) then (excluding remaining funeral visits) I'm not gonna make the trip up north ever again. An old curmudgeon happy with the way things currently are. As an aside, treat your children well - they will be choosing YOUR retirement home. |
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Totally understand the wind RC. 40 mph is normal everyday in Ok and Texas. Here in MI they think the house is going to blow down. LOL. Hi-Lo is wrapped up for the winter. Went down to the storage place today to tighten up the cover and make sure there was a nose up angle for water drainage when the snow melts. Am looking forward to taking it out in the Spring on my annual man vacation. This is the week of spring break in MI where I get to go out on my own for some me time and enjoy the sites that the State of Michigan has to offer. I think this spring I am going to go to Beaver Island for a ferry boat ride and a lighthouse tour. Spent the first 18 years of my life in MI and never left the tri-county area around Detroit. Never knew we had so many vacation spots to go visit until I moved back here 7 years ago. Love the Hi-Lo home away from home. :)
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Storage question
Have not been on here in a while. Moved the Hilo to AZ from outside storage in CA and put it the garage in March will not be able to use it until next summer when retirement begins. So the question is too long for it to sit on two year old tires right. So should we move it in and out or put it up on blocks of wood. Moving it and getting it back in the same place might take some time. Can a person just jack it up and rotate the tires? Thanks so much for all the help.
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Tire Storage - Goodyear RV |
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